Religion as discourse: on the critique of the concept of religion Modern religious discourses The indispensability of the concept of religion On discourse-theory criticism On postcolonial criticism On the necessity of analytical concepts From language to social reference Religion as social reference: on justifying the concept of religion Demarcation Superimposition Assimilation The politics of religion Travelers’ reports Conclusions Scholarly imaginations of religion Religion as a divine gift of reason Religion as an experience of revelation Religion as projection Religion as protoscience Religion as affect Religion as a function of the brain Religion as sacralized society Religion as an interest in salvation Religion as a commodity Outlook Religious practice and the promise of salvation: outline of a theory of religion Defining religion Understanding religion Explaining religion Averting misfortune: general religious practices Religious calendars Life-cycle practices Variable practices The radical quest for salvation: the practices of religious virtuosos On the concept of virtuosity Shamans Christians Jews Muslims Buddhists Japanese virtuosos Daoists On the logic of virtuoso practices Turning toward salvation: religious propaganda Conversion and propaganda Conversion narratives Reports of enlightenment Prophetic promises The future of religion On the universality of religion Secularization, disenchantment, and deinstitutionalization The return and the future of religion.