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Paradigms, Poetics, and Politics of Conversion
In the terms of Durheimian sociology, conversion is a fait social. Although they are rarely treated as a cultural phenomenon, conversions can obviously be examined for the norms, values and presuppositions of the cultures in which they take place. Thus conversion can help us to shed light on a particular culture. At the same time, the term evokes a dramatic appeal that suggests a kind of suddenness, although in most cases conversion implies a more gradual process of establishing and defining a new - religious - identity. From 21-24 May 2003, the University of Groningen hosted an international conference on 'Cultures of Conversion'. The contributions have been edited in two volumes, which pay...
Sacrifice in Modernity: Community, Ritual, Identity
In Sacrifice in Modernity: Community, Ritual, Identity it is demonstrated how sacrificial themes remain an essential element in our post-modern society.
Terror and Transformation
Religion has been responsible for both horrific acts against humanity and some of humanity's most sublime teachings and experiences. How is this possible? From a contemporary psychoanalytic perspective, this book seeks to answer that question in terms of the psychological dynamic of idealisation. At the heart of living religion is the idealisation of everyday objects. Such idealisations provide much of the transforming power of religious experience, which is one of the positive contributions of religion to the psychological life. However, idealisation can also lead to religious fanaticism which can be very destructive. Drawing on the work of various contemporary relational theorists within p...
Psychology and Religion
This book articulates a broad range of theoretical viewpoints, both classical and contemporary, in the field of the psychology of religion. Chapters One through Eight are overviews of such 'classical' theorists as William James, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Gordon Allport, Abraham Maslow, Alan Watts, Erich Fromm, and Viktor Frankl. Chapters Nine through Twelve consider subsequent developments in the field, e.g., the views of object relations theorists on the God-image; empirical research on the scaling of religiousness; and modern consciousness research. Chapters Ten through Twelve are new to this edition and comprise an eclectic overview of the feminist psychology of religion, recent developments in the intersection of neuroscience and religion, and the evolutionary psychology of religion. Both wide-ranging and current, therefore, this book offers illuminating and in-depth coverage of major theorists and approaches. While its breadth makes it an excellent place to begin an exploration of the psychology of religion, its depth and detail provide the opportunity for a serious and rewarding immersion in the field.
Prophetic Witness in World Christianities
Prophets have a reputation of changing, for the better, the relationship between people and God. Christianity has a long history of prophets who have directed the faithful towards more justice and righteousness. What can Christians learn from prophets for daily life, for contemporary theology, and for pastoral care? This book looks at prophetic action from a biblical, pastoral, and ethical perspective. The contributions - from both pastoral theologians and pastors from around the globe - make this study a unique exercise in maintaining the prophetic perspective in theological reflection and pastoral practice. (Series: International Practical Theology - Vol. 13)
Relating God and the Self
Religion is not only about understanding the world - it is just as much about how to develop and shape the self’s experience of itself. Because the religious self is shaped by our symbols of God - and symbols of God are also shaped by the self, theology and philosophy of religion cannot ignore this interplay, or the psychological dimension, when they discuss what symbols of God are adequate and not. By discussing critically different ways the symbol of God functions in the formation of the self, the book develops a nuanced and original approach to the interplay between God and the self. It suggests that play is actually an important metaphor in order to develop a dynamic understanding of religion’s way of relating God and the Self. This approach challenges understandings of religion focussing only its cognitive claims, as well as those who emphasize doctrinal orthodoxy as the most important element in religion.
Philosophy, Religion, and Contemporary Life
These essays examine how some perennial problems in philosophy and religion are significant for understanding contemporary life. Issues discussed include: capitalism; public philosophy; man-made mass death; psychoanalysis; feminism; fundamentalism; and the desire to be happy.
Psychohistory
Some may be surprised to see a work on psychoanalysis coming out of the US Merchant Marine Academy. In this outgrowth of his 1987 La Psychohistoire, Academy historian Szaluta overviews the issues and growth in psychohistory; the fundamentals of psychoanalytic theory and post-Freudian developments; the case for, and critics of, psychohistory; and the genre's methods of interpreting the past. With the resurgence of psychoanalysis in Russia and Eastern Europe, the author concludes optimistically about the interdisciplinary field's future. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
