Religion Flashcard Study Gui

Religion

Recognition of an unseen and unknown, a sense of subordination to it, and rituals to propitiate it.

Shaman

A bridge between the ordinary world and the unseen. The earliest form of religious specialist.

Shaman (Tungus word)

Means 'one who knows'; plural form is shamans.

Origins of Religion

Different approaches, with Western religions emphasizing direct revelation, and Eastern religions focusing on introspective thought.

Animism

A belief that animals, plants, and features of nature have spirits.

National Myths

Rituals and symbols that represent national identity.

As below, so above

A society's social structure influences its beliefs about the other world.

Monolatry

Belief in one god as the most powerful, while accepting the existence of others.

Ethnocentrism

Viewing one’s own religion as superior to others.

Myths

Traditional narratives considered truthful accounts explaining the origins of the world and humanity.

Rituals

Repetitive behaviors that reenact myths, like Christmas or Catholic Mass.

Magic

Used in uncertain outcomes to create a cause-effect relationship.

Religious Authority

Divinely inspired religious texts that provide access to truth and salvation.

Science vs. Religion

Science answers 'how' questions in complex terms; religion answers 'why' questions in simple, comprehensible terms.

Nature-Supernature Dichotomy

The distinction between natural and supernatural phenomena that began around the 1600s.

Subordination to gods

Mirrors social hierarchies within society.

Emile Durkheim's view of religion

Religion as an external projection of an immortal society.

Edward Tylor's view on religion origins

Animism and dreams of the dead as origins of religion.

Sigmund Freud's theory of religion

Religion as an invention due to the certainty of death and the presence of savior figures.

The Eternal Questions

Fundamental questions about creation, existence, purpose, and the nature of misfortune.