A new edition of a respected textbook, providing an introduction to contemporary cultural approaches to the study of religion. This book examines the analytic tools of scholars in religious studies, as well as in related disciplines that have shaped the field including anthropology, history, literature, and critical studies in race, sexuality, and gender. Each chapter is written by a leading scholar and includes: - the biographical and historical context of each theorist - their approaches and key writings - analysis and evaluation of each theory - a list of key terms - suggested further reading Part One: Comparative Approaches considers how major features such as taboo, texts, myths and ritual work across religious traditions by exploring the work of Mary Douglas, Phyllis Trible, Wendy Doniger, Catherine Bell and Tomoko Masuzawa. Part Two: Examining Particularities analyzes the comparative approach through the work of Alice Walker, Charles Long and Caroline Walker Bynum,
