What is Religion?

Question 1

What the 3 ways to define religion?

Answer 1

• Substantive
• Functional
• Social constructionist

Question 2

Describe the substantive definition of religion

Answer 2

• Focuses on the substance of religious belief (belief in God), defines religion as belief in a superior or supernatural that is above nature
• It’s exclusive and draw a line between religious and non-religious beliefs, must include belief in God to be religious.

Question 3

Describe the western bias the in substantive definition of religion

Answer 3

• Defining religion in this way leaves no room for beliefs that have similar functions to religion but don’t involve God
• Excludes religions like Buddhism, which don’t have the Western idea of a God.

Question 4

Describe the functional definition of religion

Answer 4

• Defines religion terms of the social or psychological functions it performs for individuals or society
• It’s inclusive and allows a wide range of beliefs and practices that perform functions like integration
• Since they don’t specify belief in god, there’s no bias against non-Western religions

Question 5

Describe the social constructivist definition of religion

Answer 5

• Take an interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society define religion. They argue it isn’t possible to produce one definition of religion for everyone
• They’re interested in how definitions of religion are constructed.
• They don’t assume religion involved a God or preforms a function.