Manufacturing religion
Book Description
Russell T. McCutcheon presents a thought-provoking examination of how religious studies as an academic field has shaped our understanding of spirituality and faith. This scholarly work challenges readers to question the foundational assumptions that have guided religious scholarship for decades.
McCutcheon turns a critical lens toward the academic study of religion, particularly examining how scholars have traditionally approached religious phenomena as something inherently special or beyond ordinary analysis. He argues that this perspective has created significant blind spots in how we understand religious experiences and practices across cultures.
The author explores how introductory textbooks on world religions consistently present faith traditions in ways that may limit deeper, more nuanced understanding. Rather than encouraging critical thinking about religious phenomena, McCutcheon suggests these educational materials often reinforce uncritical acceptance of certain scholarly assumptions.
Through his analysis, McCutcheon reveals how academic approaches to religion intersect with broader cultural and political dynamics. He demonstrates that the way scholars study and present religious traditions is never neutral, but reflects particular ideological positions that can influence how students and the public understand spirituality.
For readers interested in developing a more sophisticated understanding of how religious knowledge is constructed and transmitted, this work offers valuable insights into the hidden assumptions that shape religious education. McCutcheon invites thoughtful consideration of how we might approach spiritual traditions with greater intellectual rigor and cultural awareness.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Comparative Religion
📄 Length: 249 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Godsdienstwetenschap
- ✓ Explore Méthodologie
- ✓ Explore Religionswissenschaft
- ✓ Explore Religion--methodology
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Religion, study and teaching
- ✓ Explore Study and teaching
- ✓ Explore Religions
