This is the first reader to gather primary sources from influential theorists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries in one place, presenting the wide-ranging and nuanced theoretical debates occurring in the field of religious studies. Each chapter focuses on a major theorist and contains:- an introduction contextualizing their key ideas- one or two selections representative of the theorist-s innovative methodological approach(es)- discussion questions to extend and deepen reader engagement Divided in three sections, the first part includes foundational comparative debates:- Mary Douglas-s articulation of purity and impurity- Phyllis Trible-s methods of reading sacred texts- Wendy Doniger-s comparative mythology - Catherine Bell-s reimagining of religious and secular ritualThe second part focuses on methodological particularity: - Alice Walker''s use of narrative - Charles Long-s critique of Eurocentricism- Caroline Walker Bynum-s emphasis on gender and materialityThe third section
