Religious Studies Final

A symbol is...

"Any object, act, event, quality, or relation which serves as a vehicle for a conception- the conception is the symbols meaning" - geertz "tangible formulations of notion, abstractions from experience fixed in perceptible forms, concrete embodiments of ideas, attitudes, judgments, longing, or beliefs"

Mullers thoughts

"He who knows one, knows none". We cannot only study/know one religion if we want to compare multiple. We need to understand and compare the entire field. "Before the rise of geology, it was easy to speculate on the origin of the earth"

Ritual as performance and enactment

"Ritual does what words alone cannot" "Humans are actors, not disembodied thinkers, and the truths of the rites are grounded in physical enactment." "it is in the direct encounter with the two figures (rangda and borong) in the context of the actual performance that the village comes to know them as, so far as he is concerned, genuine realities. They are, then, not representations, but presence" Example: Practices of Sri Lankan new years that symbolize new beginnings. Cleaning the house and fireplace, purifying the well. Washing the childrens bodies, reconciliation between husbands and wives, parents and children. or Ritual mourning during Muharram

Universalists perspective

A unit that exists between all religions

Humans relate to each other through Gods by:

Adults and children in American Catholicism. Shia Muslims building a communal identity through their common experience of grief for the martyrdom of Husain. Gods to think about: Hindu Gods in Sri Lanka, Allah, Jesus and saints of Catholicism

Theological perspective

Believing in God, looking from within a religion. Thinks ones own religion is superior

Essay Question Myth: Orsi states that religion is about relationships between heaven and earth, by which he means relationships between human actors and holy figures, such as the Virgin Mary, Margaret of Castello, and Saint Gemma, and the ways that these relationships inform and shape human-to-human relationships in families, churches, and communities.

Define myth- Specifically talking about Myth as a reality lived which are similar views to that of Paden. Myth is a reality lived because the lives and stories of holy figures act as a "model of and model for" human lives. The life of the virgin Mary is a model of purity and a model for young girls to remain pure. Margaret of Costello was a deformed and perceived "impure" young girl. She struggled against abandonment and rejection from others as a result of her deformity. Notwithstanding, she experienced Jesus' presence and remains a model of and model for the disabled. For uncle Sal he uses Margaret of Costello's story to cope with and endure the abuse from his caretakers. As a disabled man, he can directly relate to Margaret of Costello's story and model his life after hers. He prays to Margaret of Costello for wellness and healing of others. For example, when Silvia's sister was hit by a car, he prayer to the saints higher powers for the little girls recovery. Uncle Sal also says he takes comfort knowing that there is a disabled saint representing people like him. Despite his disabilities, he felt as though he was truly "chosen of God" and could experience the same faith and pure life as any average human.

Sri Lankan Buddhist Rituals

Demonstrate how humans enter and negotiate relationships with Gods through actions. Ritual is a performative space within which Gods become present. Human action towards Gods become effective. Connect to Orsi's concept of Sacred Presence

Systems of purity

Exist in every human community and society. Categorize and typologies natural and artificial objects, humans, animals, plants, foods, behaviors, social groups, ect. Any aspect of life could fall under a system of purity. Boundaries are drawn between pure/impure, appropriate/inappropriate, good/evil, us/them

Padens definition of God

Form of religious experience and behavior that entails a relationship to "the other". "The other" signifies a presence and agency different from the mundane human realm. Key point: Gods are not considered ontologically (as existing or not existing) or theologically (within faith tradition such as creator God or God the father). Gods are considered phenomenologically since they are understood in and through human experiences. "A God is a category of social, interactive behavior, experienced in a way that is analogous to the experience of other selves. With Gods one receives, gives, follows, loves, imitates, communes, negotiates, contests, entrusts."

God's connection with ritual and myth

God, Ritual, and Myth are interwoven in religious people. "God" is present as a factor of analysis in forms of ritual. Manifests in: -Desire for an outcome (Puja's outcome) - Sickness and pain (disabled as chosen of God) -Suffering (martyrdom, Saint gemma) -Possession (Rajathiamma) -Miracle Curses

Phenomenological approach to the study of religion

Takes a value- neutral stance. Brackets metaphysical truth claims. Is a vital part of human experience. Accurate, truly objective, humanistic, requires engaged understanding of the positions of others.

Two examples where orsi is thinking through what it means to pray to St.Jude.

"The challenge then becomes to set one's own world, one's own particular reality, now understood as one world among many possible worlds, in relation to this other reality and to learn how to view the two in relation to each other, moving back and forth between two alternative ways of organizing and experiencing reality. The point is not to make the other world radically and irrevocably other, but to render one's own world other to oneself as prelude to an new understanding of the two worlds in relationship to one another" "It means experiencing one's own world from the disorienting perspective of the other- from Uncle Sal's, for example, or from Gemma's- and this necessarily entails risk, vulnerability, vertigo; it invites anger and creates distress"

Tertium Quid

"Third term". Comparing two religions A vs B off of X variable. We must find a neutral category. Inductive vs deductive reasoning.

Ritual as focus and frame

"ritual specializes in the heightened, dilated awareness of the occasion it observes" "all ritual behavior gains its basic effectiveness by virtue of such undivided, intensified concentration and by bracketing off distraction and interference" Example: disciplined body during mass. "overpresent" to itself

Four responses to secularism and modernity

1. Conservative response: "double- down" on tradition, erect strict boundaries. 2. Liberal response: accommodation of conformation 3. New religious movements and groups 4. Individualism and spirituality

General order of existence must be able to

1. Explain the unexplainable 2. Make suffering sufferable 3. Justify injustice

Orsi examples of system of purity

1. Father Lahey in relation to the sick body (the appropriate way to be in pain) 2. Father Grabowski in relation to sacred images (sacred presence versus absence in images/artwork) 3. The treatment and disciplining of the disabled body as the "Chosen of God" 4. Disciplining of the altar boys in mass 5. Disciplining altar boys behavior 6. Subtle surveillance of Children's behaviors through gaurdian angels

Orsi: How to study religion

1. History of the development of religious studies from Protestant theology in private colleges and universities has produced a normative understanding of "good" religion- ethical, non-ritualistic, rational, monotheistic. Particular way of teaching religion as humanities studies with proper values which produced civilizes, morally-conscious individuals 2. Departments of religious studies are departments of desirable religions 3. Problem is that this normative construction of religion invariable creates its other "bad" religion 4. Makes for a bad perception or dialogue between other religions. Particularly those from Africa or Asia. Also targets "dark-skinned" people. "It is the challenge of the discipline of religious studies not to stop at the border of human practices done in the name of the gods that we scholars find disturbing, dangerous, or even morally repugnant, but rather to enter into the otherness of religious practices in search of an understanding of their human ground"

Requirements of a religious worldview

1. Must have ways of dealing with crises and disruptions of order 2. Must have ways of dealing with competing worlds and competing claims 3. Must cope with secularism and modernity

Sri Lankan Buddhism Ritual Examples

1. Puja to Kataragama. Exchange relationships. Devotee offers up something of value in order to gain something in return i.e. health, good fortune, ect. Ecchange must be done in sacred temple through priest. Kapurala (priest) is ordained and authorized to conduct ceremonies and he possesses knowledge of the sacred words needed for appeal to Gods. Devotee must follow certain ordained forms of behavior in order for request to be met. 2. Puja also preformed to heal ailments cause by evil spirits, curses, ect. Preformed by a specialists Kattadiya who knows science of spirits. Speaks sacred words by which he invokes power of Buddha or Gods. Mantras are passed down from master to apprentices. Rituals involve cutting limes over effected area of the body.

Orsi: Changes in Catholic devotionalism during 20th century

1. Reforms surrounding Vatican Two 2. Shift from sacred presence to modernist absence 3. Movement of second and third generation to the middle class suburbs 4. Inclusion of children in the full life of the church

Four principles that guide the academic study of religion

1. Respect for all religious facts as phenomena rather than as items that are intrinsically true or false (phenomenological approach) 2. The need to understand religious phenomena in their own terms and contexts. 3. The need to synthesize religious phenomena through the analysis of patterns. "comparative perspective in this way gives context, dimensionality, and indeed a certain humanity, to particular histories and traditions. It creates a certain familiarity with the bizarre. Far from ignoring history, comparative understanding here gives generic depth to it"- paden 4. The need to identify what it is about religious phenomena that makes them religious.

Geertz definition of religion

1. System of symbols 2. Establishes powerful, pervasive, long-lasting moods and motivations 3. formulating conceptions of a general order of existence 4. clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality 5. make the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic

Examples of myth

In Karbala: the role it plays in mobilizing the Shias as a distinct social group, evoking suffering and mourning out of which that social group is constructed and maintained. The myth of Karabala transfigures the experience of everyday life for Shia Muslims. It is the lens through which their daily lives, communal history and identity, and rituals are understood and represented to themselves. In Orsi: the relationships between Catholics have to saints since their stories are known as myth. The intersection of the lives of Uncle Sal and Margaret of Castello and Grandma and Saint Gemma

Lincolns definition of myth

Myth has credibility and authority. Credibility- accurate reporting of past events. Authority- revealing paradigmatic truths that cut across time and space and are applicable in the present, and that informs group identity and mobilizes group actions. Paden says: "myth not only supplies the precedents and norms but actually recreates or transfigures life in its image"

Definition of Myth

Not "false history". It is a textual manifestation of the sacred in genres, poetry, narrative, and song. "it summons up and embodies the very presence of that to which it refers". It expresses the ultimate and "deals with the unlimited aspect of existence". It orders time and brings the past into the presence. Offers aspirations visions of the future.

Third approach Orsi wants us to find:

Orsi wants us to find a third approach where scholars avoid "othering" and they stand in between self and other. Accept moral universes. Know where we are coming from but are radically open and vulnerable to destabilizations

Essay Question: In the final two chapters—and to a lesser extent throughout the book—Orsi makes a strong argument for the position and approach of the scholar in the study of religion. First, explain Orsi's position in relation to the subject matter of his book. Is he an outsider, an insider, or something in-between? Why is this significant? Second, explain Orsi's argument for how the scholar should approach the study of a religious tradition. In your answer, explain the problems with normativity in the study of religion. Then, using either the example of praying to St. Jude or Haberman in Braj, explain how Orsi suggests we can overcome normative dichotomies (us/them, good/bad) in the study of religion.

Orsi's position in relation to his book is a "something in between" stance. While he recognizes that scholars often fall into the trap of creating bad stigmas against opposing religions, as a scholar he is presumably not excused from this being in the same field. Therefore, he may also find trouble placing himself into an "otherness". This is significant because scholars who teach Catholicism in institutions often run into the issue of creating normative dichotomies in the study of religion. In other words, they often teach religion from an idealist standpoint. In this normative way of teaching ideal and "good religion," the opposing "bad religion" is automatically formed. As a result, it makes for bad perception or dialogues, targeting religions from Africa or Asia. Orsi suggests a third approach in which scholars avoid negative views for religions other than their own. He wants individuals to be open and vulnerable to other religious values. In the case of Saint Jude, it is the outlook of Mexican Americans that only the "anglo" population prays to Jude in times of crisis. However

Problems with universalism

Reductionism: Flattens human experience and human history

Rationalist Perspective

Science over supernatural. Religion is irrational.

Orsi: relationships, intersubjectivity and power

Seen mostly in: Disabled and abled bodied, Children and adults, family members. Uncle Sal, Margaret of Castello, community of Grandma, Saint Gemma, Grandma's two sons

Essay Question: Orsi describes god and holy figures using the term "sacred presence." These figures are present in people's lives in a real, agentive manner and their relationships to them are consequential not only for their individual lives, but also for how they understand their relationships to other people. First, describe how "sacred presence" manifests in the lives of Catholics using two different examples. Second, explain how and why the understanding of sacred presence has changed in the last century, especially in the wake of the reforms of Vatican Two and certain understandings of modernity.

The element of the sacred and sacred presence is impactful in American Catholicism and the overall study of religion. The aspect of "god" or holy figures and their presence in reality for religious people is something which is significant. In American Catholicism, there are many ways which holy figures of Christ presence has been felt. Generally, a pious presence can be seen through images, icons, liquids, ect. In particular, Christ presence in the communion wafer at mass is a primary example of sacred presence in an object. The concept of eucharist or christ body in the form of the sacrament of communion is elemental to American Catholicism. People receiving the communion are instructed to behave in a specific manner during the sacrament. The sacred presence in the wafer is so important that only specific eucharistic ministers and the priest are allowed to administer it. Another example of sacred presence in Catholicism are through the statues and figures of the Virgin Mary. The presence of Mary as mother and pure were important to Catholics. When homeowners put statues of the virgin on their front lawns, it symbolizes her presence in that house and the idea that that particular home is watched over by her.Prior to Vatican 2, mass was in Latin and the Priest's back was to the crowd. This made Catholics feel disconnected to their own religion. The purpose of Vatican 2 was to "bring the church into modernity" and to reconnect people with christ as a central figure. Changes were made to Catholicism to fit the needs of the people at this time. While Vatican 2 did help christ be revealed in his sacred presence, it also suppressed the sacred significance of the Virgin Mary and the Saints.

Essay question:The role of children in Catholicism changed radically in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. This led to new forms of religious disciplining of children closely connected to forms of ritual behavior: participating in mass, saying prayers, and relating to guardian angels. Describe the historical changes in the inclusion of children in American Catholicism. How were children disciplined into performing rituals and what was the purpose of this discipline?

The relationship between adults and children has changed yet still remains significant in American Catholicism. In the late nineteenth century, adults kept a strict and persistence watch over children specifically during mass. The concept of being "seen" was relevant in the eyes of children. Since adults kept strict rules on behavior, attention, and presence of children in church and religious practices, children often felt openly "seen" by adults and God. Often times they feeling of being close to self- conscious or their bodies being "over present" to them, was relevant. For example, adults used the ruse of "tommy twist neck" to remind children to keep near perfect posture and attention on the altar and mass. However, nearing the twentieth century there was a cultural shift to mass and the inclusion of children. Starting then, children's presence was implemented into the mass in the form of altar boys. They were instructed to help the priests. While they were under similarly strict rules to keep the mass organized and makes the priest's job easier, their presence was very helpful. Before, their inclusion in mass was not at all accepted. However now, their presence in the service is near necessary. Altar boys were under great pressure to participate in the mass. There were references to the "bad altar boys" who were known to facilitate tension and competition between altar boys and priests. They were disciplined to preform rituals well in order to eliminate or limit tensions during the mass.

Rituals which are done to heal sickness (buddhism in Sri Lanka)

Theory of sickness and health. Ritual draws attention to order of exsistence and makes them real. Clothes the with aura of factuality to those involved in ritual.

Orsi: Sacred Presence

Virgin Mary in objects and rituals. God as mass, guardian angels

Symbol is a model of and model for reality

model of- Descriptive account of what exsists and why it matters model for- prespective account of how to be, how to act, how to relate. Example: the construction of the nativity scene with the child from Orsi. Each component of the crib was a symbol or "tangible formulation". Sister called it a "concrete expression" of an important aspect of the Catholic religious world. Was a model of a representation of the story of jesus' birth. Model for appropriate behaviors of a child.