Essay:
1. In your discussion, be sure to detail the concept of "tradition" and illustrate your discussion with concepts/practices/beliefs, etc., from any of the "traditions we have examined to date. I'm not sure if my outline/part essay is covering the points my professor wants me to make.
2. Second, should I discuss "traditions" according to the three forms of Religious Expression (theoretical, sociological, practical) or 4 elements of a working "tradition." If so, how?
3. My essay can only be two pages long, so I need advice on the best way to approach this topic. Also, should I write this in first person or first and third. I've worked on this paper for a long time, and I feel like I'm going around in circles. Any help would be appreciated.
1. Discussion:
Religion is notoriously difficult to define. To many people it is many different things. I believed that religion was a set of personal beliefs that men, male and female, followed in their pursuit to understand an "Ultimate" power through organized institutions.
I agree with Clifford Geertz's, definition of religion as "a system of symbols which act to establish powerful, persuasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such a aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic."
Religion is a set of "traditions" that answers the needs of a "culture.
Religion traditions express doctrine and myths of a "culture."
These theoretical express are reinforced by the practical and sociological structure of the "religious tradition".
In order for the religious tradition to continue it must have creditability, authority, interpretably, and the ability to change based on the needs (questions) off a "culture".
Religion answers questions of a "culture." What is the propose of life? Why is there justice and injustice? How does justice happen in the world? What happens when people die? Religion is a tradition that answers the
For a religious tradition to work it must have creditability. be believable. "Cultures" must believe in the tradition. For a set of symbols (tradition) to work it has to be believable. Creditability within a "religious" tradition is established by "a system of symbols."
Interruptible - motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such a aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic- Interruptible it has to believable in several sectors of experience, personal life, family life, professional life, recreational life. It has to make since of life. Believability and interruptible are intertwine.
Authority- act to establish powerful, persuasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men. Authority- being able to mediate identity and environment. Example, Catholic 50 migrates come and Italian how did they have authority; they brought the nuns with them. The nuns came and established social institutes, assimilation happened. It made sense everywhere. A social world was created in which people function.
The ability to incorporate change- Reliability the ability to change based on the needs (questions) off a "culture".
If Religious traditions are going to have creditability interruptible, and authority, the ability to define people and for them to think its normal, they need to be able to incorporate change. How do you do that? Myth, connect things with the beginnings of a tradition. How do traditions maintain themselves?
Creditability, interpretability and authority are social and at some level institutionalized, so that they can continue. (The question of revelation) how do you know the true? Is it that one is social and acculturated into religious traditions?
Outline:
I. Introduction: Definition of "religious" tradition
A. Buddhism
1. Theoretical Concepts (What do they say?)
a. Reality is an indescribable unity. Humans find themselves in a real of suffering governed by karma.
b. Live the life of Buddha. Buddha revealed and presented a way to attain realization
c. Transformation of consciousness
d. Transformation of karma
e. Creditability
2. Practical
a. To do good. Religious and moral works that gain good rebirth.
b. To seek Nirvana by meditation or related practices
c. Interuptiablity,
3. Sociological
a. Temples; the samgha or order of monks
b. Authority
c. The ability to incorporate change.
2. Discussion:
Your readings and lecture material have to date stressed several points, but overarching all have been the following:
1. A preliminary definition of "religion," refined to some extent via the concept of "tradition" as presented in class
2. An overview of basic beliefs and assumptions about Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism
3. An introduction to monotheism, by way of both contrasts between linear and cyclic understandings of time and the redemptive emphases of Zoroastrianism, and last, an overview of both
4. Judaism and Christianity...with the completion of the latter yet to come, together with an overview of Islam
In the light of your study and reflection on these points, please address the following three questions for your midterm exam. All together, they are worth a total of 40 semester points, consistent with the grading schema indicated in the syllabus.
1. In a well thought through essay briefly describe what is meant by "cyclic" and linear" understandings of time. In your discussion provide two examples that illustrate the contrast between these two approaches or understandings of time. For example, you may speak about ideas of divinity in each, "salvation" in each, "creation" and/or the social fabric in each.
2. Briefly summarize the concept "religion" as you now understand it. In your discussion, be sure to detail the concept of "tradition" and illustrate your discussion with concepts/practices/beliefs, etc., from any of the "traditions" we have examined to date.
3. I am curious to know what insights you have come to via the interdisciplinary study of religion. And please note that I said "insights," not observations, methodologies, or the like, although any of the latter may affect "insight."
FORMAT
1. Do not exceed two pages per question (exclusive of any bibliography you may cite).
2. Double space your text and use one inch margins all around.
3. Your name should appear on each page in either a header or footer.
4. Please note: Your grade will include an attention to your writing, with one point deducted for each grammatical, typing and/or spelling error AFTER THE FIRST. Ergo, write clearly, correctly, cogently, and with concrete illustrations as directed. AND BE SURE TO USE THE SPELL CHECK FEATURE.