About the book
Finalist, Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion, Analytical-Descriptive Studies, given by the American Academy of Religion
A groundbreaking reframing of religious pilgrimage
Pious processions. Sites of miraculous healing. Journeys to far-away sacred places. These are what are usually called to mind when we think of religious pilgrimage. Yet while pilgrimage can include journeying to the heart of sacred shrines, it can also occur in apparently mundane places. Indeed, not everyone has the resources or mobility to take part in religiously inspired movement to foreign lands, and some find meaning in religious movement closer to home and outside of officially sanctioned practices. Powers of Pilgrimage argues that we must question the universality of Western assumptions of what religion is and where it should be located, including the notion that “genuine” pilgrimage needs to be associated with discrete, formally recognized forms of religiosity.
This necessary volume makes the case for expanding our gaze to reconsider the salience, scope, and scale of contemporary forms of pilgrimage and pilgrimage-related activity. It shows that we need to reflect on how pilgrimage sites, journeys, rituals, stories, and metaphors are entangled with each other and with wider aspects of people’s lives, ranging from an action as trivial as a stroll down the street to the magnitude of forced migration to another country or continent.
Offering a new theoretical lexicon and framework for exploring human pilgrimage, Powers of Pilgrimage presents a broad overview of how we can understand pilgrimage activity and proposes that it should be understood not solely as going to, staying at, and leaving a sacred place, but also as occurring in ordinary times, places, and practices.
Editions of Powers of Pilgrimage
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780814717288
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781479811946
- EBook
- ISBN 9780814717295
Read an Excerpt
Finalist, Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion, Analytical-Descriptive Studies, given by the American Academy of Religion
A groundbreaking reframing of religious pilgrimage
Pious processions. Sites of miraculous healing. Journeys to far-away sacred places. These are what are usually called to mind when we think of religious pilgrimage. Yet while pilgrimage can include journeying to the heart of sacred shrines, it can also occur in apparently mundane places. Indeed, not everyone has the resources or mobility to take part in religiously inspired movement to foreign lands, and some find meaning in religious movement closer to home and outside of officially sanctioned practices. Powers of Pilgrimage argues that we must question the universality of Western assumptions of what religion is and where it should be located, including the notion that “genuine” pilgrimage needs to be associated with discrete, formally recognized forms of religiosity.
This necessary volume makes the case for expanding our gaze to reconsider the salience, scope, and scale of contemporary forms of pilgrimage and pilgrimage-related activity. It shows that we need to reflect on how pilgrimage sites, journeys, rituals, stories, and metaphors are entangled with each other and with wider aspects of people’s lives, ranging from an action as trivial as a stroll down the street to the magnitude of forced migration to another country or continent.
Offering a new theoretical lexicon and framework for exploring human pilgrimage, Powers of Pilgrimage presents a broad overview of how we can understand pilgrimage activity and proposes that it should be understood not solely as going to, staying at, and leaving a sacred place, but also as occurring in ordinary times, places, and practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Powers of Pilgrimage about?
Finalist, Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion, Analytical-Descriptive Studies, given by the American Academy of Religion
A groundbreaking reframing of religious pilgrimage
Pious processions. Sites of miraculous healing. Journeys to far-away sacred places. These are what are usually called to mind when we think of religious pilgrimage. Yet while pilgrimage can include journeying to the heart of sacred shrines, it can also occur in apparently mundane places. Indeed, not everyone has the resources or mobility to take part in religiously inspired movement to foreign lands, and some find meaning in religious movement closer to home and outside of officially sanctioned practices. Powers of Pilgrimage argues that we must question the universality of Western assumptions of what religion is and where it should be located, including the notion that “genuine” pilgrimage needs to be associated with discrete, formally recognized forms of religiosity.
This necessary volume makes the case for expanding our gaze to reconsider the salience, scope, and scale of contemporary forms of pilgrimage and pilgrimage-related activity. It shows that we need to reflect on how pilgrimage sites, journeys, rituals, stories, and metaphors are entangled with each other and with wider aspects of people’s lives, ranging from an action as trivial as a stroll down the street to the magnitude of forced migration to another country or continent.
Offering a new theoretical lexicon and framework for exploring human pilgrimage, Powers of Pilgrimage presents a broad overview of how we can understand pilgrimage activity and proposes that it should be understood not solely as going to, staying at, and leaving a sacred place, but also as occurring in ordinary times, places, and practices.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Powers of Pilgrimage?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Religion: general > Comparative religion
Where can I read a sample of Powers of Pilgrimage?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780814717288
How long is Powers of Pilgrimage and how many pages does it have?
Powers of Pilgrimage has 344 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Powers of Pilgrimage?
Simon Coleman
Who is the Publisher of the book Powers of Pilgrimage?
NYU Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Powers of Pilgrimage is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780814717288) and paperback(ISBN 9781479811946) and ebook(ISBN 9780814717295)
Where can I buy Powers of Pilgrimage online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Powers of Pilgrimage from below
Where can I buy Powers of Pilgrimage?