Religion in World History: The Persistence of Imperial Communion (Themes in World History)

In Religion and World History, distinguished authors John C. Super and Briane K. Turley examine the value of religion for interpreting the human experience in the past and present. They explore the elements of religion which best connect it to the cultural and political dynamics that have influenced history. Working within this framework, Super and Turley present three unifying themes: * the relationship between formal and informal religious beliefs, how these change through time, and how they are reflected in different cultures * the relationship between church and state, from theocracies to the repression of religion * the ongoing search for spiritual certainty, and the consequent splintering of core religious beliefs and the development of new ones. One of the few recent books to examine religion’s role in geo-political affairs, its unique approach enables the reader to grasp the many and complex ways in which religion acts upon and reacts to broader global processes.

In Religion and World History, distinguished authors John C. Super and Briane K. Turley examine the value of religion for interpreting the human experience in the past and present. They explore the elements of religion which best connect it to the cultural and political dynamics that have influenced history.

Working within this framework, Super and Turley present three unifying themes:

* the relationship between formal and informal religious beliefs, how these change through time, and how they are reflected in different cultures

* the relationship between church and state, from theocracies to the repression of religion

* the ongoing search for spiritual certainty, and the consequent splintering of core religious beliefs and the development of new ones.

One of the few recent books to examine religion’s role in geo-political affairs, its unique approach enables the reader to grasp the many and complex ways in which religion acts upon and reacts to broader global processes.

Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Series Title......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 1. The Language of Religion......Page 10 2. Many Paths to the Summit......Page 26 3. Sacred Writings and Oral Traditions......Page 42 4. Sacred Places......Page 58 5. The Course of Empire......Page 76 6. Repression and Revolt......Page 92 7. Religion,War, and Peace......Page 108 8. Social Questions......Page 124 9. Saints and Sinners......Page 142 10. Artistic Expression......Page 158 11. Past as Prologue......Page 176 Bibliography......Page 180 Index......Page 186 Examining the value of religion for interpreting the human experience in the past and present, this authoritative book is one of the few to examine religion's role in geo-political affairs.