Sacrificing the Self Perspectives on Martyrdom and Religion |
|
| Editor:
| Cormack, Margaret |
| Series title: | AAR Studies in Religion |
| ISBN: | 978-0-19-514999-9 |
| Publication Date: | Mar 2002 |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press, Incorporated
|
| Book Format: | Hardback |
| List Price: | AUD $47.95 |
Book Description:
|
Acts of martyrdom have been found in nearly all the world's major religious traditions. Though considered by devotees to be perhaps the greatest expression of religious faith, martyrdom is also one of the most difficult concepts for modern observers of religion to understand. This is especially true in the West, where martyrdom has all but disappeared and martyrs in other cultures are often dismissed as fanatics. Cormack seeks to foster a greater understanding of these acts by...
More DescriptionActs of martyrdom have been found in nearly all the world's major religious traditions. Though considered by devotees to be perhaps the greatest expression of religious faith, martyrdom is also one of the most difficult concepts for modern observers of religion to understand. This is especially true in the West, where martyrdom has all but disappeared and martyrs in other cultures are often dismissed as fanatics. Cormack seeks to foster a greater understanding of these acts by explaining how martyrdom has historically been viewed in the world's major religions. She provides the first sustained, cross-cultural examination of this fascinating aspect of religious life.