Materiality and the study of religion : the stuff of the sacred / edited by Tim Hutchings and Joanne McKenzie.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Hutchings, Tim (Sociologist of digital religion), editor.

McKenzie, Joanne, editor.

Series:

Theology and religion in interdisciplinary perspective. Theology and religion in interdisciplinary perspective series in association with the BSA Sociology of Religion Study Group

Theology and religion in interdisciplinary perspective series in association with the BSA Sociology of Religion Study Group

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religious articles.

Religion and culture.

Material culture--Religious aspects.

Material culture.

Materialism--Religious aspects.

Materialism.

Physical Description:

x, 245 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2017.

Summary:

Material culture has emerged in recent decades as a significant theoretical concern for the study of religion. This book contributes to and evaluates this material turn, presenting thirteen chapters of new empirical research and theoretical reflection from some of the leading international scholars of material religion. Following a model for material analysis proposed in the first chapter by David Morgan, the contributors trace the life cycle of religious materiality through three phases: the production of religious objects, their classification as religious (or non-religious), and their circulation and use in material culture. The chapters in this volume consider how objects become and cease to be sacred, how materiality can be used to contest access to public space and resources, and how religion is embodied and performed by individuals in their everyday lives. Contributors discuss the significance of the materiality of religion across different religious traditions and diverse geographical regions, paying close attention to gender, age, ethnicity, memory and politics. The volume closes with an afterword by Manuel Vásquez. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Material analysis and the study of religion / David Morgan Morgan, David 14

Part 1 Production 33

2 From production to performance: Candles, creativity and connectivity / Marion Bowman Bowman, Marion 35

3 Blessed food from Jalaram's kitchen: Narrative, continuity and service among Jalaram Bapa devotees in London / Martin Wood Wood, Martin 52

4 Music and materialism: The emergence of alternative Muslim lifestyle cultures in Britain / Carl Morris Morris, Carl 67

5 Augmented graves and virtual Bibles: Digital media and material religion / Tim Hutchincs Hutchincs, Tim 85

Part 2 Classification 101

6 Art works: A relational rather than representational understanding of art and buildings / Graham Harvey Harvey, Graham 103

7 Im/material objects: Relics, gestured signs and the substance of the immaterial / Timothy Carroll Carroll, Timothy 119

8 'An altar inside a circle': A relational model for investigating green Christians' experiments with sacred space / Maria Nita Nita, Maria 133

9 The significance of secular sacred space in the formation of British atheist identities / Janet Eccles Eccles, Janet, Rebecca Catto Catto, Rebecca 151

Part 3 Circulation 167

10 Death in material and mental culture / Douglas J. Davies Davies, Douglas J. 169

11 Religion materialised in the everyday:Young people's attitudes towards material expressions of religion / Elisabeth Arweck Arweck, Elisabeth 185

12 Mobilising Mecca: Reassembling blessings at the museum / Steph Berns Berns, Steph 203

13 Matter challenging words: From 'angel talisman' to 'prayer ornament' / Terhi Utriaimen Utriaimen, Terhi 219.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781472477835

1472477839

OCLC:

958932205