Power and religiosity in a post-colonial setting
Sinhala Catholics in contemporary Sri Lanka
by R. L. Stirrat
Over the past few decades a series of Catholic shrines have sprung up in Sri Lanka which draw hundreds of pilgrims. Although best known as centres for the exorcism of the demonically possessed, their miraculous efficacy also extends to helping people find jobs and preferment, and to alleviating suffering. R.L. Stirrat, who has worked in Sri Lanka over a long period, is interested both in how people behave at the shrines, and in the historical and social contexts in which the shrines have appeared.
He argues that an understanding of their religious importance is intricately connected with power, religious and political. This view challenges the conventional distinction between 'religion' and 'politics'. Accordingly, religious suffering is seen as a complex metaphor linking together various social domains and a means through which conflicts over power and authority can be expressed.
The author treats the development of these shrines, the discourses used, and the goals of the devotees as commentaries on changing power relations as well as attempts by the faithful to gain access to divine power.
Check nearby libraries
Buy this book
Subjects
Places
Times
| Edition | Availability |
|---|---|
1
Power and Religiosity in a Post-Colonial Setting: Sinhala Catholics in Contemporary Sri Lanka
2011, Cambridge University Press
in English
0511880413 9780511880414
|
zzzz
|
|
2
Power and Religiosity in a Post-Colonial Setting: Sinhala Catholics in Contemporary Sri Lanka
2009, Cambridge University Press
in English
0511586353 9780511586354
|
zzzz
|
3
Power and Religiosity in a Post-Colonial Setting: Sinhala Catholics in Contemporary Sri Lanka (Cambridge Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology)
June 1, 2006, Cambridge University Press
Paperback
in English
- 1 edition
0521026504 9780521026505
|
zzzz
|
4
Power and religiosity in a post-colonial setting: Sinhala Catholics in contemporary Sri Lanka
1992, Cambridge University Press
in English
0521415551 9780521415552
|
aaaa
|
Book Details
Edition Notes
Includes bibliographical references (p. [215]-220) and index.
Classifications
External Links
The Physical Object
Edition Identifiers
Work Identifiers
Community Reviews (0)
Lists
Wikipedia citation
×CloseCopy and paste this code into your Wikipedia page. Need help?