Books by "David W. Machacek"
4 books found
"Exploring a dazzling variety of religious imagery, David Morgan shows how vision functions as an active, physical process, embedded in bodily experience and profoundly shaped by social practice. Morgan's bold, thoughtful interpretations will fascinate art historians and students of visual culture as well as historians of religion.” -Pepe Karmel, Department of Art History, New York University "The Embodied Eye is an important and truly groundbreaking book. It represents a substantive and quite fascinating extension of David Morgan's previous work- especially as it impressively shows us how 'seeing' is the primary medium of social life, and materially integrates the body of the individual and the body of the group. Morgan is unquestionably the pioneering theorist in the whole emergent field of Visual and Culture Studies as it relates to religion and art." -Norman Girardot, University Distinguished Professor, Lehigh University “Under David Morgan’s inspiring guidance, readers are taken on a dazzling journey through religious images that mediate worlds of faith. Embedding vision in the body, this book stands out with its thought-provoking approach to religious media as material and embodied interfaces that underpin the social construction of the sacred.” -Birgit Meyer, Professor of Religious Studies, Utrecht University
The ancient Greeks and Romans considered it degrading to both parties yet depicted it prolifically in art and literature. The Early Christian Church called it "the worst evil," punishable by seven years of penance and fasting (murder was one year). Nearly all of the 13 original American colonies had laws against it--except Georgia. A Victorian handbook for young brides advised how to "dampen his desire to kiss in forbidden territory." Attitudes about oral sex have varied through the centuries and across cultures--a death sentence in some nations, a religious practice in others. This book explores its history as well as its impact on world events.
What roles do queer and transgender people play in the African diasporic religions? Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Participation in African-Inspired Traditions in the Americas is a groundbreaking scholarly exploration of this long-neglected subject. It offers clear insight into the complex dynamics of gender and sexual orientation, humans and deities, and race and ethnicity, within these richly nuanced spiritual practices. Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions explores the ways in which gender complexity and same-sex intimacy are integral to the primary beliefs and practices of these faiths. It begins with a comprehensive overview of Vodou, Santeria, and other African-based religions. The second section includes extensive, revealing interviews with practitioners who offer insight into the intersection of their beliefs, their sexual orientation, and their gender identity. Finally, it provides a powerful analysis of the ways these traditions have inspired artists, musicians, and writers such as Audre Lorde, as well as informative interviews with the artists themselves. In Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions, you will discover: how the presence of androgynous divinities affects both faith and practice in Vodou, Candomble, Santeria, and other Creole religions how the phenomenon of possession or embodiment by a god or goddess may validate queer identity and nurture gender complexity who practices the African-derived spiritual traditions, what they believe, and who their deities are how these faiths have influenced the art and aesthetic traditions of the West This landmark book opens a fascinating new world of thought and belief. The authors provide rigorous documentation and faultless scholarly method as well as personal experience and the testimony of believers. Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions sheds new light on two widely different fields: LGBT studies and the theology of the African diaspora. A thorough bibliography points the way to further study, and an extensive photograph gallery provides a unique look at the believers and their practices. Every library with holdings in queer theory, African mythology, or sociology of religion should have this landmark volume.
Click ′Additional Materials′ for downloadable materials and samples "Incredibly, this is the first encyclopedia to focus on community as concept and experience, so stands alone in its field as the one title any library must buy to cover this topic. Essential for all readerships."--CHOICE"A timely, comprehensive, and very welcome overview of a rich and rapidly growing field of inquiry."--Robert D. Putnam, Professor at Harvard University and author of Bowling Alone "With every passing minute, it becomes more and more apparent that our world is one community. The Encyclopedia of Community serves as recognition of this trend and as a needed resource. The four-volume set not only explains the emerging buzz words of community such as ′social capital′ or ′civic engagement′ but also tells many stories of community institutions that work, such as public libraries." --Sarah Ann Long, Past President, (1999-2000) American Library Association "As we yearn to connect with our fellow citizens during these uncertain times, we have a unique moment to encourage greater participation in our democracy and reinvigorate our communities. The Encyclopedia of Community provides a timely, diverse array of theories and practices that will help citizens understand the value of engaging together to make the critical choices that enrich the way we live, learn, work and govern in our local communities. The Encyclopedia deserves a prime spot in the libraries, homes, and offices of all communities that want to invest in a brighter future for their residents and their children."--Nancy Kranich, Past President of the American Library Association, whose presidential theme was "Libraries: The Cornerstone of Democracy" (2000-2001) "American politicians often pair the word ′community′ with the word ′freedom′ to describe our basic values. Yet, though used constantly, the word community is defined in widely different and contested ways. Most people like the idea of community, but some intellectuals worry that it might imply collectivism. The great value of this new Encyclopedia is that it gives readers a chance to sample the many uses of the term and gain clarity about the issues at stake. It is a major contribution to a more coherent understanding of this fundamental idea."--Robert Bellah, Professor of Sociology, Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley and co-author of Habits of the Heart SAGE Publications is proud to announce the Encyclopedia of Community, a major reference work that summarizes the many fascinating and important concepts of a global topic. Community itself is a concept, an experience, and a central part of being human. Whether the reader is a student, researcher, or professional in the field of psychology, sociology, or even economics, this three-volume work will provide the necessary definitions of community beyond traditional views. Arranged in an A-to-Z fashion, the Encyclopedia can also be viewed topically via a Reader′s Guide. This allows for interdisciplinary "compare and contrast" among topics such as types of communities, social capital, technology, urban life, politics and law, community design, and global studies. Edited by the award-winning team at Berkshire Reference and assisted by an editorial board of world-renowned scholars, the Encyclopedia of Community will prove to be one of the most widely used reference works in your collection. Key Features: * 500 signed articles * 3 volumes * 2000 pages * Reader′s Guide * Master bibliography * 250 sidebars Appendices: * Resource Guides * Master Bibliography * Libraries Build Community * Libraries and Popular Culture