The Sacred Canopy. Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion

PREFACE I. SYSTEMATIC ELEMENTS 1. Religion and World-Construction 2. Religion and World-Maintenance 3. The Problem of Theodicy 4. Religion and Alienation II. HISTORICAL ELEMENTS 5. The Process of Secularization 6. Secularization and the Problem of Plausibility 7. Secularization and the Problem of Legitimation APPENDICES Appendix I. Sociological Definitions of Religion Appendix II. Sociological and Theological Perspectives NOTES SUBJECT INDEX INDEX OF NAMES