Religion is…
the service or worship of God or the
supernatural - Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary
a specific system of faith and worship
– Oxford English Dictionary
a set of symbolic forms and acts which relate
man to the ultimate condition of his existence
– Robert Bellah
Religion is…
Beliefs,attitudes, emotions, behavior, etc.,
constituting man’s relationship with the
powers and principles of the universe
– Reader’s Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary
Belief in and/or worship of God or gods
– World Book Dictionary
Religion is…
Belief 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
Religion is…
[the seeking] of divine truth, exploring who
we are, why we’re here, and how we should
live - Joel Beversluis, ed., Sourcebook of the world’s
Religions
beliefthat there is an unseen order, and that
our supreme good lies in harmoniously
adjusting ourselves thereto – William James
Who wants to know?
The common folk (you and me)
Philosophers
Sociologists
Theologians
Anthropologists
Psychologists
Historians
Critics
Everyone’s got an agenda and a limited perspective
that will influence how they perceive religion
Ways of Understanding Religion
Substantive 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:
“Belief in invisible superhuman power
together with feelings and practices that flow
from such a belief “
Ways of Understanding Religion
Functionalist definitions focus on the way
religion operates or functions in human life.
They say what religion does:
“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”
Religion is…
Both Substantive and Functional:
“a system of belief and worship which usually
incorporates a code of ethics. Religion fulfills
the human need for a relationship with the
creative, spiritual force of the universe.”
- Pope John Paul II Cultural Center “Gallery of Faith”
Religion is…
…the seeking of transcendent meaning that
gives our lives value and puts us in touch with
the deeper currents of existence... Religion
helps people to cultivate an appreciation of
the holiness of humanity and teaches us to
respect the sacredness of life and the world.
- Karen Armstrong, Battle for God, pp. 199-201
Definitions can be…
Biased, too narrow or limited:
“a specific system of belief in God, doctrines,
etc. God’s relation to humanity and the
universe” (Western/Christian bias)
Religion is a lot more than just belief
There are many systems generally considered
to be “religions” that do not fit with this
definition (they do not believe in or relate to a god
or gods) (use more generic language)
Definitions can be…
Too broad or inclusive:
“a system of beliefs and practices directed to
the ultimate concern of society”
Are economic or political systems “religions”?
What kind of “ultimate concern”? What kind of
beliefs? What kind of practices?
Definitions that are too general (generic) may
not be very useful
Cluster Definitions
several “familial” traits shared by
Identify
many religions…
What comes to mind when
you hear the word “religion”?
Brainstorm
Pair & share
Group & share
Religions share…
Belief in a higher power (be it a person or principle)
Surrender to the supreme power
An ethic of reciprocity (the Golden Rule)
Worship (prayer or other such practices)
Belief in the human spirit (soul)
Belief in other worlds (beyond life in this world,
afterlife, reincarnation, etc.)
Paths to God that can effect a positive change in
human lives
- Pope John Paul II Cultural Center “Gallery of Faith”
Cluster Definitions
Do not insist that every religion must share
every trait in common
May include traits shared by non-religious
systems
Tend to suggest that the more traits a given
system involves, the more likely we can
consider it a “religion”; the fewer traits a
given system shares the less likely we may be
to consider it a “religion”
The “Gray” Area
Is it or is it not a “religion”?
The Nacirema?
Secular Humanism?
Confucianism?
Communism?
How can we make a determination?
Which Comes First?
Deductive reasoning: begin with a definition
and see if the system fits
Inductive reasoning: compare and contrast a
variety of systems provisionally considered
“religious” and “non-religious” and then draw
some conclusions to arrive at a definition:
What do most (if not all) “religions” have in
common? What is it that makes something a
“religion”?
Review
Perspective/Agenda
Substantive
Functionalist
Narrow/biased
Broad/vague
Cluster/Multidimensional
Inductive
Deductive
A “working” defintion
“Religion is a system of activities and beliefs directed
toward that which is perceived to be of sacred value
and transforming power”
Is this definition:
Too limited? (why?)
Too broad or vague? (why?)
Substantive? (where?)
Functionalist? (where?)
Biased? (why?)
Another “Working” Definition
“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:
Too limited? (why?)
Too broad or vague? (why?)
Substantive? (where?)
Functionalist? (where?)
Biased? (why?)
Defining Religion
Resources
http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_defn.htm
http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/religion/blrel
_def_dict.htm
http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/religion/blrel
_def_essentialex.htm
http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/religion/blrel
_def_functionalex.htm
http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/lectures/c
oncepts.html