Friction and Monstrosity: Reflections on Objects in Religion and in the Study of Religion

In recent decades, objects have become a major focal point in the study of religion. Across several new approaches - the aesthetics of religion, material religion, media-oriented perspectives and more – materiality and objects feature prominently. Objects have also been central research foci in other humanities and social science disciplines for some time. Grateful to have been invited to write an introduction to this inaugural issue of Religion og Tankar, I decided 1) to focus on two aspects of engagements with objects in religious contexts: friction and monstrosity and 2) to write the introduction in collaboration with archaeologist Jane Hjarl Petersen. Friction and monstrosity will help highlight some of the special ways in which objects can be charged with significance in religions comparatively and hopefully be productive of further ideas and reflections for those doing research on objects. But they can also function as fruitful points of observation for the study of religion, and indicate fruitful points of collaboration with other disciplines. Before we start, let us warmly congratulate the great team of students for their initiative in founding Religion og Tankar!