Theories of religion – in theory and practice

This joint International Research Training Group aims to foster collaboration between research in classical and biblical studies and sociology. Its focus is on the relationships between the individual and the social, material, and also transcendent world, as established and reflected in various social and, above all, religious practices. Central to this is the question of under what conditions and with what consequences such self-world relationships are experienced as resonant, i.e. as dialogical and responsive. The dynamic interdisciplinary collaboration across two complementary locations facilitates both a richly documented comparison and the development of new methods, thereby ensuring high-quality training for doctoral students.

Ritual practices – in antiquity mostly within religious contexts – have attracted increasing attention in recent research. With its sociologically oriented and historically grounded inquiries into resonance, the IGDK situates such rituals and their dynamics within contexts that transcend specific social orders and mono- or polytheistic conceptions, thereby bringing into focus fundamental cognitive processes as well as their expressive character and the institutionalisation of resonances in sacralisations. We therefore examine ritual practices as socio-religious practices that generate, determine or express significant relationships between people and the world – with other people, with objects, with nature, with one’s own self, with heaven or with God or gods. The nature of these world relations, in turn, reveals much about the respective culture and the social positions (e.g. gender positions, social inequalities) that shape them.

The conference for all doctoral candidates and lecturers at the IGS aims to present current attempts to conceptualise ‘religion’ and to discuss them in light of the research group’s outlined research question. Which phenomena are considered ‘religion’ in theories of religion, and what is their scope historically and for cross-cultural comparison? Where do their limits lie? What influence do they have on the design of contemporary research, particularly that conducted by members of the IGS?

To facilitate an in-depth discussion and preparatory reflection, particularly on the latter questions, the speakers’ papers will be sent out in advance (by 5 April). Please register by 1 April 2018.