Religion and the Social Sciences

“Hands down, the most comprehensive and engaging volume in existence on why religion matters in the social sciences. This is required reading for academic scholars, graduate students, the educated public and anyone else who recognizes that in order to understand the world today, we must understand religion.” —Robert A. Emmons, professor of Psychology, University of California, Davis, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology, and author of The Psychology of Gratitude.

“This is an important and timely addition to the burgeoning literature on religion in the social sciences. These chapters offer concise overviews and insightful commentaries on the study of religion in diverse fields, ranging from psychology and political science to criminology, gerontology, and epidemiology . . . and much more. This book should be required reading for scholars and researchers and students --and indeed, for anyone interested in the vast and growing body of work on religion and its implications for social life. The contributions here will help to chart the agendas for multiple fields for years to come.” —Christopher G. Ellison, professor of Sociology, Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Social Science, University of Texas at San Antonio

“This collection covers a wide variety of subjects and provides the reader with a crisp and current introduction to the literature in each of the respective subfields of study. It is highly recommended both for advanced scholars and inquiring minds in related fields of study, such as criminology, education, economics, history, and psychology.” —Wilfred M. McClay, G. T. and Libby Blankenship Chair in the History of Liberty, University of Oklahoma

“I am deeply grateful to my colleague and friend Jeff Levin for producing this important work.  His rigorous exploration of the ‘faith factor’ in medicine and the health sciences is pioneering and his diligent scholarship in editing this book is a major contribution to the social sciences.” —Jay Hein, former director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

"This is a truly stellar contribution by one of the pioneers in the study of religion and health. I know of no other volume that provides such a genuinely comprehensive overview of the field by reviewing research in every social scientific discipline. This book is essential reading for any social scientist." —Neal Krause, Marshall H. Becker Collegiate Professor Emeritus of Public Health, The University of Michigan and author of Aging in the Church: How Social Relationships Affect Health