11. Contemporary Religion

Transcription

1 Explain why a decline in attendance at formal religious services may NOT indicate that people are less religious. Explain two ways in which religious traditions are still relevant in today s world. If it is so difficult to define religion, what do scholars of religion actually study? How can sports be seen as religious, or similar to religious traditions? 1 2 Today 11. Contemporary Religion Announcements Finish: Definitions Contemporary religion 3 4

2 Announcements Fifth Bb comment due tonight Final Field Research Analysis Due December 1 Instructions coming soon! Next week: course review + final exam! Assistance Now = BAD TIME Try not to get discouraged Organize / prioritize Resources: me, Health + Counselling, AccessAbility Resource Centre, RGASC, UTM Registrar s Office 5 6 Course Evaluations Invitation by Due by December 6 Please do this! PLEASE Course Evaluations Your feedback matters! Used to improve teaching ALSO affects instructors employment Important: COMMENTS! Also important: your TA s NAME 7 8

3 9 10 Definitions Definitions Change the question: Not: IS something religious? Instead: In what ways might something be considered religious, and to whom? Questions of definition and relation 11 12

4 Religions vs. Religion Religions Specific traditions (e.g., Buddhism; world religions ) Religion General / universal (e.g., meaning, value, etc.) Nye is not defining religion/s himself How people actually talk about religion/s 13 Definitions Merriam-Webster Dictionary: An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods. Religions An interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group. 14 Religion Religions vs. Religion When it was cooked, he ate and ate. But he ate too much and very soon suffered the runs. No person shall threaten any other person with damage to such person's property. Fart, fart. 15 Sports and Religion/s Merriam-Webster Dictionary: An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods. Religions An interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group. 16 Religion

5 Sports and Religion/s I m studying to be a rabbi. I m a little worried that I ll be out of a job because less and less people seem to find religion meaningful. I even think that loving a baseball team can be a religious experience. I was here in 2012 when Santana pitched his no hitter. Everyone in this stadium was holding their breath at the exact same time. And when the game ended, everyone screamed with the same joy. We all felt so connected at that moment. And I think that was holy. Religion Sports and Religion/s Nye p Athletes as cult heroes Worship teams Sacred space Mysticism and magic Ways in which sports is similar to religions 19 20

6 Ritual! World Religions World religions approach (p. 9-14): The study of major traditions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism Separate, distinct Classifications: texts, ideas, founders, histories, rituals, etc. Useful starting point World Religions Problems with world religions approach? Ignores huge diversity within traditions (Nye: Buddhisms, Islams, Judaisms, etc.) Ignores minority traditions (e.g., Indigenous religions) Focuses on big things (major rituals, founders, Men sacred texts, etc.) Marginalizes small things (e.g., personal experiences, regular participants, letters, etc.) Everyone! 23 Study of Religion What do scholars of religion study? Anything that might be considered as religious for some reason by someone Most scholars study religions Some study religion Can use theories from study of religion to examine non-religious stuff too 24

7 Study of Religion Religion is complicated! Many many (MANY!!) definitions Enormous diversity (between traditions AND within traditions) Social AND individual Transcendent (abstract) AND concrete (day to day) Religion and Religions 25 Study of Religion Study of religion search for Truth Data accessible to everyone Focus on people, not god(s) Study of what people do 26 Contemporary Religion Contemporary Religion 1. Are people more or less religious than they used to be? 2. Contemporary religions 3. Non-religious culture 27 28

8 1. Are people more or less religious? GET OFF MY LAWN YOU KIDS! People These Days Common view: things are worse than they used to be Less religious More violent Worse writing The environment 31 People These Days Responses: 1. What is the evidence for these views? Actual data? Or feelings / anecdotes? 2. Evidence of improvement? Indigenous traditions Toronto: less violent crime 3. Definition of religion? 32

9 Contemporary Religions 2. Contemporary religions Religions and nationalism Religions and ethnicity Religions and culture Religions and violence Contemporary Religions Religions and nationalism (p ) USA + Christianity (mainly Protestantism) India + Hinduism Pakistan + Islam Ireland + Catholicism Israel + Judaism Myanmar + Buddhism 35 Contemporary Religions Religions and ethnicity (p ) Ethnicity: bound by culture, ancestors, language, traditions, etc. Some Indigenous communities Jewish people + Judaism 36

10 Contemporary Religions Bill 62 (Québec) Religions and culture (p ) Hybridity/syncretism Religions changed by cultures Examples? Cultures changed by religions Examples? Contemporary Religions Indigenous traditions Many modern forms mix old with new Maori: full moko on women Yoruba: Ogun (god of war) connected to welders, car mechanics, and chauffeurs Painting, literature, film 39 40

11 Contemporary Religions Religions and violence (p ) USA + Christianity (mainly Protestantism) India + Hinduism Pakistan + Islam Ireland + Catholicism Israel + Judaism Myanmar + Buddhism Contemporary Religions Religions and violence (p ) Is religion inherently violent or peaceful? Focus on people (e.g., actions, words) Actions: peaceful AND violent Words: peaceful AND violent 43 44

12 Golden Rule Bhagavad Gita Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Christianity) Do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. (Hinduism) Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself. (Islam) Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. (Buddhism)

13 Contemporary Religions Thus says the Lord of hosts... Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey. (Hebrew Bible, 1 Samuel 15:2-3) Alternative religions and re/de-traditionalization (p ) New religions Scientology, Jediism, etc. Modern traditions with old connections Paganism, spirituality, etc Iceland: Revival of Viking Traditions 51 52

14 3. Non-religious culture Non-religious Culture Film, literature, TV, music, art, YouTube, sports, games, etc. Religions (=specific traditions) Religion (=general / universal) Today s Song It s Time by Imagine Dragons (2012) 55 56

15 It s Time So this is where you fell And I am left to sell The path to heaven runs through miles of clouded hell Right to the top Don t look back Packing my bags and giving the academy a rain-check It s Time This road never looked so lonely This house doesn t burn down slowly To ashes, to ashes It s time to begin, isn t it? Lion King Messiah = Christ = Anointed One Religion (general / comparative) Belief, texts, rituals (#RitesOfPassage) How to live meaningfully (e.g., being kind, responsible, etc.) Religions (= specific traditions) Symbolic references to Christianity 59

16 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur. (Revelation 20:10) Darkness (Rev 16:10) And the one who was seated on the throne said, River Dried Up (Rev 16:12) See, I am making all things new. (Rev 21:5)

17 AAR American Academy of Religion meeting Approximately 10,000 scholars of religion Sessions on religion and popular culture American Gods Stranger Things Superheroes Platoon Rocky Alien 3 Spider-Man 2 67 Cool Hand Luke 68

18 Superman I and II Light Show the Way I had life threats, because people accused me of approaching Brando as God and his son was Jesus. I literally had people saying that my blood would run in the streets for doing that. Richard Donner (interview with Ken Plume, 2001) Sent My only son Superman Returns Pilate said to them, You have a guard of soldiers; go, make [the tomb] as secure as you can. (Matthew 27:65-66)

19 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:6) Man of Steel ACTUAL JESUS! 76

20 The Daily Show (Nov. 13, 2014) Interview with Maziar Bahari The End! 77