Religious Language basics (1)

Question 1

What is RL?

Answer 1

RL is the communication of ideas about God, faith and belief.

Question 2

Is RL subjective?

Answer 2

Yes, RL is subjective. People mean different things when they are discussing God.

Question 3

What is RL the opposite of?

Answer 3

It is the opposite of tautology.

Question 4

How is RL described?

Answer 4

Emotional, symbolic, metaphorical.

Question 5

Describe cognitive language.

Answer 5

• factual statements
• based on evidence
• can be proven true or false

Question 6

Do religious believers believe they speak cognitively about God?

Answer 6

Yes, they believe what they are saying are true facts. E.G God exists.

Question 7

What are problems of using cognitive language within RL?

Answer 7

1. God can’t be measured in the same way as empirical evidence.
2. God is experienced in different ways so they cannot be proven as cognitive.
3. People argue that RL can never be proven true or false so it’s meaningless.

Question 8

Describe non-cognitive language.

Answer 8

• Claims that are meant to be interpreted in another way (metaphor).
• Use of symbolism and imagery to help understanding.
• Very common in RL.

Question 9

What are issues with the use of non-cognitive language?

Answer 9

1. It isn’t always clear when language is being used this way (E.G in the Bible).
2. RL may be seen as literal when it was meant to be symbolic.

Question 10

What does univocal mean?

Answer 10

When a word has the same meaning all the time.

Question 11

What is the issue with univocal words?

Answer 11

It can anthropomorphosis God when the same words are used for him and humans.

Question 12

What does equivocal mean?

Answer 12

When a word has multiple meanings.

Question 13

What is the issue with equivocal words?

Answer 13

Can lead to misinterpretations when describing God.