Chapter 1 introduced the topic of religion and explained many things about it such as its origin, possible ways of dividing the different religions, its use of rituals, symbols, and myths, different interpretations of religious traditions, the relation between science and religion, the role of woman in religion, negative aspects of religion, and different lenses for studying religion.
For your paper I would like for you to focus on two of the many topics:
Attempts to define religion
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Instructions
Chapter 1 introduced the topic of religion and explained many things about it such as its origin, possible ways of dividing the different religions, its use of rituals, symbols, and myths, different interpretations of religious traditions, the relation between science and religion, the role of woman in religion, negative aspects of religion, and different lenses for studying religion.
For your paper I would like for you to focus on two of the many topics:
Attempts to define religion
Why are there religions?
First, I would like for you to reread these two sections from Chapter 1. Then, I would like for you to answer the following questions regarding those topics.
Questions to be answered regarding first topic:
It is an obvious fact that religion exists, that there are different religions. It does not seem so obvious what religion is, in other words, the definition of religion. We all seem to say that Buddhism is a religion, and that Hinduism is a religion, and that Christianity is a religion, and that Islam is a religion, and so forth. Why do we call them all by the same name “religion”? When we say that a Honda Civic is a “car,” and that a Toyota Camry is a “car,” and that a Ford Focus is a “car,” there is a reason why we call them all by the same name “car”, namely, that Civic, the Camry, and the Focus have something in common: they are modes of transportation, they have four wheels, an engine, and other common features. Definitions are meant to express those things that are common to many things. So, the definition of square expresses what is common to all red squares, wooden squares, gray squares, large squares, small squares and all other squares. What is common to all squares? That they are four-sided, have equal sides and have right angles. Prior to reading this chapter or taking this course, what was your definition of religion? What are some of the definitions given in the section? Do you agree with them? Why or why not? What are some of the difficulties that can be encountered in attempting to define “religion”? Can there really be one single definition of religion? Why or why not?
Questions to be answered regarding second topic:
Briefly describe in your own words the three perspectives in section two which attempt to explain why there are religions. Do you agree with any of these perspectives? Why? If you disagree with one or more of these perspectives, explain why. Perhaps there is some truth to all three perspectives. What do you think? Are there any other explanations as to why religions exist that you know of? Why do YOU think religions exist? Do any of these perspectives agree with the definitions of religion given in section 1? Why or why not? Do any of these perspectives agree with your own definition of religion?
Grading:
The minimum length of this writing exercise is 600 words , double spaced, Calibri font, size 12. The maximum length is 800 words.
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