Overview

Through the use of thought-provoking case studies, summaries, and review questions, this introductory level text shows students how to engage in the academic, objective study of religion and helps instructors address some of the typical problems they encounter when introducing students to the study of religion. Kessler guides students through an unbiased and varied study of religious beliefs and practices such as sacred power, myths and rituals, religious art, the problem of evil, and the relationship between religion and morality. The text also addresses issues of gender and religious institutionalization.

Full Product Details

Author:   Gary Kessler
Publisher:   McGraw-Hill Education - Europe
Imprint:   McGraw-Hill Professional
Edition:   3rd edition
Dimensions:   Width: 16.50cm , Height: 1.30cm , Length: 23.10cm
Weight:   0.488kg
ISBN:  

9780073386591

ISBN 10:   0073386596
Pages:   384
Publication Date:   16 December 2007
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
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Table of Contents

PrefaceChapter 1: Thinking about Being a Student of Religion 1.1 Insider's and Outsider's Perspectives1.2 Qualities Worth Having1.3 Why Study Religion?Review QuestionsExplorationsSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 2: On Defining and Studying Religion2.1 Marks of a Good Definition2.2 Two Definitions2.3 Is Secular Humanism a Religion?2.4 A Simple Map of the Field2.5 Goals and Methods2.6 Fieldwork2.7 ControversyReview QuestionsExplorationsSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 3: Sacred Power3.1 Two Case Studies3.2 Comparison3.3 Forms of Sacred Power3.4 Agnosticism and AtheismReview QuestionsResearch Case: GaneshaQuestions on the Case of GaneshaSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 4: Myth as Sacred Story4.1 Two Case Studies4.2 Comparison4.3 Types and Functions4.4 Theories of Myth4.5 Myth and ScienceReview QuestionsResearch Case: The Primal ManQuestions on the Case of the Primal ManSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 5: Ritual as Sacred Action5.1 Two Case Studies5.2 Comparison5.3 Types and Functions5.4 Sacrifice and Violence5.5 Magic, Performatives, and Ritual5.6 Myth and RitualReview QuestionsResearch Case: SederQuestions on the Case of the SederSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 6: Sacred Space, Time, and Art6.1 Two Case Studies6.2 Comparison6.3 Features of Sacred Space and Time6.4 Glimpsing the SacredReview QuestionsResearch Case: The Cathedral of St. AndrewQuestions on the Case of the Cathedral of St. AndrewSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 7: Experiencing the Sacred7.1 Two Case Studies7.2 Comparison7.3 Debates about the Nature of Religious Experiences7.4 Shamanic Ecstasy7.5 Mystical Techniques and States7.6 Psychoanalytic TheoriesReview QuestionsResearch Case: St. Teresa of AvilaQuestions on the Case of St. Teresa of AvilaSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 8: Explaining Evil8.1 Two Case Studies8.2 Comparison8.3 Types of Theodicies8.4 The Theological Problem of Evil8.5 How Theodicies WorkReview QuestionsResearch Case: ManichaeismQuestions on the Case of ManichaeismSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 9: Religion and Morality9.1 Two Case Studies9.2 Comparison9.3 Identifying and Legitimating Moral Norms9.4 What are the Elements of a Religious Morality?9.5 Retribution: Overcoming Moral FailureReview QuestionsResearch Case: Jain NonviolenceQuestions on the Case of Jain NonviolenceSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 10: Religion and Politics10.1 Two Case Studies10.2 Comparison10.3 Patterns of Political EngagementReview QuestionsResearch Case: ShintoQuestions on the Case of ShintoSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 11: Organizing the Sacred11.1 Two Case Studies11.2 Comparison11.3 Types of Religious Organizations11.4 The Dilemmas of Institutionalization11.5 Types of Authority11.6 Scripture11.7 Gender11.8 Civil ReligionReview QuestionsResearch Case: ShintoQuestions on the Case of ShintoSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 12: Human Existence and Destiny12.1 Two Case Studies12.2 Comparison12.3 Religions of Salvation and Society12.4 What Is Wrong with Human Existence?12.5 Three Paths to Salvation12.6 Where Are We Going?Review QuestionsResearch Case: Zen BuddhismQuestions on the Case of Zen BuddhismSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 13: Religious Diversity and Truth13.1 Why Can't We All Get Along?13.2 Exclusivism, Inclusivism, and More13.3 What Is Truth?13.4 Critical Tolerance and the Principle of CharityReview QuestionsResearch Case: Baha'iQuestions on the Case of Baha'iSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet Resources NotesGlossaryIndex

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