Vernacular religion and contemporary spirituality : studies in religious experience and expression
This submission for a PhD by publication is based on works which adopt a fieldwork-based approach to the study of contemporary religion. The focus of the publications is religion as it is lived and experienced, not religion as it is defined by texts or as represented by authority figures. The studies examine how people interpret, act out and adapt their beliefs in a variety of spiritual milieux; the emphasis is on the experience and perceptions both of those within traditional belief communities, as well as the increasing numbers whose spiritual lives lie in less established, informal groupings. The methodology combines a phenomenological approach to the study of religion, and insights and research technologies derived from Folklore Studies. The focus of the publications has been the experiential dimension of religion, involving considerable amounts of participant observation and interview; the work has also taken into consideration the material, cultural tradition and popular culture aspects of religion. By these means, it has been possible to provide original data on how people experience the spiritual dimension of their lives in a variety of traditions. The scope of the submission is broad, for the publications
Bowman, Marion Irene
Religion and sociology ; religion
Vernacular religion and contemporary spirituality : studies in religious experience and expression. This submission for a PhD by publication is based on works which adopt a fieldwork-based approach to the study of contemporary religion. The focus of the publications is religion as it is lived and experienced, not religion as it is defined by texts or as represented by authority figures. The studies examine how people interpret, act out and adapt their beliefs in a variety of spiritual milieux; the emphasis is on the experience and perceptions both of those within traditional belief communities, as well as the increasing numbers whose spiritual lives lie in less established, informal groupings. The methodology combines a phenomenological approach to the study of religion, and insights and research technologies derived from Folklore Studies. The focus of the publications has been the experiential dimension of religion, involving considerable amounts of participant observation and interview; the work has also taken into consideration the material, cultural tradition and popular culture aspects of religion. By these means, it has been possible to provide original data on how people experience the spiritual dimension of their lives in a variety of traditions. The scope of the submission is broad, for the publications
vernacular religion contemporary spirituality study religious_experience expression submission phd publication base work adopt fieldwork based study contemporary religion focus publication religion live experienced religion define texts represent authority figure study examine people interpret act adapt belief variety spiritual milieu emphasis experience perception within traditional belief community well increase_number whose spiritual live lie less establish informal grouping combine phenomenological_study religion insight technology derive folklore studies focus publication experiential dimension religion involve considerable_amount participant_observation interview work also take_consideration material cultural_tradition popular_culture aspect religion mean possible provide_original data people experience spiritual dimension live variety tradition scope submission broad publication