This exploration of how religion has developed in a globalized society reveals what 'religion' means in the world today. Fully illustrated, it contains examples ranging from Islam and Hinduism to African traditional religions and new age spirituality.

Acknowledgements Introduction: Religion as Concept and Social Reality in Global Society 1. Globalization and Global Society 2. The Religious System of Global Society 3. Formation and Re-Formation of Abrahamic Religions: Christianity and Islam 4. The Realization of Hinduism 5. Refusal and Appropriation in East Asia: Confucianism and Shinto 6. New Religions, Non-Institutionalized Religiosity and the Control of a Contested Category Conclusion Bibliography Index