Vernacular Religion: Collected Essays of Leonard Norman Primiano

The book "Vernacular Religion" by Leonard Norman Primiano is a comprehensive collection of his pioneering work in religious studies. It challenges the two-tiered model of "elite" and "folk" religion and emphasizes the experiential aspects of belief systems. The volume explores vernacular religion in North America, including diverse groups such as Catholics, LGBTQ Christians, and Father Divine, and showcases an ethnography of collaboration and reciprocity. Primiano's legacy is illuminated through empathetic ethnographic engagement that embraces the rich diversity of American religion.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

In 1995, Leonard Norman Primiano introduced a groundbreaking concept known as "vernacular religion." This term emerged as a response to the derogatory connotations associated with "folk religion" or "popular religion," which were often contrasted with "elite religion." The traditional two-tiered model proposed that religion existed in a pure form and that the folk version corrupted it. However, Primiano urged scholars to adopt an inductive approach to the study of religion, emphasizing the experiential aspects of belief systems. His aim was to rectify a longstanding scholarly misinterpretation of religion.

For the first time, Leonard Norman Primiano's pioneering works have been compiled into a single volume, offering a comprehensive exploration of one of the preeminent scholars of twentieth-century religious studies. Vernacular Religion sheds light on the multifaceted dimensions of vernacular religion in North America, showcasing its remarkable capacity to explain essential aspects of American society, particularly challenging issues related to race and sexuality. The volume also demonstrates a methodology of sustained engagement, fostering ongoing relationships with the communities being studied. These relationships, in turn, inform an ethics of critical commitment, which Primiano termed an "ethnography of collaboration and reciprocity."

This posthumous collection, edited by Deborah Dash Moore, brings together key studies in vernacular religion that examine its expression among diverse groups such as Catholics, LGBTQ Christians, and followers of Father Divine. Vernacular Religion serves as a model of empathetic ethnographic engagement that embraces American religion in all its rich and diverse manifestations.

By highlighting the experiential aspects of belief systems and fostering ongoing relationships with communities, Primiano's work contributes to a deeper understanding of religion and its role in shaping society. This collection serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of vernacular religion and its impact on American culture.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479818679