There has long been a gulf in sociology between the sociology of religion and the study of ideology. This new synthesis of the two streams of thought about belief systems provides an indispensible introduction to the field. Kenneth Thompson deals with the central issues in the study of religion, ideology and popular culture from a perspective which combines the thinking of Durkheim and Marx. Bridging the sterile distinction between Marxist theory and sociology, the book covers issues about culture and ideology which are at the head of the sociological agenda. It represents a novel and pathbreaking approach to central problematic of modern social theory. -- Back cover
