Provides readings from a broad range of social scientific theories The aim of this new book is to provide the student with an anthology of key texts on the broad range of social scientific theories of religion. The Reader is divided into six sections, each with a short introduction followed by five or six sources of sufficient length (in the range of 5-15 pages) to allow a clear understanding of both the theories and methodologies. Given its broad coverage and its examination of both key issues and thinkers, this book should find its place as the primary reader for introductions to Religious Studies. Theories of Religion: A Reader can be used either alongside James Thrower’s Religion: The Classical Theories and Seth Kunin’s Religion: The Modern Theories or as a stand alone reader for courses in theories of religion.