Includes index, bibliography and appendix.

Contents: The social basics of religious behaviour: Introduction -- Religion and social structure -- Definitions of religion -- Social functions of religion -- Some theories of religion -- Social differentiation and religious participation -- Problem of method -- Conclusion -- The structure of traditional religion: Akan and Igbo paradigms: Introduction -- Institutional imperatives of social structure -- Dimensions of traditionality -- Structure of the spirit realm -- Centrality of 'Honhom Fi' (or evil spirit) -- conclusion -- Aspects of socio-religion change and the restructuring of identity: Introduction -- Social change and religion evolution -- Influence of missionary work -- Social differentiation and religious complexity -- Demographic implications of religious behaviour -- Conclusion -- The contemporary religious situation: Introduction -- Religious diversity: From the command to the personal -- The sectarian dimension -- The functions and dysfunctions of sects -- Sectarianism and the power nexus -- Conclusion -- Witchcraft beliefs and practices: A Ghanaian case study: Introduction Previous interpretations of witchcraft -- Witchcraft beliefs and cargo cultism -- A sample of requests for assistance -- Pursuit of delivrance, assurance and extraordinary power -- Conclusion -- The future of religion: The future of imported belief systems -- Revivalism and syncretism -- Secularization debate and the the West African scene -- Established religious and fragile states -- The political use ofIslam -- Religion and revolutionary regimes: A Ghana case study -- General conclusion.