A comprehensive and approachable introduction to social scientific
theories of religion as they have developed in the twentieth
century. In the first section the groundwork is laid for the
theories developed in the twentieth century, introducing the
significant thinkers who have established some of the main avenues
of discussion including Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Freud, Jung, and
Otto. The second section introduces the main approaches of the
social scientific disciplines that study religion: sociological,
psychological, phenomenological, feminist and anthropological. The
third section puts religion under the microscope, examining
constituent elements such as ritual, symbolism and myth. Throughout
the author shows that theories and definitions need to be
questioned and problematised, and concludes with suggestions for
how new definitions of religion might be framed to provide more
culturally sensitive and open-ended ways of understanding. The
introduction of key issues and thinkers in modern theories of
religion make this an ideal text for all Religious Studies
students. Selling Points: * includes the four main modern
approaches to religion - anthropological, sociological,
psychological and feminist * each chapter includes an ethnographic
case study to exemplify the issues raised * covers key themes such
as symbolism, myth, ritual, theories of embodiment, identity,
boundaries, Marxism, Feminism, ethnicity, science, and New
Religious Movements
General
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