Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of a key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book considers the classical roots of ideas about religion that dominated sociological ways of thinking about religion for most of the twentieth century. It offers sound reasons for continuing to find theoretical inspiration and challenge in the sociological classics whilst also seeking ways of enhancing and extending their relevance to religion today. The book focuses on sets of problems which aspire to outline fresh perspectives on aspects of modern, postmodern and ultramodern religion. It charts new directions for the sociological analysis of religion by fundamentally re-thinking its theoretical basis, by extending its disciplinary boundaries. The book seeks to develop fresh interpretations of religion that have their roots in post-classical sociological theories. It contains critical elaborations of the writings of theorists as diverse as Ulrich Beck, Anthony Giddens and George Ritzer, none of whom is primarily renowned for insights into religion.