RELI 1000 Lecture 1 Outline of Current Lecture II What is religion III Why are humans religious IV Why study religion V How is religion studied Current Lecture The Difficulty of Defining Religion Most definitions are inadequate o limited narrow broad or explanatory Some definitions limit religion to monotheism or just morality hence are inadequate e g Martineu Kant Some are too broad and or explanatory definitions like that of Tillich Marx and Freud Explanatory definitions attempt to explain away religion They are deductive because they reduce religion to psychological or socioeconomic phenomenon Insider vs Outsider Perspectives inform definitions An Insider o A participant one with first hand experience o Often positively biased in describing their religion o Thus may not be objective Outsider o Detached lacks experience usually very critical and prejudicial NOTE o Both insiders and outsiders contribute something towards understanding of any religion E g Marx Freud are atheists very critical of religion but say certain truths about religion A working definition A definition is necessary because it is like a working tool a model of reference necessary to explain an object subject topic o Religion is 1 a system of symbols which acts to 2 establish powerful pervasive and long lasting moods and motivations in people by 3 formulating conceptions of These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute a general order of existence and 4 clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic Geertz 1973 90 II Why are Humans Religious 1 Homoreligious Humans are religious animals o Religion is universally common unique to human species o It is found in all cultures o Excavations of burial sites dating as far back as 100 000 to 25 000 years provide evidence of religious practices o Earliest forms of human life Homo sapiens the Neanderthal and Cro Magnon practiced rites of propitiation rites intended to appease or conciliate spirits or mysterious powers Self consciousness 2 As self conscious beings humans possess the ability to reflect upon existential questions o As rational beings humans possess wisdom and the ability to reflect upon ourselves our environment and the entire world o We seek meaning value and the purpose of our life o We ask questions like Who am I Why am I here Why do people suffer Is death the end of life In search of meaning 3 Meaning values and purpose of life is a response to existential questions o Humans are conscious of our state of finitude and powerlessness e g moral failure guilt tragedy inexplicable evil despair and death o We are terrified by our inability to control our situations o Religion is a response to this powerlessness uncertainty a wider range of human experience o Afterlife as solution to finitude 4 Hope for an afterlife o Seek deliverance from the loss of meaning moral guilt threat of finitude fadedness o Assurance of an afterlife after death Heaven paradise Nirvana Moksha etc