Widely used as a primer, a class text, or just a provocation to critical thinking, clearly explains the methods and theories employed in the academic study of religion by tackling the problem of how we define religion. Written for newcomers to the field, its chapters explore the three main ways in which religion is defined and, along the way, also considers a range of related topics, from the history and functions of religion to public discourse on religion, religion in the courts, and the classification of religions. The works of classic and contemporary scholars—from Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud to Bruce Lincoln and Wendy Doniger—are analyzed and explored in its readable chapters and detailed supporting materials. represents a shift away from the traditional world religions approach and, instead, invites readers to consider how they divide up, name, and come to know the world around them.