intro to religion test - 10/5

working definition of religion

religion is that system of activities and beliefs directed towards and in response to that which is perceived to be of sacred value and transforming power

descriptive reduction

a failure to identify an emotion, practice or experience under the description, by which the subject identifies it.

explanatory reduction

an explanation of an experience in terms that are not those of the subject and might not meet with his/her approval.

fetishes, amulets, totems, icons, and idols

special vehicles or bearers of sacred power.

numinous

the raw, emotional experience of the holy

mysterium tremendum

feelings of tremendous and fascinating mystery when experiencing the holy - sense of shock

mysterium fascinans

fascinating element of the holy - joy when experiencing the holy

axis mundi

the center of the world - where sacred and earth meet

stupa

buddhist axis mundi

where cremated remains of buddha

symbolize the path to enlightment

dome - creative source and power of the universe

each part represents an important buddha concept or psychic power

spine = tree of life

each notch on cone tree = stages of consciousness on the way to enlightment

mount zion

axis mundi for judaism/jewish

• sacred to israel, later judaism

• image of security, fertility, authority, and blessing

• “holy mountain”

ka’aba

axis mundi for islam (muslims)

• in mecca

• houses the sacred black stone

• house of allah

church of the holy sepulche

axis mundi for christianity

• houses foundation stone where universe was created

wailing wall

axis mundi for judaism/jewish

• last remaining pieces of old jewish temple

• jewish people come to pray

hierophany

act of manifesting the sacred

break between the sacred and profane

is what establishes a world

representational symbols

represents the holy, reminds people of holy power, doesnt make anything appear

presentational symbols

holy becomes present, presents the holy for the people

examples of representational symbols

• baptism - person is dunked into water and brought back up, like jesus in the ressurection - represents what has already occured in the mind of the believer

• eight spoked wheel in buddhism - represents the path to enlightment

examples of presentational symbol

• in buddhism - mudras - show aspects of the buddha spirit

• in hinduism - mantras “om”, the sacred is present

truth found in myth

explains the natural order of a communities institutions and behaviors

value statements in creation myth

• light is good

• god created everything

• spirit is good, materalism is bad

• good keeps being used

scientific knowledge used in myth but not taught by myth

seeds bring fruit and plants

interpretive scheme in the 6 days of creation

1. light and dark

2. clearing of stage

3. arrangement of things on stage

4. each part is populated

5. cast members

6. main character(s)

teaching of the functions in the creation myth

• shows value of things

• truth in god

example of psychotherapeautic analysis of myth

believer identifies with christ so they align their actions with those of christ

aspects of drama in ritual

characters, costume, scripts, props

life cycle ritual

rites of passage, transition from one stage of life to another, highlight events of people as they go through their life

first stage in life cycle rituals

seperation - all old ties connections are broken - put into new situation/period of their lives

second stage in life cycle rituals

transition - in limbo/statuslessness - prepared for new stage/ role in life

third stage in life cycle rituals

reincorporation - welcoming back to community with new identity

liminal phase

period of inbetween previous status and a new status/way of life - submissive - no role

special garments

symbolize status and transition

role of community in life cycle rituals

aid in transition of person going through life cycle ritual, without community, there is essentially no life cycle ritual - it is incomplete

second birth

rebirth through ceremonies

vision quest

rite of passage in some native american cultures, pray to spirits to have vision to find their purpose in life, role of community, how they may best serve the people

bar mitzvah/ bat mitzvah

jewish transition from childhood to adulthood, pledging allegiance to jewish law/torah, read torah and give sermon, certain amount of adults have to present

yom kippur

holiest day of jewish year, day of atonement - time to seek forgiveness from god and mend relationships with others

expiation sacrifice

removal of pollution, which will free community and person of deadly contagion rid of toxins

scapegoat

innocent animal or person who takes sins of community who is sacrificed to cleanse the group