Why is religion still important? Can we be fully modern and fully religious? In this second edition, Davie follows up her excellent discussion about the meaning of religion in relation to modern society and how to best research and understand this relation in academia and beyond. Set in a contemporary context, updated and revised to fit the rapid movements within the sociology of religion, this book: * Describes the origins of the sociology of religion * Demystifies secularization as a process and a theory * Relates religion to modern social theory * Unpacks the meaning of religion in relation to modernity and globalization * Grasps the methodological challenges in the field * Provides a comparative perspective for religions in the west * Introduces questions of minorities and margins * Sets out a critical agenda for debate and research. The Sociology of Religion has already proved itself as one of the most important titles within the field today and will continue to be an indispensable resource for students and researchers alike.