Introduction to Religious Studies

Harvey J. Sindima

• Publisher: University Press of America
• Year: 2012
• eBook ISBN: 9780761847625
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Comparative Religion

In Introduction to Religious Studies, Harvey J. Sindima provides an unconventional approach to the study of world religions. Often, books and courses on religious studies focus on the major world religions. This approach, however, frequently ignores other religious experiences, such as those of various African groups as well as the indigenous people of the Americas and Australia. These less widespread religions are commonly described in pejorative terms such as "primitive religions" or "non-literate religions." Focusing solely on well-known religions is an approach that impoverishes religious studies and deprives students of the enormous wealth of religious knowledge of the world. Introduction to Religious Studies pulls together the diverse religious experience of Africans, Native Americans, and the indigenous peoples of Australia in order to provide a comprehensive introduction to the study of religion and broaden the horizons of religious studies students. Under each theme or topic, examples are drawn from religions of salvation as well as African and Native American religious traditions. This book provides students with a deep, wide, and very rich introduction to religious studies.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• 1. Why Study Religion
• 2. What is Religion
• 3. The Elements of Religion
• 4. Celebration and Divination
• 5. Scripture
• 6. Religions Functionaries
• 7. Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft
• 8. Sacred Time, Objects, and Space
• 9. Living Within the Sacred
• Works Cited
• Index