Contested Concepts in the Study of Religion

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: <br/> <br/> - Why is this concept problematic?<br/> - What are the origins of the concept?<br/> - How is it used or misused and by whom?<br/> - Is it still a legitimate concept in the study of religion and if so what are its legitimate uses?<br/> - Are there other concepts that are preferable when writing on religion?<br/> <br/> Concepts covered include: belief religion magic secularization and violence.<br/> <br/> This is a jargon-free indispensable resource for students and scholars that encourages the critical use of terms in the study of religion.