Contains entries that address "religion as an element of daily life and public discourse. Provides entries on many and various forms of religious commitment. Addresses the different theologies and doctrines of official institutionalized religions and gives consideration to other religious phenomena. Maps out and defines the networks and connections created by various religions in contemporary societies."

Six major themes of the encyclopedia are:

1. the human being (body, life cycle, perception, sexuality, psyche, emotions, illness and health, death and dying)
2. the individual and the group (socialization, family and genealogy, everyday life, work, violence)
3. environment, society, culture (nature/environment, media, collective representations, identity, society, government, politics, the 'other,' law, economy, science, art, aesthetics)
4. elements of religious systems (religion and critique, ritual, communication, dynamics of groups, belief systems, theologies, myth and mythology, gods and goddesses, meaning and signification, morals and ethics)
5. history of religions (time, calendar, history, individual epochs, religious and philosophical traditions, forms of reception)
6. geography and territoriality of religion (place, migration, pilgrimage, heaven/sky, orientation, specific geographical regions and cities)

Part of the Gale Virtual Reference Library.