week 4 (1)

1. According to Herling, what role should affirmation or criticism of religious beliefs and practices play in the academic study of religion? The role that should be played is having sympathy for others , whether the individuals beliefs are critical, neutral, or affirmative , bracketing our prior beliefs and attitudes is first and foremost. 2. What are some of the key terms of Jung’s theory of religion, and what do they mean? What are some of the examples Jung uses to illustrate and support his theories? Jung believed in unconscious projections (Ex :food, mastery, or pleasure) could be transformed into something positive. These ideas and memories make up ones personal unconsciousness as well as the memories and idea humanity shares ( collective unconsciousness) shared concepts that invade one's collective unconscious and emerge as symbols found in dreams, myths, visions are called archetypes. 3. What are some of the key terms of Eliade’s theory of religion, and what do they mean? What are some of the examples Eliade uses to illustrate and support his theories? His literary and scholarly approach to symbols, myth, and religion is defined by fundamental principles and assumptions . He expresses that the origin of religion comes from a complex experience of the sacred. He states some basic assumptions about the sacred: it is not profane; we personally experience it (it shows itself) this action in which the profane presents itself is called “heirophany”. A “Symbol” is one of the three human responses to the sacred, it gives distinctive sense to make the profane appear, A “myth” is the second response, a “ritual” is the third response it is the conscious act of repeating and following standards . Eliade states that “like space, time is neither homogenous nor continuous . By this he means that time is symbolic and some days , events/periods are proclaimed as specials .such as (birthdays, new year, summer break, spring break ) 4. What are some of the key terms of Smart’s theory of religion, and what do they mean? What are some of the examples Smart uses to illustrate and support his theories? Smart had a different approach when it came to the theory of religion , he studies and analyzed the seven dimensions in which humans envision of themselves, and act in the world .The key term is ritual which is a form of centuries, the key term narrative means story. Experiential and emotional are used to define devotion. Social and institutional is a belief of a group and their practices. Ethical and legal defines the rules to human behavior. Religious teachings are defined as doctrinal and philosophical , The final key term material is defined as a place or objects that symbolize the sacred of the supernatural. 5. What are some of the key terms of Tillich’s theory of religion, and what do they mean? What are some of the examples Tillich uses to illustrate and support his theories? Paul Tillich argues that ones religious attitudes are called the ultimate concern. For Tillich, ultimate concern is something that is total, going further Tillich argues that the object of religion is something that is all-encompassing ,

that is experienced as holy, something that is valuable and real , and if compared to other things, the former would appear to be empty and worthless. 6. What are some of the key terms of Smith’s theory of religion, and what do they mean? What are some of the examples Smith uses to illustrate and support his theories? Smith claimed religion to be best understood as the living, vital faith of an individual , rather than an abstract set of ideas or doctrines. One cannot understand a religion without studying a person or persons without studying their faith. Smiyth divided the concept of religion in his very controversial work “ The meaning and end of Religion”, he divid ed the concept up into cumulative religion (Ex: music, artifacts, rituals, traditions) and personal faith. Smith urges to view religions at a more naturalistic concept of faith and tradition rather than viewing it at a unitary entities. 7. What are some of the key terms of Freud’s theory of religion, and what do they mean? What are some of the examples Freud uses to illustrate and support his theories? Sigmund Freud’s religious theory contributed to individual psychology, and now psychoanalysis is another name for his well-known approach. His theory believed religion was the projection of a childs physical relationship with his/her father (attempt to control the oedipal complex) satisfaction is sought out after birth , mothers account for that first nourishment and connection children seek , when the fathers come into the picture ,the intimacy between mother and child are taken away , the order of power is officially taken away a complex relationship is now put in place . This is what Freud called the “Oedious complex” , religion is also a way for society to ensure morality . Freud points religion to helping human beings remain free from suffering. 8. What does it mean, for Freud, to call religion an illusion, and why does he refer to it as such? What wishes does religion fulfill for human beings, and why does he say that religion is the “universal obsessional neurosis of humanity? According to Freud he argues that religion is an illusion that serves as a defense mechanism against the harsh realities of life. He feels that religion is a product of human imagination and wishful thinking, rather than a reflection , he felt it was an attempt to gain control over people. Religion he believed was an expression of underlying psychological neuroses and distress – an attempt to gain control over the external world. 9. What are some of the key terms of Marx’s theory of religion, and what do they mean? What are some of the examples Marx uses to illustrate and support his theories? The key terms of Marx ’ s theory of religion are proletariat: which means the working or lower class, status quo: which means how things appear currently. Opposed to the way they should be and the current existence of affairs. Second is the bourgeoise which means the class of capitalists, According to how Marx viewed things, in a society controlled by capitalists, the use of religion plays a significant role when it comes to maintaining an unbalanced status quo. Marx’s