This volume provides a thorough introduction to the major classic and modern writings dealing with religious sacrifice. Collected here are twenty five influential selections, each with a brief introduction addressing the overall framework and assumptions of its author. As they present different theories and examples of sacrifice, these selections also discuss important concepts in religious studies such as the origin of religion, totemism, magic, symbolism, violence, structuralism and ritual performance. Students of comparative religion, ritual studies, the history of religions, the anthropology of religion and theories of religion will particularly value the historical organization and thematic analyses presented in this collection.

Val is an extremely attractive and very bright young African-American woman. An exotic dancer by trade (and very successful at her craft), the hard gristled back boned enchantress lives a free wheeling, come and go as she pleases lifestyle. Choosing to always remain emotionally unattached, Val very much enjoys the intrinsic freedoms of her devil-may-care standard of existence. By far her favorite customer is a good looking and very upstanding Ebony gentleman named Martin who made sporadic appearances at the club where she danced. A very well-to-do advertising executive, Martin has been widowed for 10 years and is 18 years further up the age ladder than is Val. In coming from the opposed stations that they hailed from, their improbable association will take them both on a gut wrenching, emotionally charged rollercoaster ride (that neither of them could ever have been mentally prepared for), and trigger a chain of events that is packed with the types of drama, twists and turns that oft times happen......'When Opposite Worlds Collide'!!!

Divided Emotions is a story about a moderately successful 36 year old, single African-American mother dedicated to raising her son with whom she shares a very close-knit bond. After years of forsaking a personal life of her own by dating very little and not even once having any parts of a serious relationship, 'Zari' finally allows herself to indulge in a wonderful love affair while her son 'Tre' (who is 17 by now) is away for the summer. For Zari and her lover it is a magical time as they experience each other and they both fall deeply in love very quickly. There are issues however. As happy as Zari and her lover are about being with each other, their love affair must be kept a secret between just the two of them. If Tre ever found out about the affair it would more than likely destroy his relationship with his mother, spawn hatred for her and open emotional wounds that even after given plenty of time.....may well never heal!!!!!!!!

This volume provides a thorough introduction to the major classic and modern writings dealing with religious sacrifice. Collected here are twenty five influential selections, each with a brief introduction addressing the overall framework and assumptions of its author. As they present different theories and examples of sacrifice, these selections also discuss important concepts in religious studies such as the origin of religion, totemism, magic, symbolism, violence, structuralism and ritual performance. Students of comparative religion, ritual studies, the history of religions, the anthropology of religion and theories of religion will particularly value the historical organization and thematic analyses presented in this collection.>