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The Awkwardness of American Exceptionalism

In: Method & Theory in the Study of Religion
Author:
Constance M. Furey Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, IN USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6982-8066
Online Publication Date:
07 Jun 2023
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Abstract

American exceptionalism poses particular methodological challenges for the historian of religion. This essay acknowledges the importance of privileging historical specificity, as modeled by Dana Logan’s study of America’s formative forms of governance in her recent book, Awkward Rituals, but then argues history should be put in service to theory. It does so by arguing that Logan’s own ritual theory undermines rather than reinforces American exceptionalism – an argument reinforced with comparative examples from other eras of Christian history.

Title:
The Awkwardness of American Exceptionalism
Article Type:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/15700682-bja10114
Language:
English
Pages:
1–8
Keywords:
universality; sovereignty; marriage; American exceptionalism; John Winthrop; ritual theory
In:
Method & Theory in the Study of Religion
In:
Advance Articles
Received:
17 Jan 2023
Accepted:
14 May 2023
Publisher:
Brill
E-ISSN:
1570-0682
Print ISSN:
0943-3058
Subjects:
Comparative Religion & Religious Studies, Religious Studies, History of Religion

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