Term
| What is religion? Present at least three different understandings of religion, from our reading and class discussions. Now, what do you believe religion to be? Provide the most complete answer of which you are capable. |
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Definition
Three different definitions:
1. NEUROLOGICAL: "nothing but a brain reaction"
2. MARXISM: "something created to perpetuate and justify class divisions, along with keeping the poor from asking more of the wealthy.
3. PSYCHOLOGICAL/SIGMUND FREUD: "people create an all powerful god as they lose their parents"
OUTLINE: Neurological, Psychological, Marxism, Personal. |
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Term
| What is the sacred, and what are its characteristics? Why do humans experience the sacred? Does the sacred improve human life, or diminish human life? Why? |
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Definition
Reverently (respectively) dedicated to some person, purpose, or object -- religious or nonreligious; reflective of an individuals interests/what is important to them -- or can tie them to a particular group (i.e. bible, Christianity; it improves human life, because it defines one's life and personality and gives meaning/motivation to them.
OUTLINE: Defining the term, why/when people experience the sacred, how it contributes to life rather than diminishing it. |
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Term
| What are the differences between liberal and conservative interpretation of scripture? What questions may be asked of a scriptural passage? Apply those questions to the scriptural passage. |
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Definition
| Liberal interpretations are open to new suggestions or changes, whereas conservative interpretations are not; bible was written so long ago, no one knows for sure; take literal or figurative ideas from it. |
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Term
| What arguments do conservative Christians make against full inclusion of homosexuals in American culture? What arguments do liberal Christians make for full inclusion of homosexuals in American culture? Which side do you agree with, and why? |
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Definition
| It's not natural; it's against what the bible "says." That there IS evidence of homosexuality in nature; that the bible never clearly states that homosexuality is a sin. |
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Term
| Define atheism, polytheism, monotheism, monism, pantheism, nontheism, agnosticism, conflicting dualism, and complementary dualism. Give an example of each. Of these various options, which best describes your understanding of the universe and ultimate reality, and why? |
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Definition
| ATHEISM: No god, no transcendence; POLYTHEISM: Worship of many gods; MONOTHEISM: Worship of one god, who is usually the "creator" of the "creation"; MONISM: everything is one thing, everything is god, everyday reality is an illusion; PANTHEISM: all matter/nature is divine (Wicca); NONTHEISM: No god, but there is a transcendence through personal effort (Nirvana, Theravada Buddhism); AGNOSTICISM: not knowing if there is a god or not; CONFLICTING DUALISM: god vs. demon; COMPLEMENTARY DUALISM: yin/yang, opposites balance. |
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Term
| From Chapter One and class discussion, give ten reasons why the study of religion is important, even if someone is not religious. Do you agree or disagree with these points? Why? |
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Definition
| REFER TO CHAPTER 1; pages 8-9. |
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Term
| What is a symbol? How is a symbol different from a sign? Given an example of a powerful symbol and its import. What symbol is important to you, and why? |
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Definition
| A sign involves the denotative meaning and has no deeper meaning; it is literal. A symbol is the connotative meaning and has deeper meaning; it is figurative. Powerful symbols: (Cross, jesus, sacrifice, love); (American flag, freedom, independence, strength). |
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Term
| 8. Consider chapter four of your book, “Origins and Founders”. What types of figures can “found” a religion? Give a concrete example of each type of founder. What is the relationship between the founder of a religion and the ensuing experience and practice of that religion? Do they perfectly dovetail, or do they in some ways diverge? |
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Definition
Founders: men or women who are recognized as the bringers or new insight (Confucious, Jesus, Abraham - Judaism). Many are legendary rather than historical.
PROPHETS: one who brings the message of god; Moses was the first of biblical prophets; Muhammed is another example in the Islamic religion -- received and recited Koran for Allah; Judaism has many prophets.
SAGES: particularly wise individuals; their religious insight helped form what their religion was/is; Buddha did not preach the word or message from God but the Dharma or truth he discovered; Confucius never taught a sudden enlightenment but how to find the Way.
OTHER FOUNDERS: individuals who do not fit into the definitions or requirements of the other three, such as Chuang Tzu who developed Taoist thought in a text that could predate the Tao Te Ching. |
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