Vernacular religion and the search for method in religious folklife

Article Abstract:

The term 'vernacular' religion is preferable to 'folk' or 'popular' religion, since the latter terms tend to residualize that form of religion in contrast to 'official' religion. The study of vernacular religion emphasizes religion as lived, including the vernacular aspect of institutional religion. The designation of such institutional religion as 'official' is incorrect, but reflects a tendency for Western scholars to equate religion with the institutional authority of the church. The study of vernacular religion represents an intersection between folklore and religion that can encompass the full range of religious belief and practice.

Analysis, Folklore, Religious aspects, Sociology of religion, Religion and culture

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Gender, culture and experience: a painful case

Article Abstract:

The provision of medical care that is both high in quality and responsive to the individual cultural, experiential and gender needs of patients requires that the biomedical establishment recognize patient diversity, respect patients' experiences, adopt a patient-centered medical approach, and practice caring medicine. The case of Bao, a 14-year-old Southeast Asian woman whose cancer was misdiagnosed because of age and gender stereotypes, indicates the need for these fundamental changes. Intercultural communication problems also increased the distress experienced by Bao and her family.

Health aspects, Case studies, Medical care, Multiculturalism, Medical anthropology, Medical personnel and patient, Medical personnel-patient relations

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The scholarly voice and the personal voice: reflexivity in belief studies

Article Abstract:

Reflexivity, an acknowledgement of the subjective nature of knowledge, is needed rather than disinterest in the study of religion. The asymmetric relationship between scholars and their informants or those being studied involves a fundamental conflict of interest that calls for reflexive awareness. Scholars should be aware of the distinctions among their own personal beliefs, occupational ideology, scholarly knowledge and the beliefs of informants. The authority of scholars should be based solely on scholarly grounds, not to be confused with their personal or occupational interests.

Self-knowledge, Theory of, Self knowledge

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