Grounding Religion: A Field Guide to the Study of Religion and Ecology

by Whitney A. Bauman (Editor), Richard Bohannon (Editor), Kevin J. O'Brien (Editor)

Overview

Now in its second edition, Grounding Religion explores relationships between the environment and religious beliefs and practices. Established scholars introduce students to the ways in which religion shapes human–earth relations, surveying a series of questions about how the religious world influences and is influenced by ecological systems.

Case studies, discussion questions, and further reading enrich students’ experience. This second edition features updated content, including revisions of every chapter and new material on natural disasters, gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, climate change, food, technology, and hope and despair. An excellent text for undergraduates and graduates alike, it offers an expansive overview of the academic field of religion and ecology as it has emerged in the past fifty years.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781351795838
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/11/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	294
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Whitney A. Bauman is Professor of Religious Studies at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida, USA.

Richard Bohannon is Associate Professor of Individualized and Interdisciplinary Studies at Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.

Kevin J. O’Brien is Professor of Religion at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, USA.

Table of Contents

Introduction Whitney A. Bauman, Richard Bohannon, and Kevin J. O’Brien Part I: Concepts 1. Religion: What is it, Who Gets to Decide, and Why Does it Matter? Whitney A. Bauman, Richard Bohannon, and Kevin J. O’Brien 2. Grounding Religion in the Environmental Humanities Kate Rigby and Laurel Kearns 3. Ecology: Context, Interconnectedness, and Complexity Whitney A. Bauman, Richard Bohannon, and Kevin J. O’Brien Part II: Intersectional Locations 4. Taking Indigeneity Seriously Dana Lloyd 5. Gender Amanda M. Nichols 6. Sexuality and Queer Studies Whitney A. Bauman 7. The Poor of the Earth Miguel de la Torre 8. Race Carol Wayne White 9. Disability Lisa D. Powell 10. Privilege and Power Laura M. Hartman and Kevin J. O'Brien Part III: Issues 11. Climate Change Laurel Kearns 12. Animals: Community Hope and Community Liberation Sarah Withrow King 13. Vegetarianism, Religion, and Food Catherine L. Newell 14. Energy Terra Schwerin Rowe 15. Justice Otherwise Nicole Hoskins 16. Extinction Stefan Skrimshire 17. Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity Maria Nita 18. Politics Emma Tomalin 19. Place Brian G. Campbell 20. Canceling the Apocalypse: Defiant Hope as a Call to Action in the Climate Era Sarah McFarland Taylor Index

Editorial Reviews

"Grounding Religion is an accessible and engaging introduction to religion and ecology for the undergraduate classroom. Changes made for the second edition - especially the new chapters addressing race and ethnicity, climate change, and hope and despair are particularly timely." - Nancy Menning, Ithaca College, USA.

"In recent years, the literature exploring the intersections between religion and nature has grown exponentially. Grounding Religion is both an original contribution to the field and also a smart, wide-ranging introduction to it. It provides good overviews of important topics such as place, food, and climate change without merely repeating familiar discussions. Even better, it addresses crucial issues that are rarely included in discussions of religion and ecology, such as economics and technology. It will be an essential resource for scholars and an outstanding teaching tool." - Anna Peterson, University of Florida, USA.

"This handbook provides an excellent introduction to key issues of environmental concern viewed through the prism of a modern-day, secularist view of religion-writ-large. (...) This book will prove useful in the undergraduate classroom. (...) Each chapter effectively defines its arguments and terms. Several concrete examples are given that will encourage student conversations, especially on the extractive process of mountaintop removal, the alteration of food through industrialized agriculture, and the multiple challenges posed by climate change. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter enhance its effectiveness as a teaching tool." - Christopher Chapple, Loyola Marymount University, USA

From the Publisher