Q1 L2: What is Religion?

• what are the two ways of defining religion as a social reality?

  substantive, functional
• a way of defining religion: which is concerned with what constitutes religion. In this sense, religion involves beliefs and practices “which assume the existence of supernatural beings.”

  substantive
• a way of defining religion: which is more concerned with the social consequences of religion

  functional
• social phenomenon that is not simply about the pursuit of particular beliefs or practices prescribed for us by religious leaders; search for order of things; search for personal meaning

  religion
• 4 respects many individuals can easily recognize as pertaining to the religious:

  • religion is a collective phenomenon
  • religion is concerned with ordering behavior in relation to the sacred and/or supernatural
  • religion involves a body of beliefs and moral prescriptions
  • religion expect its followers to follow a set of principles that relate to the notion of sacred
• WORLD RELIGION

  • 31.5% - Christianity
  • 23.2% - Muslims
  • 16.3% - Unaffiliated
  • 15.0% - Hindus
  • 7.1% - Buddhist
  • 5.9% - Folk Religionists
  • 0.8% - Other Religions
  • 0.2% - Jews