The Invention of God in Indigenous Societies (Hardcover, New)

Indigenous societies around the world have been historically disparaged by European explorers, colonial officials and Christian missionaries. Nowhere was this more evident than in early descriptions of indigenous religions as savage, primitive, superstitious and fetishistic. Liberal intellectuals, both indigenous and colonial, reacted to this by claiming that, before indigenous peoples ever encountered Europeans, they all believed in a Supreme Being. 'The Invention of God in Indigenous Societies' argues that, by alleging that God can be located at the core of pre-Christian cultures, this claim effectively invents a tradition which only makes sense theologically if God has never left himself without a witness. Examining a range of indigenous religions from North America, Africa and Australasia - the Shona of Zimbabwe, the 'Rainbow Spirit Theology' in Australia, the Yupiit of Alaska, and the Maori of New Zealand - the book argues that the interests of indigenous societies are best served by carefully describing their religious beliefs and practices using historical and phenomenological methods - just as would be done in the study of any world religion.

General

Imprint:	Acumen Publishing Ltd
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	December 2013
First published:	2014
Authors:	James Cox
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 18mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	192
Edition:	New
ISBN-13:	978-1-84465-754-4
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Ethnic studies > Indigenous peoples Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Anthropology > Social & cultural anthropology > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > General
LSN:	1-84465-754-X
Barcode:	9781844657544

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