Religion in 50 More Words

Aaron W. Hughes is the Philip S. Bernstein Professor in the Department of Religion and Classics at the University of Rochester, USA. Russell T. McCutcheon is University Research Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama, USA.

"Religion in 50 More Words marks a turning point in the academic study of religion. Aaron Hughes and Russell McCutcheon offer both scholars and the general public a comprehensive and provocative entrée into the challenging theories that are fundamentally altering the way ‘religion’ is conceived and treated both in universities and in settings that determine public policy. In clear, substantial and detailed discussions, the authors show that religion and the vocabulary related to the term do not refer to mysterious, universal and timeless principles, but rather point to compelling contingencies of history, power and politics. This is a book that will shake up a field in serious need of renewal."Naomi Goldenberg, University of Ottawa, Canada."While their first volume interrogated critical themes and theories within the academic study of religion, this book tackles the field’s many attempts (and failures) at establishing a lingua franca. This second testament, which can be read alone or as a companion to the first volume, outlines the often-overlooked histories, uses, and effects of words commonly deployed by students and scholars of religion. Rather than offering their readers a definitive summary, Hughes and McCutcheon provide us with the tools to take up a clearer understanding and more precise application of those concepts and terms that punctuate the academic study of religion."Rebekka King, Middle Tennessee State University, USA."In this volume, two well-known scholars of the critical study of religion take readers on a journey through familiar terms on religion, shaking up many certainties. The result is an equally thought-provoking as entertaining read!"Anne Koch, University College of Education, Linz, Austria.

• Introduction: A User’s Guide 1. Afterlife 2. Animism 3. Atheism/Theism 4. Church 5. Civil Religion 6. Commentary 7. Conversion 8. Creation/Endtimes 9. Cult 10. Dialogue 11. East/West 12. Emic/Etic 13. Evil 14. Founder 15. Fundamentalism 16. God 17. Hagiography 18. Icon 19. Idol 20. Immanence/Transcendence 21. Initiation 22. Liberation 23. Magic 24. Meditation 25. Monotheism/Polytheism 26. Myth 27. Mysticism 28. Nones 29. Paganism 30. Piety 31. Pilgrimage 32. Prayer 33. Priest/Prophet 34. Reformation 35. Renunciation 36. Ritual 37. Sacrifice 38. Salvation 39. Sect 40. Sexuality 41. Shamanism 42. Soul 43. Spirituality 44. Symbol 45. Syncretism 46. Theology 47. Totem 48. Tradition 49. Understanding 50. Value