THEO 107 Final Exam
How are the lines of "religion" and "culture" especially blurry when it comes to evaluating Loy's argument with the Thai Buddhism case study? When violence against women occurs, why might some refer to the same practice as "cultural" rather than "religious"? What is at stake in the framing of either cultural or religious? What might this suggest about the difficulty in defining religion - or for that matter, culture? Where does one stop and one start?
"Its culture thats bad" could be an excuse on why people and society do what they do bc they don't want to take a critical eye to themselves. However, it's unfair to put it on religion bc religion isn't distinct from the people in it. "Religion isn't there unless people are" Fall on individual ex- Larry Nassar w Western Medicine Some want to hold the religion accountable. Others say that thats not what their religion stands for. What are the hidden agendas at that time that people might think its religion?
When the author claims that the work of the study of religion is to "historicize' the things we study, what does that mean? In what ways is this chapter a good example of historicizing work?
"The real threat to religion isn't science, it's historism" -Professor Lewis When we study RS it's looking at the history of how religion was defined, how it came into play and how people participated in it. This chapter looks at all of these things and then makes the conclusion on why people claim they are SBNR.
Recall some of the reasons suggest in the text why religion is not necessarily a force in making people moral.
"humans have a right and wrong that exist independently from our beliefs and practices about gods or divine punishment" (Eyl 53) -it's evolutionary benefitting to get along with others. -it is seen even through nonhumans like animals who help stick together to accomplish goals -it is seen in nonhumans who don't worship gods, then having morality can be independent from being religious -Another argument that is made is that people who practice a shared religion often don't even agree on what is right or wrong, like if they support gay marriage or not - People act imorally even in religion Ex: planned parenthood
From where does the author of Ch 6 argue that this cliché, at least historically, comes from?
"religion" is a european term - In Europe thought, it is not possible for two different, conflicting propositions to be equally correct - Christianity idea of only associating with one religion bc its the best one - Survey questions making you choose and census's
How might one attempt to answer the question whether secularism is a friend or foe of religion?
- "Secularism is Christianity in disguise" - Its a political tool - Religion can be a social good, in state interest to support programs - Oppressive and targeted
Why might some humans be reticent to include non-humans as having the capacity of religion?
- How can we put religion on other species when we can't think of our own definition - Overthinking it - Taking our hierarchy away - you don't need to be religious to go to a funeral, have feelings - Cant claim it scientifically
In what ways does An-Naim's "Islam and the Secular State" argue for the importance of a secular state to protect religious expression both within and across religions?
- Muslims cant practice their belief when it is constantly being put on them by the law (but it shouldn't be neutral bc it needs to represent the majority) - Religious compliance must be completely voluntary -Bad things happen w autonomy - Protect those in minority - "Can't turn religion on and off"
How do all of these reasons contribute to undermining the simple cliché or at least reminding us of the fluid and complex nature of religion?
- No one can define religion so it's hard to say a statement about religion - Being prosocial isn't always good, MLK wasn't and that was a good thing
Further, what do the case studies (NY Times articles) that we read, having to do with religion's involvement in more "worldly affairs" such as people's bodies and money, tell us about where conflict might emerge and the blurry lines that sometimes separate religion from the state?
- People who are running the US are biased in their own religion - Rulings aren't consistant Articles: -Vaccinations on making it illegal to not vaccinate and send your kid to public school -Church under covid feeling like the rules are not fair - Employers give woman free birth control or not -Tax cuts for religions schools
Why might some people, such as Herrod in his article we read, want to find a "non-anthropocentric" or "non-anthropomorphic" definition of religion?
- Religious reasons - Environmental reasons - Treat them with more respect
Why might the SF Peaks case be a good example of this?
- Revolved around defining what religion is and forced to make a decision on religion and spirituality - Also didn't know how to define whats sacred - Peaks was sacred to them but couldn't be explained - Honor twin towers - NA have sacred land that is necessary for them to practice their religion... Christians can go anywhere
Also, recall some of the reasons how religion can play a role in moral behavior.
- When we believe that someone is watching/judging us and that there will be repercussions of our actions, we are more likely to behave well -People who are religious are more likely to act by a moral code and do good deeds because their religion taught them that there will be consequences behind them
How might economics, politics, nationalism, and various religious commitments and identities play a role in determining when Yoga is understood to be religious or not?
- Yoga isn't religious in the US (Lululemon uses it for profit) - Offensive to Hinduism bc they have lost control of what yoga is to them - Ex: Someone at Mecca wouldn't go and be disrespectful -political: secularism
How does the concept of conversion also assume this cliché?
Conversion means you have to go from one to the other. It doesn't assume that you could possibly exist outside of one or within both.
Why might some say secularism makes for a "good fit" (no conflict) when religion is defined as private, individual, and belief-centered but may be problematic for other types of religious expressions?
Defining religion is hard. For some people it controls all aspects of there life. Secular government takes on responsibility for the "worldly" stuff like military, education etc Assumes religion is something that can be split out, isolated, controlled, privatized, protected by state/republic Assumes all religions have the same essence "all religion is the same" Over time, religion becomes associated with belief, the individual, and is private (as opposed to ritual, body, the political/social, and public realm) Good idea but doesn't work in practice because in some ways it can protect small communities but in other ways it can marginalize
For Frankl, how does he "Search for Meaning," i.e. create meaning in a world that doesn't seem to make sense, and what does he conclude about a worthwhile life?"
Find meaning in your suffering. Even in suffering we still have freedom in thought and spiritual freedom. His memories are so precious its worth suffering so he can hold onto them.
What is the one thing, according to Frankl, that cannot be taken from someone?
Freedom of thought and spiritual freedom
Why, in contrast, might many religious see the secular state as oppressive or coercive? How might secular powers veil antireligious sentiments through secular policies?
Government will use their bias to oppress. For example, the school lunches that gave a meal to Muslim students got banned for no reason. Its an abuse against secular state.
What role does his relationship with his wife play in his philosophy?
His beloved wife gives him meaning. Carry on memories and make her proud for marrying him.
Why might many insiders feel that this is not an unfounded cliché but is truth i.e. what could be at stake for some if one were to undermine this "cliché"?
Insiders want to see their religion as exclusive so they know their religion is right. If someone undermines the cliche then they might be saying that the religion itself doesn't have the power people think it does.
What could be the significance of the inquiry? In other words, why did the author conduct this research and the journal publish it?
It also connects to the evolution of humans. We were once in their position, is this them growing to be evolved and civilized? "To advance knowledge of the evolution and prehistory of religions over the past two million years of human evolution, it would be useful to know whether other species, including great apes and extinct species of Australopithecines and Homo prior to Homo sapiens sapiens, exhibit behaviors that might be categorized as 'religious' or 'spiritual'."
In what ways does the "politics on the school dinner menu" show some of the tensions between strong secularism and religious values?
It's bias and opressive
Why might this case study be just one more example of how we do not have tools to measure an essential nature of religion so study the context driving the use of the category or label of religious? In other words, when we name something religious does it then become religious? And is this true also when we name something nonreligious?
It's not scientifically proven. We put the meaning behind religion. Without people there is no religion. Religion is how people gather and interact with each other. Us defining religion tells us more about ourselves than the meaning we give to it.
Be able to recognize the components of the author's definition of religion?
Must: communing in empathie infimacy with respect to experiences of aliveness and animacy. In addition, one or more of the following behaviors must be in evidence: • Revering, devoting oneself to, or showing deep respect or intense love, all of which may involve silence. • Observing carefully, or remarking upon, which may involve calling-out or announcement. • Experiencing dread (terror, astonishment) before that which overwhelms the observer in its magnitude and beneficence, grandeur and imperfectness. • Experiencing wonder (fascination, curiosity, a desire to know more) with respect to that which is miraculous, non-ordinary, surprising, astonishing, extraordinary, non-ordinary, and special.
What is the larger social context that allows the cliché SBNR to gain adherents? What is suggested about the nature of religion (definition) by those who choose to make the claim SBNR?
People don't want to associate with religion because they don't want to be seen with the bad part of it and gives them the ability to not participate in things. lack of commitment. lack of freedom that comes with religionousity. Religion can be seen as bad.
What is meant when the author claims that SBNR "posits the existence of a nonnegotiable core to our being that was there before institutions were invented." How is that a theological claim?
People want to think and do things on their own. They don't like being told what to do. If we are SBNR then we are spiritual which means we recognize that there is a higher power and we don't need historical institutions that were put into place over time to confirm that because its something humans have always believed and can believe without the practice of religion. class: IT cant be disrupted by theological claim that i cant be touched by my environment You can't avoid traditions
What implications might this have within a secular state?
People who are religious make up a cultural of beliefs that can affect other people inside or outside their religion.
Why might religious minorities both, again, within or across religions, be particularly supportive of a strong secular state?
Protects their rights
What is the connection that Loy is trying to make between religion and the sex trade?
Religion is the reason woman are in the sex trade. They were oppressed by men bc the men don't feel bad bc they are born that way bc of karma. Women are having to obey bc of their position. They also must accept it.
What is at stake for the people that hold differing views on the relationship between Hinduism and Yoga?
Secular state rules. Ex: yoga class
How have some defined secular and secularism?
Secular: "worldy affairs" A personal orientation... or a political one: -"separation of religion and the state" -"a defining characteristic of of modern democratic societies" (C. Cady) Secularism impact on religion: S Mahmood said... "a regime of discursive and institutional power that constantly regulates and manages what does and does not count as religion" "secular reorganization of religion as reducible to the propositional beliefs belonging to the private sphere of individual piety packages religion in a manner most conductive to liberal political rule" - secular reorganization of religion reduces religion -religion is private -secular state likes it when religion is a private belief and personal
What historical forces (3 of them) led to, and helped shape, the emergence of secular states?
Secularism as a European Export... 1.) Product of Protestant Reformation (1517) 2.) Product of the Wars of Religion (1524-1648) 3.) Product of the Enlightenment (1650-1800)
How do you end religious conflict?
Take away the earthly power order of religion to be private and individual
What conclusions are reached in the article?
That they are religious.
How can defining Yoga as mere exercise lead to a form of cultural appropriation? Or a means by which one can assert a religious agenda within a secular state setting?
When yoga is takin out of Hinduism, the whole meaning is taken out of it and people benefit economically from it. It also lets people get away with using yoga at school etc bc of the way we view it.
If religion is a social force, in what ways has religion played a role in defining the normative roles of women in the case studies in Thailand?
Woman are believed to be a karma rebirth of people who messed up in their past life because of patriarchal ideas. So they are treated terribly bc of these things. Orally passed down over time these teachings about woman. Buddha tried to help by making woman nuns
What do notions surrounding the creation of 'world religions' categories and colonial history have to do with exclusivity?
World religions all came up from their own areas as well as the expansions of Christianity believing their religion is the best and like no other
What do these case studies in both the US and India tell us about the nature of religious studies i.e. what is the data that is being collected by religious studies? How might this illustrate the ways in which RS is more interested in "how" people talk about religion than identifying "what" is religion.
Yoga day ---> celebrating the history Religion is seen differently by everyone. Religious studies identifies how people gather and what they do more than what religion is. Thats why religion is so hard to define. We saw three different articles defining yoga and how it represents nationalism, religion and US yoga. Its a social construct so its interesting how different people see it. we can only talk about how people see it unlike theology.
How does the legal system support this cliché?
You have to do censuses that make you choose. There was also a time where people engaged in practices that typically associate with distinct religions and maintained ambiguous indications.
