Studying Religion: An Introduction

Description

Widely used as a primer, a class text, or just a provocation to critical thinking, Studying Religion clearly explains the methods and theories employed in the academic study of religion by tackling the problem of how we define religion. Written for newcomers to the field, its chapters explore the three main ways in which religion is defined and, along the way, also considers a range of related topics, from the history and functions of religion to public discourse on religion, religion in the courts, and the classification of religions. The works of classic and contemporary scholars—from Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud to Bruce Lincoln and Wendy Doniger—are analyzed and explored in its readable chapters and detailed supporting materials. Studying Religion represents a shift away from the traditional world religions approach and, instead, invites readers to consider how they divide up, name, and come to know the world around them. Thoroughly revised throughout, this second edition now includes a significantly expanded glossary, summaries of technical terms and global case studies at the end of each chapter, and additional biographies of key scholars mentioned. This book will be invaluable to all students of religious studies—whether in the introductory class or as an example of an alternative way of approaching the field. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Preface to the second edition Acknowledgments Introduction: what is the study of religion? Example: ‘but not specifically defined’ Chapter 1: What’s in a name? Example: fruit or vegetable? Summary of vocabulary Summary of scholars Chapter 2: The history of ‘religion’ Example: ‘religion’ on the colonial frontier Summary of vocabulary Summary of scholars Chapter 3: The essentials of religion Criticisms Example: ‘he’s your father!’ Summary of vocabulary Summary of scholars Chapter 4: The functions of religion Criticisms Example: ‘people started to come to her for healing’ Summary of vocabulary Summary of scholars Chapter 5: The resemblances among religions Criticisms Example: ‘not an easy task’ Summary of vocabulary Summary of scholars Chapter 6: The public discourse on religion Example: public Muslim cemeteries in France Summary of vocabulary Summary of scholars Chapter 7: Religion and the insider/outsider problem Example: under the academic microscope Summary of vocabulary Summary of scholars Chapter 8: Religion and classification Example: the world religions paradigm Summary of vocabulary Summary of scholars Afterword The necessary lie: duplicity in the disciplines The white lie Disciplinary lying Honesty is the best pedagogy Glossary Scholars William E. Arnal Talal Asad Catherine Bell (1953–2008) Pascal Boyer Willi Braun Wendy Doniger Mary Douglas (1921–2007) Daniel Dubuisson Émile Durkheim (1858–1917) Diana L. Eck Mircea Eliade (1907–86) James G. Frazer (1854–1941) Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) Clifford Geertz (1926–2006) Eddie S. Glaude David Hume (1711–76) William James (1842–1910) Kim Knott Bruce Lincoln Burton L. Mack Martin Marty Karl Marx (1818–83) Tomoko Masuzawa F. Max Müller (1823–1900) Rudolf Otto (1869–1937) Hans Penner (1934-2012) Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768–1834) Ninian Smart (1927–2001) Huston Smith (1919–2016) Jonathan Z. Smith (1938-2017) Wilfred Cantwell Smith (1916–2000) Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) Rodney Stark Paul Tillich (1886–1965) Edward Burnett Tylor (1832–1917) Gerardus van der Leeuw (1890–1950) Max Weber (1864–1920) Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) Linda Woodhead References Resources General works on the academic study of religion Web resources Professional associations in the study of religion Index