Wondrous Healing: Shamanism, Human Evolution, And The Origin Of Religion

by James McClenon

Overview

McClenon (sociology, Elizabeth City State U. in N. Carolina) presents evidence in support of the ritual healing theory, which posits that wondrous healing rituals of the past contributed to the beginnings of religion. The beginnings evolved through a series of stages to the modern biological capacity for religious beliefs and rituals, and the processes by which religion began still occur today. McClenon bases his theory on extensive research and firsthand observation of the modern shamanistic performances in Asia and North America. For researchers and scholars in anthropology, folklore studies, ancient history, neurophysiology, medicine, and the sociology and psychology of religion. Some parts of this book have appeared in previously published works by the author. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780875802848
Publisher:	Northern Illinois University Press
Publication date:	11/01/2001
Edition description:	1

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction: Evolution and Religion
1. The Evolution of Wondrous Healing
2. Fertility, Childbirth, and Suggestion
3. The Anthropology of Wondrous Healing
4. Wondrous Healing, Hypnotizability, and Folklore
5. The Seeds of Religion
6. When the Seeds of Religion Sprout
Conclusion: Criticisms and Challenges
Appendix
Notes
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Provocative and challenging.... Fascinating reading."—Journal of Religion and Society

"An important contribution to religious studies, anthropology, and evolutionary psychology ... there is nothing like it."—William Irons, Northwestern University

"A valuable fresh perspective on the intersection of religious and anomalous experiences, the behavioral sciences, and evolutionary theory."—Transcultural Psychiatry

From the Publisher