Russell T. McCutcheon, "Critics Not Caretakers: Redescribing the Public Study of Religion" (Routledge, 2023)
Dec 13, 2023
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Dr. Russell T. McCutchen discusses his book 'Critics Not Caretakers: Redescribing the Public Study of Religion' and challenges traditional scholarship in the study of religion. He emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and engaging with the public. The importance of religious studies in higher education and adapting graduate education in the humanities are also explored. The conversation wraps up by reflecting on the relevance of old challenges in the study of religion.
Religious studies should be approached as an ordinary aspect of social and historical existence, with scholars acting as critics of cultural and historical practices rather than caretakers of religious tradition.
The field of religious studies has the potential to equip students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability skills, making them capable of addressing complex social, cultural, and political issues.
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The origins of Critics Not Caretakers
Critics Not Caretakers is a collection of essays written by Dr. Russell T. McCutchen, a University Research Professor and former chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama. The first edition was published in 2001, pulling together essays that McCutchen had written in response to publications that he felt misrepresented the study of religion. Many of these essays were critical of the prevailing approaches in the field and aimed to challenge the notion of treating the subject as a special object that needs careful preservation. The second edition of the book reaffirms the need for critical engagement in the study of religion.
The significance of Critics Not Caretakers
Critics Not Caretakers argues for a shift in the approach to studying religion. It questions the traditional view in the field that treats religion as a special object to be revered and protected. Instead, the book advocates for a cultural-critical perspective where scholars analyze and interpret religion as a manifestation of historical, social, economic, and political phenomena. The book emphasizes the importance of placing religious studies within historical and sociocultural contexts, rather than treating it as a separate and insulated discipline.
The value and future of religious studies
The book raises questions about the value and future of religious studies in higher education. In an era of increasing scrutiny on the humanities and pressure to demonstrate practical applications, the field of religious studies faces challenges. However, McCutchen suggests that religious studies has a unique role in preparing students for a variety of careers by cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. He argues that religious studies can empower students to become entrepreneurial problem solvers who can navigate complex social, cultural, and political issues. By reimagining graduate education and embracing interdisciplinary approaches, the field can better equip students for successful careers beyond academia.
Russell T. McCutcheon's essay collection Critics Not Caretakers: Redescribing the Public Study of Religion (Routledge, 2023) argues that the study of religion must be rethought as an ordinary aspect of social, historical existence, a stance that makes the scholar of religion a critic of cultural and historical practices rather than a caretaker of religious tradition or a font of timeless wisdom and deep meaning.
Raj Balkaran is a scholar of Sanskrit narrative texts. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at his own virtual School of Indian Wisdom. For information see rajbalkaran.com.