RELG141 Introduction to Religious Thought

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RELG-141 Introduction to Religious Thought

• Definitions of Religion

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Types of definitions

• Descriptive
• What we call a religion
• Normative
• Describing religion in terms of what it should
  be
• Essential
• Tries to define religion comprehensively, to get
  at the essence of religion
• Functional
• Describes religion in terms of its effects or
  what it does

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A working essential definition

• Religion is ultimate concern.
• Paul Tillich

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What does ultimate concern entail? Questions of .
. .

• Truth
• What is true or real? Is any truth worth
  dying for?
• Meaning
• What is the meaning of life? Why do bad things
  sometimes happen to good people?
• Value
• What are the principles I want to live by? What
  is most valuable to me?

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Crypto, Pseudo, and False Religions

• Cryptoreligion
• Ultimate concern that wears a secular mask
• Pseudoreligion
• Claiming a commitment that is not really there
  (saying vs. living)
• False religion
• Committing oneself to something that is not
  really ultimate

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What realities force us to face our ultimate
concern?

• Death
• New life
• Suffering
• Healing, compassion
• Loss
• New relationships
• Betrayal
• Trust