Definitions of religion
The different types of definitions of religion
- Created by: Name24
- Created on: 30-10-12 17:28
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- What is religion?
- Substantive definitions:Focus on the content or substance of religious belief such as the belief in God or the supernatural.
- Conform to a widespread view of religion as a belief in God.
- Leaves no room for beliefs + practices that do not involve the belief in God.
- Conform to a widespread view of religion as a belief in God.
- Western bias because religions such as Buddhism which do not have the western idea of God are excluded
- Social constructionist definitions: Take an interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion.
- Don't assume that religion always involves a belief in God or the supernatural.
- Doesn't assume that religion performs similar functions for everyone in society.
- Approach allows them to get close to the meanings people themselves give to religion
- Impossible to generalise about the nature of religion
- Functional definitions:Define in terms of the social or psychological functions it performs for individuals or society.
- The definitions are inclusive
- No bias against non-western religions
- Just because an institution helps integrate individuals into groups it does not make it a religion.
- No bias against non-western religions
- No bias against non-western religions
- Just because an institution helps integrate individuals into groups it does not make it a religion.
- The definitions are inclusive
- Substantive definitions:Focus on the content or substance of religious belief such as the belief in God or the supernatural.
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