alice matilda nsiah | University of Cape Coast (original) (raw)
Papers by alice matilda nsiah
The article explores the meaning of Mark 12:13-17 in the light of the apparent contention between... more The article explores the meaning of Mark 12:13-17 in the light of the apparent contention between petty traders and revenue collectors in Kumasi. The philosophy behind the work is that while the meaning of the statement "render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God" is ambiguous, it was able to challenge and provoke both parties (Herodians and Pharisees) to truly reflect their motives for accepting or rejecting taxation. In this study, the teaching of Jesus is taken as a metaphoric statement with the capacity to generate multiple meanings. The study uses the technique of Lakoff 1 to map the attitudes of the Herodians and Pharisees unto revenue collectors and petty traders as supporters and rejecters of taxation respectively, and in dialogue with Jesus. In this way, the statement of Jesus becomes a double-edged sword inducing appropriate responses from each group. The study concludes that honesty in the sight of God should be the attitudes of both petty traders (in declaring their monthly returns) and revenue collectors (in their modus operandi) to avoid corruption so
We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of this thesis were supervised in accorda... more We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of this thesis were supervised in accordance with the guidelines on supervision of thesis laid down by the University of Cape Coast.
European Scientific Journal, ESJ, Jul 12, 2013
The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman pa... more The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman partly compelled the Church of Pentecost in Ghana to issue a communiqué in 2010 to annul a longstanding tradition of head covering by her women. The communiqué generated varied, but largely unfavourable reactions from the Church's members. This paper examines the culture of headgear in Ghana, the communiqué annulling the practice in the Church, the reactions of Church members, as well as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; which appears to be a double-edged sword for both the imposition and the annulment. The paper opines that the reactions of the members of the Church indicated a lack of appreciation of the rationale of the communiqué and the actual decisions it contains. Hence, the paper proposes a careful blend of culture and Christianity in Ghana and the adoption of a more inclusive approach towards effective grassroots participation in Church governance.
International journal of humanities and social sciences, Apr 16, 2015
This study examined the functions of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MM... more This study examined the functions of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MMDCEs) in the 1992 Constitutions of the Republic of Ghana in the light of Mt. 20:20-28 in an attempt to throw light on their duties from a Christian perspective. The researcher is interested to examine why many of the people nominated for the position of MMDCEs are later sacked by their respective government for unsatisfactory work done and what account for the protest and agitations against them from the assembly people who elected them. The philosophy behind the research is that public officers are to be selected on merit not on any political affiliations. Moreover, the Ghanaian is very religious and religion is said to permeate every facet of their life. Consequently, any Ghanaian of good will, irrespective of their religious denominations, their belief in God and their conscience should impact on their civic duty of contributing to the development of Ghana. The research concludes that MMDCEs appointed on partisan basis without the requisite qualification and working experience are among the possible results of their rejection. Among other things, their orientation and preparation for duty once appointed should include their religious responsibilities to the people.
Oxford University Press eBooks, Jun 21, 2022
This chapter discusses religious spaces at tourist sites in Ghana. It identifies a deity called A... more This chapter discusses religious spaces at tourist sites in Ghana. It identifies a deity called Anyaman in Antoa, a village near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, that manifested and inhabited a river in a thick forest grove. The chapter argues that the presence of the deity has made the groove intrinsically sacred, popular, and rich. It then examines the history and roles of the first Christian churches, located in Elmina Castle, which became extrinsically sacred by consecration. The castle made the churches popular and rich, and it both sacralized and desacralized them in history. The chapter concludes that spatial location may function together with language, culture, tradition, and ideology to enhance the profound religious experiences of worshipers or may create fear, intimidation, and repulsion that may block the opportunity for such experiences.
How do we understand religious spaces? What is their role or function within specific religious t... more How do we understand religious spaces? What is their role or function within specific religious traditions or with respect to religious experience? This handbook brings together thirty-seven authors who address these questions using a range of methods to analyze specific spaces or types of spaces around the world and across time. Their methods are grounded in many disciplines: religious studies and religion, anthropology, archaeology, architectural history and architecture, cultural and religious history, sociology, gender and women’s studies, geography, and political science, resulting in a distinctly interdisciplinary collection. These chapters are snapshots, each offering a specific way to think about the religious space(s) under consideration: Roman shrines, Jewish synagogues, Christian churches, Muslim and Catholic shrines, indigenous spaces in Central America and East Africa, cemeteries, memorials, and others. They are organized here by geographical region, rather than traditi...
Oguaa Journal of Religion and Human Values
The article explores the meaning of Mark 12:13-17 in the light of the apparent contention between... more The article explores the meaning of Mark 12:13-17 in the light of the apparent contention between petty traders and revenue collectors in Kumasi. The philosophy behind the work is that while the meaning of the statement “render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” is ambiguous, it was able to challenge and provoke both parties (Herodians and Pharisees) to truly reflect their motives for accepting or rejecting taxation. In this study, the teaching of Jesus is taken as a metaphoric statement with the capacity to generate multiple meanings. The study uses the technique of Lakoff1 to map the attitudes of the Herodians and Pharisees unto revenue collectors and petty traders as supporters and rejecters of taxation respectively, and in dialogue with Jesus. In this way, the statement of Jesus becomes a double-edged sword inducing appropriate responses from each group. The study concludes that honesty in the sight of God should be the attitudes of both petty trade...
The Oxford Handbook of Religious Space
This chapter discusses religious spaces at tourist sites in Ghana. It identifies a deity called A... more This chapter discusses religious spaces at tourist sites in Ghana. It identifies a deity called Anyaman in Antoa, a village near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, that manifested and inhabited a river in a thick forest grove. The chapter argues that the presence of the deity has made the groove intrinsically sacred, popular, and rich. It then examines the history and roles of the first Christian churches, located in Elmina Castle, which became extrinsically sacred by consecration. The castle made the churches popular and rich, and it both sacralized and desacralized them in history. The chapter concludes that spatial location may function together with language, culture, tradition, and ideology to enhance the profound religious experiences of worshipers or may create fear, intimidation, and repulsion that may block the opportunity for such experiences.
The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman pa... more The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman partly compelled the Church of Pentecost in Ghana to issue a communiqué in 2010 to annul a longstanding tradition of head covering by her women. The communiqué generated varied, but largely unfavourable reactions from the Church's members. This paper examines the culture of headgear in Ghana, the communiqué annulling the practice in the Church, the reactions of Church members, as well as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; which appears to be a double-edged sword for both the imposition and the annulment. The paper opines that the reactions of the members of the Church indicated a lack of appreciation of the rationale of the communiqué and the actual decisions it contains. Hence, the paper proposes a careful blend of culture and Christianity in Ghana and the adoption of a more inclusive approach towards effective grassroots participation in Church governance.
The study aims at interpreting Mark 7:24-30 to establish whether Jesus was initially reluctant in... more The study aims at interpreting Mark 7:24-30 to establish whether Jesus was initially reluctant in helping a needy woman because she was non-Jewish, or the author was establishing the gradual breaking of ethnic and all other barriers to redefine the scope of Jesus' ministry. The study uses African Biblical Hermeneutic theory of Gerald West that allows a dialogue between the text and the African context. It argues that the text may be interpreted as a covenant renewal discourse aimed at including Gentiles into the covenant family. The study concludes that unproductive ethnic and religious barriers may be broken for the common good of God's family. It recommends the importance of mutual respect in dialogue in the face of diversities of opinions and perspectives.
International journal of humanities and social sciences, 2015
This study examined the functions of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MM... more This study examined the functions of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MMDCEs) in the 1992 Constitutions of the Republic of Ghana in the light of Mt. 20:20-28 in an attempt to throw light on their duties from a Christian perspective. The researcher is interested to examine why many of the people nominated for the position of MMDCEs are later sacked by their respective government for unsatisfactory work done and what account for the protest and agitations against them from the assembly people who elected them. The philosophy behind the research is that public officers are to be selected on merit not on any political affiliations. Moreover, the Ghanaian is very religious and religion is said to permeate every facet of their life. Consequently, any Ghanaian of good will, irrespective of their religious denominations, their belief in God and their conscience should impact on their civic duty of contributing to the development of Ghana. The research concludes that...
American Journal of Social Issues and Humanities, 2014
Civil right violations appear to be increasing in Ghana. Some of the events leading to civil righ... more Civil right violations appear to be increasing in Ghana. Some of the events leading to civil rights abuse are similar to what happened to Paul and Silas in Philippi. While Paul was aware of his right as a Roman citizen, many Ghanaians are unaware of their rights. This work examined the arrest of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:16-40. Through critical analysis of the relevant verses of the passage, elements of civil right violations were identified. This was then related to the Ghanaian situation where aspects of civil rights abuse were also identified. Remedial lessons were drawn from the text and applied to the Ghanaian context. The study recommends the need for intensive civil right education in Ghana. Moreover, it is necessary that the judiciary and police force should be independent and the law of the nation be applied indiscriminately. The study concludes that these issues could serve as some of the possible corrective actions that can address the challenge of human right violations ...
We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of this thesis were supervised in accorda... more We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of this thesis were supervised in accordance with the guidelines on supervision of thesis laid down by the University of Cape Coast.
E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies
Scholars have divided opinions concerning the role of women in the covenant community of Israel. ... more Scholars have divided opinions concerning the role of women in the covenant community of Israel. While some argue that women are placed in a secondary position, others looked at the covenant directives as ambiguous with regard to women. However, covenant renewal creates the opportunity to modify and innovate existing covenants to respond to the new needs of covenant receivers. Using the discourse theory of Paul Ricoeur, the author argues that Luke 10:38-42 is a covenant renewal discourse. The discourse aims at redefining women’s roles in the covenant community. The study concludes that women have new roles that empower them to make meaningful contributions to society. Key Words: Values, Covenant, Women, Discourse.
International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Apr 16, 2015
European Scientific Journal, Jul 12, 2013
The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman pa... more The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman partly compelled the Church of Pentecost in Ghana to issue a communiqué in 2010 to annul a longstanding tradition of head covering by her women. The communiqué generated varied, but largely unfavourable reactions from the Church's members. This paper examines the culture of headgear in Ghana, the communiqué annulling the practice in the Church, the reactions of Church members, as well as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; which appears to be a double-edged sword for both the imposition and the annulment. The paper opines that the reactions of the members of the Church indicated a lack of appreciation of the rationale of the communiqué and the actual decisions it contains. Hence, the paper proposes a careful blend of culture and Christianity in Ghana and the adoption of a more inclusive approach towards effective grassroots participation in Church governance.
The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman pa... more The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman partly compelled the Church of Pentecost in Ghana to issue a communiqué in 2010 to annul a longstanding tradition of head covering by her women. The communiqué generated varied, but largely unfavourable reactions from the Church's members. This paper examines the culture of headgear in Ghana, the communiqué annulling the practice in the Church, the reactions of Church members, as well as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; which appears to be a double-edged sword for both the imposition and the annulment. The paper opines that the reactions of the members of the Church indicated a lack of appreciation of the rationale of the communiqué and the actual decisions it contains. Hence, the paper proposes a careful blend of culture and Christianity in Ghana and the adoption of a more inclusive approach towards effective grassroots participation in Church governance.
The article explores the meaning of Mark 12:13-17 in the light of the apparent contention between... more The article explores the meaning of Mark 12:13-17 in the light of the apparent contention between petty traders and revenue collectors in Kumasi. The philosophy behind the work is that while the meaning of the statement "render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God" is ambiguous, it was able to challenge and provoke both parties (Herodians and Pharisees) to truly reflect their motives for accepting or rejecting taxation. In this study, the teaching of Jesus is taken as a metaphoric statement with the capacity to generate multiple meanings. The study uses the technique of Lakoff 1 to map the attitudes of the Herodians and Pharisees unto revenue collectors and petty traders as supporters and rejecters of taxation respectively, and in dialogue with Jesus. In this way, the statement of Jesus becomes a double-edged sword inducing appropriate responses from each group. The study concludes that honesty in the sight of God should be the attitudes of both petty traders (in declaring their monthly returns) and revenue collectors (in their modus operandi) to avoid corruption so
We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of this thesis were supervised in accorda... more We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of this thesis were supervised in accordance with the guidelines on supervision of thesis laid down by the University of Cape Coast.
European Scientific Journal, ESJ, Jul 12, 2013
The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman pa... more The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman partly compelled the Church of Pentecost in Ghana to issue a communiqué in 2010 to annul a longstanding tradition of head covering by her women. The communiqué generated varied, but largely unfavourable reactions from the Church's members. This paper examines the culture of headgear in Ghana, the communiqué annulling the practice in the Church, the reactions of Church members, as well as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; which appears to be a double-edged sword for both the imposition and the annulment. The paper opines that the reactions of the members of the Church indicated a lack of appreciation of the rationale of the communiqué and the actual decisions it contains. Hence, the paper proposes a careful blend of culture and Christianity in Ghana and the adoption of a more inclusive approach towards effective grassroots participation in Church governance.
International journal of humanities and social sciences, Apr 16, 2015
This study examined the functions of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MM... more This study examined the functions of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MMDCEs) in the 1992 Constitutions of the Republic of Ghana in the light of Mt. 20:20-28 in an attempt to throw light on their duties from a Christian perspective. The researcher is interested to examine why many of the people nominated for the position of MMDCEs are later sacked by their respective government for unsatisfactory work done and what account for the protest and agitations against them from the assembly people who elected them. The philosophy behind the research is that public officers are to be selected on merit not on any political affiliations. Moreover, the Ghanaian is very religious and religion is said to permeate every facet of their life. Consequently, any Ghanaian of good will, irrespective of their religious denominations, their belief in God and their conscience should impact on their civic duty of contributing to the development of Ghana. The research concludes that MMDCEs appointed on partisan basis without the requisite qualification and working experience are among the possible results of their rejection. Among other things, their orientation and preparation for duty once appointed should include their religious responsibilities to the people.
Oxford University Press eBooks, Jun 21, 2022
This chapter discusses religious spaces at tourist sites in Ghana. It identifies a deity called A... more This chapter discusses religious spaces at tourist sites in Ghana. It identifies a deity called Anyaman in Antoa, a village near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, that manifested and inhabited a river in a thick forest grove. The chapter argues that the presence of the deity has made the groove intrinsically sacred, popular, and rich. It then examines the history and roles of the first Christian churches, located in Elmina Castle, which became extrinsically sacred by consecration. The castle made the churches popular and rich, and it both sacralized and desacralized them in history. The chapter concludes that spatial location may function together with language, culture, tradition, and ideology to enhance the profound religious experiences of worshipers or may create fear, intimidation, and repulsion that may block the opportunity for such experiences.
How do we understand religious spaces? What is their role or function within specific religious t... more How do we understand religious spaces? What is their role or function within specific religious traditions or with respect to religious experience? This handbook brings together thirty-seven authors who address these questions using a range of methods to analyze specific spaces or types of spaces around the world and across time. Their methods are grounded in many disciplines: religious studies and religion, anthropology, archaeology, architectural history and architecture, cultural and religious history, sociology, gender and women’s studies, geography, and political science, resulting in a distinctly interdisciplinary collection. These chapters are snapshots, each offering a specific way to think about the religious space(s) under consideration: Roman shrines, Jewish synagogues, Christian churches, Muslim and Catholic shrines, indigenous spaces in Central America and East Africa, cemeteries, memorials, and others. They are organized here by geographical region, rather than traditi...
Oguaa Journal of Religion and Human Values
The article explores the meaning of Mark 12:13-17 in the light of the apparent contention between... more The article explores the meaning of Mark 12:13-17 in the light of the apparent contention between petty traders and revenue collectors in Kumasi. The philosophy behind the work is that while the meaning of the statement “render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” is ambiguous, it was able to challenge and provoke both parties (Herodians and Pharisees) to truly reflect their motives for accepting or rejecting taxation. In this study, the teaching of Jesus is taken as a metaphoric statement with the capacity to generate multiple meanings. The study uses the technique of Lakoff1 to map the attitudes of the Herodians and Pharisees unto revenue collectors and petty traders as supporters and rejecters of taxation respectively, and in dialogue with Jesus. In this way, the statement of Jesus becomes a double-edged sword inducing appropriate responses from each group. The study concludes that honesty in the sight of God should be the attitudes of both petty trade...
The Oxford Handbook of Religious Space
This chapter discusses religious spaces at tourist sites in Ghana. It identifies a deity called A... more This chapter discusses religious spaces at tourist sites in Ghana. It identifies a deity called Anyaman in Antoa, a village near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, that manifested and inhabited a river in a thick forest grove. The chapter argues that the presence of the deity has made the groove intrinsically sacred, popular, and rich. It then examines the history and roles of the first Christian churches, located in Elmina Castle, which became extrinsically sacred by consecration. The castle made the churches popular and rich, and it both sacralized and desacralized them in history. The chapter concludes that spatial location may function together with language, culture, tradition, and ideology to enhance the profound religious experiences of worshipers or may create fear, intimidation, and repulsion that may block the opportunity for such experiences.
The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman pa... more The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman partly compelled the Church of Pentecost in Ghana to issue a communiqué in 2010 to annul a longstanding tradition of head covering by her women. The communiqué generated varied, but largely unfavourable reactions from the Church's members. This paper examines the culture of headgear in Ghana, the communiqué annulling the practice in the Church, the reactions of Church members, as well as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; which appears to be a double-edged sword for both the imposition and the annulment. The paper opines that the reactions of the members of the Church indicated a lack of appreciation of the rationale of the communiqué and the actual decisions it contains. Hence, the paper proposes a careful blend of culture and Christianity in Ghana and the adoption of a more inclusive approach towards effective grassroots participation in Church governance.
The study aims at interpreting Mark 7:24-30 to establish whether Jesus was initially reluctant in... more The study aims at interpreting Mark 7:24-30 to establish whether Jesus was initially reluctant in helping a needy woman because she was non-Jewish, or the author was establishing the gradual breaking of ethnic and all other barriers to redefine the scope of Jesus' ministry. The study uses African Biblical Hermeneutic theory of Gerald West that allows a dialogue between the text and the African context. It argues that the text may be interpreted as a covenant renewal discourse aimed at including Gentiles into the covenant family. The study concludes that unproductive ethnic and religious barriers may be broken for the common good of God's family. It recommends the importance of mutual respect in dialogue in the face of diversities of opinions and perspectives.
International journal of humanities and social sciences, 2015
This study examined the functions of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MM... more This study examined the functions of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MMDCEs) in the 1992 Constitutions of the Republic of Ghana in the light of Mt. 20:20-28 in an attempt to throw light on their duties from a Christian perspective. The researcher is interested to examine why many of the people nominated for the position of MMDCEs are later sacked by their respective government for unsatisfactory work done and what account for the protest and agitations against them from the assembly people who elected them. The philosophy behind the research is that public officers are to be selected on merit not on any political affiliations. Moreover, the Ghanaian is very religious and religion is said to permeate every facet of their life. Consequently, any Ghanaian of good will, irrespective of their religious denominations, their belief in God and their conscience should impact on their civic duty of contributing to the development of Ghana. The research concludes that...
American Journal of Social Issues and Humanities, 2014
Civil right violations appear to be increasing in Ghana. Some of the events leading to civil righ... more Civil right violations appear to be increasing in Ghana. Some of the events leading to civil rights abuse are similar to what happened to Paul and Silas in Philippi. While Paul was aware of his right as a Roman citizen, many Ghanaians are unaware of their rights. This work examined the arrest of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:16-40. Through critical analysis of the relevant verses of the passage, elements of civil right violations were identified. This was then related to the Ghanaian situation where aspects of civil rights abuse were also identified. Remedial lessons were drawn from the text and applied to the Ghanaian context. The study recommends the need for intensive civil right education in Ghana. Moreover, it is necessary that the judiciary and police force should be independent and the law of the nation be applied indiscriminately. The study concludes that these issues could serve as some of the possible corrective actions that can address the challenge of human right violations ...
We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of this thesis were supervised in accorda... more We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of this thesis were supervised in accordance with the guidelines on supervision of thesis laid down by the University of Cape Coast.
E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies
Scholars have divided opinions concerning the role of women in the covenant community of Israel. ... more Scholars have divided opinions concerning the role of women in the covenant community of Israel. While some argue that women are placed in a secondary position, others looked at the covenant directives as ambiguous with regard to women. However, covenant renewal creates the opportunity to modify and innovate existing covenants to respond to the new needs of covenant receivers. Using the discourse theory of Paul Ricoeur, the author argues that Luke 10:38-42 is a covenant renewal discourse. The discourse aims at redefining women’s roles in the covenant community. The study concludes that women have new roles that empower them to make meaningful contributions to society. Key Words: Values, Covenant, Women, Discourse.
International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Apr 16, 2015
European Scientific Journal, Jul 12, 2013
The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman pa... more The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman partly compelled the Church of Pentecost in Ghana to issue a communiqué in 2010 to annul a longstanding tradition of head covering by her women. The communiqué generated varied, but largely unfavourable reactions from the Church's members. This paper examines the culture of headgear in Ghana, the communiqué annulling the practice in the Church, the reactions of Church members, as well as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; which appears to be a double-edged sword for both the imposition and the annulment. The paper opines that the reactions of the members of the Church indicated a lack of appreciation of the rationale of the communiqué and the actual decisions it contains. Hence, the paper proposes a careful blend of culture and Christianity in Ghana and the adoption of a more inclusive approach towards effective grassroots participation in Church governance.
The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman pa... more The seeming tension between culture and the Christian religious identity of the Ghanaian woman partly compelled the Church of Pentecost in Ghana to issue a communiqué in 2010 to annul a longstanding tradition of head covering by her women. The communiqué generated varied, but largely unfavourable reactions from the Church's members. This paper examines the culture of headgear in Ghana, the communiqué annulling the practice in the Church, the reactions of Church members, as well as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; which appears to be a double-edged sword for both the imposition and the annulment. The paper opines that the reactions of the members of the Church indicated a lack of appreciation of the rationale of the communiqué and the actual decisions it contains. Hence, the paper proposes a careful blend of culture and Christianity in Ghana and the adoption of a more inclusive approach towards effective grassroots participation in Church governance.
The Oxford Handbook of Religious Space, 2022
How do we understand religious spaces? What is their role or function within specific religious t... more How do we understand religious spaces? What is their role or function within specific religious traditions or with respect to religious experience? This handbook brings together thirty-seven authors who address these questions using a range of methods to analyze specific spaces or types of spaces around the world and across time. Their methods are grounded in many disciplines: religious studies and religion, anthropology, archaeology, architectural history and architecture, cultural and religious history, sociology, gender and women’s studies, geography, and political science, resulting in a distinctly interdisciplinary collection. These chapters are snapshots, each offering a specific way to think about the religious space(s) under consideration: Roman shrines, Jewish synagogues, Christian churches, Muslim and Catholic shrines, indigenous spaces in Central America and East Africa, cemeteries, memorials, and others. They are organized here by geographical region, rather than tradition, to emphasize the cultural roots of religion and religious spaces. Several overarching principles emerge from these snapshots. The authors demonstrate that religious spaces are simultaneously individual and collective, personal, and social; that they are influenced by culture, tradition, and immediate circumstances; and that they participate in various relationships of power. Most importantly, these essays demonstrate that religious spaces do not simply provide a convenient background for religious action but are also constituent of religious meaning and religious experience; that is, they play an active role in creating, expressing, broadcasting, maintaining, and transforming religious meaning and experience. Browse it at https://bit.ly/3VpmCdI.