Religion & Religious Diversity Flashcards
theism
Theism is a fictitious reality created by humans that assumes the existence of a god or gods, especially belief in one god as creator of the universe, intervening in it and sustaining a personal relation to his creatures.
atheism
Atheism is not an ideology, as its name may imply with its “-ism”, but is simply a factual observation that the supernatural does not exist and/or a default state of human consciousness absent the influence of religion (belief in the supernatural) that may accompany an ideology. Atheism will remain a fact until someone is able to use the scientific method to show that the supernatural exists. And, until someone is able to do this, the burden of proof is not on atheists, but on those who disagree.
agnosticism
Agnosticism deals with knowledge. It is the view that the existence of the supernatural is unknown and/or unknowable. Agnosticism is not exclusive from theism or atheism. Agnostic-atheists believe that while the existence of the supernatural is unknown and/or unknowable, the chances of it existing is next to zero, because the scientific method has yet to show its existence. In contrast, agnostic-theists tend to believe there exists something supernatural in the universe, but do not claim science is capable, or yet capable, of indicating its existence.
monotheism
The doctrine or belief that there is only one god.
polytheism
The belief in or worship of more than one god.
Size of Major Religious Groups, 2012
Christianity - 33% Islam - 24.1% Unaffiliated - 16% Hinduism - 16% Buddhism - 7% Folk Religion - 5.9% Other - 0.8%
Religion
Religion is a kind of authoritarian social institution which indoctrinates, oppresses, and exploits those under its system. This is in part because its leaders derive their authority from socially constructed supernatural fictitious realities that cannot be scientifically challenged or held to checks and balances. It involves beliefs and practices based on the sacred, and is one of the largest social institutions that sociologists study. The dichotomy between the profane, or ordinary elements of everyday life, and the sacred, or those things set apart as extraordinary or holy, is at the heart of religion. Some other main traits of religion are an inclusion of a moral code and the carrying out of prescribed ritual acts.
Paul Tillich
Paul Tillich (1886-1965) was a German-American Christian existentialist philosopher and Lutheran Protestant theologian who is widely regarded as one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century. He defined faith as the “ultimate concern”. In his massive work ‘Systematic Theology’ (1951-1963), he went to great lengths to explain what religion and faith really is. However, most agree this is easier said than done.
sacred
That which is set apart as extraordinary or holy and worthy of honor. (Compare with ‘profane’.)
religious faith
Religious faith can be defined as authoritarian-dogma that unscientifically assumes there exists a supernatural reality. It has been been responsible for most poverty, war, and oppression throughout human history. It is frequently portrayed through the use of rituals and totems.
profane
An ordinary element of everyday life. (Compare with ‘sacred’.)
ritual
Rituals are formal, ceremonial behaviors that represent religious meanings. Rituals rely on symbols to convey their meaning and to reinforce that meaning for participants. Reading from the Torah during a bar mitzvah and touching the mezuzah when going through a doorway are examples of rituals in Judaism.
totem
A totem is an object that is collectively sacred. Totems frequently symbolize both a group of people and that which the group considers sacred. For example, the image of the Buddha often serves as an icon representing the Buddhist tradition and community. To practicing Buddhists, it also represents the teachings and enlightenment of the Buddha. (Not the same as a ‘totemism’ as defined in this deck.)
church
A church lies at one end of a continuum, with a sect at the opposite end and a denomination in the middle. A church is a type of religious organization that is well-integrated into the larger society. Churches have well-established rules, formally-trained leaders, and exist within everyday society.
sect
A sect lies at one end of a continuum, with a church at the opposite end and a denomination in the middle. A sect is a type of religious organization that stands apart from the larger society. It is typically a small, exclusive group that has formed as a breakaway group from an established religious organization. A sect is sometimes confused with a cult, but they are not the same thing. ‘Institutionalized sects’ are halfway between sects and denominations on the continuum of religious development.
denomination
A denomination lies between the church and the sect on a continuum. Denominations come into existence when churches lose their religious monopoly in a society or a sect becomes more mainstream. A denomination is one religion among many.
institutionalized sects
Institutionalized sects are halfway between sects and denominations on the continuum of religious development. They have a mixture of sect-like and denomination-like characteristics. The adoption of denomination-like characteristics can either turn the sect into a full-blown denomination or, if a conscious effort is made to maintain some of the spontaneity and protest components of sects, an institutionalized sect can result. Examples of institutionalized sects include: Hutterites, Iglesia ni Cristo, and the Amish.
cult
A cult is a type of religious organization that is largely outside a society’s cultural traditions. Where a sect spins off from a conventional religious organization, a cult typically forms around one highly charismatic individual who offers a brand new religion. A cult lies at the same end of the continuum as a sect and can grow to become a denomination.
Religion - Religion for Some
Example: In ancient China it was ultimately the handful of individuals who studied Confucian thought and philosophy who had the greatest impact on that society.
Religion - Law for All
Example: In the Middle East, both Hebrew and Arabic, the holy languages of Judaism and Islam respectively, there is no word for “religion” as we define it. Instead, in Hebrew, the word for “commandment” is used, whereas in Arabic, religion is translated as a word that specifically relates to God’s law. In both traditions, it is often not as much about what a person believes, but rather how a person acts.
Religion - Finding Balance
Examples: Daoists strive for balance in all things, as evidenced by their symbol of the Yin-Yang. And, in Zoroastrianism, an early religion founded in Iran, they believe that the world is in constant struggle between good and evil and that there is something of a balancing act going on.
Religion - Diverse Faiths
Examples: Christianity, in many ways, seeks to match with the state. It is not doctrine that divides these traditions, but politics. And, in Hinduism, defining it is no small task, as so many permutations of the faith are possible. In fact, Hinduism thrives off of this pluralistic approach. Despite being the majority religion of India, Hinduism has had a relatively small role to play in Indian governmental history.
primal religion
Primal religions are usually pre-scientific, meaning they relatively practice myth and ritual more so than that of religions in developed countries. They are usually found in small insulated tribes that practice animism, which often includes totemism. In order to connect with the spirit world, primal religions often use a shaman.
