ABSTRACT

First published in 1902, this book investigates the history and development of early religion from an anthropological perspective. Rather than dealing with religions that grew from the teachings of their original founders, such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, Jevons considers those religions that were practised as a matter of custom and tradition. The title considers such subjects as the supernatural, life and death, animal sacrifice, and the worship of nature. It provides an introduction to the history of religion for students of religion, anthropology and folklore.

chapter I|10 pages

INTRODUCTORY

chapter II|4 pages

OUTLINE OF THE ARGUMENT

chapter III|13 pages

THE SUPERNATURAL

chapter IV|13 pages

SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

chapter V|18 pages

LIFE AND DEATH

chapter VI|10 pages

TABOO: ITS TRANSMISSIBILITY

chapter VII|13 pages

THINGS TABOO

chapter VIII|14 pages

TABOO, MORALITY, AND RELIGION

chapter IX|17 pages

TOTEMISM

chapter X|17 pages

SURVIVALS OF TOTEMISM

chapter XI|14 pages

ANIMAL SACRIFICE: THE ALTAR

chapter XII|19 pages

ANIMAL SACRIFICE: THE SACRIFICIAL MEAL

chapter XIII|17 pages

FETISHISM

chapter XIV|9 pages

FAMILY GODS AND GUARDIAN SPIRITS

chapter XV|17 pages

ANCESTOR-WORSHIP

chapter XVI|20 pages

TREE AND PLANT WORSHIP

chapter XVII|8 pages

NATURE-WORSHIP

chapter XVIII|15 pages

SYNCRETISM AND POLYTHEISM

chapter XIX|21 pages

MYTHOLOGY

chapter XX|27 pages

PRIESTHOOD

chapter XXI|17 pages

THE NEXT LIFE

chapter XXII|13 pages

THE TRANSMIGRATION OF SOULS

chapter XXIII|31 pages

THE MYSTERIES

chapter XXIV|24 pages

THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES

chapter XXV|16 pages

MONOTHEISM

chapter XXVI|19 pages

THE EVOLUTION OF BELIEF