Description
Native American Spirituality: A Critical Reader is a collection of fourteen interdisciplinary essays by Native and non-Native scholars about understanding and writing about Native spirituality. Authors include: Ines Hernandez-Avila, John A. Grim, Christopher Ronwanien:te Jocks, Ronald L. Grimes, Robin Ridington, Melissa A. Pflug, Theresa S. Smith, Richard Haly, Clara Sue Kidwell, Mary C. Churchill, Benjamin R. Kracht, Thomas Buckley, James Treat, Lee Irwin. This volume offers a stimulating, multidisciplinary set of essays by noted Native and non-Native scholars that explore the problems and prospects of understanding and writing about Native American spirituality in the twenty-first century. Considerable attention is given to the appropriateness and value of different interpretive paradigms for Native religion, including both "traditional" religion and Native Christianity. The book also investigates the ethics of religious representation, issues of authenticity, the commodification of spirituality, and pedagogical practices. Of special interest is the role of dialogue in expressing and understanding Native American religious beliefs and practices. A final set of essays explores the power of and reactions to Native spirituality from a long-term, historical perspective. Editor Lee Irwin is an associate professor of philosophy and religious studies at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina.