Religion and World Religions

Question 1

Main Definition types for the question, “What is Religion?”

Answer 1

1. Substantive Definitions - Materialistic Perspectives vs. Belief Perspectives 2. Functional Definitions - Psychological vs. Sociological Emphases 3. Tight vs. Loose Boundary Definitions - What is the necessary element?

Question 2

World Religions vs. Global Religions

Answer 2

World - cultural differences from place to place. Ex. Catholicism (debated?), Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam Global - found across the Globe

Question 3

Why are some large religions excluded?

Answer 3

• They’re a subdivision of a world religion
• They’re concentrated in a unique marginal part of the world
• They’re new
• They’re global not world
• Ultimately there is a level of arbitrariness
• What about Mormonism, can it be classified as a world religion or not?