SOC2191 Lecture 2, Introduction to Religion PDF

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W2 L2 September 16, 2021 9:29 AM

Definitional Debates on Religion Durkheim -

“A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things that is to say, things set apart and forbidden—beliefs and practices which unite in one simple moral community called church, all those who adhere to it.” Popular among scholars today Sacred produces an element of awe and respect from an individual and society (ex. The Kaaba in Meccah) Profane refers to the ordinary

EB Tylor's View of Religion

Religion is 'belief in supernatural beings' Critiques: Too simplistic and judges non-monotheistic forms of religion (Colonial view)

Functional Definition

Defines religion in terms of the functions it preforms for society (what does and how it operates) Includes wider range of belief systems

Substantive Definition

Based on content of religious belief, belief in God. Excludes some belief systems that don't conform to their idea

Religion as an Anachronism An act of attributing a custom, event, or object to a period to which it does not belong. "everything was as it would have appeared in centuries past apart from one anachronism, a bright yellow construction crane" Soci example: Calling someone in the 1300s a 'sociologist' for their work/views even though the term/subject hadn't been invented yet

Definition of Religion ”Family resemblances” - Rather than trying to find the thread of commonality shared by all religions, identify common characteristics shared across many 1. Belief in supernatural beings 2. Ritual acts 3. Distinction between sacred and profane 4. Moral code 5. Emotional ”religious” feelings 6. Ways of communicating with divine beings (through prayer, sacrifice etc.) 7. Institutional organization of the religious group 8. Worldview that addresses existential unknowns (what happens when we die?) Etc.

Critical Religionists Questions the fundamental category of religion through two strands Strand 1 They critique the idea that what we understand as religion is something that “we know when we see it” Where then in any given context, does religion begin, end or transgress into other areas? They argue that perhaps ‘religion’ as a category has little meaning on its own because the boundaries around what is and what is not ‘religion’ are so blurred when related to other categories (such as politics, economics etc Strand 2

They examine religion from a positive critical standpoint They engage in their work with the aim to show how open to reinterpretation or re-conceptualisation the term ‘religion’ is today They view the concept of religion as continuing to develop beyond traditional and conventional boundaries. https://criticalreligion.org/what-is-critical-religion/

Within a Sociological Scope Economics Recognized religions have tax exemptions and protections in many countries including Canada and the United States Politics Impacts nations that subscribe to the value freedom of religion Law Debates around what is religion impact court cases (Winnifred Fallers Sullivan)

Persons of Note Naomi Goldenberg  Critical religion University of Ottawa professor Abby Day  British sociologist. Exploring impact of women's labours in churches and religious communities  The idea of "believing in belonging": maintain religious identify for community belonging instead of the religion itself Grace Davie  British sociologist.  "believing without belonging" and "vicarious religion"  People maintain a private belief in God/Christian ideals without church attendance. Her work refers to declining public religious communities in Britain but people maintain belief in God More Terms Substantive: a position that is concerned with what religion is

Animism: attribution of a soul to inanimate objects, plants, other natural phenomena (ex. mother nature) Monotheism: the doctrine or belief that there is only one God. Polytheism: the belief in or worship of more than one god....