PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION W E E K 7 D A Y 2 : N A T U R A L I S T I C E X P L A N A T I O N S O F R E L I G I O N

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1 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION W E E K 7 D A Y 2 : N A T U R A L I S T I C E X P L A N A T I O N S O F R E L I G I O N

2 NATURALISTIC EXPLANATIONS OF RELIGION 1. Animism

3 THEORY #1: ANIMISM Religion Evolved from Primitive to Sophisticated

4 THEORY #1: ANIMISM RELIGION EVOLVED FROM PRIMITIVE TO SOPHISTICATED Psychological Foundation For Animism: Human propensity to assume intention in both animate and inanimate objects for survival. Maybe then it is no wonder we attribute intention or cause to the world at large (Spirit, God, etc ) Strengths? Weaknesses?

5 THEORY #2: RELIGIONS FOR SOCIAL COHESION EMILE DURKHEIM ( ) FUNCTIONALIST THEORY OF RELIGION BELIEFS: All religious beliefs presuppose a classification of all things, real and ideal, into two opposed groups: The SACRED (often good for the social community) The PROFANE (often good for only me) RITUALS: Rules of conduct that prescribe how people should behave in the presence of sacred things, and that reinforce social behaviors: POSITIVE: The individual renews her/his commitment to the community. NEGATIVE: Reinforces taboos to maintain communal order. THUS: For Durkheim, GOD and SOCIETY are the same. How? Both are superior to individuals Individuals depend on both All must submit to the rules

6 THEORY #2: RELIGIONS FOR SOCIAL COHESION The Argument: Many religious beliefs and traditions strengthen communities. The relationship between a person and a deity is very similar to the relationship between a person and their society. Therefore, religion must have naturally evolved within societies in order to maintain social cohesion and ensure the survival of a community. Strengths? Weaknesses?

7 THEORY #3: SOCIAL OPPRESSION Karl Marx ( ) Philosopher, Sociologist Man makes religion, religion does not make man. Religion is the self-consciousness and self-esteem of man who has either not yet found himself or has already lost himself again Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of spiritless conditions. It is the opium (drug) of the people. What does he mean by opium of the people?

8 THEORY #3: SOCIAL OPPRESSION Religion is used by the ruling class to suppress the lower classes. The social principles of Christianity preach the necessity of a ruling and an oppressed class, and for the latter all they have to offer is the pious wish that the former may be charitable The social principles of Christianity declare all the vile acts of oppressors against the oppressed to be either just punishment for original sin and for other sins, or trials which the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, ordains for the redeemed. Strengths? Weaknesses?

9 THEORY #3: SOCIAL OPPRESSION The Argument: Religion has been used by those in power to suppress the will of those without. Therefore, religion was created by man as a tool of suppression. Is this a valid argument? What is the implicit, unstated premise? That which is used by man was created by man. Sticks have been used by those in power to suppress the will of those without. Therefore, sticks was created by man as a tool of suppression.

10 THEORY #4: PROJECTION OF REPRESSED NEEDS (WISH FULFILLMENT) Sigmund Freud ( ) Psychologist Religion originated as guilt that men feel in hating their fathers. Saw the ancient Greek myth of Oedipus as a pattern of human experience

11 THEORY # 4: (PRINT) PROJECTION OF REPRESSED NEEDS (WISH FULFILLMENT) Sigmund Freud ( ) Psychologist Freud s Brainstorm 1. Primitive Practices: 2. Rebelling against the fathers. Ancestor worship: 3. Sense of guilt leads to delayed obedience. Projecting God: Eventually humans projected a great father image called God.

12 THEORY #4: PROJECTION OF REPRESSED NEEDS (WISH FULFILLMENT) The Explanation Religious ideas are illusions, fulfillments of the oldest, strongest, and most urgent wishes of mankind. Are all religious ideas this way, or some? Expression of repressed guilt towards father (think Eucharist). What about those who never grew up with a father? The truly healthy and mature person is content to stand alone and face the problems of life without gods or religions. But don t we all stand with beliefs? Strengths? Weaknesses?

13 THEORY #5: BRAIN JUICE

14 THEORY #5: BRAIN JUICE Brain Juice Theory: We feel good when we have high levels of serotonin excreted in our brain. When they are low levels of serotonin, we don t feel good. When people participate in religious activities there is often an elevation in serotonin levels. Therefore, maybe human beings developed religion as a means of elevating their levels of serotonin. Strengths? Weaknesses?