Russell T. McCutcheon, a widely published scholar also producing a variety of resources for students, is University Research Professor and, for 18 years, was the Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama, USA.

Preface to the 2nd Edition A Word on the 3rd Edition Acknowledgements Introduction What is the Study of Religion? Example: '..., But Not Specially Defined' Summary of Vocabulary and Scholars Chapter 1 What's in a Name? Example: Fruit or Vegetable? Summary of Vocabulary and Scholars Chapter 2 The History of 'Religion' Example: 'Religion' on the Colonial Frontier Summary of Vocabulary and Scholars Chapter 3 The Essentials of Religion Criticisms Example: 'He's Your Father!' Summary of Vocabulary and Scholars Chapter 4 The Functions of Religion Criticisms Example: 'People Started to Come to Her for Healing' Summary of Vocabulary and Scholars Chapter 5 The Resemblance Among Religions Criticisms Example: 'Not an Easy Task' Summary of Vocabulary and Scholars Chapter 6 The Public Discourse on Religion Example: Public Muslim Cemeteries in France Summary of Vocabulary and Scholar Chapter 7 The Insider/Outsider Problem Example: Under the Academic Microscope Summary of Vocabulary and Scholar Chapter 8 Religion and Classification Example: The World Religions Paradigm Summary of Vocabulary and Scholar Chapter 9 Identification Matters Case Study 1: Good Religion and Bad Religion Case Study 2: Religion and Gender Case Study 3: Religion and Race Case Study 4: Religion and Indigeneity Summary of Vocabulary and Scholars Afterword The Necessary Lie: Duplicity in the Disciplines, by Jonathan Z. Smith Honesty Is the Best Pedagogy, by K. Merinda Simmons Glossary Scholars Bibliography Resources Index