So. What is “religion”?

So. What is “religion”?

• Created by Ms. Davies
• Global Studies

According to Michael Young of Bath Spa University College in Bath, England: “Religion is a share positing of the identity of and relationship between the world, humanity and the supernatural in terms of meaning assignment, value allocation and validation enactment. A religion need not accept or believe in the supernatural, but it takes a position on it. Likewise, some religions deny the reality or at least value of the world, but they still take a position on it.”

• Religion shapes people’s view of the world,
• takes a position on the supernatural.

Bath Spa University Really Exists...so there!

Okay…

• So what does that mean?

According to www.religioustolerance.org:

• Religion is any specific system of belief about deity, often involving rituals, a code of ethics, a philosophy of life, and a worldview.

Spark Chart Definition

• Answers the “Big Questions” about the aspects of human life dealing with ethics, society, and cultural structure.

P. 9/10 Explaination

• Religion is an important part of peoples lives. It shapes peoples views of the world and gives people a structure for their lives.

11-12 Rocket Definition

• Answers the “Big Questions,” shapes view of the world, impacts culture, takes a position on the Supernatural.

Another way to answer the question is to find common factors among different religions.

Common Factors:

• Belief in something sacred (gods, texts, etc.)
• Distinction between sacred and profane objects
• Ritual acts focused on sacred objects
• Moral code believed to have a sacred or supernatural basis
• Religious feelings (awe, guilt) which tend to surface in the presence of sacred objects and during the practice of ritual.

Factors (continued)

• Prayer and other forms of communication with the supernatural
• A worldview or general picture of the world and how the individual fits into it
• Organization of one’s life based upon worldview
• A social group bond

What is religion?

Assignment:

• Read over the positions/definitions on religion.
• Para. I - Pick a position that you feel either best suits your personal definition of what religion is or one that is most opposite of your personal definition.
• Para. 2 – Pick a position that you feel best describes how the majority of people in the world feel about religion. This may be different from your own view.
• Support each answer in a well thought out paragraph. Each paragraph (2 total) should be 5 sentences.
• Don’t forget a topic sentence. Let the reader know what you’re doing.
• Ex. The position that best suits my personal definition of religion is #1…