Paganism: A Very Short Introduction

ISBN-13: 9780199235162 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 160 str.

University of Hertfordshire) Davies Owen (Reader in History

Opis

"Paganism" is an evocative word that even today conjures up deep-seated emotions and prejudices. Until recently, it was primarily a derogatory term used by Christians to describe the non-Christian cultures vanquished by their churches. For some it evokes images of sacrifice and barbaric behavior, while for others it symbolizes a peace-loving, nature-worshipping spiritual relationship with the earth. Written in a concise and lively style, this Very Short Introduction explores the meaning of the words "pagan" and "paganism"--through a chronological overview of the attitudes towards its practices and beliefs--from the ancient world through to the present day. Owen Davies looks at paganism largely through the eyes of the Christian world, describing how, over the centuries, notions and representations of paganism were shaped by religious conflict, power struggles, colonialism, and scholarship. Although the emphasis is on the experience of paganism in Europe, Davies also discusses how the idea of paganism spread around the globe as Europe came into contact with new cultures through colonial expansion, missionary work, and anthropological study.

O autorze

Owen Davies is Reader in Social History at the University of Hertfordshire. He has published numerous articles on the history of witchcraft and magic and is the author of Witchcraft, Magic and Culture 1736-1951 (Manchester University Press, 1999), Cunning Folk: Popular Magic in English History (2003) and Murder, Magic, Madness: The Victorian Trials of Dove and the Wizard (2005). His most recent book is Grimoires: A History of Magic Books (OUP, 2009).