Turning Points in Religious Studies

Religious Studies was first introduced as a new discipline in universities and colleges around the world in the 1960s. This discipline brought about a reorientation of the study of religion, created new perspectives and influenced all sectors of education. The essays presented in this volume provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the history of Religious Studies as an academic discipline, the turning points it faces and the directions it might take in the future.

The work is organised in three sections. The first presents a succinct case study of the historical development of Religious Studies in Britain. The second considers the development of Religious Studies throughout the world in its major constituents, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, 'traditional' African religions, Christianity, Islam and new religious movements in Africa, the study of truth and dialogue in religion, science and the rediscovery of religious experience, mysticism. The third section looks to developments in Religious Studies, in particular at religion in relation to the arts, gender, information technology and to Religious Studies in a global perspective.

Foreword
Tributes to Professor Geoffrey Parrinder
A Personal Tribute to an Outstanding Career John R. Hinnells
Some Personal Recollections of a Colleague Maurice Wiles
A Personal Tribute – An Unfinished Piece John Ferguson
Essays o Turning Points in Religious Studies
General Introduction Ursula King
Part I: Historical Development in Britain
1. Religious Studies in the Universities
- England Adrian Cunningham
- Scotland Andrew F. Walls
- Wales Cyril Williams
- The Open University Terence Thomas
- British Academic Journals in Religious Studies Stewart R. Sutherland, Glyn Richards, Adrian Hastings, Stuart Mews
2. Religious Studies in Polytechnics and Colleges of Higher Education Brian E. Gates
3. Religious Studies in Adult and Continuing Education Michael Combermere
4. Religious Studies and Developments in Religious Education in England and Wales Robert Jackson
5. The New Education Reform Act and Worship in County Schools in England and Wales W. Owen Cole
6. Religious Studies and Interfaith Developments Marcus Braybrooke
Part II: Turning Points in the Developments of Some Academic Subjects and Themes
The Study of Indian Religions
7. Hinduism Friedhelm Hardy
8. Buddhism Paul Williams
9. Sikhism Eleanor Nesbitt
The Study of African Religions
10. 'Traditional' African Religions Rosalind Shaw
11. African New Religious Movements Rosalind Hackett
12. Christianity in Africa Adrian Hastings
13. Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Peter Clarke
The Study of Significant Themes
14. The Study of Truth and Dialogue in Religion Keith Ward
15. Scientists and the Rediscovery or Religious Experience David Hay
16. Mysticism Peter Moore
Part III: Pointers to New Directions
17. Religion and the Arts John Hinnells
18. Religion and Gender Ursula King
19. Religion and Information Technology Kim Knott
Concluding Reflections: Religious Studies in Global Perspective Ninian Smart
Bibliography of Geoffrey Parrinder's Publications
Notes on Contributors
Index

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