Matching pivotal theorists and theories of religion alongsidecutting-edge criticism from a team of leading contemporaryscholars, this vibrant collection enables students to gain abalanced understanding of the diverse methods, theories, andtheorists involved in the historical and methodological developmentof the study of religion. It can be used alongside IvanStrenski?s textbook, Thinking about Religion: AnHistorical Introduction to Theories of Religion, to offer acomplete resource for introductory students of religiousstudies. Creates a useful mix of classic and contemporary responses toissues in the study of religion, ideal for those coming to thesubject for the first time. Traces the major historical and methodological development ofthe study of religion in the modern West, enabling students to gaina balanced understanding of the diverse methods, theories,and theorists involved. Primary theorists featured include Cherbury, Durkheim, Eliade,Frazer, Freud, Hume, Brede Kristensen, Malinowski, Max Müller,Ninian Smart, Robertson Smith, Spinoza, Tylor, and Weber. Contemporary contributors include Winston Davis, Sidney Hook,Robert Alun Jones, Karl Menninger, Sam Preus, Philip Rieff, RobertSegal, Georges Sorel, George Stocking, and William DwightWhitney.