Pluralism and identity

Pluralism and identity

By K. van der Toorn

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into the intricate ways religious communities use ritual practices to define themselves and navigate relationships with others in our increasingly diverse world. Through thirteen carefully crafted essays, the work examines how groups employ ceremonial behaviors both to strengthen internal bonds and to establish boundaries with external communities.

The collection spans diverse cultural landscapes, from Brazilian religious movements to Ghanaian churches establishing themselves in the Netherlands. Readers will discover how Buddhist and Hindu communities in India negotiate their differences through ritual expression, and how Muslim and Jewish populations in Yemen have historically managed their coexistence. The book also traces responses to religious diversity within communities themselves, examining cases from ancient Israel to contemporary Java and Indonesia.

What emerges is a nuanced understanding of how ritual serves as both bridge and barrier in pluralistic societies. These ceremonies become strategic tools that communities use to preserve their distinctive identities while adapting to multicultural environments. The work reveals how religious groups respond when faced with internal diversity or external religious plurality, showing the dynamic nature of spiritual identity formation.

For those seeking to understand how different faith traditions maintain their authenticity while engaging with others, this comprehensive study offers valuable insights into the social dimensions of religious life. The epilogue synthesizes these findings, illuminating the fundamental relationship between community identity and pluralistic coexistence in our interconnected world.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)

📄 Length: 376 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Riten
  • ✓ Explore Religious pluralism
  • ✓ Explore Identification (Religion)
  • ✓ Explore Culturele identiteit
  • ✓ Explore Ritual
  • ✓ Explore Rituel
  • ✓ Explore Rites et cérémonies
  • ✓ Explore Pluralisme religieux

Topics Covered

Riten Religious pluralism Identification (Religion) Culturele identiteit Ritual Rituel Rites et cérémonies Pluralisme religieux Congrès Plurale samenleving Rites and ceremonies Congresses

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