Interpreting Religion: Making Sense of Religious Lives

This edited collection explores the production, experiences, contexts, and meanings of religion from interpretive perspectives, including ethnographic, comparative historical, psychosocial, and critical theoretical approaches. It examines dynamic intersections of race, gender, history, and the present within Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and Buddhist traditions and among the non-religious.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

This edited collection brings together a diverse range of interpretive perspectives to offer a comprehensive exploration of the creation, experiences, contexts, and meanings of religion. Scholars from the United States, South Asia, and Europe employ ethnographic, comparative historical, psychosocial, and critical theoretical methodologies to examine religious phenomena. Each chapter delves into fundamental themes in the study of religion, including identity, discourse, power, ritual, emotion, and embodiment. The authors examine the dynamic intersections of race, gender, history, and the present within the religious traditions of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism, as well as among the non-religious. By transcending religious boundaries and paradigms, the book seeks to uncover areas of harmony and contradiction through different interpretive lenses, ultimately enriching our understanding of the profound significance of religion.

Introduction:
Religion has been a central aspect of human civilization for thousands of years, shaping our beliefs, values, and behaviors. It encompasses a wide range of practices, beliefs, and rituals that are deeply intertwined with our social, cultural, and historical contexts. This edited collection aims to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the production, experiences, contexts, and meanings of religion.

Contributors:
The collection features scholars from various academic backgrounds, including anthropology, sociology, history, religious studies, and philosophy. These scholars bring their unique perspectives and methodologies to the study of religion, allowing for a rich and diverse range of interpretations.

Approaches:
The chapters in this collection employ a variety of interpretive approaches, including ethnography, comparative historical analysis, psychosocial analysis, and critical theoretical analysis. Ethnography involves immersing oneself in a particular religious community or tradition to gain firsthand knowledge of its practices, beliefs, and experiences. Comparative historical analysis examines the historical development and evolution of religious traditions, while psychosocial analysis explores the psychological and social factors that influence religious beliefs and practices. Critical theoretical analysis examines the ways in which religious ideas and practices are constructed and interpreted.

Chapter Highlights:
Each chapter in this collection addresses foundational themes in the study of religion, including identity, discourse, power, ritual, emotion, and embodiment. The authors examine how these themes are expressed and interpreted within different religious traditions and how they interact with broader social and cultural contexts. For example, one chapter explores the role of gender in the religious practices of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, while another examines the relationship between religion and nationalism in South Asia.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this edited collection offers a valuable contribution to the study of religion by bringing together a diverse range of interpretive perspectives. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the production, experiences, contexts, and meanings of religion, and it highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in the field. By exploring the intersections of race, gender, history, and the present within and between religious traditions, the collection contributes to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of religion.

ISBN-13: 9781529211627