Cultural Approaches to Studying Religion

This is the first book to provide an introduction to contemporary cultural approaches to the study of religion. This book makes sophisticated ideas accessible at an introductory level, and examines the analytic tools of scholars in religious studies, as well as in related disciplines that have shaped the field including anthropology, history, literature, and critical studies in race, sexuality, and gender. Each chapter is written by a leading scholar and includes: · the biographical and historical context of each theorist· their approaches and key writings· analysis and evaluation of each theory · suggested further reading.Part One: Comparative Approaches considers how major features such as taboo, texts, myths and ritual work across religious traditions by exploring the work of Mary Douglas, Phyllis Trible, Wendy Doniger and Catherine Bell. Part Two: Examining Particularities analyzes the comparative approach through the work of Alice Walker, Charles Long and Caroline Walker Bynum, who all suggest that the specifics of race, body, place and time must be considered. Part Three: Expanding Boundaries examines Gloria Anzaldúa's language of religion, as well as the work of Judith Butler on performative, queer theories of religion, and concludes with Saba Mahmood, whose work considers postcolonial religious encounters, secularism, and the relationship between "East" and "West." Reflecting the cultural turn and challenging the existing canon, this is the anthology instructors have been waiting for.For primary texts by the theorists discussed, please consult The Bloomsbury Reader in Cultural Approaches to the Study of Religion, edited by Sarah J. Bloesch and Meredith Minister.

Acknowledgments List of Contributors Introduction, Sarah J. Bloesch (Elon University, USA) and Meredith Minister (Shenandoah University, USA)Part One Comparative Approaches1. The Bounds of Hierarchy: Mary Douglas,Kathryn Lofton (Yale University, USA)2. Feminist Textual Critique: Phyllis Trible,Rhiannon Graybill (Rhodes College, USA)3. Myth and the Religious Imaginary: Wendy Doniger,Laurie Patton (Middlebury College, USA)4. Ritual and Belief: Catherine Bell, Kevin Lewis O'Neill (University of Toronto, Canada)Part Two Examining Particularities5. Womanist Religious Interpretation: Alice Walker,Carolyn M. Jones Medine (University of Georgia, USA)6. Signifying Religion in the Modern World:Charles H. Long, Juan M. Floyd- Thomas (Vanderbilt University, USA)7. Gender and Materiality: Caroline Walker Bynum,Jessica A. Boon (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, USA)Part Three Expanding Boundaries8. Mestiza Language of Religion: Gloria Anzaldúa, Joseph Winters (Duke University, USA)9. Performative, Queer Theories for Religion: JudithButler, Ellen T. Armour (Vanderbilt University, USA)10. Disrupting Secular Power and the Study ofReligion: Saba Mahmood, SherAli Tareen (Franklin and Marshall College, USA)Notes BibliographyIndex