ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book introduces to many examples of this interplay between powerful, strategic forms of religion, and women and men, who take from them what they want, use them, subvert them and play with them. It suggests that the power dynamics can also be thought of in terms of dialectic between purifiers and pragmatists. The book shows a situation where the category of the ‘secular’ or nonreligious is introduced as a substantive term and subject of study in its own right. It deals with, not only even in ivory towers, but also there has never been a better time to be self-critical and creative about the approaches we use, and in the process to bring to light aspects of religion and culture that deserve greater attention.
