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Led by Mona Kanwal Sheikh and Mark Juergensmeyer, nine authors journey into the worlds of unusual, sometimes violent religious groups. Together, these original first-person contributions provide an integrated, problem-solving approach to field research in religious extremism, illustrating ground-breaking methods in gaining access to their subjects' worldviews. In a narrative style that is at once both conversational and rigorous, the book demonstrates for students, researchers, and journalists the relevance of religious studies to political science, sociology, and anthropology. It is particularly well suited to upper-level courses at the intersection of religion and the social sciences.
List of contents
Acknowledgments
Contributors
1. Introduction: The Challenge of Entering Religious Minds Mark Juergensmeyer and Mona Kanwal Sheikh
Part I Bridging Disciplines: Theology, Religious Studies, and Social Science
2. From Methodists to Mormons: Reflections on Describing and Explaining Religious Worldviews Ann Taves
3. Finding a Vocation Between Religious Worlds Richard Madsen
4. Route 40: Encountering a Spiritual School in the Desert Ariel Glucklich
5. Translating Worldviews: Religious Studies as a Social Science Julie Ingersoll
Part II Encountering Religious Violence: Fieldwork, Empathy, and Immersion
6. Talking with Terrorists, Entering Their Minds Mark Juergensmeyer
7. Epistemic Worldviews: Buddhist Perspectives on Violence Michael Jerryson
8. Lessons from My Study of the Pakistani Taliban Mona Kanwal Sheikh
9. Interviewing White Ethno(-Religious) Nationalists: Reflections on Fieldwork Sara Kamali
10. Grasping Ritual Violence in Ancient Texts Margo Kitts
11. Conclusion: The Significance of Worldview Analysis for Social Sciences Mona Kanwal Sheikh
Index
About the author
Mona Kanwal Sheikh, PhD in Political Science, is Senior Researcher and Head of the International Security Research Unit at the Danish Institute for International Studies in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Mark Juergensmeyer is Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Global Studies, Affiliate Professor of Religious Studies, and Founding Director of the Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies at the University of California-Santa Barbara.
Summary
Nine original first-person accounts provide an integrated, problem-solving approach to field research in religious extremism as the authors journey into the worlds of a variety of unusual, sometimes violent, religious groups.
