Religious Intimacies: Intersubjectivity in the Modern Christian West

Scholars of religion have shifted their focus from religion as a matter between man and his maker to religion as a product of social forces. Religious Intimacies, edited by Mary Dunn and Brenna Moore, explores the interstitial space between the individual and society, arguing that the study of affective ties and relational dynamics is vital to understanding religion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2020
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Since the renowned philosopher William James declared religion to be a personal relationship between a man and his creator, scholars of religion have made significant strides. For many years, they have been attentive to the ways in which religion is shaped by broad social forces, focusing on the dynamics of power and culture as heuristics for understanding religious phenomena and experiences. However, by moving too quickly from one interpretive extreme to the other, what might they be missing, and what might we learn about religion by staying in the interstitial space between the individual in her solitude and society as a whole?

Religious Intimacies, edited by Mary Dunn and Brenna Moore, brings together nine scholars of modern Christianity to explore this in-between space. In essays that range from treatments of Jesuit-indigenous relations in early modern Canada to the erotics of contemporary black theology, each contributor makes the case for the study of the presence and power of affective ties and relational dynamics between friends, lovers, and intimate others (even things) as vital to the understanding of religion.

By delving into this interstitial space, scholars can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of religious experiences. They can explore how individuals navigate the boundaries between personal and communal identities, and how social structures and cultural norms influence religious practices and beliefs. This approach can also help us to better appreciate the diversity of religious traditions and practices, and to recognize the ways in which they intersect and influence each other.

Furthermore, staying in the interstitial space between the individual and society can also lead to a more nuanced understanding of the role of religion in society. It can help us to recognize the ways in which religion can both promote social cohesion and division, and how it can be used to justify or challenge social norms and power structures. This approach can also help us to develop more effective strategies for promoting religious tolerance and understanding, and for addressing the challenges posed by religious extremism and polarization.

In conclusion, by staying in the interstitial space between the individual and society, scholars of religion can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of religious experiences. They can explore how individuals navigate the boundaries between personal and communal identities, and how social structures and cultural norms influence religious practices and beliefs. This approach can also help us to better appreciate the diversity of religious traditions and practices, and to recognize the ways in which they intersect and influence each other. By developing more effective strategies for promoting religious tolerance and understanding, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and peaceful society.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253049858