The Routledge Handbook of Religion and Secrecy

Secrecy is essential to all religious traditions, and its importance has been heightened by the rise of invasive national security states and the resistance by many communities to such efforts. The Routledge Handbook of Religion and Secrecy is the definitive reference source for the key topics, problems, and debates in this field, and is divided into five parts: Configurations of Religious Secrecy, Secrecy as Religious Practice, Secrecy and the Politics of the Present, Secrecy and Social Resistance, and Secrecy, Terrorism, and Surveillance. It is essential reading for students and researchers in religious studies, comparative religion, new religious movements, and religion and politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 426 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Secrecy is a fundamental and essential aspect of all religious traditions, extending beyond covert activities like secret initiations or acts of terrorism. It is deeply ingrained in the very essence of religion itself. In the aftermath of events such as 9/11 and other instances of religious violence, we witness the emergence of invasive national security states that specifically target religious minorities, presenting significant challenges to the principles of privacy and religious freedom. At the same time, many communities actively resist these efforts. As a result, issues related to secrecy, privacy, surveillance, and security have become the most pressing and contentious concerns of the twenty-first century religious landscape.

The Routledge Handbook of Religion and Secrecy serves as an indispensable reference resource for exploring the core topics, challenges, and debates within this critical field. This groundbreaking handbook is the first of its kind, comprising twenty-nine chapters authored by a diverse team of international contributors. The Handbook is structured into five distinct parts:

Configurations of Religious Secrecy: Conceptual and Comparative Frameworks
Secrecy as Religious Practice
Secrecy and the Politics of the Present
Secrecy and Social Resistance
Secrecy, Terrorism, and Surveillance.

In this cutting-edge volume, secrecy is examined in relation to various categories of religious experiences and individual religious practices, while also exploring the profound transformations it has undergone in the modern era. These transformations include the rise of fraternal orders, ongoing wars on terror, the emergence of far-right white supremacist groups, growing concerns over religious freedom and privacy, the role of the internet in facilitating the spread and surveillance of such groups, and the resistance against surveillance.

The Handbook offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to understanding the complexities of religious secrecy, shedding light on its historical, cultural, and social dimensions. It provides valuable insights into the ways in which secrecy shapes religious practices, communities, and individuals, as well as the broader societal implications of religious secrecy. By examining secrecy across different religious traditions and contexts, the Handbook fosters a deeper understanding of the diverse ways in which religion and secrecy intersect, contributing to a more nuanced and informed understanding of the world.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367857417