Relating Religion: Essays in the Study of ReligionOne of the most influential theorists of religion, Jonathan Z. Smith is best known for his analyses of religious studies as a discipline and for his advocacy and refinement of comparison as the basis for the history of religions. Relating Religion gathers seventeen essays—four of them never before published—that together provide the first broad overview of Smith's thinking since his seminal 1982 book, Imagining Religion. Smith first explains how he was drawn to the study of religion, outlines his own theoretical commitments, and draws the connections between his thinking and his concerns for general education. He then engages several figures and traditions that serve to define his interests within the larger setting of the discipline. The essays that follow consider the role of taxonomy and classification in the study of religion, the construction of difference, and the procedures of generalization and redescription that Smith takes to be key to the comparative enterprise. The final essays deploy features of Smith's most recent work, especially the notion of translation. Heady, original, and provocative, Relating Religion is certain to be hailed as a landmark in the academic study and critical theory of religion. |
Contents
1 When the Chips Are Down | 1 |
Morphology and History in Mircea Eliades Patterns in Comparative Religion 19491999 Part 1 The Work and Its Contexts | 61 |
Morphology and History in Mircea Eliades Patterns in Comparative Religion 19491999 Part 2 The Texture of the Work | 80 |
4 The Topography of the Sacred | 101 |
5 Manna Mana Everywhere and ++ | 117 |
6 The Domestication of Sacrifice | 145 |
Taxonomies of Religion | 160 |
8 Religion Religions Religious | 179 |
12 What a Difference a Difference Makes | 251 |
13 Close Encounters of Diverse Kinds | 303 |
14 Here There and Anywhere | 323 |
Corinthians | 340 |
The History of the History of Religions History | 362 |
Religion and Civic Discourse | 375 |
Publications 19662003 | 391 |
| 403 | |
9 Bible and Religion | 197 |
10 Trading Places | 215 |
On Constructing the Other | 230 |
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Alien American Ancient animal anthropological appears archaic associated Atbalmin Bible biblical century chapter Chicago Christian cited classical Columbus comparative comparison complex Corinthians cult cultural definition difference distinction domestic Drudgery Divine Durkheim early edition elements Eliade Eliade's English translation especially essay ethnographic example gion Goethe Goethe's Greek Guinea Hainuwele Hebrew Bible hierophanies History of Religions human Imagining Religion intellectual interest interpretation J. Z. Smith Journal Judaism language Late Antique lecture Lévi-Strauss ligion linguistic literature London magic mana manna Marcel Mauss matter Mauss Metamorphosis modes morphological myth narrative native Native American natural notion original orishas Papua New Guinea parasite Paris Patterns phenomenology redescription relations reli religious studies reprinted ritual sacred sacrifice Santeria scholars sense social Society sort structure study of religion symbols taxonomy term texts theoretical theory thought tion traditions Twice-told Tale UFO Abductions understanding University world religions yhwh York