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Religion and Food

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 November 2025

Alexandra S. Wormley
Affiliation:
University of Michigan and Arizona State University
Adam B. Cohen
Affiliation:
University of Michigan and Arizona State University

Summary

Religion plays an important role in what and how we eat. Indeed, food is a critical component of religion-as well as a reflection of the other components that make religion unique. This fact is what necessitates greater attention towards food as a lens for understanding psychological phenomenon both within the psychology of religion and the social scientific community at large. Utilizing theories and exemplars from multiple disciplines, the authors discuss how food relates to four dimensions of religion – beliefs (Section 2), values (Section 3), practices (Section 4), and community (Section 5). Throughout the Element and in a concluding section, the authors provide exciting directions for future research. In addition to providing a review of our current understanding of the role of food and religion, this work ultimately seeks to inspire researchers and students to investigate the role of food in religious life.
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Religion and Food
  • Alexandra S. Wormley, University of Michigan and Arizona State University, Adam B. Cohen, University of Michigan and Arizona State University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009421898
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Religion and Food
  • Alexandra S. Wormley, University of Michigan and Arizona State University, Adam B. Cohen, University of Michigan and Arizona State University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009421898
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Religion and Food
  • Alexandra S. Wormley, University of Michigan and Arizona State University, Adam B. Cohen, University of Michigan and Arizona State University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009421898
Available formats
×