Interest in the history of religion and religious ideas

[Complexity]

It may come as a surprise to many of you that I've had a long and abiding interest in the study of the history of religions and religious ideas.

I find the study of how belief systems have evolved and interacted fascinating, even - or, perhaps, especially - when what is believed is poppycock.

People are interesting.

Religions that I have enjoyed studying include Taoism, Buddhism (especially Zen Buddhism), Islam (especially Shi'a Islam), the Babi Faith, the Baha'i Faith, several of the Native American religions, and the ancient Greek religions.

My interest in the history of Islam and of the Bab'i and Baha'i Faiths let to my becoming a Baha'i and remaining one for nearly twenty years - an interesting if conflicted time in my life. I left the Baha'i Faith when I realized that my faith in God wasn't going to return.

For the past decade or so, I've become increasingly interested in the study of the history of the religions of the ancient Greeks. I've been intensely interested in the history and cultures of the ancient Greeks for years, and understanding their religions is crucial to understanding them.

I have found Jane Ellen Harrison's Prologemena to the Study of Greek Religion to be very readable and enlightening.

Any suggestions on additional readings on Greek or Native American religions would be appreciated.

These days, I'm not that interested in the religions per se but in the light that they may shed on the study of the peoples, their cultures, and their history.

[AkuManiMani]

Hmmm...Off the top of my head I can't think of any good books on the subject of ancient greek paganism or native american religions but wiki articles tend to cite a good many primary sources -- including a good book or two :)

[X]

Are you asking only for Greek?
I found the textbook for my Greek and Roman Mythology course to be very well laid out.
"Classical Myth" 5th ed., by Barry B. Powell.

It costs $100 new, though. If you want something cheaper, go to the local used book stores to see if they have a copy of
"Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton.
It's a mere 335 page pocketbook.

Those are all I have on the subject.

[Gagglegnash]

Hi

Mircea Eliade (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mircea_Eliade)'s, "The Myth of the Eternal Return," (http://www.amazon.com/Myth-Eternal-Return-Cosmos-History/dp/0691017778) is kind of a fun read, although it's more about religions that are more into reincarnation than Greek or Amerind religions. It does, however, lay out a good groundwork for the evolution of religious thought.

[Complexity]

;3635177']Are you asking only for Greek?
I found the textbook for my Greek and Roman Mythology course to be very well laid out.
"Classical Myth" 5th ed., by Barry B. Powell.

It costs $100 new, though. If you want something cheaper, go to the local used book stores to see if they have a copy of
"Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton.
It's a mere 335 page pocketbook.

Those are all I have on the subject.


Greek's my main interest, especially early ancient Greek religious development, but Roman mythology is interesting as well. I found, for instance, the development of trinary deities interesting, as well as the function of a scapegoat, and the nature of a holocaust as opposed to a 'regular' sacrifice is haunting, especially with its ripples down through history.

The book by Harrison that I referenced is much more an analytical history of religious ideas in ancient Greek history than it is a catalog of the gods. You will learn a lot about several of the gods, as well as harpies and many other creatures, but it is the process through which they evolved that fascinates me the most, rather than the end product.

I've got a few of Edith Hamilton's books - her work, The Greek Way, did a lot to attract me to the world of the ancient Greeks. I don't have the one you mentioned, however.

I'll add the books that you've mentioned to my list.

I took a semester of Attic Greek during a time when I wasn't been a very good student. I didn't do very well in the class, but I fell in love with the language, however badly I learned it at the time.

I've been focused on Homer and Homeric Greek as far as language goes for the past few years. I haven't put anywhere near the effort into it that it deserves.

I've been considering switching back to learning Attic Greek while leaving a permanent place for Homer near my heart and hearth. I still have my old Attic Greek text - I really liked it. I should get it rebound.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions and the interest.

[Complexity]

Hi

Mircea Eliade (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mircea_Eliade)'s, "The Myth of the Eternal Return," (http://www.amazon.com/Myth-Eternal-Return-Cosmos-History/dp/0691017778) is kind of a fun read, although it's more about religions that are more into reincarnation than Greek or Amerind religions. It does, however, lay out a good groundwork for the evolution of religious thought.


I read a great deal, so you'd be surprised what I'll sneak into my reading pile. Thanks for the suggestion!

[dglas]

I suppose a professor of comparative religion at a nearby university would be able to offer some suggestions. Unless they have some funky set-up, the campus bookstore will likely have textbooks for courses listed and possibly on display. Those, of course, will usually have bibliographies.

Possibilities abound...

[Hokulele]

For the Amerind experience, I hope you have read Black Elk Speaks (http://www.amazon.com/Black-Elk-Speaks-John-Neihardt/dp/0803283857/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208755883&sr=8-1).

[Complexity]

I suppose a professor of comparative religion at a nearby university would be able to offer some suggestions. Unless they have some funky set-up, the campus bookstore will likely have textbooks for courses listed and possibly on display. Those, of course, will usually have bibliographies.

Possibilities abound...


I can find reading lists galore. The internet is full of them.

I'm looking for suggestions from people on this forum.

[Complexity]

For the Amerind experience, I hope you have read Black Elk Speaks (http://www.amazon.com/Black-Elk-Speaks-John-Neihardt/dp/0803283857/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208755883&sr=8-1).


No, I haven't. Thanks!