Contested Concepts in the Study of Religion: A Critical Exploration

✍ Scribed by George D. Chryssides; Amy R. Whitehead (editors)

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2023
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 201
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book offers a clear, concise introduction to the meaning of problematic terms, and the ways in which they should be handled legitimately. Each entry considers the following:
– Why is this concept problematic?
– What are the origins of the concept?
– How is it used or misused, and by whom?
– Is it still a legitimate concept in the study of religion and, if so, what are its legitimate uses?
– Are there other concepts that are preferable when writing on religion?
Concepts covered include: belief, religion, magic, secularization and violence.
This is a jargon-free, indispensable resource for students and scholars that encourages the critical use of terms in the study of religion.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Contents
Notes on contributors
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Introduction: What is a contested concept? George D. Chryssides and Amy R. Whitehead
1 Belief Nicholas Campion
2 Charisma Edward A. Irons
3 Conversion David G. Bromley
4 Cult Benjamin E. Zeller
5 Diaspora Kim Knott
6 Folk religion Marion Bowman
7 Fundamentalism Camille Kaminski Lewis
8 Guru Stephen Jacobs
9 Indigenous religions Graham Harvey
10 Magic Angela Puca
11 Millennialism Catherine Wessinger
12 Myth Gregory W. Dawes
13 New Age Shai Feraro
14 New religious movements George D. Chryssides
15 Pilgrimage Carole M. Cusack
16 Prophecy George D. Chryssides
17 Religion David Morgan
18 Secularization Titus Hjelm
19 Spirituality Steven J. Sutcliffe
20 Superstition Amy R. Whitehead
21 Syncretism Bettina E. Schmidt
22 Violence Negar Partow
23 World religion Teemu Taira
24 Worship Christina Welch
25 Concepts in practice George D. Chryssides and Amy R. Whitehead
References
Index