Religion is

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Criteria for Defining ReligionAvoid a biased definitionAvoid a definition that is too limitedAvoid a definition that is too broadHave a definition that is fairly comprehensive of the multiple dimensions of religionConsider both the substance and function of religionNext PreviousReligion isBeliefs, attitudes, emotions, behavior, etc., constituting mans relationship with the powers and principles of the universe Readers Digest Great Encyclopedic DictionaryBelief in and/or worship of God or gods World Book DictionaryNext PreviousReligion isBelief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe; a personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship YourDictionary.com

Next PreviousReligion is[the seeking] of divine truth, exploring who we are, why were here, and how we should live - Joel Beversluis, ed., Sourcebook of the worlds Religionsbelief that there is an unseen order, and that our supreme good lies in harmoniously adjusting ourselves thereto William JamesNext PreviousWho wants to know?The common folk (you and me)Philosophers SociologistsTheologiansAnthropologistsPsychologistsHistoriansCriticsEveryones got an agenda and a limited perspective that will influence how they perceive religionNext PreviousDefinitions can beClick on the statement about religion that seems to be biased:Religion isan infantile dependency, a neurosiswhat the individual does with his own solitarinessa specific system of belief in God, doctrines, etc. Gods relation to humanity and the universe.the relation of human beings to God or the gods or to whatever they consider sacred or, in some cases, merely supernatural.Biased, revealing a positive or negative value judgment or perspective toward religion.Next Hint: if you can tell how the author feels about religion, then the statement is likely biased PreviousExplanationan infantile dependency, a neurosis (Sigmund Freud)the opium of the people (Karl Marx)

Both of these statements are criticisms and judgments based on a negative perspective of the value of religion.

Next PreviousDefinitions can be A definition of religion ought not relate to only a select one or few kinds of religion. The definition should be general enough to apply to all kinds of religion.Too narrow or limited (exclusive):Next PreviousClick on the statement about religion that seems too limited:

Religion isa specific system of belief in God, doctrines, etc. Gods relation to humanity and the universea set of beliefs and practices designed to improve the nature of oneselfset of beliefs that spark the formation of communities of faith which act out those beliefs in order to heal themselves and our broken worldan exploration of self-discovery

Next PreviousExplanationa specific system of belief in God, doctrines, etc. Gods relation to humanity and the universeNot all religions believe in God. This definition would work for religions like Christianity, Judaism, Islam but Hinduism believes in many gods and goddesses and Buddhism does not focus on any god. So this definition would not apply so well to all religions.

an exploration of self-discovery may be overly brief but the problem here is not one of being limited to only one kind of religion. In fact, this definition is too broad (as well a having other problems)Next PreviousDefinitions can be

This is the opposite problem of being too limited. We do not want our definition of religion to apply to things not generally considered to be religions. Definitions that are too general (generic) may not be very usefulA good definition is sufficiently specific being neither too limited nor too broad.

Too broad or inclusive:Next PreviousClick on the statement about religion that seems too broad:Religion isa system of beliefs and practices directed to the ultimate concern of societya persons journey within themselves and within society on a search for truth, love, community, and "holy connection" belief in invisible superhuman power together with feelings and practices that flow from such a belief human beings' relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divineNext PreviousExplanationa system of beliefs and practices directed to the ultimate concern of societyAre economic or political systems religions?What kind of ultimate concern? What kind of beliefs? What kind of practices?

Reference to things like holy superhuman supernatural sacred spiritual divine, etc. help to narrow it down without getting overly limited, such as the term God does.Next PreviousCluster DefinitionsDefinitions should be fairly comprehensive of the multiple dimensions of religionReligions are not monolithic. They are comprised of many different things:BeliefsPracticesValuesCommunitySymbolsHuman emotion and experienceThe more dimensions of religion a definition references, the more complete it is.Multiple aspects of religion noted in the definition can also help to keep it from being too broad.Next PreviousClick on the statement about religion that is the most comprehensive:Religion isbelief in invisible superhuman power together with feelings and practices that flow from such a belief.a system of beliefs and practices pertaining to the supernatural.a specific system of belief in God, doctrines, etc. Gods relation to humanity and the universe.a personal and/or institutionalized system of beliefs, values and practices constituting a way of life, serving to remind and connect us to a higher truth or reality beyond our life in this world.Next PreviousExplanationRemember: the more characteristics of religion the definition mentions, the more comprehensive it is. Thus:a personal and/or institutionalized system of beliefs, values and practices constituting a way of life, serving to remind and connect us to a higher truth or reality beyond our life in this world.This definition mentions four aspects of religion: community (institutionalized), beliefs, values, and practicesThe other definitions contain 3, 2, and 1 characteristic, respectively

Next PreviousDefinitions can beSubstantive (essentialist) or FunctionalistSubstantive or essentialist definitions characterize religion by some basic essence which is common to all religious systems, but not to any non-religious systems. They say what religion is (nouns)Functionalist definitions focus on the way religion operates or functions in human life. They say what religion does (verbs)Substance tells us what religion consists of while function tells us why religion existsNext PreviousClick on the substantive statement about religion: Religion isWe go into religion in order to feel warmer in our hearts, more connected to others, more connected to something greater and to have a sense of peace.a system of beliefs and practices directed to the ultimate concern of society.excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet.a persons journey within themselves and within society on a search for truth, love, community, and "holy connection".

Next Remember, the clue to substance is to look for nouns and the answer to the question what is religion? PreviousExplanationa system of beliefs and practices directed to the ultimate concern of society.This is the only statement in this group that mentions any of the substantive characteristics of religion (beliefs and practices)The other three mention functions such as in order to feel, to keep people quiet, a search for These tell us the function or purpose of religion but they fail to mention the substance that helps us do this.Next PreviousClick on the functionalist statements about religion: Religion isa personalized set or institutional system of beliefs and practices pertaining to the supernatural.the betterment of yourself and the betterment of the world you live in.the daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.a system of belief and worship which usually incorporates a code of ethics. Next Remember, the clue to function is to look for verbs and the answer to the question why is religion? PreviousExplanationTwo of these are actually functionalist:the betterment of yourself and the betterment of the world you live in.the daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.(to better [improve] and to explain are verbs)The other two statements reference substance (institution, beliefs, practices, the supernatural, worship, code of ethics all nouns) but no suggestion as to the purpose for (function of) doing these things.Next PreviousCan you recognize a statement about religion that contains both substance and function?Religion isan idea, belief, or act that creates a connection to other people, a greater being, or self.fulfills the human need for a relationship with the creative, spiritual force of the universe.the collective worship of a deity or set of deities structured by sacred laws or rules relative to the specific religion.a set of beliefs and practices which serve to subordinate us to something superior or holy in order to justify the events that control our livesRemember, to look for the nouns and verbsNext PreviousExplanationTwo of these contain both substance and function:an idea, belief, or act that creates a connection to other people, a greater being, or self.a set of beliefs and practices which serve to subordinate us to something superior or holy in order to justify the events that control our lives

A definition that incorporates several aspects of substance as well as function tends to be more comprehensive PreviousNext Reviewing the Criteria for a Good Definition of ReligionAvoid a biased definitionAvoid a definition that is too limitedAvoid a definition that is too broadHave a definition that is fairly comprehensive of the multiple dimensions of religionConsider both the substance and function of religionNext PreviousExplanationReligion is a system of activities and beliefs directed toward that which is perceived to be of sacred value and transforming power.Bias? No: cannot tell how the author feels about religion (good)Too limited? No: sacred value can take any form, not just that of God or even multiple gods, so this definition can apply to any religion (good)Too broad? No: sacred value helps make this specific only to religion (good)Comprehensive? Somewhat: three aspects of religion: activities, beliefs, something sacred (good, but could be better)Substance? yes: those three aspects of religion are the substance (good)Function? No: directed toward does not really explain the reason for those actions and beliefs (needs improvement)

PreviousNext Lets try another:

We go into religion in order to feel warmer in our hearts, more connected to others, more connected to something greater and to have a sense of peace.Is this statement:Biased? YesNoToo limited? Yes NoToo broad or vague? YesNoComprehensive? YesNoSubstantive? YesNo Functionalist? YesNoClick on an answer and then click anywhere for the next criteria PreviousNext ExplanationWe go into religion in order to feel warmer in our hearts, more connected to others, more connected to something greater and to have a sense of peace.Bias? No: cannot tell how the author feels about religion (good)Too limited? No: something greater might be a god, but can also be any other object religions might connect us to. So this statement can apply to any religion (good)Too broad? Yes: something greater is a rather vague term. Ones nation or community or any cause beyond ourselves, religious or not can be can apply here (needs to be more specific)Comprehensive? No: there is no reference to any of the aspects of religion (needs improvement)Substance? No: does not say what constitutes a religion, (needs improvement)Function? Yes: This statement is all about the why of religion the reason or purpose for it, what it does for us (good) PreviousNext And one more:Religion is a set of beliefs that spark the formation of communities of faith which act out those beliefs in order to heal themselves and our broken world. Is this definition:Biased? YesNoToo limited? Yes NoToo broad or vague? Yes No Comprehensive? YesNoSubstantive? YesNoFunctionalist? YesNoClick on an answer and then click anywhere for the next criteria PreviousNext ExplanationReligion is a set of beliefs that spark the formation of communities of faith which act out those beliefs in order to heal themselves and our broken world.Bias? No: cannot tell how the author feels about religion (although he does seem to feel negatively about our world) (good)Too limited? No: reference to faith is something common to many religions (good)Too broad? No: reference to faith is distinctive to religion (good, though might have been a bit more specific with regard to faith or belief in something sacred or the transcendent)Comprehensive? Yes: four aspects of religion: beliefs, communities, faith, actions (good)Substance? Yes: those four aspects of religion are the substance (good)Function? Yes: in order to heal tells us the function or purpose of religion (good)

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