CMC REL ST 10: Introduction To Eastern Traditions The Academic Study of Religion Preliminary Questions

How do we define the term "religion"?

Descriptive: A descriptive definition is one which consists of whatever a given person or group chooses to define as their religion, or accepts as accurate descriptive statements of it: A descriptive definition is a comprehensive listing of those facets in as complete and accurate way possible.

Normative: A normative definition is one which answers ultimate questions of "ought" or "should" -- it seeks to determine what should be the "true" religion to live the best way. For example, a person may argue that the "true religion" is Christianity, or Judaism, or Islam, or Sanatana Dharma, or a specific type of Christianity, and so on.

Essential: An essential definition is one which seeks to offer a comprehensive definition which is the essence or root of all so-called religions, e. g., "man's way of relating to the transcendent," which does not account for some traditions which operate as what most consider as "religions" but do not posit a transcendent.

Functional: A functional definition is one which describes religion in terms of what it does or what its effect is.

Stipulative: A stipulative definition is one which is in keeping with descriptive reality, but which is agreed on in order to eliminate confusion.

1. It doesn't intend to be absolutely correct, but it is not arbitrary, either.
2. It clarifies what people mean, and sets a limit for one's research.

In this course, we will use a stipulative definition. We will understand "religion" to mean "actions or beliefs pertaining to ultimate concerns."

A person is acting "religiously" if that person

1. struggles with the ultimate and final meaning of life
2. feels an obligation, something that must be done, no matter what
3. relates oneself, by action or devotion, to what one believes is ultimately real.
4. participates in an organization or movements which is devoted to ultimate concerns.

When we think about what is truly real, what one must do, and what existence really means, then we are behaving religiously, by our definition.

Our Approach

We will try to study religion in a way that attempts to be as objective as possible. We will use a comparative approach common in the discipline called "History of Religions."

The History of Religions approach to the study of religion is to take a number of categories common to many forms of phenomena commonly understood as "religions," and then to trace those categories throughout history. The History of Religions approach is comparative, as well; we compare the answers to our questions for various religions.

By observing similarities and differences, it adds to our fund of objective facts, and lets us understand why some cultures or peoples respond similarly or differently to various stimuli. Thus, we are seeking to learn how to describe sympathetically various religious systems, not to define or to understand them on their deepest levels.

The categories we will use are based on our stipulative definition of religion:

Ultimate Concern and Goals What concerns a particular group ultimately? What does it mean to be "good" or "saved" according to them? What are their theories of an afterlife?

Means to one's goals What must a person do to accomplish the goal? what are the religious observances performed? Are particular structures of religious authority and law required? Is mysticism or meditation an acceptable means?

Authority/Government What is the proper relationship between secular and religious powers? Are they viewed separately, or is there crossover? What kind of secular and religious hierarchies are considered appropriate? What is the role of Scripture and Tradition?

The Phenomenal World What is the nature of this world and our phenomenal "reality"? What is the importance of History?

Theories of Ultimate Reality What is the view of the Sacred, or the Transcendent (viz. that which is beyond or transcends the phenomenal realm)? Is there no "Other" or Transcendent? What variations of theology and religious practice are to be found within the religious tradition?

Human Nature What is the proper relation of the human to the Transcendent? What is the relation of humans to each other, for example, in terms of gender, class, and race? What is the role of human prophecy?

Human Predicament What is the problem that faces humankind and keeps us from achieving our ultimate goals?