Gods, Myths, and Religion

Rosemary Ruether

"religion is the most important shaper and enforcer of the image and role of women in culture and society

Why was the teaching of Intelligent Design controversial in Dover? How was the case ultimately resolved and why?

- Conclusion: The ruling concluded that intelligent design is not science, and permanently barred the board from "maintaining the ID Policy in any school within the Dover Area School District, from requiring teachers to denigrate or disparage the scientific theory of evolution, and from requiring teachers to refer to a religious, alternative theory known as ID. - Dover Area School Board members violated the Constitution when they ordered that its biology curriculum must include the notion that life on Earth was produced by an unidentified intelligent cause, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III said. Several members repeatedly lied to cover their motives even while professing religious beliefs, he said.

What is Intelligent Design? How does it differ from creation theories? Evolution?

- Intelligent Design has been defined by its proponents as the idea that "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause." This "intelligent cause" is often assumed to be God. Despite this, some have tried to portray Intelligent Design as a fledgling scientific theory, almost ready to be embraced by mainstream science. Detractors have argued that Intelligent Design is nothing more than creationism in disguise. - Intelligent Design adherents believe only that the complexity of the natural world could not have occurred by chance. Some intelligent entity must have created the complexity, they reason, but that "designer" could in theory be anything or anyone. - Intelligent design is different from creationism. Intelligent design does not rely on prior theological assumptions for recognizing intelligent activity, but instead relies on methods developed within the scientific community. Intelligent design does not identify the designer. Intelligent design theorists hold that organisms show clear, scientific evidence of design and reject Darwin's claim that random variation and natural selection alone account for apes and humans having descended from a single, common ancestor which oozed out of a primordial soup and eventually walked erect, spoke a language, etc.

Why is a subversive figure important in religion? What role does it play? Why do Johnston and Van Horn introduce this theory of Bhaktin?

- Subversive figure is important b/c they challenge the religious norms of his time and proclaim that religious forms had come to replace the substance of genuine love for God. -Protests and parades also often release monsters to roam the streets, and monster humor is often used as a subversive tool to bring attention to various causes - Bakhtin underlines three connected themes that are particularly pertinent to Flying Spaghetti Monsterism: a) the unmasking function of humor and its challenge to dogmatic authority, b) the liberating and regenerative space of folk culture, and c) folk humor's physical emphasis on the "lower stratum" of the body (i.e., physiological features associated with birth and death, change and transformation, flesh and sexuality). The Flying Spaghetti Monster demonstrates numerous affinities with Bakhtin's description of the "carnival idiom," and Bakhtin's detailed analysis of the subversive function of regenerative laughter is a useful conceptual framework for understanding the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

According to Taylor (and Kampion in Taylor's article - page 929) what elements of religion are part of surf culture?

-1960s -Drugs, hippie culture, LSD, psychedelics -Pushes for earthly embodied experience

Veiling and seclusion

-Although many view veiling as oppressive, it is more complex and multi-layered as some women find comfort in doing so -Symbol of modesty, liberation, patriarchy -Asks women how they feel about the veil

What is the relationship between religion and nature?

-Emergence of Romanticism -Social Gossip Movement -Ansel Adams-Photographer

Veiling and seclusion critique

-Film does not engage younger women -Larger demographic needs -Engage with liberal perspective and not fundamental

What is symbolic anthropology?

-Geertz shared the idea of culture as an objective system of symbols, so much so that some observers prefer to call his approach not interpretive but "symbolic" anthropology. -It is the study of cultural symbols and how those symbols can be used to understand a certain society.

What is Geertz concerned with?

-His chief concern was to press for a serious rethinking of fundamentals in the practice of anthropology and other social sciences -Clifford Geertz's approach concerns religion as a cultural system of perceptible symbols, which is like a language and map of the world. It is a model of what is and for what can and should be done. Religion also provides a way of looking at the world but also a way of feeling about the world and relating to it. Geertz agrees with Weber that religion provides meaning and makes pain and defeat bearable and even sometimes celebrates them. He explained that religion seemed factual to people primarily because of participation in religious rituals. Rituals vividly present all elements of the system and in groups of people who act as if it is real, you will begin to believe it is real as well.

What does Geertz point to as an issue to traditional religion? Or the effect that modernity has on religion? (see pages 314-315)

-It does not offer a crisp logical argument in defense of a definite thesis about religion. Instead, it is a kind of exploration into cultural systems lead by a guide who is interested in comparing landscapes and less concerned with reaching a certain destination. -There is the characteristic stress on meaning, "thick description" of a religion in terms of what is significant to those who live it. --Also, he realizes that for example. Morocco, seems unable to permanently reverse the tide or doubt created by the rise of secularism and scripturalism.

Emergence of romanticism

-Peak mid-19thC -Focus on nature, emotion, and individualism

What is the relationship between surfing, environmentalism and ritual? (pages 938-939)

-People who value surfing must protect the environmental land that could possible affect surfing culture. For example, "Save our Surf" was formed to stop a development that would have ruined a surfing break but it soon developed a broader environmentalist agenda. It prevented the destruction of prime surfing breaks and to promote the positive dimensions of surfing culture. -Surfing's most ritual dimension is early rising to greet the sun, waves, and sea creatures -Has a collective irregular service which remind practitioners that inheres to the sport's main sacrament, and reinforces a "tribal" identity

How were images of Eden and surfing conflated? (932-34) see review for examples

-Reinforcing the "stoked feelings that surfing brings, surf films reprised the dream of Edenic return common within surfing cultures -Almost every issue of the hundreds of surfing magazines has photographs or other graphics that reprise the Edenic theme, and shows pristine beaches, waves, and ocean-loving communities

According to our article on 'Gender and Religion', what are the tasks of feminist scholars?

-Seeks to accomplish both negative and positive task -responding/ending patriarchy they see in religion -seek gender equality -egalitarianism -begin this task with men and women being equal

What is a New Religious Movement (NRM)? How is an NRM different from (established) religion?

-a group or practice of relatively modern origins -NRMs may be novel in origin or they may exist on the fringes of a wider religion, in which case they will be distinct from pre-existing denominations.

Social Gossip Movement

-liberal -how does christianity influence attitude toward nature -WWJD?

masculine God language

-male imagery used as source of patriarchy -shapes our perceptions and reality -God's main messengers on earth are typically male

feminist critiques of religion

-patriarchal in origin, development, authority, and power -portrays men's power as greater -God as male -exclusion of women from rituals religious text leaves out female experience -Legitimizes men's authority over women -masculine God language -sexism in religious texts and their interpretation -sex-segregated worship and leadership practices

What have been the results of the gendering religion

-patriarchy -inequality -different roles -relegating of women to a submissive inspired

sexism in religious texts and their interpretations

-relative absence of female experience -women portrayed as objects -propaganda that values women as mother

Marginal/non-mainstream religions

-smaller indigenous religions often give women a greater role -strong female mythological figures, female rituals, no doctrine of male superiority -God is neither exclusively male or female; God is either both or neither -Women have more power and autonomy

Hermenrautics

-study of the principles of interpretation for religious texts -Interpretation of text has important implication for women

What is thick description

A "thick description" is one that explains not just the behavior, but its context as well such that the behavior becomes meaningful to an outsider. It is a method of symbolic anthropology enlisted as a working antidote to overly technocratic mechanistic means of understanding cultures, organizations, and historical settings. It looks at religion not from the outside, but in ways people involved would look at it.

According to Pal's synopsis, what does Geertz argue in his famed article "Religion as a Cultural System"? Explain.

According to Pals, in "Religion as a Cultural System," Geertz argues that religion consists of a worldview and an ethos that combine to reinforce each other. A set of beliefs people have about what is real, what gods exist, and so forth supports a set of moral values and emotions, which guides them as they live and thereby confirms the beliefs. Basically, religion allows people to form morals that affect they way they live.

Waco and Jonestown

Both believed they were ultimately following a higher power that would lead them to Heaven

Why does Bron Taylor make the case that surfing is religion (new religious movement)?

Bron Taylor argues that a significant part of the evolving global, surfing world can be understood as a new religious movement in which sensual experiences constitute its sacred center.

What role does the FSM play according to Van Horn and Johnson?

By inserting a faceless ball of pasta into a creation narrative considered sacred by many Americans, through subtle sexuality, and patent absurdity, the Flying Spaghetti Monster aims to confound those who believe metaphysical explanations should be actively taught in science classrooms alongside evolutionary theory, and it offers a potent example of how monstrous humor can be used as a tool of playful subversion

What does this case, and others reveal about the limits of pluralism?

Critics argue that religious pluralism eliminates the possibility of a specific, historical divine revelation. If the pluralist is right, then the primal doctrines of the major religions and denominations are false. Pluralists affirm an impersonal Ultimate Reality; believes that all religions provide valid responses to the existence of God.

Explain Geertz's use of culture rather than society for his study?

Culture searched for hidden attitudes and emotions that lay behind and within the social order rather than society which weighed too heavily of the material and structural components of human communities. Geertz embraced the American view that the objects of anthropologists' inquiries are "cultures," not "societies." He recognized that the door to other people's' lives could not be unlocked only by examining such social units. It was necessary to search beyond these for the entire interconnected patterns of ideas, motives, and activities that we call culture.

What are the critiques of Geertz? (see pages 318-321)

Despite Geertz's success, his critics well outnumber his admirers. -His first critique pertains Anthropology as a science. Geertz insists that he has no intention of abandoning the belief that his discipline is a science, however, as a number of anthropological critics have noticed, that appears to be exactly what he is doing. -The other critique pertains to his interpretation of religion. Throughout his discussions he reminds us often that ideas and beliefs of the world and an inclination to feel and to behave in accord with those ideas. However, it is not clear and hard to understand why such a statement should be regarded as particularly new and enlightening.

What/who is the flying spaghetti monster (FSM)?

Flying Spaghetti Monster, the deity of what began as a parody religion and grew to become a social movement. The adherents call themselves Pastafarians. The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM), which is said to be invisible, is depicted as a floating mass of spaghetti noodles with a large meatball on either side of its body and two centrally located eyestalks.

How does thick description differ from previous approaches that we have encountered?

From previous approaches, theorists would look at religion from their own outsider perspective, not gaining and insider perspective. They ignored it and only looked at what their personal thoughts were and how they thought the world worked.

How does Geertz's definition of religion intersect with culture?

Geertz's approach concerns religion as a cultural system of perceptible symbols. Religion intersects with culture because it is a cultural system, or a "system of symbols" with 5 elements.

According to Taylor (pages 931-33) what elements from the 1960s influenced the emergence of surfing as a religion.

In the late 1960s, surf movies revealed that the sport had "proudly and enthusiastically joined the counterculture," some even amounted to "a big screen promo for LSD" and other drugs.

What do New Religious Movements force us to consider in terms of the way that we understand religion?

It forces us to question certain religions and consider whether their leader is abusing their power It also opens our eyes to let in new ideas and realize that only traditional religions aren't the only religions

How does Jonestown/People's Temple fit into discussion of NRMs?

It is a new religious movement

Why is thick description important

It is important because it has been an influence to anthropologists and theorists that came after and gave them a new perspective.

Methods for interpretation

Literal allegorical historical

What are the characteristics of these movements?

Millenarian: imminent second coming of Christ Charistmatic leader

Miriam's Daughter's Celebrate

Miriam's Daughters Celebrate shows Jewish feminists creating new rituals. In the two occasions celebrated in this video, the Passover Seder and a baby- girl naming ceremony -- the women speak about their lives and how traditional Jewish rituals relate to them as well as men. Instead of the traditional Passover where women have cooked and men have presided over the Seder, this group of women -- mothers and daughters, sisters and friends -- reads from a feminist Haggadah. They also choose a theme relevant to their lives and each woman contributes her insights. This Seder has been ongoing for eighteen years and includes luminaries of the women s movement including Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Bella Abzug and Gloria Steinem. These rituals demonstrate how traditions can be updated to make women full participants.

What is the soul surfing movement?

Much of the spiritual experience of surfing is also related to a feeling of belonging and communion with other living this, the earth, and even the universe itself, as well as a perception that such connections are transformative and healing. What is critical for many soul surfers is the communion they feel with non-human creatures while engaged in their sport.

Do you think that religion was taken seriously in dealing with the Branch Davidians? Why or why not?

No, people's safety was put above religion. Therefore, it was most likely disregarded and more thought of as crazy

How is Geertz's approach different from the functionalists and reductionists?

Opposed to the functionalists and reductionists, Geertz was an anthropologist who looked from the insider's perspective rather than the outside. He called this a "thick description."

Waco

People could leave as they pleased, but in doing so, they would go to Hell -Davidians -fire -only very few survived

Jonestown

People were brainwashed against their will to join

What is the relationship between gender and religion?

Religion informs culture and vice versa Religion plays a crucial role in presenting the patriarchy as inevitable ex. Mary seen as ultimate female

What is Geertz's definition of religion?

Religion is a system of symbols which acts to each piece of religious belief is a symbol for something else in which work together to create powerful long lasting moods and motivations.

How is religion understood or portrayed in the documentary on Waco

Religion is used as a manipulation device

How has religion impacted gender relations? see review

Religiosity can and does confer power, whether on basis of gender/sex, status, race, prestige, or age and is a means by which power is circulated of contested

What does the Waco Frontline episode force us to think about in terms of religion and its power?

Some people will use religion to do evils things and claim that they are doing them die to a higher power Religion can be used as an abuse of power, as power is extremely present in religion

Read (and enjoy) "Deep Play: Notes on a Balinese Cockfight," by Clifford Geertz. What is Geertz arguing in his article? What is the significance of the cockfight? (see review)

The fight represents the social and cultural structure of the Balinese people which are dramatized in a cockfight. It is society's manner of speaking to itself about itself. The fight, according to Geertz, is not between individuals but is rather a simulation of the social structure of kinship and social groups.

Reductionist

They seek to reduce religion to a single driving force

Ansel Adams-photographer

Transcendent movement -famous transcendentalist- thoreau (walden) -John Muir -Gifford Pinchot

What is a "shared context of meaning" for Geertz?

When we speak of meaning, most people believe it to be something very private. However, if you take another moment, there is nothing really private about meaning at all. We should therefore understand that the culture of any society is just this shared context of meaning. In Geertz's words, "culture consists of socially established structures of meaning in terms of which people do things as signal conspiracies and join them or perceived insults and answer them." A culture is not something physical, however, it is objectively there

What was his peoples temple

also known as jonestown; a new religious movement to spread a message that combined elements of Christianity with communist and socialist ideas, as well as an emphasis on racial equality.

Who was Jim Jones?

an American religious cult leader who initiated and was responsible for a mass suicide and mass murder in Jonestown, Guyana. He considered Jesus Christ as being in compliance with an overarching belief in socialism as the correct social order.

Taylor-nature religion

connecting and forming a communion with the earth and non-human life.

egalitarianism

gender equality

How has gender relations impacted religion? see review

gender/sex not only forms a window not only to understanding a cultural system, but provides a way to chart changes within a cultural system

fundamentalists in relation to women

promote traditional for women and attempt to limit women's rights and seek to control women

Functionalists

what function does religion play; what religion serves; religion serves a societal function