Religion and the body : modern science and the construction of religious meaning / edited by David Cave, Rebecca Sachs Norris.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Cave, David, editor.

Norris, Rebecca Sachs, editor.

Series:

Studies in the history of religions ; 138.

Studies in the history of religions

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Neurosciences--Religious aspects.

Neurosciences.

Neurobiology.

Religion and science.

Physical Description:

viii, 277 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Leiden : Brill, 2012.

Summary:

This book reflects on the implications of neurobiology and the scientific worldview on aspects of religious experience, belief, and practice. Just as interest in the neurosciences and related fields has burgeoned in contemporary society, interest in the fields of neuroscience and cognitive studies is also growing within the religious studies academy, and reflection on these shifts is well overdue. How do religious practitioners negotiate the interconnection of science and religion? What can the neurosciences add to scholars' understanding of religion and to how humans construct religious meaning? Chapters address these questions by investigating religious experience and authority, the cultural construction and deconstruction of the body, and cross-cultural appropriations of the body. Book jacket.

Contents:

Section 1 Neurobiology And Sources Of Religious Experience And Authority

Reading the Body, Reading Scripture: The Implications of Neurobiology on the Study and Interpretation of Scripture / David Cave Cave, David 15

De/Constructing Transcendence: The Emergence of Religious Bodies / James W. Haag Haag, James W., Whitney A. Bauman Bauman, Whitney A. 37

Tongues of Men and Angels: Assessing the Neural Correlates of Glossolalia / John J. McGraw McGraw, John J. 57

Synchronized Ritual Behavior: Religion, Cognition and the Dynamics of Embodiment / Sebastian Schiller Schiller, Sebastian 81

Section 2 Culture And The De- And Re-Construction Of The Body

Religion, Neuroscience and Emotion: Some Implications of Consumerism and Entertainment Culture / Rebecca Sachs Norris Norris, Rebecca Sachs 105

Every Story is a Ghost: Chuck Palahniuk and the Reenchantment of Suffering / Eric Repphun Repphun, Eric 129

Attaining Transcendence: Transhumanism, the Body, and the Abrahamic Religions / Arthur Sanlotis Sanlotis, Arthur 155

Section 3 (Cross) Cultural Appropriations Of The Body

Magnetism and Microwaves: Religion as Radiation / Deana L. Weibel Weibel, Deana L. 171

Scientific Approaches to the Body in the Spiritual-Physical Marketplace / Mira Karjalainen Karjalainen, Mira 199

Sleep Deprivation: Asceticism, Religious Experience and Neurological Quandaries / Nuria M. Farré-i-Barril Farré-i-Barril, Nuria M. 217

Sikhism and Mental Illness: Negotiating Competing Cultures / Jagbir Jhutti-Johat Jhutti-Johat, Jagbir 235.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9789004221116

9004221115

9789004225343

900422534X

OCLC:

769141403