So. What is “religion”?So. What is “religion”?

Created by Ms. DaviesCreated by Ms. Davies

Global StudiesGlobal Studies

According to Michael Young of Bath Spa According to Michael Young of Bath Spa University College in Bath, England:University College in Bath, England:

“Religion is a share positing of the identity of “Religion is a share positing of the identity of and relationship between the world, and relationship between the world, humanity and the supernatural in terms of humanity and the supernatural in terms of meaning assignment, value allocation and meaning assignment, value allocation and validation enactment. A religion need not validation enactment. A religion need not accept or believe in the supernatural, but it accept or believe in the supernatural, but it takes a position on it. Likewise, some takes a position on it. Likewise, some religions deny the reality or at least value of religions deny the reality or at least value of the world, but they still take a position on it.”the world, but they still take a position on it.”

Religion shapes people’s view of the world, takes a position on the supernatural.

Bath Spa University Really Exists...so there!

Okay…Okay…So what does that mean?So what does that mean?

According to According to www.religioustolerance.org:www.religioustolerance.org:

Religion is any specific system of belief Religion is any specific system of belief about deity, often involving rituals, a code about deity, often involving rituals, a code of ethics, a philosophy of life, and a of ethics, a philosophy of life, and a worldview.worldview.

Spark Chart DefinitionSpark Chart Definition

Answers the “Big Questions” about the aspects of human life dealing with ethics, society, and cultural structure.

P. 9/10 ExplainationP. 9/10 Explaination

Religion is an important part of peoples Religion is an important part of peoples lives. It shapes peoples views of the world lives. It shapes peoples views of the world and gives people a structure for their lives.and gives people a structure for their lives.

11-12 Rocket Definition 11-12 Rocket Definition

Answers the “Big Questions,” shapes view Answers the “Big Questions,” shapes view of the world, impacts culture, takes a of the world, impacts culture, takes a position on the Supernatural. position on the Supernatural.

Another way to answer the Another way to answer the question is to find common factors question is to find common factors

among different religions.among different religions.

Common Factors:Common Factors:

Belief in something sacred (gods, texts, etc.)Belief in something sacred (gods, texts, etc.) Distinction between sacred and profane objectsDistinction between sacred and profane objects Ritual acts focused on sacred objectsRitual acts focused on sacred objects Moral code believed to have a sacred or Moral code believed to have a sacred or

supernatural basissupernatural basis Religious feelings (awe, guilt) which tend to Religious feelings (awe, guilt) which tend to

surface in the presence of sacred objects and surface in the presence of sacred objects and during the practice of ritual.during the practice of ritual.

Factors (continued)Factors (continued)

Prayer and other forms of communication Prayer and other forms of communication with the supernaturalwith the supernatural

A worldview or general picture of the world A worldview or general picture of the world and how the individual fits into itand how the individual fits into it

Organization of one’s life based upon Organization of one’s life based upon worldviewworldview

A social group bondA social group bond

What is religion?

Assignment:Assignment: Read over the positions/definitions on religion.Read over the positions/definitions on religion. Para. I - Pick a position that you feel either best suits your Para. I - Pick a position that you feel either best suits your

personal definition of what religion is or one that is most personal definition of what religion is or one that is most opposite of your personal definition.opposite of your personal definition.

Para. 2 – Pick a position that you feel best describes how Para. 2 – Pick a position that you feel best describes how the majority of people in the world feel about religion. This the majority of people in the world feel about religion. This may be different from your own view.may be different from your own view.

Support each answer in a well thought out paragraph. Each Support each answer in a well thought out paragraph. Each paragraph (2 total) should be 5 sentences.paragraph (2 total) should be 5 sentences.

Don’t forget a topic sentence. Let the reader know what Don’t forget a topic sentence. Let the reader know what you’re doing.you’re doing.

Ex. The position that best suits my personal definition of Ex. The position that best suits my personal definition of religion is #1… religion is #1…