|
|
INTRODUCTION
Chapter Outline:
A. Facing Mystery
B.
A Basic Human Faith
C. The Development
of Religion in Cultures and Individuals
D. The Academic Study of
Religion
Facing Mystery
Although many thinkers have defined religion in different ways, this book
will rely on the following definition: religion is a positive human
response to mystery. In other words, religious belief and practice can
give concrete meaning to things that are difficult or impossible for
humans to understand. While religion is one response to mystery, it is not
the only possible response. Some respond with ideas such as agnosticism
(belief that mystery cannot be understood) or atheism (belief that
mystery has no direction or meaning). These positions can either be strong
or tentative.
A Basic Human Faith
A positive response to mystery is something that most humans throughout
history have shared. Humans seem
to have a general optimism that the world has meaning or makes sense.
Human self-awareness allows us to reflect on our position in
the order of things. Religion has long been a major expression of the
human ability to conceive of life in a meaningful way.
Development of Religion in
Cultures and Individuals
This course
will follow an approach outlined by sociologist Robert Bellah, who
theorized that religions pass through specific stages of development:
primitive, archaic, historic (or "classical"), and modern.
This developmental pattern is also apparent in individuals, who seem to
pass through similar stages of understanding.
The Academic Study of Religion
Theology is
often defined as a rational reflection about the meaning and coherence of
a religious tradition. Although this course will discuss theology
(Chapter 11), it would be more appropriate to call the course a
“religious studies” course. Theology typically is done
from within a religious tradition; religious studies looks at
religion from an “outsider’s” perspective. The academic study
of religion is an "outsider's" approach.
End of notes on the Introduction
This page last changed
Tuesday April 27, 2004 |
In The Presence of Mystery
|