In praise of mixed religion : the syncretism solution in a multifaith world / William H. Harrison.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Harrison, William H., 1965- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Syncretism (Religion).

Religions--Relations.

Religions.

Relations.

Religion.

Physical Description:

xvi, 262 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Montreal : McGill-Queen's University Press, [2014]

Summary:

In increasing numbers, people are combining elements front various religious heritages, demonstrating that religions do not have firm boundaries, nor are they purely distinct. In Praise of Mixed Religion discusses the concept of syncretism, the terra for the mixing of religious perspectives. The religious studies discipline has traditionally distinguished between two responses to syncretism: a subjective view, which treats syncretism as morally reprehensible, and an objective view, which treats it as morally neutral. William Harrison adopts a third perspective, the advocacy view, which claims that mixing religions is a good and necessary process. He cites countless examples - such as Islam's transformative encounter with Greek thought - from both history and recent, years to show how religious traditions have gained theological and practical wisdom by borrowing key ideas, beliefs, and practices from outside their own movements. By encouraging syncretism, In Praise of Mixed Religion contests the hard boundaries between religious worldviews and presents a dramatic alternative for thinking and talking about religion. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Syncretism Happens 3

2 What Is Religion? 34

3 Soft Boundaries 74

4 When Syncretism Is a Good Thing 91

5 ...And When It's Not So Good 130

6 When It Should Have Happened, But Didn't 150

7 The Problem of Labels: What Is It Now? 160

8 Critical Openness 174

9 The Last Taboo: Education about Religion 206

10 An Intellectual Transformation 227.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-253) and index.

Other Format:

Harrison, William H., 1965-, author. In praise of mixed religion.

ISBN:

9780773543584

0773543589

OCLC:

864505179