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Journal of Religion and Health
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 6/2017

01-12-2017 | Original Paper

Religion in Motion: Continuities and Symbolic Affinities in Religion and Sport

Authors: Oscar Fernández, Roberto Cachán-Cruz

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 6/2017

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Abstract

One of the major transformations in religion in contemporary societies has been the decline of church institutions and their reconstruction within a diverse network of associations, therapies, markets and other unconventional spiritual services. Based on extensive ethnographic fieldwork on religious behaviours and dynamics in sports contexts, and taking the similarities between sport and religion as the point of departure, this paper analyses, reflects on and theorises about the symbolic affinities of these two contemporary social institutions. The results show that symbolism converges in the religious element, tending to improve aspects related to sports ethics and establishing affective experiences among participants, with positive results for their physical and mental wellbeing. The findings indicate that a symbolic analysis of the various facets of sport is a useful approach for gaining a better understanding of this phenomenon, since besides being biological, diseases are also cultural and social, and thus, disease, religion and ritual are emotionally related.
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Metadata
Title
Religion in Motion: Continuities and Symbolic Affinities in Religion and Sport
Authors
Oscar Fernández
Roberto Cachán-Cruz
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 6/2017
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0286-8

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