Table of Contents

PrefaceChapter 1: Thinking about Being a Student of Religion 1.1 Insider's and Outsider's Perspectives1.2 Qualities Worth Having1.3 Why Study Religion?Review QuestionsExplorationsSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 2: On Defining and Studying Religion2.1 Marks of a Good Definition2.2 Two Definitions2.3 Is Secular Humanism a Religion?2.4 A Simple Map of the Field2.5 Goals and Methods2.6 Fieldwork2.7 ControversyReview QuestionsExplorationsSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 3: Sacred Power3.1 Two Case Studies3.2 Comparison3.3 Forms of Sacred Power3.4 Agnosticism and AtheismReview QuestionsResearch Case: GaneshaQuestions on the Case of GaneshaSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 4: Myth as Sacred Story4.1 Two Case Studies4.2 Comparison4.3 Types and Functions4.4 Theories of Myth4.5 Myth and ScienceReview QuestionsResearch Case: The Primal ManQuestions on the Case of the Primal ManSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 5: Ritual as Sacred Action5.1 Two Case Studies5.2 Comparison5.3 Types and Functions5.4 Sacrifice and Violence5.5 Magic, Performatives, and Ritual5.6 Myth and RitualReview QuestionsResearch Case: SederQuestions on the Case of the SederSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 6: Sacred Space, Time, and Art6.1 Two Case Studies6.2 Comparison6.3 Features of Sacred Space and Time6.4 Glimpsing the SacredReview QuestionsResearch Case: The Cathedral of St. AndrewQuestions on the Case of the Cathedral of St. AndrewSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 7: Experiencing the Sacred7.1 Two Case Studies7.2 Comparison7.3 Debates about the Nature of Religious Experiences7.4 Shamanic Ecstasy7.5 Mystical Techniques and States7.6 Psychoanalytic TheoriesReview QuestionsResearch Case: St. Teresa of AvilaQuestions on the Case of St. Teresa of AvilaSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 8: Explaining Evil8.1 Two Case Studies8.2 Comparison8.3 Types of Theodicies8.4 The Theological Problem of Evil8.5 How Theodicies WorkReview QuestionsResearch Case: ManichaeismQuestions on the Case of ManichaeismSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 9: Religion and Morality9.1 Two Case Studies9.2 Comparison9.3 Identifying and Legitimating Moral Norms9.4 What are the Elements of a Religious Morality?9.5 Retribution: Overcoming Moral FailureReview QuestionsResearch Case: Jain NonviolenceQuestions on the Case of Jain NonviolenceSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 10: Religion and Politics10.1 Two Case Studies10.2 Comparison10.3 Patterns of Political EngagementReview QuestionsResearch Case: ShintoQuestions on the Case of ShintoSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 11: Organizing the Sacred11.1 Two Case Studies11.2 Comparison11.3 Types of Religious Organizations11.4 The Dilemmas of Institutionalization11.5 Types of Authority11.6 Scripture11.7 Gender11.8 Civil ReligionReview QuestionsResearch Case: ShintoQuestions on the Case of ShintoSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 12: Human Existence and Destiny12.1 Two Case Studies12.2 Comparison12.3 Religions of Salvation and Society12.4 What Is Wrong with Human Existence?12.5 Three Paths to Salvation12.6 Where Are We Going?Review QuestionsResearch Case: Zen BuddhismQuestions on the Case of Zen BuddhismSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesChapter 13: Religious Diversity and Truth13.1 Why Can't We All Get Along?13.2 Exclusivism, Inclusivism, and More13.3 What Is Truth?13.4 Critical Tolerance and the Principle of CharityReview QuestionsResearch Case: Baha'iQuestions on the Case of Baha'iSuggestions for Further ReadingInternet ResourcesNotesGlossaryIndex