religious studies Flashcards
Religious studies
alternatively known as the study of religion, religious studies is the objective,
empirical, multi-disciplinary academic
field devoted to research into religious beliefs, behaviors, and
institutions
Theology
known as
religious education, theology is the
subjective, normative, devotional
study within a religion.
Examples of theology
PSR
(Parish School of Religion) education in
Catholic parishes, yeshiva schools where
young Jewish people learn about their
tradition and study the Torah, or young men
in Thailand who spend several months
living as a novice Buddhist monk
Unlike theology, students in religious
studies attempt to approach religion with a…
value free orientation
Religious studies scholars attempt to
position themselves…
outside all religious
traditions and then examine them with
neutrality
Bracketing
setting aside own prejudices,
biases, beliefs, and preconceptions in order
to objectively and empathetically study the
beliefs and practices of others
Theological metaphysics
study of the nature of reality, more constricted
than philosophical metaphysics
Anthropology of religion
combines the
study of humans with the study of religion.
Religion is seen as a cultural system and
a subset of culture along with other parts
like government, the economy, etc.
Sociology of religion
focuses on
religious institutions as a subset within
societies using the tools and methods of
sociology.
studies how religion
fits into themes such as globalization,
secularization, and multiculturalism.
Psychology of religion
attempts to explain or
understand religion by focusing on the mind,
perception, experience, and consciousness of the
individual.
Phenomenology of religion
concerns the
experiential aspect of religion, describing religious
phenomena in terms consistent with the orientation
of the worshippers
Economics of religion
focus on how religious institutions or affiliations affect
the economies of the societies to which they belong or how religions and
religious adherents fit within a wider socio-economic framework.
Philosophy of religion
focuses on logical reasoning and critical thinking
applied to theological or religious concepts and problems such as the existence
of evil, properties or attributes of the deity, and whether or not supernatural
entities exist
Frazer’s theory of cultural evolution v. Malinowski’s
Frazer’s theory focused on the evolutionary progression of cultures through stages (magic, religion, science), while Malinowski shifted towards functionalism, emphasizing how cultural institutions meet individual and societal needs
Marx’ theory of religion as opium of the people
Karl Marx argued that religion serves as a form of comfort and illusion that distracts people from their real suffering caused by social and economic inequalities, ultimately hindering revolutionary change.
Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
the religious ideas of groups such as the Calvinists played a role in creating the capitalistic spirit.
Freud’s God as an illusion
Sigmund Freud argued that religion is an “illusion,” a form of wish fulfillment stemming from childhood desires and anxieties, rather than a reflection of objective reality.
