Theories of Religion

1
Theories of Religion

• George Frazer (social anthropologist) religion
  helps people explain things they would not
  otherwise be able to explain.
• Sigmund Freud (psychologist) religion exists
  because people are weak it is the result of
  psychological distress.
• Emile Durkheim (sociologist) God is society,
  writ large Religion was the cement of society
• Karl Marx (political philosopher) Religion is
  used to fool the poor and oppressed.
• Mircea Eliade (historian of religion) Religion
  articulates the difference between sacred and
  profane.

2
What is Religion?

• re again, ligto join (as in ligament)
• connecting our natural human world to the sacred
  world???
• Religion
• Din (Islam)
• Halakhah (Judaism)

3
What is Religion?

• religion is a vehicle for carrying/transmitting
  myth.

4
What is more believable?

• Santa Claus
• Heaven and hell
• God shy but destructive
• Virgin birth and resurrection
• Creation in 6 days
• Mohammads cleaned heart
• 12th Imam

5
What is Myth?

• stories
• often with fantastic elements
• foundational to a community
• transmit the values
• of that community

6
Insider vs Outsider Discourse

• Religion in synagogue, church, mosque
• Religion in the university classroom
• academic study of religion is historical and
  descriptive, not confessional and prescriptive

7
Insider vs Outsider Discourse

• Muhammad received the Quran in a revelation from
  God.
• Muslims believe that Muhammad received the Quran
  in a revelation from God.
• Jesus was born of a virgin and resurrected by
  God.
• Christians believe that Jesus was born of a
  virgin and resurrected by God.