Article
Dead Religion and Contemporary Perspectives: Commending Mesopotamian Data to the Religious Studies Classroom
Method & Theory in the Study of Religion
Document Type
Article
Department
Religious Studies
DOI
10.1163/157006807X222550
Publication Date
11-1-2007
Disciplines
Abstract
Ancient Mesopotamian religion offers an under-appreciated body of data to religious studies.Because Mesopotamian religion is ancient and dead, it poses no threat to modern religious con-victions. Students approach it with a curious antiquarian’s interest rather than a threatenedbeliever’s resistance and thus freely adopt through it critical concepts in the study of religion. Tisessay shows how Mesopotamian data can illustrate three such concepts. Moreover, it suggeststhat because Mesopotamian culture is geographically and chronologically proximate to thosethat produced the Bible and Quran, this data can provide a unique bridge to critical discussionsof the major monotheistic religions.
Citation Information
Alan Lenzi. "Dead Religion and Contemporary Perspectives: Commending Mesopotamian Data to the Religious Studies Classroom" Method & Theory in the Study of Religion Vol. 19 (2007) p. 121 - 133 ISSN: 0943-3058 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/alan-lenzi/65/