"How ha religion become a problem to us? This question serves as Jan de Vries's point of departure as he presents a concise survey of attitudes toward religion that thinkers, scholars, and poets have fostered since antiquity. The author places special emphasis upon recent hypotheses by psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and historians of religion. In viewing the entire procession, the reader finds himself making a critical assessment of his own attitude. And with that, the serious study of religion can begin"--P. [4] of cover.