Erin King- Landscapes of the Sacred

I found the three different approaches to be very interesting. The ontological approach radically sets apart sacred space from every profane. It is a site recognized as manifesting its own inherit power. Cthonic power, numinosity and hierophony are discussed as being characteristics of this ontological approach. Cthonic power means to rise up to the earth, while numinosity is power associated with the element of place. Hierophany speaks of a holy appearance of the place. According to the ontological approach, "Sacred space is were supernatural forces have invaded the ordinary." This approach completely leaves out the cultural aspect of place. However the next approach, the cultural approach, believes that the meaning of place is constructed by society. This approach removes all aspects of the holy, and only gives a place significance because humans decided it should have some. It also removes any aspect that place participates. The final approach is that of the phenomenological. This way of thinking takes into account the integrity of a place itself. I believe the phenomenological approach is the most effective because it incorporates the other two approaches and is not radical in either direction. I also think that this approach corresponds to Lane's Four axioms the most. Specifically the axiom that states, sacred place is not chosen, it chooses. This acknowledges the participation of place. Overall I liked this section of the book and could relate to it more than other concepts.