Term
| Transcendent vs. Immanent |
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Definition
Immanent: always present among us; existing and operating within nature
Transcendent: above us; beyond time and space; unlimited by the world and all ordinary reality |
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Term
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Definition
Different ways a religion might emphasize beliefs and practices
focuses on rituals, ceremonies, paraphernalia, etc. External stuff. See and engage. |
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Definition
Different ways a religion might emphasize beliefs and practices
key leader, often charismatic. Focus on moral and ethical regulations. Belief and moral rule. |
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Term
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Definition
Different ways a religion might emphasize beliefs and practices
Tradition vs. mystical. Personal union with the divine. Not focus on self. No separation between self and divine. |
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Term
monotheism/polytheism
atheism/agnosticism
pantheism/animism |
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Definition
monotheism: one god
polytheism: many gods
atheism: no god
agnosticism: maybe god, maybe not; no proof
pantheism: god is everything, everything is god
animism: every living thing has its own spirit |
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Term
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Definition
academic approaches to the study of religion
To analyze religion. Freud's argument: secret desires, analyze dreams. Edipus complex: God as father-figure. Religion dictated by our society/relationships. |
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Definition
Academic approaches to the study of religion
Template for action (ritual) and explanation for cosmos (etiology). Explains what otherwise would be unexplainable. Insight into people. |
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Definition
Academic approaches to the study of religion
How religions influence culture. Religion as an expression of culture. Symbols/language dictated by culture and culture changes over time. |
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Academic approaches to the study of religion
social networks and relationships. Community. |
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Academic approaches to the study of religion
Study of phenomena. Emotional experience. Observe and gauge emotions by asking members. |
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Term
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Definition
-Belief system: worldview
-Community: belief system is shared and practiced by a group
-Myths: vehicle to convey religious truths
-Rituals: enacting beliefs and myths. Connects participants with the divine.
-Ethics/morals: a way of living; rules for human behavior
-Emotional experience: being a part of it; causes bias
-Material expression: symbols, dress, text, etc.
-Sacredness: separate from profane; distinction from ordinary |
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Definition
-tolerance and appreciation of differences
-personal growth and help in one's own religious quest
-answers to existential questions (nature of our existence); intellectual questioning
-insight into people in general; various religions, traditions, values, etc. |
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Term
| Different Assumptions: Academic |
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Definition
-analyze text
-product of culture/shapes culture
-investigated like any other subject
-open to interpretation, but definite truths |
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Term
| Different Assumptions: Confessional |
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Definition
-divinely given text
-understood by experience
-outsiders observe
-only truly understood by practitioners |
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Term
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Definition
-historical context
-who wrote the text and why?
-history when text was written
-beliefs and practices: similarities and differences |
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Definition
-what my religion says about the divine plan for my life
-what I should believe
-if my beliefs are true |
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Definition
-neutral language
-technical language; terminology
-avoid "we/they"
-scholarly data; not opinions |
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Definition
-first person: "I/we"
-confessional language
-attributions to a sacred author
-don't question text; learn |
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