Why have religion scholars tended to focus on belief? Why is this a problem? How might the theory of affective and cognitive belief be used to find a message in The Lion King? Belief! 1 2 I wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land. 3 Announcements Notetakers needed (see announcement on Sept. 5) New people? Welcome! Make friends, read announcements and syllabus, find out what you missed RLG101H: introduce you to study of religion AND to university! 4
5 6 Malory Nye Reading Nye What to get from Nye? Key ideas (big picture) Questions at end of each chapter Understand some theories Be able to apply them to data Importance of theorists names 7 8
Reading Nye Read before tutorial and after lecture Your understanding first, THEN ours Will help you learn to read difficult material Lectures not identical to readings for several reasons Anonymous Feedback Nice note from self-identified introvert Thanks! Length of tutorial homework? Usually a short paragraph 9 10 Today 1. Meaning of belief? 2. Belief + the study of religion 3. Film analysis assignment 4. Theories of belief (+ Lion King!) 1. Meaning of Belief 11 12
13 14 Let me just go ahead and get that from ya. I believe you have my stapler. 15 16
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25 26 Belief I believe you have my stapler. I believe in Jesus. I believe in Big Foot. I believe in taking walks in the forest. I believe in the literal meaning of the Bible. I am the gate for the sheep. Jesus (in John 10:7) 27 28
Song Don t Stop Believin by Journey (1981) Don t Stop Believin Just a small town girl Livin in a lonely world She took the midnight train Goin anywhere Just a city boy Born and raised in South Detroit He took the midnight train Goin anywhere Don t Stop Believin Strangers waiting Up and down the boulevard Their shadows searching In the night Don t stop believin Hold on to that feeling Streetlight people Don t stop believin Hold on Belief Belief in English has different meanings Think something is true / real Know something is true / real Regard something as meaningful or important Trust in someone / yourself / god(s) Hope for a good outcome 32
Survey! 1. I expect other students in this class... 2. I expect the teachers in this class... 3. You (the teacher) should expect students in this class... Survey! 1. I believe that other students in this class should... 2. I believe that the teachers in this class should... 3. I believe that you (the teacher) should expect students in this class... 33 34 I expect other students in this class... to be engaged in class and not disturb other students if they come late or leave early to respect everyone s opinions and thoughts to help one another (e.g., missed class) to not talk when someone else is talking to speak with people in the class they don t know (especially since many of us are shy) 2. Belief and the Study of Religion 35 36
Religion + Belief Protestant Reformation (Christianity) Martin Luther: 95 Theses (1517) Catholic church: institution b/t person and God; over-emphasis on rituals New Testament (Paul): Faith over works: You have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not the result of works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Religion + Belief Tylor: Religion is belief in spiritual beings Why this focus? Protestant Christian view (NOT universal view) Faith over works Scholars of religion from Protestant cultures 37 38 Belief? Religion + Belief Problems with thinking that religion is all about belief? 1. Language issues involving belief Various meanings in English No word for belief in several languages (e.g., Arabic, Hebrew, Pali) 39 40
Religion + Belief Problems with thinking that religion is all about belief? 2. Sometimes belief is not (that) important Different traditions Different people within the same traditions / communities Here comes the exciting second half of the class! 41 42 Film Analysis 3. Film Analysis Assignment 4 paragraphs in total 1. Use theories of religion to analyze non-religious film (3 paragraphs) Use theories of belief / ritual / text (Nye: chapters 5, 6, 7) 2. Reflect on what you learned by doing this analysis (1 paragraph) 43 44
Film Analysis Theory: An idea intended to understand data Nye s text: facts + theories Not all theories helpful for interpreting films Will provide you with lists of theories to choose from 45 Film Analysis Film lists on course website tonight! (assignment instructions coming soon) Each TA has different film list! Must choose list from your TA Pick (and watch) your film by next week Part one due September 29 Final analysis due October 20 46 Film Analysis Part one: Write a paragraph analyzing a film from your TA s list using Arnold van Gennep s rites of passage theory (Nye 144-148) What is the film trying to tell us? Include citations and bibliography (Chicago Manual of Style) Tutorials Homework: Write a paragraph analyzing a film from your TA s list using Arnold van Gennep s rites of passage theory (Nye 144-148) What is the film trying to tell us? 47 48
Tutorials Homework: Write a paragraph analyzing a film from your TA s list using Arnold van Gennep s rites of passage theory (Nye 144-148) What is the film trying to tell us? Bring two copies Tutorials Texts: Derry, Rites of Passage (website: Course Texts > Indigenous Traditions) Nye, chapter 6 ( Ritual ) 49 50 Tutorials Reflection: How might you use any theory of ritual from chapter 6 in Nye s text (other than rites of passage) to understand an action that you regularly perform? Need to pick different action than the examples that Nye uses with the theory Not permitted to look at your course text or notes when writing reflections 4. Theories of Belief 51 52
Theories of Belief Cognitive vs. affective beliefs (p. 117) Habitus (p. 125-6) Reductionist theories (p. 108-9) Non-reductionist theories (p. 111-5) Belief and common sense (p. 119-123) Cognitive approaches (p. 109-11) Theories of Belief Cognitive vs. affective beliefs (p. 117) Habitus (p. 125-6) Reductionist theories (p. 108-9) Non-reductionist theories (p. 111-5) Belief and common sense (p. 119-123) Cognitive approaches (p. 109-11) 53 54 55 56
Cognitive vs. Affective Richard Gombrich Cognitive: what we say/think we believe Affective: what our actions indicate we believe What is the cognitive belief of Timon and Pumbaa (and Simba)? What is the affective belief of Timon and Pumbaa (and Simba)? 57 58 hakuna matata! no worries, no responsibilities 59 we re with you to the end 60
Cognitive vs. Affective we re with you to the end 61 Analysis of Lion King: Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba say (and think) that they believe in Hakuna Matata Initially their behaviour also shows they believe in Hakuna Matata However when loved ones are in trouble their actions show that they DO believe they have responsibilities 62 Cognitive vs. Affective Possible messages: Our affective beliefs are affected by circumstances Good to be relaxed when there are no problems However in some situations we should live up to our responsibilities Habitus Pierre Bourdieu and Catherine Bell Cultural context of people s lives Impact on our beliefs (Note: individual choice/agency) 63 64
Habitus Pierre Bourdieu and Catherine Bell Cultural context of people s lives How specific beliefs are viewed/practiced (e.g., belief in sanctity of life ) You Simba? Habitus Analysis of Lion King: Simba is exposed to two cultures that influence his beliefs Responsibility vs hakuna matata What is the film trying to tell us? 65 66 Habitus Possible messages: It is better to live up to our responsibilities than to ignore problems Our beliefs our affected by our habitus but we should make our own choices (not just accept what we re told) 67