A Critical Introduction to the Study of Religion by Martin, Craig. (Equinox Publishing Limited,2012) [Paperback]

by Craig Martin

This revised second edition of A Critical Introduction to the Study of Religion introduces the key concepts and theories from religious studies that are necessary for a full understanding of the complex relations between religion and society. The aim is to provide readers with an arsenal of critical concepts for studying religious ideologies, practices, and communities. Throughout the discussion all ideas and theories are clearly illustrated with new and engaging examples and case studies. The second edition has been restructured to clearly emphasize key concepts essentialism, functionalism, authority, and domination.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm considering using this for my Religion 101 class this fall (History of the Study of Religion). For the most part, it's a well-articulated proposal for how to approach the study of religion from a social and cultural perspective. I appreciate his fundamental question for the process of identification in the study of religion, not, “What is Christianity?” (for example), but, “(1) who is identified by (2) whom as (3) what, and (4) with what effects?” (161). As one reviewer noted, it's a bit "chatty," but I think the students will appreciate that. I found that he played it a little fast and loose with his examples and metaphors, which are sometimes facile and often flippant (esp. the first two chapters, and then it seems to creep up again towards the end--when the words "nonsense" and "silly" come back into the text a bit more). But this, too, lends a pedagogical purpose. And, finally, I should also say that I noticed quite a few typos. Overall, I recommend it. I appreciate the approach quite a bit (there aren't many comparable texts out there) and found myself even thinking through some of my own research assumptions.

UPDATE: I used the book for my class and the students loved it. They loved it because it takes really complicated ideas and makes them accessible. I think they especially appreciated it after reading other authors who did not accomplish that task very well at all. I'm actually loving it more than I did the first time I read it.

[Kristin Sesselja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just a textbook for uni but since I read the whole thing I’m putting it here. It was quite interesting!

[Jessica Zu · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an awesome textbook on methods and theories course! to teach! it’s very christianity centered, but I could easily supplement it with my own expertise on Asian Religions

I’m definitely teaching this. the best textbook for undergrad theory and methods course!

[Anthony Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative introduction and an easy read. Martin begins by dealing with the question of what is religion and demonstrates the difficulty in trying to answer it and instead suggests utilizing a colloquial usage. He approaches the study from the perspective of functionalism and a hermeneutic of suspicion. In subsequent chapters he discusses the "tools" of classification, structure, habitus (ones habits), legitimation, authority, and authenticity. He concludes the work with a case study of Charles Sheldon's classic work, In His Steps (which became the basis for the popular meme "what would Jesus do"), and does so using those vary tools. Highly recommended!

[Stephan Naro · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Because of this focus on the social effect of religious talk, religious stories, religious rituals, and so on, the primary questions we ask will not be “What do they say?,” “What do they mean?,” or “Do they really believe it?” Instead we will ask, when reading a text, for instance, “Who is trying to persuade whom of what in this text? In what context is the attempt situated, and what are the consequences should it succeed?” (Lincoln 2006, 127). That is, we'll focus on what may or may not be accomplished by what it said. In many cases we will find that consent to social order is being manufactured.", pg 94.

This from an author who claims that he, as he is a professor, is exploiting his students. Which presumably extends to his readers.

This book is really just political activism in the form of an extended exercise in rhetoric posing as a study of religion. That he in the half of the book where he finally does say some things about religion in fact manages to say some worthwhile things about it, and that his rhetoric reflects a good deal of insights about society and whatnot, doesn't change the fact that this is a rather atrocious little book. For instance, sex is NOT "assigned" at birth, it is OBSERVED at birth (even if sometimes incorrectly). I feel that he repeatedly resorts to a false dichotomy, which can be exemplified by "There is no essence to religion, so you should accede to my mangled philosophy." But, interestingly, a lot of his rhetoric against religion can be equally well applied against the politics he espouses. Briefly, eg "This book has no essence, so you should use it as a doorstop." Or maybe you can just not read it - at least not until you know how to spot rhetorical sleights of hand employed by post-modernists.

He deserves a little credit for acknowledging that militant islam is in fact a form of islam. He almost gets my kudos for managing to infiltrate a catholic college, but a) these days that's not much of an accomplishment, and b) students don't deserve to be indoctrinated into his crap just for attending a catholic college.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's absolutely a lot to like and a lot that's useful in this introduction. I appreciated that the book uses religion as the base concept for introducing fundamental aspects and ideas from critical media studies, that offered a very different approach to the larger topic that was refreshing. At the same time, some chapters felt a little flat in their deployment of religious ideas or analysis of religious communities, and it felt that some concepts like "legitimation" and "authority" were covered in sort of curious ways that left out certain ideas that I see as definitive to understanding those concepts. Still, a really helpful, useful introduction.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moderately interesting, some insightful ideas. Wish there were more examples/case studies of the concepts introduced (like the case of witches and witchcraft in African tribal societies), it would have been very helpful to see these concepts 'in action'. Unfortunately many of the cases provided are fictional, regardless how insightful they are.
Quite repetitive. And also while being very critical, it fails to mention or acknowledge that the author, the audience and the starting point of this book might be similarly subject to the structures that it speaks about itself. Sometimes I find that the author's views, for example on feminism, comes too strongly into his arguments and I think it would benefit from being subject to his own critical thought.

[Trâm · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute joy to learn from. I even took full-fledged notes, and it almost made me apply for a Religious Studies Master's, almost. (But who am I kidding? I'm so done with applying to Master's.)