cult
a small (typically but not always) religious group that is (very obviously) not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous
group identity
feeling like or at least identifying as a part of a named group
passion/devotion
highly emotional devotion and desire for something
philosophy
highly rational way of explaining things
praxis
practices and rituals that accomplish important goals
religion
a sincerely and deeply held system of beliefs and practices that are intimately connected to a transcendent force or being in such a way that it explains life in a way that shapes all a person does and is and identifies a person as a member of one group and not others
ritual
something that happens in order during a certain time; has a specific goal and often has transcendence
sacred
holy or divine or righteous in some way
secular
something not tied to religion
spirituality
a connection with the unseen and inexplicable
(transcend)ence
(to raise above; go beyond) fits a lot of different religions
worldview
how you see life is how that shapes everything else
worship
severance and adoration for a god
what is a religious marker
a characteristic or attribute that indicates something is sacred or connected to religion in some way
specific examples of religious markers
cross, hijabs, the crescent moon and star, star of David
examples from any religion of such markers
cross (christian), hijabs (muslim), crescent moon and stars (islam), star of David (jews and judaism)
traits that MUST be there to be a religion
group identity, worldview, philosophy, praxis, spirituality, passion
why are people religious
expectations of others, to form a spiritual connection, gain a community, sense of meaning, guidance, cope, avoid negative consequences
What is the problem with judging the quality of an entire religion based on groups like ISIS terrorists or the KKK?
you aren't understanding the values and morals of the whole religion but rather of this group in particular that claims to represent that religion (does this make sense)
Why did Stephen Prothero think it was neither practical nor wise to try to keep religion a private matter?
because religion is impossible to keep tucked away. it's a huge part of you and must be talked about because it's deep-rooted.
specific historical/social events that make people say religion is bad for the world.
rationalizing slavery, war (crusades, jihad), killing people who do wrong, forcefully making others do things/behave
specific historical/social events that make people say religion is good for the world.
generally produces better morals, civil rights movement, gives answers science cannot, the salvation army, gospel/christian music, abolition movements
is religion a gun or hammer? what's the diff and why's it matter?
hammer: can destroy and build / gun: can only destroy; religion is a hammer because it can build someone up and make them a better person or it can ruin them. religion has to be handled with care because it can do both; it matters how you choose to use religion
what other non-religious factors usually contribute to religion being misused in bad ways? (otherwise; what turns religion bad)
control/ego, personal gain (money, power, sex), retaliation/tradition, blind obedience, views taken too literal
what separates religion from a cult
most cults are religious, but not all religions are cults; the key difference is extremities and coercions