"The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Popular Music" provides the first systematic analysis of the most important themes and concepts in the field, combining research in religious studies, theology, critical musicology and sociology. It comprises thirty-three specifically commissioned essays from a team of international experts to explore the principal areas of inquiry, as well as suggesting new directions for scholarship. Featuring chapters on methodology, key genres, religious traditions and popular music subcultures, this volume provides the essential reference point for anyone with an interest in popular culture generally, as well as religion and popular music in particular. Religious traditions covered include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Paganism and occultism. Coverage of genres and religion ranges from heavy metal, rap and hip hop to country music and film and television music. Edited by Christopher Partridge and Marcus Moberg, this Handbook defines the research field and provides an accessible entry point for new researchers in the field.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part 1. The study of religion and popular music: theoretical perspectives, methodologies and issues. Ethnography, popular music and religion / Andy Bennett -- Emotion, meaning and popular music / Christopher Partridge -- Music, religion and protest / Ian Peddie -- Censorship, religion and popular music / Michael Drewett -- Feminism, gender and popular music / Alison Stone -- Part 2. Religious perspectives. The Bible and popular music / Michael J. Gilmour -- Theology, imagination and popular music / Gavin Hopps -- Christianity, worship and popular music / Tom Wagner -- Contemporary Christian music / Shawn David Young -- Islam and popular music / Jonas Otterbeck and G�oran Larsson -- Jews, Judaism and popular music / Jon Stratton -- Hinduism and popular music / Anjali Roy -- Buddhism and popular music / Jeffrey W. Cupchik -- Japanese religion and popular music / Jennifer Milioto Matsue -- Chinese religions and popular music / Vicky Ho -- Paganism and popular music / Donna Weston -- Popular music and the occult / Kennet Granholm -- Caribbean religions and popular music / David Moskowitz -- Part 3. Genres. Heavy metal / Marcus Moberg -- Pop and rock / Clive Marsh -- Punk and hardcore / Ibrahim Abraham and Francis Stewart -- Reggae / Christopher Partridge -- Folk music / Vaughan S. Roberts -- Country music and religion / Leigh H. Edwards -- Electronic dance music: trance and techno-shamanism / Graham St John -- Blues and jazz / David Cheetham -- Psychedelic music / Christopher Partridge -- Rap and hip hop / Joseph Winters -- Goth music and subculture / Isabella van Elferen -- Ambient music / Rupert Till -- Popular music and the religious screen / Mark Evans and Brent Keogh.