Foucault and Religion is the first major study of Michel Foucault in relation and response to Religion. Jeremy Carrette offers us a challenging new look at Foucault's work and addresses a religious dimension that has previously been neglected. We see that prior to Foucault's infamous unpublished volume in the 'History of Sexuality', on the theme of Christianity, there is a complex religious sub-text which anticipates this final unseen work.
Jeremy Carrette argues that Foucault offers a twofold critique of Christianity by bringing the body and sexuality into religious practice and exploring a political spirituality of the self. He shows us that Foucault's creation of a body theology through the death of God, reveals how religious beliefs reflect the sexual body, questions the notion of a mystical archaeology and exposes the political technology of confession.
Anyone interested in understanding Foucault's thought in a new light will find this book a truly fascinating read.
Biography
Jeremy R. Carrette is Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Stirling. He is the editor of Religion and Culture by Michel Foucault.
'For those within religious studies and theology departments, Carette has contributed a painstaking review of Foucault's corpus, directing scholars to key movements and ideas. For those new to an interest in religion, Carette provides a corrective framework for how to relate Foucault to religion.' - Journal of the American Academy of Religion
'Carette presents a flesh-and-blood Foudcault and a surprisingly affirmative account of religion after Foucault. For this he deserves our admiration.' - Matt Thompson, Theology
'The author demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of the material, frequently noting Foucault's limitations, inconsistencies, and underdeveloped thoughts ... his clear writing style makes this text approachable for anyone in the humanities or social sciences.' - Elizabeth King Keenan, Religious Studies Review
'In his very problematising of religion, Foucault becomes a religious thinker. Carrette ably picks up on this and provides space for continued critiques of religion from Foucauldian standpoints.' - S. Brent Plate, LIterature and Theology
