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.