Enzo Pace is Professor of Sociology and Sociology of Religion University of Padova, and Head of the Department of Sociology and Director of the Interdepartmental Centre for the Intercultural Studies. He is a member of the following scientific boards: Interdepartmental Centre on Human Rights of Padova University; Observatoire de Sociologie de la Religion, University of Lausanne; Agence National de la Recherche (CNRS-France); Past-President of International Society for the Sociology of Religion (ISSR/SISR); Visiting Professor at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Science Sociales (EHESS-Paris) in 1996-2000. He co-edits the Annual Review of the Sociology of Religion (Brill, Leiden-Boston); Member of the Editorial Committee of: Archives de Sciences Sociales des Religions; Social Compass;

'Enzo Pace's book is ambitious, original and timely. Steering clear of arid debates about "the decline of religion'"and "the return of religion", it charts new theoretical territory by focusing on religions as systems of communication which respond creatively to their environments. A fresh comparative sociology of religion is the impressive result.' James A. Beckford, University of Warwick, UK 'Rather than impose a non-religious framework, Professor Pace, as a good sociologist, notes that religions operate in systems of historically layered, contested, beliefs. Belief, alternative belief, and even non-belief find their coherence in the long-standing religious syntax of a given society. He approaches this as a substructure of communication, and in the process unfolds a perspective that defies trivialization. It is simply profound.' Anthony J. Blasi, Tennessee State University, USA

• Introduction; Chapter 1 Religion as Communication; Chapter 2 Religion and Sense; Chapter 3 From the Capacity for Improvisation to Belief System; Chapter 4 Spirit and Order; conclusion Conclusion;

Enzo Pace is Professor of Sociology and Sociology of Religion University of Padova, and Head of the Department of Sociology and Director of the Interdepartmental Centre for the Intercultural Studies. He is a member of the following scientific boards: Interdepartmental Centre on Human Rights of Padova University; Observatoire de Sociologie de la Religion, University of Lausanne; Agence National de la Recherche (CNRS-France); Past-President of International Society for the Sociology of Religion (ISSR/SISR); Visiting Professor at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Science Sociales (EHESS-Paris) in 1996-2000. He co-edits the Annual Review of the Sociology of Religion (Brill, Leiden-Boston); Member of the Editorial Committee of: Archives de Sciences Sociales des Religions; Social Compass;

'Enzo Pace's book is ambitious, original and timely. Steering clear of arid debates about "the decline of religion'"and "the return of religion", it charts new theoretical territory by focusing on religions as systems of communication which respond creatively to their environments. A fresh comparative sociology of religion is the impressive result.' James A. Beckford, University of Warwick, UK 'Rather than impose a non-religious framework, Professor Pace, as a good sociologist, notes that religions operate in systems of historically layered, contested, beliefs. Belief, alternative belief, and even non-belief find their coherence in the long-standing religious syntax of a given society. He approaches this as a substructure of communication, and in the process unfolds a perspective that defies trivialization. It is simply profound.' Anthony J. Blasi, Tennessee State University, USA

• Introduction; Chapter 1 Religion as Communication; Chapter 2 Religion and Sense; Chapter 3 From the Capacity for Improvisation to Belief System; Chapter 4 Spirit and Order; conclusion Conclusion;

Enzo Pace is Professor of Sociology and Sociology of Religion University of Padova, and Head of the Department of Sociology and Director of the Interdepartmental Centre for the Intercultural Studies. He is a member of the following scientific boards: Interdepartmental Centre on Human Rights of Padova University; Observatoire de Sociologie de la Religion, University of Lausanne; Agence National de la Recherche (CNRS-France); Past-President of International Society for the Sociology of Religion (ISSR/SISR); Visiting Professor at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Science Sociales (EHESS-Paris) in 1996-2000. He co-edits the Annual Review of the Sociology of Religion (Brill, Leiden-Boston); Member of the Editorial Committee of: Archives de Sciences Sociales des Religions; Social Compass;

'Enzo Pace's book is ambitious, original and timely. Steering clear of arid debates about "the decline of religion'"and "the return of religion", it charts new theoretical territory by focusing on religions as systems of communication which respond creatively to their environments. A fresh comparative sociology of religion is the impressive result.' James A. Beckford, University of Warwick, UK 'Rather than impose a non-religious framework, Professor Pace, as a good sociologist, notes that religions operate in systems of historically layered, contested, beliefs. Belief, alternative belief, and even non-belief find their coherence in the long-standing religious syntax of a given society. He approaches this as a substructure of communication, and in the process unfolds a perspective that defies trivialization. It is simply profound.' Anthony J. Blasi, Tennessee State University, USA

• Introduction; Chapter 1 Religion as Communication; Chapter 2 Religion and Sense; Chapter 3 From the Capacity for Improvisation to Belief System; Chapter 4 Spirit and Order; conclusion Conclusion;