The actuality of sacrifice : past and present

""Sacrifice is part of many religions. While the actual ritual has often been abolished, the concept remains alive through stories, rituals, calendars and art. The essays in this book discuss the concept from various social, historical and intellectual contexts ranging from the pre-historical period till today"--Provided by publisher."@en
"Sacrifice is a well known form of ritual in many world religions. Although the actual practice of animal sacrifice was largely abolished in the later history of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, it is still recalled through biblical stories, the ritual calendar and community events. The essays in this volume discuss the various positions regarding the value of sacrifice in a wide variety of disciplines such as history, archaeology, literature, philosophy, art, gender and post-colonial studies. In this context they examine a wide array of questions pertaining to the 'actuality of sacrifice' in various social, historical and intellectual contexts ranging from the pre-historical to the post-Holocaust, and present new understandings of some of the most sensitive topics of our time. (4e de couverture)."