The Anarchy of Black Religion: A Mystic Song

J. Kameron Carter's book "The Anarchy of Black Religion" explores the philosophical, theological, and religious history of black religion and its role in settler colonial racial technologies. He calls for a black study of religion that emphasizes improvisation, non-exclusionary belonging, and alternative visions of matter to counter capitalisms extractive, individualistic, and imperialist ideology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In his groundbreaking work, "The Anarchy of Black Religion," J. Kameron Carter delves into the profound philosophical, theological, and religious roots that shape our contemporary world. By drawing upon the rich traditions of black radicalism and black feminism, Carter offers a fresh perspective on understanding religion. Through his exploration of the modern invention of religion as a fundamental tool in settler colonial racial technologies, where antiblackness serves as a foundational and guiding religious principle, Carter distinguishes black religion from its mainstream counterparts. He proposes the term "black study of religion" to encapsulate this unique approach, which seeks to understand and appreciate black religion in its own right, while also recognizing its connections to modern religion.

Black religion emerges as a multifaceted phenomenon, transcending doctrinal, confessional, and denominational boundaries. Instead, it takes shape as a collection of poetic and artistic strategies for improvisational living and communal gathering. By potentiating non-exclusionary belonging, black religion becomes an anarchic, mystical, and experimental realm that unveils alternative relationalities and visions of matter that challenge the exploitative, individualistic, and imperialist ideologies of capitalism. Through the enactment of a black study of religion, Carter sheds light on the violent nature of religion as a reflection of the violence of modern life. At the same time, he offers an alternative praxis of the sacred that seeks to heal and transform the world.

In conclusion, "The Anarchy of Black Religion" is a seminal work that challenges our preconceptions about religion and offers a transformative vision for understanding its role in our contemporary world. Through his interdisciplinary approach, Carter provides a valuable contribution to the fields of religious studies, black studies, and social justice. His work encourages us to reimagine the sacred and explore new avenues for building a more inclusive and just society.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478025030