Abstract

The problem of the definition of religion is studied in this volume from many angles and by different disciplines. Apart from papers on the history of the concept of religion, methodological reflections on its definition are presented, as well as explicit definition proposals and their relation to research programs. In addition, the volume contains analyses of the pragmatics and polemics of defining religion. The focus of this collection is on the pragmatic instrumentality and strategic intent of whatever concept of 'religion' is being proposed. We argue in favor of an anti-essentialist, anti-hegemonic and multi-dimensional approach and the legitimacy of developing and proposing a broad variety of definitions of religions.