Sacred Quest, The

Lawrence S. Cunningham is the John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology (Emeritus) at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author or editor of over 25 books and is the Christianity editor of the forthcoming Norton Anthology of World Religions.John Kelsay is the Bristol Distinguished Professor of Religion and Ethics at the Florida State University. He also serves as Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. Professor Kelsay's research and teaching focus is on moral and political aspects of religion. He has particular interests in Christian and Muslim perspectives on war. Professor Kelsay's most recent book in this area is Arguing the Just War in Islam (Harvard, 2007).

• Found in this section:1. Brief Table of Contents2. Full Table of Contents 1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionChapter 1 Toward a Definition of ReligionChapter 2 The Nature of the SacredChapter 3 The Appearance of the SacredChapter 4 The Language(s) of the SacredChapter 5 RitualChapter 6 Sacred CommunitiesChapter 7 The Problem of EvilChapter 8 Religion and MoralityChapter 9 The Quest for SalvationGlossaryIndex 2. FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction The Breadth and Depth of Religious ExperienceA Brief Outline of the Phenomenological MethodAttitudes and Institutions in the Study of ReligionA Final WordNotesChapter 1: Toward a Definition of Religion The Search for a Definition of ReligionElements of ReligionReligion and Human ThoughtReligion and FeelingReligion and ActionIndividual and Social ExistenceValues and ReligionSubstance or Function?Toward ResolutionA ProposalIn ConclusionThought ExperimentsSuggestions for Further ReadingNotesChapter 2: The Nature of the Sacred The Complex Character of the SacredThe Concept of Sacred RealitySpecially DistinctiveTo Some Extent, Beyond the Volitional Control of Human BeingsSpecially Prominent with Respect to Human WelfareProperly Determinative of Various Aspects of Human ExistenceSummaryThought ExperimentsSuggestions for Further ReadingNotesChapter 3: The Appearance of the Sacred Types of Sacred AppearanceVarieties of MediaSacred PersonsSacred ObjectsSacred TimeSacred SpaceSacred Appearance and the Complexity of TraditionsThought ExperimentsSuggestions for Further ReadingNotesChapter 4: The Language(s) of the Sacred MythStoriesStory as ParableThe Preservation of Sacred LanguageOral CulturesScriptural CulturesA Summary and SynthesisThe Language of TheologyThe Visual Language of ReligionLanguage and TruthThought ExperimentsSuggestions for Further ReadingNotesChapter 5: Ritual Myth(os) and RitualThe PassoverHoly Communion (The Eucharist)Rites of PassageBirth RitualsRituals of InitiationRituals of Mourning and DeathTemporal Rites and CelebrationsThe Religious Meaning(s) of RitualAdorationThanksgivingPetitionPenance/PurificationRitual as a ProblemRitual as a SystemThought ExperimentsNotesChapter 6: Sacred Communities The Social Character of ReligionReligion and Social ResistanceHeresy/Schism/DivisionTradition and InnovationThe Social Aspects of WorshipA Word of ConclusionThought ExperimentsNotesChapter 7: The Problem of Evil Identifying EvilResponses to Evil: Some Classic PatternsEvil and Karma: The Indian ContextThe Consolation of PromiseThe Appeal to SovereigntyDualismAre the Answers Adequate?Is It Logical?Is It Coherent?Is It Psychologically Satisfying?What Are the Moral Consequences?Thought ExperimentsSuggestions for Further ReadingNotesChapter 8: Religion and MoralityDefining the IssuesReligion, Morality, and JustificationJustification: General ConsiderationsPractical Justification: Three CasesHinduism: The Caste SystemIslam: The Justification and Limitation of WarChristianity: Why Pray?Religion and Morality: PatternsThought ExperimentsSuggestions for Further ReadingNotesChapter 9: The Quest for Salvation Concepts of SalvationIndividual Salvation in This WorldThe Search for MeaningThe Desire to Be RememberedThe Ideal of CompletionIndividual Salvation in Another WorldJoining the Spirit WorldCosmic Cycling or ExpansionThe Idea of JudgmentGroup Salvation in This WorldSalvation Through the PeopleSalvation Through the TraditionSalvation in the Kingdom of God in This WorldGroup Salvation in Another WorldNow That Distinctions Have Been MadePaths to SalvationThe Path of KnowledgeThe Path of ActionThe Path of AestheticsThe Path of SubmissionThe Path of GraceA Closing ReminderThought ExperimentsSuggestions for Further ReadingNotesGlossary Index