At a time when religious fundamentalism is having a huge impact upon the world, this book helps us to understand how people acquire, conceptualise and practise religion at both personal and social levels. At a time when religious fundamentalism is having a huge impact upon the world, this book helps us to understand how people acquire, conceptualise and practise religion at both personal and social levels.

• Explores religion both as a social phenomenon and as a form of inner experience.
  
• Explains why people believe what they do.
  
• Looks at the effects of religious and spiritual belief upon behaviour, and upon physical and psychological health.
  
• Outlines the various approaches to religious and spiritual experience.
  
• Surveys all relevant research.