There are two coloured pieces of paper on the table at the front. Please pick up both colours. Thanks! Can something be religious and NOT religious at the same time? 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 There are two coloured pieces of paper on the table at the front. Please pick up both colours. Thanks! When you leave: Please return the coloured pieces of paper back to the table at the front. Thanks! 3 4
Today 10. Definitions Finish: Gender Writing assignments Definitions: Indigenous Is it religious?" The study of religion 5 6 Witch Hunts December 5 7 Europe, 15th-18th centuries Christianity Approximately 75-85% women Most were poor / marginalized Women and Satan 8
Modern Witches Reclaim oppressive word For some being a witch is their religion For most (all?) being a witch is about opposing patriarchy Lorde! 9 By Hartmann Schedel (1493) 10 Yellow Flicker Beat I m a princess cut from marble I move through town, I m quiet like a fire And my necklace is of rope, I tie it and untie it I got my fingers laced together and I made a little prison And I m locking up everyone that ever laid a finger on me 11 12
Gender Constructions Physical markers Male vs female? 13 14 15 16
Wodaabe beauty contest (Niger) 17 18 19 20
21 22 Final Film Analysis Congratulations! Improved from first assignment You are not your grades! Appeals 23 24
Field Research: Part 1 Bb documents: 1. Instructions 2. Grading rubric 3. Advice 4. Example paragraphs 5. Theories! Meant to HELP you with Nye s text (it does not REPLACE Nye s text!) Field Research: Part 1 2 paragraphs: 1. Description of observations (must identify pattern/theme) 2. Analysis of observations using theory 25 26 Final Field Research 5 paragraphs: 1. Description of observations 1 2. Analysis of observations 1 3. Description of observations 2 4. Analysis of observations 2 5. Reflection Definitions 27 28
Definitions Definitions are: Created by people Interpretations Subject to change Don t always fit the data Powerful What is a pizza? 29 30 Indigenous Who is Indigenous? Who gets to say? Why does this matter? Indigenous Impact of definitions on people s lives: Treaty rights (e.g., land claims) Indigenous people viewed by colonizers as less than human (not civilized ) Religious practices illegal; residential schools; not allowed to vote (until 1960) 31 32
Bill 62 (Québec) Is it religious? 33 34 green = yes red = no I fell down on my knees and thanked Heaven from an overflowing heart. Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf 35 36
Have witnesses when you barter. The Qur an (Islam) See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! Paul, The New Testament (Christianity) 37 38 No person shall threaten any other person with damage to such person's property. UTM Academic Calendar Hearing of the glory of the Lord of the Universe, the mind becomes fearless. Guru Granth Sahib (Sikhism) 39 40
Fart, fart. Eight Winds (Chan Buddhism) When it was cooked, he ate and ate. But he ate too much and very soon suffered the runs. Red Willows (Anishinaubae) 41 42 Is it religious? What determines if something is seen as religious or not? 1. Context / information 2. Definition Sample definition! Religion involves supernatural beings. (Antoine Vergote) 43 44
Is it religious? Red Willows story: using Vergote s definition ( supernatural beings ) Religious? Supernatural: Nanabush, talking bear, origins (landscape, red willows) Non-religious? Lessons: Don t be greedy; eating too much bear meat is bad for you 45 Religion is about meaning and value beyond self-centredness. (Huston Smith) When it was cooked, he ate and ate. But he ate too much and very soon suffered the runs. Fart, fart. Definitions Have witnesses when you barter. 46 Definitions Religion is the state of being ultimately concerned. (Paul Tillich) Religion is a feeling of absolute dependence. (Friedrich Schleiermacher) Religion is a system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things, uniting people into a community. (Émile Durkheim) Religion is anything that involves nonfalsifiable realities. (James Cox) Definitions Merriam-Webster Dictionary: An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods. An interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group. 47 48
Song Love Runs Out by OneRepublic (2014) Love Runs Out I got my mind made up, man, I can t let go. I m killing every second til it saves my soul. There s a maniac out in front of me. Got an angel on my shoulder, and Mestopheles. but mama raised me good, mama raised me right. Mama said, Do what you want, say prayers at night, And I m saying them, cause I m so devout. 49 50 Love Runs Out I ll be your light, your match, your burning sun, I ll be the bright, in black that s makin you run. I'll be your ghost, your game, your stadium. Ooh, we all want the same thing. Ooh, we all run for something. Oh for God, for fate, For love, for hate, For gold, and rust, For diamonds, and dust. Key Points Many many (many!) definitions are possible Often have very different meanings How can something be religious and NOT religious at the same time? Using two definitions: one might apply and the other might not 51 52
Definitions What does Nye mean when he states that nothing is intrinsically religious? (p. 19) ANYTHING can potentially be considered religious Depends on definition, context, etc. Examples: books, diarrhea, punching 53 54 Definitions Change the question: Not: IS something religious? Instead: In what ways might something be considered religious? (=definition) 55 56