RC Laplace and time domain
Vo(s)/Vi(s) = 1/(1+sRC) doesn't state that Vo(t)/Vi(t) is exp(-t/RC). It states that the impulse response of the filter is exp(-t/RC) i.e. the output in case the input is Dirac's delta would be exp(-t/RC). There's no simple rule for the s-domain presentation of the ratio of time domain functions Vo and Vi.

The output time domain function can be calculated from an arbitary input time domain function as convolution integral of the impulse response and input time domain function, so the impulse response well is a kind of equivalent for the transfer function. But in time domain the simple multiplication must be replaced by convolution integral.

Convolution of time domain functions is often written with an operator symbol which resembles multiplication symbol. That's because it has the same role in time domain as multiplication has in s-domain.

You are right that your textbook snippet looks obscure. But we cannot see more than you have uploaded, so the theta in the formulas and what the text says is unknown. Thus there's not enough evidence to say the book is nonsense.