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>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


==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 [[Regime of Accumulation]] 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]].  


Religions are typically constructed by elite members of the [[Accumulating Class]] for the purposes of social control.
Religion is also an institution setup to help meet one or more of humanity's [[Seven Essential Needs]].


* Zoroastrianism co-opted by Aradashir.<ref>Sosteric, Mike. “From Zoroaster to Star Wars, Jesus to Marx: The Art, Science, and Technology of Human Manipulation,” . <nowiki>https://www.academia.edu/34504691</nowiki>.</ref>
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.
*Co-optation of progressive Christianity by Constantine<ref>Sosteric, Mike. “Rethinking the Origins and Purpose of Religion: Jesus, Constantine, and the Containment of Global Revolution.” ''Athens Journal of Social Sciences'' 9, no. 1 (2020): 69–88.</ref> 
*Tarot created by Freemasons as an ideological tool for Capitalists.<ref>Sosteric, Mike. “A Sociology of Tarot.” ''Canadian Journal of Sociology'' 39, no. 3 (2014). <nowiki>https://www.academia.edu/25055505/</nowiki>.</ref> 
*The Aztecs using  their cosmological order to support, I think, a four-class political system, and a productive system with a focus on excellence and productivity. <ref>Carrasco, David, and Scott Sessions. ''Daily Life of the Aztecs''. London: Greenwood Press, 1998.</ref> Rulers, warriors, merchants, and commoners (farmers, stonecutters, caprenters, shopkeepers, clay workers candlesellers, etc.... Interesting that the Aztec religious rituals were also used to instruct the "next generation" of rulers. At the coronation ceremony, the new Aztec big-guy was metaphorically instructed about his primary responsibility, which was to maintain social caste order and social cohesion, and also to engage in Imperial wars.   
<blockquote>The new ruler is warned about coming problems: "In thy time there will be disunity, quarreling in thy city. No more wilt thou be esteemed, no more wilt thou be regarded. Also war will move upon thee." But the ruler is encouraged to stand up to all troubles, for he is the living, present image of the god who governs all things: "Put forth all thy effort, give all, put forth all thy spirit. Sigh, be sad; call out in sadness to our lord, to the lord of the near, of the nigh... . Be not a fool. May thou not speak hurriedly, may thou not interrupt, may thou not confound. Take yet, grasp yet, arrive yet at the truth, for, it is said and it is true, thou art the replacement, thou art the image of the lord of the near, of the nigh....As the living image of the god who is close to all living things, the ruler's chief job is to ensure order, arrangement, and proper location so that the Aztec way of life can continue in the face of real dangers. <ref>Carrasco, David, and Scott Sessions. ''Daily Life of the Aztecs''. London: Greenwood Press, 1998. p. 136.</ref>


Aztec rituals also guided the thoughts and actions of merchants and warriors. </blockquote>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  
 
== Origins ==
[[Sigmund Freud]] suggest religious ideas arise from


# 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>
# 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 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>
# The "urge to rectify the shortcoming of civilization..."<ref>Freud, Sigmund. ''The Future of an Illusion''. New York: Anchor Books, 1961. p. 21</ref>
For a more fulsome discussion of definitions and issues, see [https://www.academia.edu/80934448/What_is_Religion 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."<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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[[category:terms]][[Is a related term::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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