Religion in Context: Cults and Charisma

by I. M. Lewis

• ISBN13: 9780521566346
• ISBN10: 0521566347
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-05-31
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Religious power assumes many strikingly different forms, which are often regarded as unique, unrelated, and even mutually exclusive. Religion in Context, however, adopts a holistic approach and argues that these apparently contradictory mystical experiences are in fact part of a web of mutually defining and sustaining elements. Stressing the importance of rigorous social contextualisation, I. M. Lewis analyses phenomena such as spirit-possession, witchcraft, cannibalism, and shamanism, revealing connections between them and with the world religions. This expanded and updated edition illuminates critical aspects of religious power, and demonstrates the value of a comparative approach to formulating anthropological theory. It will be of value to students of anthropology, religion, and to anyone concerned with the nature of religion in the modern world.

Author Biography

I.M. Lewis is Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics

Table of Contents

1. Anthropological fieldwork and the context of belief

2. The spirit spider and the Pangolin

3. Possession cults in context

4. Witchcraft within and without

5. The cannibal's cauldron

6. The Shaman's career

7. Expelling spirits, controlling women

8. the power of the past: African 'survivals' in Islam

Notes

Bibliography

Index.