ABSTRACT
Our earliest sociological forebears gave us some big ideas to think with: how does the energy of a gathered community become condensed into enduring symbols? How do cultural virtuosi create meaningful ways of life that can transform the world? How do powerful people mystify others into believing their power is justified? And how does the colour line fundamentally shape the world? By mid-twentieth century, sociology had succumbed to the ‘division of labour’ that the early thinkers foresaw, but the sub-field of the sociology of religion has grown enormously, and the object of our study has increasingly been recognised as central to understanding society. As the object of our study has grown to include the world beyond the North Atlantic – and as women have entered the field – we have recognised the need for a more expansive definition of social action that includes bodies and emotions, alongside ideas and texts; and that looks for religion beyond the four walls of institutions. This paper will, then, elaborate on each of these emerging theoretical questions, using exemplary recent research to suggest future directions for the field.
