The Pragmatics of Defining Religion: Contexts, Concepts, and Contests

Jan G. Platvoet, Ph.D. (1982), Utrecht University, is currently Senior Lecturer in the Comparative Studies of Religions at Leiden University and Vice-President of the African Association for the Study of Religions. He has published on the traditional religion of the Akan of Southern Ghana, the Study of Religions in Africa, spirit possession, the study of rituals, and the history and methodology of the Science of Religions, particularly in the Netherlands. Apart from articles, his publications include "Pluralism and Identity: Studies in Ritual Behaviour" ("Brill," 1995) and "The Study of Religions in Africa: Past, Present, Prospects." (Roots & Branches, 1996). Arie L. Molendijk, Ph.D. (1991), Leiden University, currently holds a post-doctoral position at the Leiden Theological Faculty and is researching the emergence of the science of religion in the Netherlands at the end of the nineteenth century. His main research interest concerns the history of 19th and 20th century theology and philosophy in Germany and the Netherlands. Main publications: "Zwischen Theologie und Soziologie: Ernst Troeltschs Typen der christlichen Gemeinschaftsbildung: Kirche, Sekte, Mystik" (Gutersloh 1996) and "Religion in the Making: The Emergence of the Sciences of Religion" ("Brill," 1998).