Religion is not Belief

Views:
 
Category: Education
     
 

Presentation Description

Explains why we should not understand religion as "beliefs."

Comments

Presentation Transcript

What is religion? : 

What is religion? headlessprofessor

Problem : 

Problem The debate between fundamentalists and skeptics is extremely unproductive

Problem : 

Problem The debate between fundamentalists and skeptics is extremely unproductive Both conceive of religion as belief

Solution : 

Solution Define belief as a term which is confined to agreement with empirically demonstrable data

Example : 

Example I believe that it is 72 degrees F in this room

Example : 

Example I believe that it is 72 degrees F in this room Things demonstrable with a test tube, telescope & microscope

Example : 

Example I believe that it is 72 degrees F Things demonstrable with a test tube, telescope & microscope Psychology distinguishes belief from emotion & behavior

Example : 

Example Most religions don’t understand themselves as belief

Christianity & Islam : 

Christianity & Islam Only two religious traditions focus on belief

Islam understands religion : 

Islam understands religion Islam means submission, surrender (to the will of God)

Even in Christianity : 

Even in Christianity We should understand belief as acceptance, obeying, following, being committed to

Matthew 21:28-32 : 

Matthew 21:28-32 Mat 21:28   “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

Matthew 21:28-32 : 

Matthew 21:28-32 Mat 21:29   ” ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

Matthew 21:28-32 : 

Matthew 21:28-32 Mat 21:30   “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

Matthew 21:28-32 : 

Matthew 21:28-32 Mat 21:31   “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

Matthew 21:28-32 : 

Matthew 21:28-32 Mat 21:32   For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Matthew 21:28-32 : 

Matthew 21:28-32 Mat 21:32   For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and accept, obey, and follow him.

Matthew 21:28-32 : 

Matthew 21:28-32 The context of the parable about the two sons makes it clear: it is about being committed to the Father in deed more so than word or thought.

Religion is about being : 

Religion is about being Committed to a system of doctrines, ethics, rituals, myths & symbols for the expression of ultimate relevance

What is religion? : 

What is religion? headlessprofessor