Understanding Religion: Theories and Methods for Studying Religiously Diverse Societies

by Paul Hedges

A cutting-edge introduction to contemporary religious studies theory, connecting theory to data.

This innovative coursebook introduces students to interdisciplinary theoretical tools for understanding contemporary religiously diverse societies—both Western and non-Western. Using a case-study model, the text considers: Understanding Religion is designed to provide a strong foundation for instructors to explore the ideas presented in each chapter in multiple ways, engage students in meaningful activities in the classroom, and integrate additional material into their lectures. Students will gain the tools to apply specific methods from a variety of disciplines to analyze the social, political, spiritual, and cultural aspects of religions. Its unique pedagogical design means it can be used from undergraduate- to postgraduate-level courses.

584 pages, Paperback

Published February 23, 2021

About the author

I am an author, scholar, and avid reader.

I work in the field of religious studies, specialising in interreligious studies (the dynamic encounters of those things we typically classify as religions, non-religions, worldviews, and ideologies), but with strong interests in method and theory in the study of religion, and theological studies especially comparative and interreligious Christian theologies.

More about me and some of my musings can be found here:
https://logosdao.wordpress.com/

Meanwhile, many of my papers are available Open Access (OA) on this site:https://rsis.academia.edu/PaulHedges

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was assigned this book for a class on Religion in the psychotherapeutic context. First, the Professor was one of the best I've ever learned from and his choice of this text showed his wisdom and desire to truly challenge a class. This is by far, the best textbook, I've ever read. And to have it be about Religion...Just excited my soul because of how mediocre most religious textbooks are. This is not a comparative religion text. This is a methodology text. It has helped shape me in ways I needed to be shaped and didn't know. Hedges does an unbelievably phenomenal job of bringing important material into very manageable content. That doesn't mean it is easy to read. Though I was able to read fairly easy I have entire graduate degrees in religion and philosophy and have continued my study since those programs. Several of my classmates coming from a psychological backgrounds struggled with the text. So I want to suggest there is a learning curve. But there was one for me as well and it helped searching out the sources of Hedge's material. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to think seriously about religion, engaging in religion, and healthy methods for interacting with others in society. After classes ended in May, there were 4 chapters left to read and I read them all.

[Zainab · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, it was the key book for the Religion: Knowledge and Experience seminar-an optional class. Unfortunately, I was too busy with bureaucracy to even think about going through the course description. But when I did, it was too late for registration. So I took the class anyway. Good people, insightful stuff. Totally worth it.

Covers almost every other theory and method used today in the study of religion. Simple writing, no BS. Flows like the elixir of life (pun intended). Read.

[MaryKate Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

could’ve included more actual methodology but shit my fav class used this textbook so automatic positive rating

[liv (≧▽≦) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Uni
Another good read, very interesting and well put together :)