Difference between revisions of "Religion"

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<blockquote class="definition">'''Religion''' is an [[Ideological Institution]] setup and organized by the [[Accumulating Class]]es to satisfy one or more of our [[Seven Essential Needs]] by providing [[The System|System]] friendly satisfactions.
<blockquote class="definition">'''Religion''' a complicated and flexible human institution set up to meet [[Essential Needs essential] and [[Non-essential Needs]]. Religions are organized around a core emphasis on providing answers to our big questions, with a usual emphasis on the satisfaction of alignment and connection needs as the institutional core. A religious institution itself consists of social, ritual/practical, experiential, narrative/mythic, doctrinal, ethical/legal, material dimensions, and healing dimensions all geared towards the satisfaction of various human needs.<ref>Mike Sosteric, “What Is Religion” 2022, https://www.academia.edu/80934448/What_is_Religion</ref>
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==Related Terms==
==Subclasses==


[[Religion]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related term::Religion]]}}
[[Religion]] > {{#ask:[[Is a subclass of::Religion]]}}


==Other Definitions==
==Syncretic Terms==


We can break sociological definitions of religion into two categories ''substantive'' and ''functional.''
[[Religion]] > {{#ask:[[Is a syncretic term::Religion]]}}


'''Substantive definitions''' revolve around the content (or substance) of a religion. Like, religion is the belief in spiritual beings<ref>Tylor, Edward. ''Primitive Culture''. London: John Murray, 1903. Note, Tylor's theory later criticized as evolutionary and ethnocentric (not all religions believe in or emphasize "spiritual beings" (Confucianism). Distinguished between "primitive" and "modern" spirituality, lower versus higher forms.</ref> '''What religion is.'''
==Related LP Terms==


Sociologists and others who have provided substantive definitions -> {{#ask:[[Had a substantive definition of::Religion]]}}
[[Religion]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related term::Religion]]}}


'''Functional definitions''' "describe the utility of the effect of that religion" on individuals and society.<ref>Furseth, Inger, and Pål Repstad. ''An Introduction to the Sociology of Religion: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives''. Aldershot, England: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2006. p. 16.</ref> '''What religion does.'''
==Non-LP Related Terms==


Sociologists and others who have provided functional definitions -> {{#ask:[[Had a functional definition of::Religion]]}}
[[Religion]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related term::Religion]]}}


== Notes ==
== Notes ==


Religions satisfy our [[Cognitive Needs]] to know and understand by providing System friendly answers.  
Religion is often co-opted and controlled by members of the [[Accumulating Class]]. In this case, religion functions as an [[Ideological Institution]] designed to help propagate a specific [[Creation Templae]].
 
Religion is also an institution setup to help meet one or more of humanity's [[Seven Essential Needs]].
 
Religion may be broken down into two sub-classes, [[Elite Religion]] and [[Authentic Religion]]. Elite religion prioritizes the needs of the [[Accumulating Class]] while [[Authentic Religion]] prioritizes [[Healing]], [[Connection]], and the [[Seven Essential Needs]] of humanity.


This definition excludes grass roots [[Connection Framework]], spiritual systems rooted in [[Connection Experience]]. As soon as a [[Connection Framework]]  is infiltrated and co-opted by members of the [[Accumulating Class]], the spiritual system transforms into a [[Religion]].
Religion is a notoriously difficult concept to pin down and, frankly, scholars have said some really stupid shit about it over the years, [[Sigmund Freud]] being a classic example. Freud believed that religion arises as a consequence of  


==Definitions==
# an expression of the son-father relationship (see totem and taboo, related to religions where "totem animals" become sacred)<ref>Freud, Sigmund. ''The Future of an Illusion''. New York: Anchor Books, 1961. p. 21</ref>
# the need to defend oneself against the "crushingly superior force of nature."<ref>Freud, Sigmund. ''The Future of an Illusion''. New York: Anchor Books, 1961. p. 21</ref>
# The "urge to rectify the shortcoming of civilization..."<ref>Freud, Sigmund. ''The Future of an Illusion''. New York: Anchor Books, 1961. p. 21</ref>


[[William James]] "Were one asked to characterize the life of religion in the broadest and most general terms possible, one might say that it consists of the belief that there is an unseen order, and that our supreme good lies in harmoniously adjusting ourselves thereto."<ref>James, William. Varieties of Religious Experience, a Study in Human Nature (p. 53). Kindle Edition.</ref>
For a more fulsome discussion of definitions and issues, see [https://www.academia.edu/80934448/What_is_Religion What is Religion]


[[Clifford Geertz]] "...a religion is:
=== Other Definitions ===


(l) a system of symbols which acts to (2) establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by (3) formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and (4) clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that (5) the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.<ref>Geertz, Clifford. “Religion as a Cultural System.” In Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Religion, edited by Michael Banton, 1–44. Oxon: Routledge, 2004. p. 4.</ref>
"Religion tends to be conceptualized as an external, community-based phenomena in which a particular organized set of beliefs, behaviors, and rituals are institutionalized by individuals sharing similar spiritualities."<ref>Hodge, David R. “The Intrinsic Spirituality Scale: A New Six-Item Instrument for Assessing the Salience of Spirituality as a Motivational Construct.” ''Journal of Social Service Research'' 30, no. 1 (January 1, 2003): 41–61. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1300/J079v30n01_03</nowiki>. 42</ref>
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Geertz also notes religion helps deal with the existential despair caused by "Bafflement, suffering, and a sense of intractable ethical paradox..." <ref>Geertz, Clifford. “Religion as a Cultural System.” In Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Religion, edited by Michael Banton, 1–44. Oxon: Routledge, 2004. p. 14.</ref></blockquote>According to Geertz, religion arises partly in response to the [[Problem of Meaning]]. "The Problem of Meaning...is one of the things that drive men [sic] toward belief in gods, devils, spirits, totemic principles, or the spiritual effiacy of cannibalism..."<ref>Geertz, Clifford. “Religion as a Cultural System.” In ''Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Religion'', edited by Michael Banton, 1–44. Oxon: Routledge, 2004. p. 25</ref>


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[[category:terms]][[Is a related term::Human Spirituality| ]]
[[category:terms]]
[[Is a related term::Spirituality| ]]
[[Is a related term::Exoteric Religion| ]]
[[Is a related term::Esoteric Religion| ]]
[[Is a related term::Elite Religion| ]]
[[Is a related term::Authentic Religion| ]]
[[Is a related term::Elite Spirituality| ]]
[[Is a related term::Authentic Spirituality| ]]
[[Is a related term::Mainstream Spirituality| ]]
[[Is a related term::Colonized Spirituality| ]]
[[Is a related term::Elite Religion| ]]
[[Is an::Ideological Institution| ]]
[[Is a related term::Boundary Problem| ]]
[[Is a related term::Boundary Fetish| ]]

Revision as of 04:33, 14 July 2024

Religion a complicated and flexible human institution set up to meet [[Essential Needs essential] and Non-essential Needs. Religions are organized around a core emphasis on providing answers to our big questions, with a usual emphasis on the satisfaction of alignment and connection needs as the institutional core. A religious institution itself consists of social, ritual/practical, experiential, narrative/mythic, doctrinal, ethical/legal, material dimensions, and healing dimensions all geared towards the satisfaction of various human needs.[1]

Subclasses

Religion > Authentic Religion, Elite Religion

Syncretic Terms

Religion > Comprehensive Framework

Related LP Terms

Religion > Boundary Fetish, Boundary Problem, Narrative, Sacrilization

Non-LP Related Terms

Religion > Boundary Fetish, Boundary Problem, Narrative, Sacrilization

Notes

Religion is often co-opted and controlled by members of the Accumulating Class. In this case, religion functions as an Ideological Institution designed to help propagate a specific Creation Templae.

Religion is also an institution setup to help meet one or more of humanity's Seven Essential Needs.

Religion may be broken down into two sub-classes, Elite Religion and Authentic Religion. Elite religion prioritizes the needs of the Accumulating Class while Authentic Religion prioritizes Healing, Connection, and the Seven Essential Needs of humanity.

Religion is a notoriously difficult concept to pin down and, frankly, scholars have said some really stupid shit about it over the years, Sigmund Freud being a classic example. Freud believed that religion arises as a consequence of

  1. an expression of the son-father relationship (see totem and taboo, related to religions where "totem animals" become sacred)[2]
  2. the need to defend oneself against the "crushingly superior force of nature."[3]
  3. The "urge to rectify the shortcoming of civilization..."[4]

For a more fulsome discussion of definitions and issues, see What is Religion

Other Definitions

"Religion tends to be conceptualized as an external, community-based phenomena in which a particular organized set of beliefs, behaviors, and rituals are institutionalized by individuals sharing similar spiritualities."[5]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Mike Sosteric, “What Is Religion” 2022, https://www.academia.edu/80934448/What_is_Religion
  2. ↑ Freud, Sigmund. The Future of an Illusion. New York: Anchor Books, 1961. p. 21
  3. ↑ Freud, Sigmund. The Future of an Illusion. New York: Anchor Books, 1961. p. 21
  4. ↑ Freud, Sigmund. The Future of an Illusion. New York: Anchor Books, 1961. p. 21
  5. ↑ Hodge, David R. “The Intrinsic Spirituality Scale: A New Six-Item Instrument for Assessing the Salience of Spirituality as a Motivational Construct.” Journal of Social Service Research 30, no. 1 (January 1, 2003): 41–61. https://doi.org/10.1300/J079v30n01_03. 42







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