The Sociology of Religion: A Canadian Perspective

Lome L. Dawson and Joel Thiessen. The Sociology of Religion: A Canadian Perspective. Toronto, Canada: Oxford University Press (2014). 262 pages, ISBN : 9780195425574.Potential non-Canadian readers should not be put-off by title of Lome L. Dawson and Joel Thiessen's book, The Sociology of Religion: A Canadian Perspective. The Canadian Perspective, though central to several considerations of joint authors, does not interfere with overall purpose of book, to provide a clear and concise introduction to key theories, findings, and debates in sociology of religion. Dawson is chair of Department of Sociology and Legal Studies at University of Waterloo where he also is professor in Department of Religious Studies. Thiessen is associate professor of sociology at Ambrose University College. Together, they have produced one of most useful volumes with which to introduce all levels of students to sociological study of religion. The book is one of twenty-two in a series that engages themes in Canadian sociology. This small, 262 page paperback, with 12 pages of index, 6 pages of glossary, and 15 pages of two column references, is now at top of my list of first readers for undergraduate and graduate students studying sociology of religion. It might even be a strong reader for anyone wanting to better understand maj or issues of field.Of nine chapters in volume, only Introduction, two closing chapters, and part of a third, focus on details and realities of Canadian society that gives book its geographic specificity, and authors do go beyond Canadian context to reference some of North American reality. The bulk of detailed theoretical and research discussions engage important debates in sociology of and authors consider significant findings within academic field. To help readers and students more fully comprehend and probe issues of discussions, Dawson and Thiessen provide Learning Objectives as opening heading of each chapter, blocked for easy recognition. Each chapter also contains exemplary discussions by other authors in discipline-strategically placed as Boxes with a distinguishable type font, just as each chapter closes with Critical Thinking Questions, Suggested Readings, and Related Websites. This strategy is most helpful for students and book is clearly designed for those of us who are eternal students.Dawson and Thiessen's writing style is exceptionally clear and concise, without reducing complexity or depth of disciplinary arena. Neither do these authors avoid difficult issues often raised in sociology of religion, or exclude absence of precise answers one might expect scientific study of topic to provide. They acknowledge that researchers have not completely understood certain religious phenomena and are yet perplexed by others. There also are a supporting number of charts and tables that help exemplify some of distributive characteristics of and religious practice, mostly in Canada but not exclusively. If you are getting impression that I am pleased with this book, you are absolutely correct but do not think there are no areas where it might improve and/or book falls short.It is clear that Dawson and Thiessen are concerned with introducing readers to the sociology of religion in its major theoretical and research emphases and their geographical focus is Canada. However, I suggest there is a shortfall in their presentation to field of this introductory book. They fail to engage critical question of race in their text, in their citations, in their bibliography, and/or in index. The inclusion of immigrants and religious influence and tension such groups have brought to nation are appropriately considered. The authors even gi ve passing consideration to issues of gender and but I cannot discern where they have included race as a critical an intervening variable that cuts across religious practices of Canadian nationals and/or, for that matter, immigrating cultural groups. …

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