Re-forming The Body: Religion, Community And Mo... May 2026

While often cited in academic papers, the original work is a foundational text in the and religious studies . Key Themes & Concepts

: The book traces how the "re-formation" of the body—moving from medieval shared bodily experiences to more individualistic, modern ones—has changed how we relate to society.

: View citation data and chapter outlines on Semantic Scholar or Google Books . Re-forming the Body: Religion, Community and Mo...

The authors explore how different forms of community are tied to how we experience our own bodies and "the sacred". Major themes include:

: It challenges the idea that the "sacred" has disappeared in modern times, suggesting instead that it is resurfacing in new, "effervescent" ways that change how people engage with the world. Where to Find It While often cited in academic papers, the original

: Mellor and Shilling contrast "banal" modern bodies (focused on secular, rational control) with "grotesque" or "effervescent" bodies that seek solidarity through collective, emotional, and religious rituals.

: Often available through university libraries or for purchase on sites like Amazon or AbeBooks . The authors explore how different forms of community

: It argues that human communities are formed not just through shared ideas, but through shared physical and sensory experiences of the sacred.