RPH 202 Flashcards

Flashcards for RPH 202: Fundamentals of Religion

Religion

Belief in an ever-living God, an institution, the feeling of absolute dependence, experience of the holy, a childhood neurosis, the opium of people.

Substantive Definition of Religion

Defines religion by identifying a singular essence or substance, such as 'the Real', 'the Ultimate', or 'the Divine'.

Functional Definition of Religion

Defines religion by explaining what it does psychologically and sociologically, without assuming an independent reality.

Livingston’s Working Definition of Religion

Religion is that system of activities and beliefs directed toward that which is perceived to be of sacred value and transforming power.

Clifford Geertz’s Definition of Religion

Religion is (1) a system of symbols which acts to (2) establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in people by (3) formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and (4) clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.