defining religion

Question 1

explain the substantive definition of religion?

Answer 1

religion is belief in supernatural power, cannot be explained scientifically
Weber- to constitute as religion, must relate to beliefs in god/supernatural.

Question 2

what does Robertson say supporting the substantive definition of religion?

Answer 2

religion refers to existence of supernatural beings that have governing effect on life.

Question 3

what does Bruce say supporting the substantive definition of religion?

Answer 3

religion is belief, actions and institutions which assume the existence of supernatural entities.

Question 4

give two weaknesses of the substantive definition of religion?

Answer 4

they can be too exclusive, excluding Buddhism
too inclusive. Fate, magic, UFOs might fall into criteria

Question 5

explain the functional definition of religion?

Answer 5

defines religion by social/ psychological functions performs for society
belief could provide certain functions- e.g.- encouraging social cohesion without including supernatural belief
broad definition- football could fit in this.

Question 6

what does Yinger say to support the functional definition of religion?

Answer 6

religion as a system of beliefs and practices by means of which group of people struggle w ultimate problem of human life.

Question 7

give two strengths of the functional definition of religion?

Answer 7

embraces wide range of beliefs and practices that perform function
doesn’t specify belief in god or the supernatural

Question 8

give a weakness of the functional definition of religion?

Answer 8

institutions that perform role of integration are not necessarily religious.

Question 9

explain the constructivist definition of religion?

Answer 9

so many different types of religion its impossible to come up with a single definition
the process by which a set of beliefs is considered a religion and who has the power to determine is interesting.

Question 10

what does Aldridge say that supports the constructivist definition of religion?

Answer 10

scientology is a religion for its followers but some governments have banned it.
shows that religion can be contested and influenced by those with the power to define.

Question 11

give two strengths of the constructivist definition of religion?

Answer 11

doesn’t assume religion has to be a belief in god
can uncover meaning that people give to religion.

Question 12

give a weakness of the constructivist definition of religion?

Answer 12

its impossible to generalise the nature of religion- no agreement on meaning

Question 13

what are Giddens three aspects that make something a religion?

Answer 13

belief in supernatural
faith on part of believers
body of unchanging truth

Question 14

explain Giddens belief in the supernatural?

Answer 14

person, entity or other other worldly spiritual figure, provides sense of meaning and means of explaining world.

Question 15

explain Giddens faith on part of the believers?

Answer 15

strong sense of trust and conviction in person or entity, not based on evidence

Question 16

explain Giddens body of unchanging truth?

Answer 16

certain fundamental beliefs, like Christ being the son of god, new discoveries fitted into this framework

Question 17

why does popper refer to science as a closed belief system?

Answer 17

means that scientific research open to scrutiny, criticism and questioning

Question 18

what is Merton’s CUDOS?

Answer 18

institutions of science follows this
C- communism (shared findings)
U- universalism ( everyone can do science)
D- disinterested ( detach from ideological bias)
O,S- organised scepticism ( use objective criteria)

Question 19

why does Horton call religion a closed belief system?

Answer 19

religion embraces body of beliefs that cant be disproved
any challenge to belief is dismissed by followers in way that makes it fit into existing belief.

Question 20

what is Polyanis “Circularity of truth”?

Answer 20

explaining beliefs with further closed claims
example- you cant say god not real, followers will say have faith, answer is not proved.

Question 21

what is a paradigm?

Answer 21

set of assumptions abut how world works, scientific discoveries need to fit into existing paradigm.

Question 22

how could we argue science is more of a closed system then suggested?

Answer 22

if new theory were to shake the foundations of such firmly accepted truths, would be rejected as unscientific.

Question 23

how could we argue religion is more of an open system then suggested?

Answer 23

some religious organizations change their stance on certain social issues
example- LGBTQ or role o women

Question 24

How does the state impact religion and science?

Answer 24

science dependent on funding from sources, including cooperate funding.
therefore often conducted with a view to reach particular outcome
scientific evidence might be pushed by government and law, therefore not hat independent.

Question 25

what do rationalist believe about the separation of science and religion?

Answer 25

Those who believe that science allowed us discover real knowledge about the world, and assert that religion has no claim to truth.

Question 26

What do relativist believe about the separation of science and religion?

Answer 26

Science and religion totally separate. Science provides certain knowledge whereas religion has responsibility for moral guidance. both equally valid.

Question 27

case study- what is creationism?

Answer 27

life and the universe were created by divine action