Critical Study of Religion Flashcards
What is the distinction between religion and politics according to William Penn?
Religion is about going to heaven; politics is about the preservation of civil society
Politics focuses on law and order, while religion aims for spiritual salvation.
According to John Locke, what is the relationship between church and commonwealth?
Church is absolutely separate and distinct from the commonwealth
This separation was not normal prior to Locke’s ideas, as church and state were integrated.
What is the aim of religion?
Reaching heaven
What is the aim of politics?
Order and society, in accordance to reason
What does Fitzgerald suggest about the liberal elite and the separation of religion and politics?
It doesn’t make sense to separate religion and politics; this separation has been enforced for economic purposes
Fitzgerald argues that people are told to keep religious convictions private.
What was the public sentiment in England regarding the colonization of America?
The people were not behind it
This sentiment is also noted in the context of the opium trade.
What does Fitzgerald believe was Locke’s motive for enforcing the distinction between religion and politics?
To pacify internal English opposition to colonization of America and to keep the king out of it
Fitzgerald suggests Locke had ulterior motives related to asserting natural land rights.
What was the state of church and state prior to John Locke?
There was no separation; they were integrated
How has the integration of church and state been viewed historically in America?
It has been taken for granted as the norm
This also extends to distinctions made between religious and political wars.
What does Fitzgerald argue about the distinction between religious and non-religious in modern liberalism?
The distinction is negligible; key doctrines of liberalism are based on myths
This includes the characterization of human nature and the belief in equality and justice.
What does the U.S. Constitution mention regarding life, liberty, and happiness?
It is a spin on Locke’s life, liberty, and property; happiness encompasses property
What does Michel Foucault suggest about the term ‘religion’?
Underneath the term are ideologies, power relations, etc.
Fill in the blank: The genealogy of the term ‘religion’ involves _______. (Fitzgerald)
[power structures]
what did john locke say regarding the king and heaven
not the kings job to decide if i go to heaven or not
how does fitzgerald classify liberalism as a religion
- traits like we want equality, justice etc.
- no modern science can prove that humans are equal
- no different than a religious belief
- held to such an extent that there woul dbe outrage if you were to challenge it (similar to old religious attitude)
what is neoliberalism
emphasizes free markets, deregulation, privatization, and minimal government intervention
negative vs positive liberty
negative: no government interference
positive: government interference for the betterment of society
fitzgerald on religion v politcs
idea that politcs is different than religion has been institutionalized in western society
fitzgerald on locks reasoning behind split beween politcs and god
locke wanted american land, all land belonged to the king, wanted to split church and state to assert natural land rights over against the king
