Philosophy of religion

Emile Durkhein

“father of sociology“

4 major function of religion

1. deisciplinary,forcing or administrating discipline

2. cohesive bring people together, a strong bond

3. vitalizing, to make livelier or vigorous, vitalize, boost spirit.

4. euphoric, a good feeling, happiness, confidence, well-being.

5 elementary form of religious life

1. sacred.profane division of the world

2. belief in souls, spirits, mythical personalities

3. belief in divinity, either local or multi-local

4. a negative or ascetic cult within the religion

5. rites of oblation, communion, imitation, commemoration or expiation

Rudolf Otto

phenomenological, comparative religion

Otto believe that

an unknow reality underlying all thing

the numinous

idea of Otto, a non-rational experience that he believed was the foundation of all religion

Paul Tillich

Christian Existentialist

his philosophy of religion combined religious and secular ideas to explore the human search for meaning. He believed that religion, morality, and meaning come from people, not from God

Paul Tillich

Faith as ultimate concern

the core of religious experience is not about specific beliefs or practices, but rather the act of placing one's complete and unconditional devotion on something that is considered the most important and meaningful aspect of one's life

Clifford Geetz

anthropologist

he believes that religion is a symbolic system that helps people interpret the world and live their lives.

Clifford Geertz

thick description

a method of studying religious practices and beliefs by deeply immersing oneself in a culture, providing detailed contextual information and interpretations of the symbolic meanings behind actions and rituals, rather than simply observing behaviors on the surface;

essentially, trying to understand the "cultural logic" behind religious expressions within a specific community.

Geertz on religion

religion is a “cultural system”

religion is a “cultural system” includes:

1. a system of symbols

2. which act to establish powerful, pervasive and long-lasting moods and motivations in men

3. by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and

4. clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that

5. the moods and motivations seem unnniquely realistic

Robert Bellah

Sociology of Religion

Robert Bellah believes that

conceives the stages of religious development as following the evolution of societies moving from the less to the more complex