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The Study of Religion

Why are there religions?

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The Study of Religion

Why are there religions?

Materialistic viewhumans invented them

Functional viewthey are useful

Belief perspectivethere is an ultimate reality

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From The Illustrated Worlds Religions:

Lifes Ultimate Questions

Where are we?

Why are we here?

What does it all mean?What, if anything, are we supposed to do?

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The Study of Religion

How do people understand reality?

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The Study of Religion

How do people understand reality?

profane vs. sacred

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The Study of Religion

How do people understand reality?

profane vs. sacred

immanent vs. transcendent

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The Study of Religion

How do people understand reality?

profane vs. sacred

immanent vs. transcendent

theisticmono, poly, monistic, non, pan, a

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The Study of Religion

How do people understand reality?

profane vs. sacred

immanent vs. transcendent

theisticmono, poly, monistic, non, a

incarnate vs. mystical

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The Study of Religion

How do people understand reality?

profane vs. sacred

immanent vs. transcendent

theisticmono, poly, monistic, non, a

incarnate vs. mysticaluniversal vs. exclusivist

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The Study of Religion

How do people understand reality?profane vs. sacred

immanent vs. transcendent

theisticmono, poly, monistic, non, a

incarnate vs. mysticaluniversal vs. exclusivist

agnostic

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The Study of Religion

How do people understand reality?profane vs. sacred

immanent vs. transcendent

theisticmono, poly, monistic, non, a

incarnate vs. mysticaluniversal vs. exclusivist

agnostic

phenomenology

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Religion:

what people believe, feel and do in light of theconviction that their values are rooted in reality

Elizabeth and Monroe Beardsley:

Religion refers to any set of interrelated beliefs, together

with attitudes and practices determined by these beliefs,

about human nature, the nature of the universe, how

people should live, and the best methods to seek the truth

about reality and values.

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practices

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practicesritual

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practicesritual

symbol

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practicesritual

symbol

myth

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practicesritual

symbol

myth

allegory

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practicesritual

symbol

myth

allegoryorthodox

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practicesritual

symbol

myth

allegoryorthodox

literal

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practicesritual

symbol

myth

allegoryorthodox

literal

absolutist, fundamentalist

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practices

ritual

symbol

myth

allegoryorthodox

literal

absolutist, fundamentalist

liberal

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The study of religion

Important terms related to religious texts and practices

ritual

symbol

myth

allegoryorthodox

literal

absolutist, fundamentalist

liberal

heretic

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Aspects of religion as a pattern of beliefs, attitudes, and

practices:

doctrine/teachings sacred texts/scripture/revelation

sacred objects ethics/how to live

sacred space piety/private devotional practice

sacred rituals/worship sacred persons

sacred days/times

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Approaches to the study of religion:

theological philosophical

psychological sociological

anthropological archeological

historical scientific (pro and con)

from ethnic/gendered perspectivesethical linguistic

literary hermeneutical

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The study of religion

Our take in class:

friendly to religion

accepting religions on their own terms

explorative

critical only with caution, with understanding