Introducing Religion: Readings from the Classic Theorists

by Daniel L. Pals

What is religion? How is it to be explained? Why do human beings believe in divinities? Why do the beliefs and behaviors we typically describe as religious so deeply affect the human personality and so subtly weave their way through human society?
Introducing Religion: Readings from the Classic Theorists presents eleven key texts from influential theorists who played a pivotal role in the modern enterprise of explaining the phenomenon of religion. These writings seek to account for the origin, function, and enduring human appeal of religion by drawing on methods of scientific scholarship unconstrained by theological creeds or confessional commitments.
An ideal companion to author Daniel L. Pals' textbook, Eight Theories of Religion, Second Edition, or other beginning texts, Introducing Religion opens with selections from the works of Edward Burnett Tylor and James Frazer--Victorian pioneers in anthropology and the comparative study of religion. It then offers entry into the provocative analyses of Sigmund Freud, Emile Durkheim, and Karl Marx, whose aggressive reductionist approaches framed the explanatory debate for much of the century to follow. Responses to reductionist theories--and new directions in explanation--claim a place in selections from the works of philosopher-psychologist William James, theologian Rudolf Otto, sociologist Max Weber, and comparativist Mircea Eliade. The volume ends with discussions drawn from the celebrated field studies of British anthropologist E. E. Evans-Pritchard and the interpretive anthropology of American theorist Clifford Geertz, whose fieldwork took him to both Asia and the Middle East. Brief career portraits of the theorists at the outset of each chapter give context to the readings, and a general introduction features guiding questions designed to help students assess and compare the different theories.
Offering an illuminating overview of this controversial and engaging subject, Introducing Religion: Readings from the Classic Theorists is ideal for introductory courses in religion as well as courses in method and theory of religion, world religions, and sociology, psychology, or anthropology of religion.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Read For School

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 2008

Reviews

[Victoria Hawco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still hate Freud.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems like the sort of book meant to be more of a dry reference or gateway to later readings that actually interest you from the various excerpts within. Theosophers and religious teachers with unique and tedious to read styles, one chapter is written by Karl Marx, the next by E.B. Tylor. You might find one or two of these random eleven authors of relevance to your research, but their theories are so different that I doubt someone would take interest in this entire book from start to finish. You might only read bits and pieces. I enjoyed reading about James Frazer for instance, and due to this introductory book, I was able to narrow down my focus, and ended up later purchasing 'The Golden Bough' by Frazer to get the full context of one of his works. This book has very different sections, and offers only a fraction of the theory or philosophy about the original works it quotes. Each author's writing is limited to one little chapter, hardly capable of encumbering an author's full context until further reading, so the title of "Introducing Religion" is very fitting. It is only introductory.

[Elizabeth Vilchis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for Theory of Religions. I wasn't impressed with the contents, but I understand, I suppose- why Pals laid out the theorists in the order he did. However, it seems like he was just moving from one Euro, US, or Anglo- centric theorist to the next, attempting to highlight how they've improved their theories over time. Yet, Pals didn't include any Indigenous theorists. There's got to be some underlying reason for that. And for that reason, I give it 2 stars. He could've been a lot more inclusive and considerate, for that matter. When something so universal as religion is at hand, it's only right that some Indigenous theorists be included in a book titled "Introducing Religion". Yet, there seems to be an entire skirt around that point. While this is actually very common in religious studies, it is a terrible practice. Do better.

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. Had to read some chapters of this for a class and then ended up finishing the rest of it over the summer.

[Matthew Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great volume for engaging primary sources for various approaches to religion and religious studies.

[Kristen Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT book on introducing classical religious theories. I will admit some of it was difficult to read because you will run into reductionist theorists like Marx. The theorists have backgrounds in sociology, psychology, and anthropology (or created those fields) and their theories revolve around the process of evolution. While it is different from what I am used to, I really found it insightful and useful to understanding religious thought and theory (as a whole and the issues surrounding religion).

[Imran · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book consists of excerpts from the works of seminal theorists that have shaped the contemporary understanding of religion and the Western approach to religious studies. If you are not already familiar with the theories presented in this book, you will want to read Daniel L. Pal's Nine Theories of Religion prior, or as a companion, to this classical canon of esteemed literature.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful for information but can be a difficult read at best.