Anthropology of Religion: The Basics

The Basics

by James S. Bielo

Anthropology of Religion: The Basics is an accessible and engaging introductory text organized around key issues that all anthropologists of religion face. This book uses a wide range of historical and ethnographic examples to address not only what is studied by anthropologists of religion, but how such studies are approached. It addresses questions such as:



How do human agents interact with gods and spirits?



What is the nature of doing religious ethnography?



Can the immaterial be embodied in the body, language and material objects?



What is the role of ritual, time, and place in religion?



Why is charisma important for religious movements?



How do global processes interact with religions?

With international case studies from a range of religious traditions, suggestions for further reading, and inventive reflection boxes, Anthropology of Religion: The Basics is an essential read for students approaching the subject for the first time.

Genres: Anthropology, Religion, Nonfiction, Academia, Theory, Ethnography

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2015

Reviews

[Anna Serene]

Not a fan. Only read to through ch5. I didn't enjoy the class. I didn't like the book. And I found them both offensive (mostly the class, but also some of the techniques explained in the book). It's one thing to study a religion. It's another thing entirely to look at a group of people and subconsciously think they are stupid because they believe in something and you don't believe in anything. So kindly fuck off religious anthropologists.

[Dasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really helpful introduction to the topic that helped me situate my own research! Very quick read as well with reflective questions making it ideal for courses.

[Erik Bodien · Rating 4 out of 5]

The work is a decent introduction to the field, breaking down major debates with clear examples and great further reading suggestions. While it does its job well, it would have benefitted from a concluding chapter to tie everything together. A solid starting point for newcomers.

[Stephan Naro · Rating 1 out of 5]

The use of politicised postmodern jargon and the explicit cultural relativism will tend more to enable rich youngsters to engage in religious tourism for personal entertainment (under the guise of doing science) than to provide a path toward gaining an understanding of what really is going on with religion.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broke down the basics of anthropology in religion and offered several ethnographical approaches to examining elements of religious movements and their effects on culture and society. A lot of pre/post colonialism comparisons. Lots of video suggestions to accompany the text.

[Antonio Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

good explanation of basic concept with brief ethnographic examples, happy medium between short and sweet, and surprisingly dense.

[Pernille · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, but informative reading! Of course, it was several themes the author didn´t even begin with. However, the parts that were included in the book really caught my attention.

[Ian]

Part of my secularising journey back in college.

[Alex McEwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it for class and I’ll be darned it’s getting added to my reading list

[Joshua Glucksman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually pretty awesome, probably gonna formulate some of my thesis around this

[eugenie]

Vind me!!!!

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

ANT 315: Comparative Religion

[John j oconnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent review of religious movement across time and space.

I would let to all those who feel there is only one true and real religion.Also understand that understand religion is a creation of man but does not diminish that there can be belief in God

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to anthropology as a whole and anthropology of religion, a fun read and surprisingly good for a textbook, would read again.