Description

Examines the main ideas that characterize all religious thought and practice.

 

The Sacred Quest takes a thematic and comparative approach to the study of religion. It gives equal weight to theoretical issues and practices reflected in the major world religions.

 

The text identifies the theoretical issues surrounding the study of religion and focuses on fundamental topics such as ritual and sacred language.

 

Learning Goals

Upon completing this book readers will be able to:

• Recognize main ideas that characterize all religious thought and practice 
• Identify theoretical issues surrounding the study of religion
• Recognize fundamental topics of religion: ritual, sacred communication, and morality

Features

• The Sacred Quest provides an emphasis on contemporary issues in religion and culture relevant for today’s students.
• “Suggestions for Further Reading” at the end of each chapter encourage students to seek additional information in their study of religion. (ex: p. 35)
• New “Thought Experiments” promote class discussion and provide suggestions for projects or essays. (ex: p. 83)

New to this Edition

• Each chapter has been rewritten for clarity.
• “Thought Experiments” have been added to each chapter to promote class discussion and provide suggestions for classroom projects or essays. (ex: p. 69, 83)
• New examples were developed to illustrate issues that have become crucial in the post 9/11 world. (ex: p. 124-127)
• Discussions on topics such as the way religion is defined and how to understand ritual have been updated. (ex: p. 11, 71)

Table of Contents

Found in this section:

1. Brief Table of Contents

2. Full Table of Contents

1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 Toward a Definition of Religion

Chapter 2 The Nature of the Sacred

Chapter 3 The Appearance of the Sacred

Chapter 4 The Language(s) of the Sacred

Chapter 5 Ritual

Chapter 6 Sacred Communities

Chapter 7 The Problem of Evil

Chapter 8 Religion and Morality

Chapter 9 The Quest for Salvation

Glossary

Index

2. FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

The Breadth and Depth of Religious Experience

A Brief Outline of the Phenomenological Method

Attitudes and Institutions in the Study of Religion

A Final Word

Notes

Chapter 1: Toward a Definition of Religion

The Search for a Definition of Religion

Elements of Religion

Religion and Human Thought

Religion and Feeling

Religion and Action

Individual and Social Existence

Values and Religion

Substance or Function?

Toward Resolution

A Proposal

In Conclusion

Thought Experiments

Suggestions for Further Reading

Notes

Chapter 2: The Nature of the Sacred

The Complex Character of the Sacred

The Concept of Sacred Reality

Specially Distinctive

To Some Extent, Beyond the Volitional Control of Human Beings

Specially Prominent with Respect to Human Welfare

Properly Determinative of Various Aspects of Human Existence

Summary

Thought Experiments

Suggestions for Further Reading

Notes

Chapter 3: The Appearance of the Sacred

Types of Sacred Appearance

Varieties of Media

Sacred Persons

Sacred Objects

Sacred Time

Sacred Space

Sacred Appearance and the Complexity of Traditions

Thought Experiments

Suggestions for Further Reading

Notes

Chapter 4: The Language(s) of the Sacred

Myth

Stories

Story as Parable

The Preservation of Sacred Language

Oral Cultures

Scriptural Cultures

A Summary and Synthesis

The Language of Theology

The Visual Language of Religion

Language and Truth

Thought Experiments

Suggestions for Further Reading

Notes

Chapter 5: Ritual

Myth(os) and Ritual

The Passover

Holy Communion (The Eucharist)

Rites of Passage

Birth Rituals

Rituals of Initiation

Rituals of Mourning and Death

Temporal Rites and Celebrations

The Religious Meaning(s) of Ritual

Adoration

Thanksgiving

Petition

Penance/Purification

Ritual as a Problem

Ritual as a System

Thought Experiments

Notes

Chapter 6: Sacred Communities

The Social Character of Religion

Religion and Social Resistance

Heresy/Schism/Division

Tradition and Innovation

The Social Aspects of Worship

A Word of Conclusion

Thought Experiments

Notes

Chapter 7: The Problem of Evil

Identifying Evil

Responses to Evil: Some Classic Patterns

Evil and Karma: The Indian Context

The Consolation of Promise

The Appeal to Sovereignty

Dualism

Are the Answers Adequate?

Is It Logical?

Is It Coherent?

Is It Psychologically Satisfying?

What Are the Moral Consequences?

Thought Experiments

Suggestions for Further Reading

Notes

Chapter 8: Religion and Morality

Defining the Issues

Religion, Morality, and Justification

Justification: General Considerations

Practical Justification: Three Cases

Hinduism: The Caste System

Islam: The Justification and Limitation of War

Christianity: Why Pray?

Religion and Morality: Patterns

Thought Experiments

Suggestions for Further Reading

Notes

Chapter 9: The Quest for Salvation

Concepts of Salvation

Individual Salvation in This World

The Search for Meaning

The Desire to Be Remembered

The Ideal of Completion

Individual Salvation in Another World

Joining the Spirit World

Cosmic Cycling or Expansion

The Idea of Judgment

Group Salvation in This World

Salvation Through the People

Salvation Through the Tradition

Salvation in the Kingdom of God in This World

Group Salvation in Another World

Now That Distinctions Have Been Made

Paths to Salvation

The Path of Knowledge

The Path of Action

The Path of Aesthetics

The Path of Submission

The Path of Grace

A Closing Reminder

Thought Experiments

Suggestions for Further Reading

Notes

Glossary

Index

Author

Lawrence S. Cunningham is the John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology (Emeritus) at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author or editor of over 25 books and is the Christianity editor of the forthcoming Norton Anthology of World Religions.

John Kelsay is the Bristol Distinguished Professor of Religion and Ethics at the Florida State University. He also serves as Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. Professor Kelsay's research and teaching focus is on moral and political aspects of religion. He has particular interests in Christian and Muslim perspectives on war. Professor Kelsay's most recent book in this area is Arguing the Just War in Islam (Harvard, 2007).