Material Culture of Religion Glossary
Material Culture of Religion Glossary
(a work forever in progress; begun in the summer of 1997 as an aid for fieldwork researchers in the Faith and Community component of the Religion and Urban Culture Project of the Polis Center at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis; compiled by Susan McKee from a variety of sources -- see bibliography, below)
NOTE: this is a not-for-publication, lightly edited, list of terms and definitions useful in describing religious spaces, temporal or spiritual, with a glossary of key religious terminology, religious symbols etc. It is intended for use by STUDENTS in their study of religion to help identify the objects and concepts therein.
Bibliography
Click here to see bibliography for Material Culture of Religion Glossary.
Introduction
The first section includes definition of religious things: buildings, objects of material culture and other "stuff" (that's the technical term used in the Material History of American Religion Project) that takes up space. Included especially are words that have seemed troublesome to researchers in the past.
The second section includes definitions of terms heard in religious spaces, such as the titles of religious functionaries, the rituals performed, etc. Theology is not the focus: understanding overheard religious discourse is (it in no way is a substitute for years of religious studies classes...). This section must be supplemented with the usual essential reference books, including the Handbook of Denominations , and for Indiana researchers, Hoosier Faiths and the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis.
The third section begins a pictoral depiction of key religious symbols.
The fourth section includes relevant (or irrelevant) commentary by the author.
First Section
Click here to see Material Culture of Religion: Architectural Terms, Physical Objects found in Sanctuaries.
Second Section
Click here to see Material Culture of Religion: Terms used in religious spaces and religious rituals.
Third Section
Click here to see Material Culture of Religion: Symbols, signs and signifiers.
Fourth Section
Click here to see Material Culture of Religion: Other.
(begun in 1997 - SITE and LINKS UNDER (perpetual) CONSTRUCTION - last updates in 2005
send questions, comments or additions to the webmaster