religion notes Essay

Submitted By ashley_oh
Words: 3963
Pages: 16
Open Document
Religion and Non-Religion

The religious dimension in human history

-the expression of the religious dimension in human history
Animism
Tyler used ‘animism’ to describe the belief that a spirit or life force exists in every animate and inanimate object
Good and evil beliefs:
‘Good’ brings benefits such as health, social harmony and good hunting/gathering conditions
Evil spirits are believed responsible for sickness and disease or disastrous natural events
Animist ritual: the spirits might be placated and appeased, or their help sought, via performance of the correct ceremonies or even of human and non-human sacrifices. Shamans or priests, people seen to possess superior spiritual powers, will lead or perform these rituals and attempt to engage or mediate with spirits on behalf of the rest of the tribe
Animism represents an early rung on the evolutionary ladder, preceded only by ‘animatism’. Religious evolutionists believe that animism helps to explain the origins of religion. Followed by polytheism and monotheism
Modern animist societies exist in Africa, Asia, Europe and the USA. More specifically, some ancient animist societies include the Native Americans and the Aborigines

Polytheism
The belief in multiple deities and the worship of numerous gods
In the polytheistic system, most gods are generally not omnipotent or omniscient but are viewed as having specific skills or abilities and desires or needs
These deities are formed around aspects of life such as atmospheric forces, human emotions and fertility, as well as natural objects, or flora and fauna, and then classified into a pantheon or house of gods
At the top of this often-hierarchical pantheon there may or may not exist a uniquely powerful supreme being
Polytheism in ancient societies:
Ancient Egypt
Babylon
Ancient Greece
Modern day polytheism:
Hinduism
Mahayana Buddhism
Taoism
Shintoism
In Africa and the Americas

Monotheism
Belief in a single, all-powerful, transcendent god
God is one
He is therefore considered either the only god in existence or else the only genuine god
God of monotheism is seen as the creator of the universe and humankind
He is at once both personal and yet mysterious and remote
Monotheism, by definition, considers all other religions to be false and idolatrous
Lang and Schmidt’s theory:
The earliest religions were actually monotheistic  degenerated into polytheism because the high god was perceived as being irrelevant to daily life
Akhenaten:
1375-1350BCE: Egyptian pharaoh who elevated the worship of Aten, the sun’s disk, to the point where all other gods were proscribed
Modern times:
Judaism
Christianity
Islam

the significance of the religious dimension in human history
Meaning and purpose for the individual
Questions of humanity:
‘What is the meaning of life?’
‘How was everything created?’
‘What is our job?’
‘How does the world work?’
‘What is our place within it?’
Meaning and purpose:
Cultural and social dimension
Motivation
Intellectual impact; emotional impact; ethical impact
Sense of place
The need to seek assurances of immortality
Human drive for perfection  divine as only realm where this exists
Need for unconditional love and acceptance

Social cohesion
When a community embraces shared values and a commitment to mutual obligations
Judaism: all observant Jews are part of a spiritual family bound by the covenant God made with Abraham  mitzvot = collective focus
Christianity: care for on another, strive together towards common goal of glorifying God
Islam: mosque as focal point for community to worship
Theories of Durkheim and Marx:
Durkheim posed the somewhat controversial hypothesis that religion has no supernatural basis, but was actually invented by human beings so as to promote and ensure social cohesion
Marx posed the idea that religions are a human construct designed the manipulate people
Australian Parliament’s ‘Immigration, Social Cohesion and National
Show More

Related Documents: religion notes Essay

Notes On World Religions

World Religions Handout 1 – Religious concepts and terms Key terms and concept Sacred- something Set apart for worship of a deity or as worthy of worship. Profane-Nonreligious. Outside the sphere of religion. Contemptuous of religion. Myth-A story dealing with supernatural beings that represents the worldview of a people. (Adam & eve) Epic-A narrative poem celebrating the acts of a traditional hero. (Job) Scriptures-Sacred writings. A sacred scroll or book. (Bible, Coran, Tora) Rituals-Prescribed…

Words 966 - Pages 4

A Brief Note On Religion

The Force We Call God Religion being force that is cross cultural, no matter what part of the world you are in you find a place of worship. Whether it be one god or many goods, many people look to this “leader” for the proper way to live. I observed two very different religious services I will be discussing my observations of the catholic and Hinduism religions. Both services I attended had a similar meaning to them but presented in a vastly different way. Corpus Christi Catholic Church…

Words 1425 - Pages 6

Essay on Religion Notes

Taylor Murphy Religion 11 Vocabulary p.205 1. Nuptial- Something related to marriage or a marriage ceremony. p.205 2. Generative- As a theological term, something related to the power of producing a new life. p.209 3. Chastity – The virtue by which people are able successfully and healthfully to integrate their sexuality into their total person; recognized as one of the fruits of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Also ,one of the vows of religious life. p.210 4. Lust- Intense and uncontrolled…

Words 698 - Pages 3

A Brief Note On Religion In Schools

aeD/200 Religion in Schools 1. I think that it should not be up to the state or the school administrators to make a decision. I think it should be the teacher’s decision to or to not practice religion in schools. 2. I don’t go to church a lot but I do believe to god and pray to him every night. I think that that the division should be restricted to some other areas as well as including funding. I think that no only should the state support but help finance the church to make sure…

Words 332 - Pages 2

Religion Prelim notes Essay

BIG questions we ask in life? What happens after death? What's right and wrong? What's my future? What is a religion? A religion is a belief or custom practised by a group of people What is Religion Religion has been defined in many ways: - belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny. Religion often involves: Belief in something beyond the ordinary The use of ordinary things to help people see the ultimate…

Words 2288 - Pages 10

Religion And Science Chapter 2 Notes

WEEK 3 THURSDAY 4/18/13: RELIGION AND SCIENCE LECTURE NOTES * Hubris: height of arrogance * He is educated and has context, something beyond this world * Believes that in Asia, specifically Korea, there was hubris with Christianity * During time of colonialism * Author states that he is not denouncing Christianity, but the way it was perpetrated on the Korean people. LIINEAR THINKING and DUALISM is not apart of the cultures until you bring the religion to the people. *…

Words 352 - Pages 2

2009 Studies Of Religion Notes Essay

ADRIANA NAVARRO RELIGION 1 UNIT NOTES Page 2: Aboriginal Spirituality Page 5: Post 1945 Page 7: Judaism page 10: marriage Page 12: Chrisitianity page 13: marriage Page 18: Ethics page 18: Christianity page 21: Judaism Aboriginal Spirituality Country: term used to describe ones land which they belong to and their place of dreaming Elders: Key persons and keepers of knowledge within Aboriginal communities ‘Elders’ – kinship and owners ‘Elders’ - leaders of large extended family ‘Elders’…

Words 8507 - Pages 35

AP Human Geography Religion Notes Essay

Religion Unit Essay Notes 1. Secularism began to arise with the seperation of church and state in Europe. A. Why is this so? (Deblij 207, 222-224) Secularism is the indifference to or rejection of formal religion. The most secular countries today are in Europe. Secularism has become more widespread during the past century due to the rise in democracy. Democratic governments disadvantage the traditional practices of a religion because they offer freedom, whereas other forms of government may…

Words 1846 - Pages 8

1A/B Religion Study Notes Essay

According to Christian philosophy, what is the basic purpose of everyone’s life? According to Christian philosophy, everybody has a reason or purpose. The idea is that God had a predetermined plan for everyone’s lives which is called God’s will. Each person was born for a special reason and God has decided their vocation. (a) Outline the Catholic understanding of work, employment and vocation. Work is not only paid employment but includes any way that a human being participates…

Words 794 - Pages 4

POPULAR RELIGION IN CHANGING JAPAN Notes Past Midterm Essay

POPULAR RELIGION IN CHANGING JAPAN – Class Notes October 15, 2013 Presentations – Bonds of the Dead, Ch. 1 Buddhism about death is not real Buddhism; it is a corruption of real Buddhism Buddhism – adapting to landscape of Japan Shift in the way death was looked at Real Buddhism vs. Mortuary View Buddhism Struggle in duality is not just external, but also internal Internal: Buddhist Mortuary practices becoming too lavish and commercialized. Some questions about how we conceptualize the dead Where…

Words 2833 - Pages 12