Introduction to Pagan Studies

by Barbara Jane Davy

Pagan Studies is maturing and moving beyond the context of new religious movements to situate itself in within of the study of world religions. Introduction to Pagan Studies is the first and only text designed to introduce the study of contemporary Paganism as a world religion. It examines the intellectual, religious, and social spheres of Paganism through common categories in the study of religion, which includes beliefs, practices, theology, ritual, history, and role of texts and scriptures. The text is accessible to readers of all backgrounds and religions and assumes no prior knowledge of Paganism. This text will also serve as a general introduction to Pagan Studies for non-specialist scholars of religion, as well as be of interest to scholars in the related disciplines of Anthropology, Sociology and Cultural Studies, and to students taking courses in Religious Studies, Pagan Studies, Nature Religion, New Religious Movements, and Religion in America. The book will also be useful to non-academic practitioners of Paganism interested in current scholarship.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Paganism

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Bart Everson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purely academic but in no way dense or difficult. I knocked this one out in a week. This book gives a thorough and comprehensive overview of contemporary Paganism. I believe it's the first an only textbook of its kind. The bibliography alone is worth a good deal.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Academic overview of paganism in the 20th century, mostly in England, Canada and the US.

Some positive remarks: I like that it gives a decent understanding of the internal diversity and recurring discussions and themes within pagan traditions.
The book strikes a good mix of on the one hand being critical and academic, but also has an open and sympathetic view towards much of pagan ideas and activities.
Reading the comparison of the perception of the “Burning Times” and actual historic data about it, was very interesting. Also the bit about racism in some groups of Northern and Eastern European heathenry was educational.

Some parts that good be better:
I personally could have used an introduction explaining the different denominations within paganism ahead of the main chapters. The difference between for instance druids and heathens remained unclear to me for quite a while.
The book also seems very dated. Much of the events and issues discussed are from the 70s and 80s. The book is published in 2006, so of course it is missing the last 15 years, but it seems like it was already dated when it was first published. An update with attention to online communities and online religious experiences would be very welcome.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

You can find my review at Introduction to Pagan Studies

[Sarah (TheLibrarysKeeper) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I was reading this for class, it was overall a good reading experience. I learned about culture and rituals and history, etc. Everything a student of religious studies would enjoy reading.

[Araminta Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the cover fool you. This book is a very serious, scholarly foray into paganism. I've been reading books in this oeuvre for 25 years now, and I learned new things from this one.