Contested Concepts in the Study of Religion: A Critical Exploration

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This book offers a clear, concise introduction to the meaning of problematic terms, and the ways in which they should legitimately be used. 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 Secularisation Violence This is a jargon-free indispensable resource for students and scholars that encourages the critical use of terms in the study of religion.

Reviews

In this ground-breaking volume, George Chryssides and Amy Whitehead have assembled an impressive list of expert contributors who analyse how key concepts at the heart of religious studies have been used and misused, and how they can be re-framed in constructive ways. Teachers and seasoned researchers will find the contents essential reading. * James Cox, Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK *
This is a very useful book. Scholars can engage critically with essays that fall near their own interests but they can also quickly get up to speed on topics that may be further afield from their own research. Students will benefit from the brief, lucid essays on an array of topics that are relevant to a variety of courses. Highly recommended. * Eugene V. Gallagher, Rosemary Park Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Connecticut College *
Contested Concepts in the Study of Religion is a much-needed text that will be valuable to scholars and students of all levels. By delving into the ways that concepts related to religion are used variously over time and in differing contexts, the authors lay bare core problems in any study of religion that does not grapple with these realities as a first step. Every scholar working on a form of modern religion should have this book on their shelf for reference! * Marie W. Dallam, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Oklahoma, USA *

Author Bio

George D. Chryssides is Research Fellow in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at York St John University, UK. His publications include The Study of Religion (Bloomsbury, 2014) and The Bloomsbury Companion to Studying Christians (Bloomsbury, 2020). Amy Whitehead is Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology at Massey University, New Zealand. Her publications include Religious Statues and Personhood: Testing the Role of Materiality (Bloomsbury, 2013) and she is the managing editor for Bloomsbury Studies in Material Religion.