The sacred alternative

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    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The term ‘sacred’ broadens research to include groups and activities that cut across boundaries maintained by the WRP. Also, while some reject the term ‘religion’ to describe what they do, they still regard certain things and places as ‘sacred’. The limitations of Durkheim’s and Eliade’s ‘sacred’ and ‘profane’ binary as an analytical framework become apparent when applied to cases where ‘religion’ is ambiguous, as an example from a Pagan festival shows. Despite this, a focus on ‘making sacred’ as a human activity that highlights a group’s interests is a useful alternative to the World Religions approach in Religious Studies.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAfter world religions
    Subtitle of host publicationreconstructing religious studies
    EditorsCR Cotter, DG Robertson
    PublisherRoutledge
    Chapter8
    Pages107-120
    Number of pages14
    ISBN (Electronic)9781315688046
    ISBN (Print)9781138919136, 9781138919129
    Publication statusPublished - 5 Feb 2016

    Publication series

    NameReligion in Culture. Studies in Social Contest and Construction
    PublisherRoutledge

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