Studying Religion

This volume in our series applying methods from different disciplines in the RE classroom asks ‘what is religion?’ and studies the nature of religion using the approaches of religious studies and anthropology.

Sociological data is analysed to gain a picture of religion in India, finding how that might challenge the tidy boxes into which we often place religions in RE. Students undertake their own research, adding it to data provided here to consider what matters most in the lives of adherents in different religious traditions. Expert research also uncovers the importance of values in the lives of Generation Z, provoking the question: ‘are values the new religion?’

Case studies show examples of how amulets can feature in Islamic practice, astrology in Hindu tradition, and how indigenous and Christian practices can exist alongside eachother in Namibia.

Methods of literary theory encourage students to read the Ramayana from Sita’s perspective, so that they can put forward their own commentary: does it offer a feminist viewpoint?

Extensive resources, available in the book and online, provide engaging information and exercises to share in the classroom.