Religious Studies 71 Midterm Review
Two Types of Definitions of Religion Used by Scholars:
1. Functional Definitions:
a. Most scholars of social
... [Show More] sciences regard religion as functioning/ doing something
for the community
b. Religion as an institution consisting of culturally patterned interaction with
culturally postulated superhuman beings -→ the rational definition (Spiro)
c. Religion functions for some good
i. West: religion is a way for people to connect with other people
ii. Is used to get through hard times
1. Irrational definition
2. There is something profoundly human about religion, that we
humans created religion
d. Durkheim: encapsulates the various features of religion
i. Created by people and used to create bonds between people
ii. The 4C’s of religion
1. Creed: become a fundamental part of what religion is; every
religion has creed
2. Cult: refers to rituals or action; affirm the creed
3. Code: expectations for behavior; ethical living
4. Community: has a moral community
e. Marx: Get rid of religion because it's something scary
i. Marx: it has you think about all the rule following you do will pay off in
the long run aka death
ii. Religion is the drug of the world
2. Substantive
a. Essence
b. Rudolph Otto “ Das Heilige” (1917) The Holy
i. Religion is the immediate appraisal of the universe as the one as the
whole
ii. Religion is numinous (mysterium tremendum et fascinans (fascinating)
1. Das ganz andere, wholly other
a. Says we cant capture what it is in the English language
b. Relates to the feeling of sublime mysterious, is compelling
and draws you to it
c. Otto would say people are drawn to religion to experience
this “mysterium tremendum et fascinans”
iii. Eliade
1. religion is not created by humans but there is something out there
that is sacred
2. says that humans with technology cannot get to this wholly thing
3. Also says that it is something that visits you (Hierophany) [Show Less]