Introduction to SCTR 19 Prof. Felix Just, S.J.

1. Introduction to SCTR 19Prof. Felix Just, S.J. Religion & Religious Studies

2. What Is “Religion”? • Theological Beliefs? • Spiritual Practices? • Ethical Injunctions? • Communal or Individual? • Believing in God (or gods)?

3. Defining “Religion” • Quality of Definitions (cf. Kessler, pp. 17-20) • Usefulness (applicable to reality) • Precision (not too broad, nor too narrow) • Lack of Bias (as much as possible) • Types of Definitions • Essential Defs. (Theoretical, Deductive) • Descriptive Defs. (Experiential, Inductive) • Dictionary Definitions • Dictionary.com • Thesaurus.com

4. What are “Religious Studies”? • “Insider” Perspectives • by adherents, believers, members • “Outsider” Perspectives • by scholars, observers, adherents of other religions • Qualities necessary for academic study: • Openness & Honesty • Critical Intelligence & Tolerance • Careful Reading & Listening

5. Asking Questions /Seeking Understanding • Religion • < Latin religio ("fidelity"); religare ("to bind fast, adhere to") • "adherence to someone (a god) or something (a belief)" • Theology • < Greek theos ("God") + logos ("word, sentence, speech") • "study of God; talking about God" & related topics • Philosophy • < Greek philos ("friend; lover") + sophia ("wisdom") • “love of wisdom” or quest for knowledge and truth

6. Studying God & Religionthrough the Centuries • Ancient World:no specialized “theologians” • Greece: Philosophers • Israel: Prophets & Priests • Other Cultures: Magi, Physicians, Kings, etc. • Medieval Universities: • Four Main Disciplines: Philosophy, Theology, Medicine, Law • Modern Universities: • Liberal Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Art, Business, Education, Religious Studies, etc. • Post-Modern World: • More interdisciplinary: “Religion and XYZ”

7. Religious Questions – vs. – Religious Studies Questions • Questions Religions seek to answer: • God? World? Humans? Life? Death? • Afterlife? Heaven / Hell? Good vs. Evil? • Holy / Sacred? Revelation & Prayer? • Questions scholars ask about Religion(s): • Anthropological, Psychological, Sociological, etc. • Comparative, or about particular religions, their: • Foundations, History, Beliefs, Practices, Structures

8. Studying World Religions: • History & Development • Historical Foundations & Growth • Branches, Divisions, Demographics • Beliefs & Practices • Scriptural & other Foundational Texts • Theological & Ethical Teachings • Liturgical & Spiritual Practices • Structures & Relationships • Organization & Leadership • Internal Rules; External Relations

9. World Religions: • Main Eastern Religions • South Asia: Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism • East Asia: Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Shinto • Main Western Religions(“Religions of the Book”?) • Judaism; Christianity; Islam • Local/Tribal Religions: • Animist Practices, Ancestor Worship • New Religious Movements: • Cults, Sects, Splinter Groups

10. “Religion” in Bible and Qur’an • Judaism: • “Shema” (Deut 6:4-9) • “Decalogue” (Exod 20; Deut 5) • Christianity: • “Greatest Commandment” (Luke 10:27 & par.) • “Religion” in James (1:26-27) • Islam: • “Fatihah” (Qur’an 1:1-7) • “Shahada” (cf. Qur’an 38:65; 33:40)

11. Questions for Group Discussion and/or Personal Reflection: • What is religion? How would you define “religion”? • In what ways is religion important/influential in our world today? • …in our own country? …in your own community? …in your own family? • What are some of the positive effects or benefits of religion? • In what ways has religion helped people and/or improved our world? • What are some of the negative effects or downsides of religion? • In what ways has religion harmed people and/or impaired life? • In which religion were you raised, if any? • How well do you understand it? How actively do you practice it? • Have you chosen a different religion? • What aspects of your former religion did not satisfy you? • What aspects of the new religion most attracted you?