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Chapter Summary Chapter Summary
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A Case Study: Lucia Day A Case Study: Lucia Day
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The Topic and Structure of this Chapter The Topic and Structure of this Chapter
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Some Classical Approaches to Tradition Some Classical Approaches to Tradition
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Tradition as the Transmission of Culture Tradition as the Transmission of Culture
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Cultural Memory Cultural Memory
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Epidemiology of Representations Epidemiology of Representations
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Cognitive Approaches Cognitive Approaches
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Tradition as a Claim and a Mode of Authority Tradition as a Claim and a Mode of Authority
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Mechanisms of Emergence Mechanisms of Emergence
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Lifecycle Factors Lifecycle Factors
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Entrepreneurial Factors Entrepreneurial Factors
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Structural Factors Structural Factors
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The Effect of Changing Social Norms and Legal Systems The Effect of Changing Social Norms and Legal Systems
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Religion and New Technologies Religion and New Technologies
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The Spread of Global Religions The Spread of Global Religions
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The Transmission of Religious Texts The Transmission of Religious Texts
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Trade, Pilgrimage, and Tourism Trade, Pilgrimage, and Tourism
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Military Intervention Military Intervention
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Styles of Innovation and Tradition Styles of Innovation and Tradition
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Combating Innovators and Protecting Orthodoxy Combating Innovators and Protecting Orthodoxy
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Conclusion Conclusion
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Further Reading Further Reading
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Glossary Glossary
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References References
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47 Tradition and Innovation
Get accessOlav Hammer is Assistant Professor in Religious Studies at Amsterdam University. His research focuses on the application of various modes of critical theory in order to understand the processes of religious change and innovation. His publications include Claiming Knowledge: Strategies of Claiming Knowledge from Theosophy to the New Age (2001), a study of the construction of authority through religious discourse.
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Published:06 June 2017
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Abstract
All religions change over time. Although tradition and innovation used to be seen as opposites, it is now generally recognized that there is a close connection between the two. Examples of how religious narratives and actions are transmitted over time illustrate some mechanisms by which a historical tradition arises. These include cultural transmission from one person to another or across generations through the particularities of human memory. A range of mechanisms introduce innovative practices into these traditions. For example, religions can have lifecycles of birth, maturity, stagnation, reform or schism, decay and stagnation, and death. There is also the work of religious entrepreneurs, e.g. prophets and leaders of new religious movements. In addition, religions adapt to changes in such structural factors as legislation and technology. Although innovation is ubiquitous, theological elites will often deny that any significant change has taken place, and accuse their ideological opponents of being excessively innovative.
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