Soraj Hongladarom et al., "Philosophies of Appropriated Religions: Perspectives from Southeast Asia" (Springer, 2024)
Sep 21, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, editors Soraj Hongladarom, Jeremiah Joven Joaquin, and Frank J. Hoffman explore their new volume on religious philosophy in Southeast Asia. They tackle the concept of 'appropriated religions,' shedding light on how major faiths blend with local cultures. Topics include the unique Filipino devotion to the Black Nazarene, philosophical insights on suffering from a Buddhist perspective compared to Western thought, and the complexities of integrating indigenous beliefs with external influences. They emphasize the need for a diverse, collaborative philosophical community.
The edited volume emphasizes the blending of global religions with local traditions in Southeast Asia, showcasing diverse philosophical perspectives on religious identity.
Contributors explore complex issues like the problem of evil and the afterlife through an interdisciplinary approach, enhancing the understanding of faith in the region.
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Exploring Appropriated Religions in Southeast Asia
The book 'Philosophies of Appropriated Religions' aims to incorporate Southeast Asian perspectives into the philosophy of religion, focusing on the concept of appropriated or enculturated religions. It highlights traditional global religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam and how they adapt uniquely within Southeast Asian cultures. The editors emphasize a tension between global religions and local indigenous beliefs, suggesting that each of the 27 chapters reflects this dynamic relationship through various philosophical lenses. The intention is to present a localized understanding of common philosophical problems, such as the nature of evil and divine omniscience, as interpreted through Southeast Asian traditions.
Interdisciplinary Approach to Philosophy of Religion
The project encourages an interdisciplinary approach, where philosophy of religion is studied alongside sociological and cultural insights from Southeast Asia. The discussions highlight the necessity of blending various academic fields to address complex religious phenomena, for example, exploring the problem of evil within Buddhist contexts. Editors stress that the unique cultural backgrounds of Southeast Asian philosophers enrich the study of philosophical issues, allowing for a broader understanding of faith and spirituality. This cross-disciplinary focus reflects how local practices and beliefs influence philosophical discourse in the region.
Religious Syncretism as a Central Theme
The book delves into the theme of religious syncretism, illustrating how local indigenous beliefs interweave with major world religions like Christianity and Islam in Southeast Asia. It presents numerous examples where communities have historically blended their traditional practices with these religions, such as the eta community in the Philippines, which envisions Jesus as a relatable friend. This blending raises questions about the nature of religious identity and how indigenous perspectives can coexist with established religions. The editors note that understanding these dynamics is essential for grasping the complexities of religiosity in Southeast Asia and expanding philosophical discussions beyond Western frameworks.
The open-access edited volume Philosophies of Appropriated Religions: Perspectives from Southeast Asia (Springer, 2023) collects philosophical approaches to Southeast Asian traditions of philosophy and religion. The editors, Soraj Hongladarom, Jeremiah Joven Joaquin, and Frank J. Hoffman, have produced a volume that treats traditional topics in philosophy of religion, such as the problem of evil and afterlife, as well as religious identity, beliefs, practices, and diversity. Contributions vary in methodology; some focus on empirical data and modern culture, while others engage with philosophical texts. Essays focus on a range of religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and indigenous practices. Despite this variety, the volume's editors present the collection as having a kind of unity, both in the specificity of how Southeast Asia "appropriates" religions and the philosophical nature of the essays included.