Eric Bain-Selbo Knihy

Exploring the deep connection between college football and religious fervor in the South, the book examines how this sport has shaped Southern history and culture since the Civil War. Through interviews with fans and immersive experiences on game days, Eric Bain-Selbo employs diverse theoretical frameworks to analyze the cultural significance of football. This critical perspective highlights the intertwining of faith, politics, and community identity within the passionate world of Southern college football.

Eric Bain-Selbo argues that the study of religion-from philosophers to psychologists, and historians of religion to sociologists-has separated out the “ends” or goals of religion and thus created the conditions by which institutional religion is increasingly irrelevant in contemporary Western culture. There is ample evidence that institutional religion is in trouble, and little evidence that it will strengthen in the future, giving some reason to believe that we are in the process of seeing the end of religion. At the same time, various cultural practices have met in the past and continue to meet today certain fundamental human needs-needs that we might identify as religious that now are being fulfilled through what Bain-Selbo calls the “religion of culture.” The End(s) of Religion traces the way that the very study of religion has led to institutional religion being viewed as just one human institution that can address our particular “religious” needs rather than the sole institution to do so. In turn, ultimately we can begin to see how other institutions or forms of culture can function to serve these same needs or “ends.”

Exploring the complexities of moral life and judgment, the book delves into the roles of shame, cross-cultural understanding, and the challenges faced in educational settings. It provides a framework to navigate the extremes of fundamentalism and relativism, offering insights that promote a balanced approach to morality in society. Through its examination of these themes, it seeks to foster a deeper understanding of ethical considerations in contemporary discourse.

Exploring the intricate ties between violence, religion, and culture, this book delves into the American South's unique landscape. It examines how violence is interwoven with religious practices and the cultural significance of sports, particularly American football, which serves as a civil religion in the region. By analyzing the violent aspects of football, the author reveals its profound impact on Southern identity and culture, ultimately offering fresh insights into the interplay of religion and sport.

Readers are introduced to a range of theoretical and methodological approaches used to understand religion – including sociology, philosophy, psychology, and anthropology – and how they can be used to understand sport as a religious phenomenon. Topics include the formation of powerful communities among fans and the religious experience of the fan, myth, symbols and rituals and the sacrality of sport, and sport and secularization. Case studies are taken from around the world and include the Olympics (ancient and modern), football in the UK, the All Blacks and New Zealand national identity, college football in the American South, and gymnastics. Ideal for classroom use, Understanding Sport as a Religious Phenomenon illuminates the nature of religion through sports phenomena and is a much-needed contribution to the field of religion and popular culture.