Intro Anth of Rel

8/8/2019 Intro Anth of Rel

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Anthropological Study of Waysof Knowing

do not attempt to prove or disprove beliefsinterested in what the beliefs are how they function their effect on human behavior


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Definitions of R

eligion

Religion can be looked upon asan extension of the field of peoples social relationshipsbeyond the confines of purelyhuman society (Horton

1960:211)


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Definition of R

eligion

I shall define religion as aninstitution consisting of culturally patterned interactionwith culturally postulatedsuperhuman beings (Spiro

1966: 96


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Defining R

eligion

A religion is (1) a system of symbolswhich acts to (2) establish powerful,

pervasive, and long-lasting moodsand motivation in men by (3)formulating conceptions of a gender order of existence and (4) clothingthese conceptions with such an auraof factuality that (5) the moods andmotivations seem uniquely realistic(Geertz 1973:90)


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B asic Conc e pts -- R e ligion

Sacred -- extraordinary,inspiring a sense of awe andreverence

Profane -- an ordinary elementof every day lifeReligion -- a social institution

involving beliefs and practicesbased on a conception of thesacred.


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P robl em s in De fining R e ligion

Religion may be embedded in thetotal social structurenatural vs. supernatural =ethnocentric?Supernatural Beings Buddhism -- no supernatural beings Polynesia; mana -- diffuse,impersonal,

incorporeal


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T raditional R e ligions Vs.World R e ligions

1. Greater focus on this world, notfocused on salvation

2. Rituals to seek support of supernaturals

3. Knowledge about world was largelyknowledge about supernaturals

4. Oral Vs. Textual Traditions5. Greater Tolerance


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T raditional R e ligions Vs.World R e ligions

5. Morality plays a lesser role6. Concepts of sin is alien7. Worship is also out of place8. Mystical beings more a source

of danger than benefit9. Establishes a sense of order 10.Does not sort people into Isms


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Why E m phasiz e T raditionalRe ligions

Broad Categorical labels whichdistinguish major world religion

exaggerate difference and distractus from what they have in common

Hence by looking at these featuresin unfamiliar settings, it may becomeeaseir to recognize them.


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M agic and R e ligion

Magicbelief insupernaturalaccepted on faith

specific immediateproblemstries to controlsupernaturalpracticedirregularlymagic a widevariety of practitioners

Religionbelief insupernaturalaccepted on faithissues of existenceappeals to thesupernaturalpracticed at specifictimesReligion hasofficially recognizedfunctionaries


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Magic in Ev

eryday Lif

e

Everyone Please Stand Up

Documents

Intro Anth of Rel