The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Emotion

This collection explores the intersection of emotion and religion across various traditions, providing insights into how emotions shape religious practices and beliefs.

In recent years, the academic study of religion has increasingly focused on the exploration of emotion as a vital component of religious life. The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Emotion brings together a diverse collection of essays that delve into this emerging field. Researchers have approached this terrain from various angles, employing a range of methodologies to uncover the intricate relationship between emotions and religious practices across different traditions. The essays are organized into four main categories: religious traditions, religious life, emotional states, and historical and theoretical perspectives.

Scholars contributing to The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Emotion examine how emotions manifest in major world religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. They investigate how essential elements of religious life—such as ritual, music, gender, sexuality, and material culture—shape and express emotional experiences. Some essays focus on specific emotions like love or hatred, analyzing their significance within various religious contexts and cultural backgrounds. Additionally, the volume includes critical reflections on influential thinkers like St. Augustine, Soren Kierkegaard, Jonathan Edwards, Emile Durkheim, and William James, offering insights into their contributions to the understanding of emotion in religious thought.

This comprehensive collection serves as a valuable resource for both scholars and those new to the field, providing critical perspectives and stimulating discussions that will enhance the study of religion and emotion. The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Emotion is an essential starting point for anyone interested in exploring the dynamic interplay between these two important aspects of human experience.