Abstract
The sociology of religion existed in Yugoslavia in a modest way from the 1960s until the collapse of Yugoslavia. It evolved from an initial Marxist perspective, through humanist and structuralist positions, towards more complex models. Empirical work was centred upon religiosity of the general population, correlating findings on religiosity with other social indicators, usually stressing the seemingly rapid secularization and the spread of atheism. There were a few studies on other subjects: psychological aspects, small religious groups and civil religion. Particularly lacking were studies adapted to the specificities of individual confessions. Topics on religion were taught in a modest way within sociology courses as general education subjects at university level and of course within sociology of religion courses in the professional education of sociologists. Although in the former Yugoslav state sociology of religion was a modest enterprise, it nevertheless contributed to the legitimization of religion as a cultural institution.