2 papers in the library · 10 citations · publishing 2020-2024
December 17, 2024 Ulrich Berner
“Sacred space” was a central concept of the phenomenology of religion, a strand in Religious Studies that has been the target of severe methodological criticism. The achievements and shortcomings of the phenomenological approach will be discussed in a balanced way; Michel Foucault’s concept of heterotopia will be considered as an alternative to “sacred space” or as an umbrella term; the modern...
Culture and Religion January 2, 2020 Ulrich Berner 10 citations
Sacred mountains are well known from all over the world, especially as places for pilgrimage. Classical phenomenology of religion used to present them as places of a hierophany and/or as spaces for a numinous experience. Although both these concepts – ’hierophany’ and ’numinous experience’ – have been the target of severe criticism in Religious Studies, it may be rewarding to redefine them as...