Contested Concepts in the Study of Religion: A Critical Exploration

This book offers a clear, concise introduction to the meaning of problematic terms, and the ways in which they should be handled legitimately. Each entry considers the following: – Why is this concept problematic? – What are the origins of the concept? – How is it used or misused, and by whom? – Is it still a legitimate concept in the study of religion and, if so, what are its legitimate uses? – Are there other concepts that are preferable when writing on religion? Concepts covered include: belief, religion, magic, secularization and violence. This is a jargon-free, indispensable resource for students and scholars that encourages the critical use of terms in the study of religion.

George D. Chryssides is a Visiting Research Fellow at York St John University, UK, and was formerly Head of Religious Studies at the University of Wolverhampton, UK.

Amy Whitehead is Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology at Massey University, New Zealand.