Ways of Studying Religion

The Academic Study of Religion - Assumptions - One religion is neither better nor worse than another religion; they are simply different One religion is neither better nor worse than another religion; they are simply different There are core similarities that are shared by all religions There are core similarities that are shared by all religions There are differences between, within and among all religions There are differences between, within and among all religions Religion is a powerful influence on a person’s approach and response to life experiences Religion is a powerful influence on a person’s approach and response to life experiences All individuals have the right to be respected for their religious heritage All individuals have the right to be respected for their religious heritage Not all people are religious – they too have the right to be respected Not all people are religious – they too have the right to be respected

The Academic study of religion “is a secondary activity that attempts to discover, describe, and explain the primary expressions of the religious life of a community…” “is a secondary activity that attempts to discover, describe, and explain the primary expressions of the religious life of a community…” “requires the use of many disciplines and methods…” “requires the use of many disciplines and methods…”

Theology “words about [study of] God” “words about [study of] God” Generally done from within a [theistic] religious tradition (e.g. Christian theology) Generally done from within a [theistic] religious tradition (e.g. Christian theology) To describe and transmit the teachings of a particular religious tradition or community To describe and transmit the teachings of a particular religious tradition or community Discuss: difference between studying religion in church vs. in the classroom But religion is more than just thinking about God

Literary Criticism Asks questions regarding sacred texts or scriptures: Asks questions regarding sacred texts or scriptures: –Who is the author? –When was this text composed? –Where was it written and to what audience? –What was the author’s reason for writing this? –What type of literature is used? –How has this text been received, edited, interpreted? But religion is more than just what is contained in a sacred text

History of Religion History of Religion click link to see 5000 years of religion play out in 90 seconds History of Religion Historians seek to find out “what really happened” – the facts about a given religion Historians seek to find out “what really happened” – the facts about a given religion Explores how social, economic, cultural or environmental factors may have influenced a religion’s: Explores how social, economic, cultural or environmental factors may have influenced a religion’s: –Beginnings, development, spread Using “tools” such as: Using “tools” such as: –Archaeology, geography, demography, population statistics

The Anthropological Study of Religion “words about human beings” and human societies… “words about human beings” and human societies… as both creators and creations of cultures as both creators and creations of cultures Religion, as a part of human culture, is thus studied by anthropologists as a “powerful factor in any culture” Religion, as a part of human culture, is thus studied by anthropologists as a “powerful factor in any culture” Edward B. Tylor (1832 – 1917) Edward B. Tylor (1832 – 1917)

Sociology of Religion “words about social behavior” “words about social behavior” Generally concerned with the life of modern, developed, literate societies (in contrast to anthropology) Generally concerned with the life of modern, developed, literate societies (in contrast to anthropology) Explores the social origins and function of religion in human society Explores the social origins and function of religion in human society The sociologist studies “the way religion interacts with other dimensions of our social experience” The sociologist studies “the way religion interacts with other dimensions of our social experience” –How human social life changes religion –How religion transforms human social behavior Max Weber ( ) Max Weber ( ) But religion is more than just a fact of social life

Psychology of Religion “words about the psyche [mind]” “words about the psyche [mind]” The psychologist explores the psychological dimensions of religious phenomena The psychologist explores the psychological dimensions of religious phenomena William James ( ) William James ( ) Sigmund Freud ( ) Sigmund Freud ( ) –“religion is an infantile dependency, a neurosis” Carl Jung ( ) Carl Jung ( ) –religion is a projection of “archetypes of the unconscious” But religion is more than just a fact of psychic life

Philosophy of Religion “Love of wisdom” “Love of wisdom” Philosophers of religion reflect on the logic, meaning and truth value of religious stories and beliefs Philosophers of religion reflect on the logic, meaning and truth value of religious stories and beliefs Analyzing religious language Analyzing religious language Thomas Aquinas ( ) (theologian) Thomas Aquinas ( ) (theologian) Immanuel Kant ( ) Immanuel Kant ( ) But religion is more than just ideas to be analyzed and often goes beyond the limits of logic

Phenomenology “words about phenomena” – that which appears “words about phenomena” – that which appears Concerned only with description Concerned only with description Goal: to portray religion in its own terms rather than reduce or explain it in terms of some other discipline Goal: to portray religion in its own terms rather than reduce or explain it in terms of some other discipline Edmund Husserl ( ) Edmund Husserl ( ) Mircea Eliade (historian of religion) Mircea Eliade (historian of religion)

The Phenomenologist suspends judgment, does not seek to explain (as do the other disciplines) suspends judgment, does not seek to explain (as do the other disciplines) must remain detached and impartial to avoid explaining, interpreting or judging what he or she studies must remain detached and impartial to avoid explaining, interpreting or judging what he or she studies remains skeptical of explanatory theories that claim to completely account for the complex origins or nature of religion itself, or of any religious tradition remains skeptical of explanatory theories that claim to completely account for the complex origins or nature of religion itself, or of any religious tradition

Phenomenolgy Philosophy TheologyLiterary Criticism Sociology Anthropology Psychology History Religion The relationship between the disciplines Phenomenology studies the whole, as it is Each discipline studies religion from a limited perspective

“insiders” vs. “Outsiders” Hermeneutics: how we “interpret” Hermeneutics: how we “interpret” The “inside” believer and the “outside” observer understanding of religion will differ The “inside” believer and the “outside” observer understanding of religion will differ Either may be a partial, distorted or even wrong understanding Either may be a partial, distorted or even wrong understanding These different scholarly disciplines are not mutually exclusive; they may be complementary – each providing insight to both “insiders” and “outsiders” These different scholarly disciplines are not mutually exclusive; they may be complementary – each providing insight to both “insiders” and “outsiders” What can the academic study of religion do for you?

If religion were a house… The one who lives inside the house (the committed believer) will know all the nooks and crannies - the details up close One has to be outside the house to see it as a whole - to see the big picture Are you an “insider” (a committed believer) or an “outsider”? How might your position affect your study of religion?

Review Questions Who studies God? Who studies God? Who studies sacred texts? Who studies sacred texts? Who studies the facts within the larger context of history? Who studies the facts within the larger context of history? Who studies religion as a part of human culture? Who studies religion as a part of human culture? Who studies the way religion interacts with other dimensions of our social experience? Who studies the way religion interacts with other dimensions of our social experience? Who explores the psychological dimensions of religious phenomena Who explores the psychological dimensions of religious phenomena Who reflects on the logic, meaning and truth value of religious stories and beliefs? Who reflects on the logic, meaning and truth value of religious stories and beliefs? Who merely describes, without trying to explain, interpret, or judge religion? Who merely describes, without trying to explain, interpret, or judge religion? Which discipline might appeal most to you? (why?) The anthropologist The historian The literary critic The phenomenologist The philosopher The psychologist The sociologist The theologian