Religions and Sports: The Basics

Religions and Sports: The Basics introduces the many connections and interactions between religions and sporting activities. Readers will gain a foundational understanding of how to approach religions and sports analytically, theoretically, and methodologically. The book uses multiple relational frameworks to examine probing discussions around religious expressions in sports, the social connections of religions and sports, the mirroring of sport and religious devotion, and the discourse between religious ideas and leaders and professional athletes. Supplemented with numerous case studies and engaging exercises, it guides students through approaching research inquiries within the intersection of religion and sport for the first time. With lively discussion on contemporary sports including skateboarding and pickleball, it is a must-read for all students of Religions and Sports and Religion and Popular Culture, in addition to sports fans more broadly.

Terry D. Shoemaker is Associate Teaching Professor in Religious Studies at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, USA. His research focus is sport and religion in the United States, and he serves as the co-editor of the academic journal, International Journal of Sport and Religion.

1. Introduction: Why Study Religions and Sports? 2. Religions in Sports 3. Sports in Religions 4. Sports as Religions 5. Religions and Sports in Dialogue 6. Religions and Sports in Competition 7. Conclusion: Religions, Sports, and Disruptions Bibliography Index