The Ideology of Religious Studies by Timothy Fitzgerald - A must read for religious studies students.

In recent years there has been an intensifying debate within the religious studies community about the validity of religion as an analytical category. In this book Fitzgerald sides with those who argue that the concept of religion itself should be abandoned. On the basis of his own research in India and Japan, and through a detailed analysis of the use of religion in a wide range of scholarly texts, the author maintains that the comparative study of religion is really a form of liberal ecumenical theology. By pretending to be a science, religion significantly distorts socio-cultural analysis. He suggest, however, that religious studies can be re-represented in a way which opens up new and productive theoretical connections with anthropology and cultural and literary studies.

A must read for religious studies students.
Any student of "religion" should take Fitzgerald's argument seriously. In fact, I would go as far as to say that many within the academy now teaching (or rather, preaching) religion should also examine Fitzgerald's work.

I was first exposed to this book late in my undergraduate career in religious studies. For me the theoretical discourse on "religion" had always seemed convoluted, but nevertheless it was a conceptual morass that I believed could be resolved. But--trust me--it can not be, and Fitzgerald cogently explains why.

Instead of elaborating further, I would suggest that anyone at all interested in relgious studies or "religion in general" (or philosophy, imperialism, social control, the modern world, globalization, etc.) to read the first few pages of this book online. I can say without hyperbole that this is one of the most important books I have ever read. My hope in writing this review is that it will inspire others take notice of Fitzgerald's work.

For More 5 Star Reviews, Complete Product Review and The Lowest Prices Please Visit:
Buy The Ideology of Religious Studies by Timothy Fitzgerald At The Lowest Price!