Religious Knowledge Systems: Theory
Scope and application
If you’re like me, and are sitting down pondering the question of, ‘What the hell is religion’? Is it something were born with? Can we see it? Or can we buy it down the local store in bags? Can I level up the more I pray? Am I less of a human for not adopting one belief?
Well first things first, for a starter we can look at the denotation for religion which states; ‘a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs’. Yet in such a fast paced ever developing modern world caught up in individualism, I wonder if consumerism is the next predominant religion to occupy the masses.
Yet seeing how religion represents such an important part of so many lives throughout the world, it does provide us with the opportunity to learn about different approaches and ways of thinking, and how global societies and individuals are so diverse through their opted religions. For example though, through the freedom of Buddhism the Dalai Lama puts no expectations on gods or confession boxes to strive for better acts of interaction and empathy world wide, but instead places responsibility back onto the individual, ‘This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.’ On the other hand though we have catholicism which is quite opposing to Buddhism and is very strict with heavy guidelines on how to live ones life by, e.g '10 commandments'.
SCOPE:
With such a vast array of differing religions in the world available to your disposal, here is a scope of three contrasting religions and their primary characterisations.
Catholicism (Christianity), Islam, and Judaism are book religions. Based on heavy theory and interpreted differently by individuals. Promising after life in the form of, hell and heaven and furthermore bringing in Ethics predominately for, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct from interpretations.
“What you are is God's gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” Hans Urs von Balthasar.
Shamanism, native american medicine men: Based on practicality and survival, from blessed hunting trips and entering different animal spirits for healing etc. Is a form of communicating with nature and living homogeneous together.
"He (the Shaman) is a self-reliant explorer of the endless mansions of a magnificent hidden universe”. Michael Harner.
Buddhism: Which is based on Buddhas actions and words, but he is only a man, and not a god. The religious experience is more spiritual, and based on a practical experience, living a good life through Buddhism practises.
‘It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.’ Buddha.
Justin E.
If you’re like me, and are sitting down pondering the question of, ‘What the hell is religion’? Is it something were born with? Can we see it? Or can we buy it down the local store in bags? Can I level up the more I pray? Am I less of a human for not adopting one belief?
Well first things first, for a starter we can look at the denotation for religion which states; ‘a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs’. Yet in such a fast paced ever developing modern world caught up in individualism, I wonder if consumerism is the next predominant religion to occupy the masses.
Yet seeing how religion represents such an important part of so many lives throughout the world, it does provide us with the opportunity to learn about different approaches and ways of thinking, and how global societies and individuals are so diverse through their opted religions. For example though, through the freedom of Buddhism the Dalai Lama puts no expectations on gods or confession boxes to strive for better acts of interaction and empathy world wide, but instead places responsibility back onto the individual, ‘This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.’ On the other hand though we have catholicism which is quite opposing to Buddhism and is very strict with heavy guidelines on how to live ones life by, e.g '10 commandments'.
SCOPE:
With such a vast array of differing religions in the world available to your disposal, here is a scope of three contrasting religions and their primary characterisations.
Catholicism (Christianity), Islam, and Judaism are book religions. Based on heavy theory and interpreted differently by individuals. Promising after life in the form of, hell and heaven and furthermore bringing in Ethics predominately for, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct from interpretations.
“What you are is God's gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” Hans Urs von Balthasar.
Shamanism, native american medicine men: Based on practicality and survival, from blessed hunting trips and entering different animal spirits for healing etc. Is a form of communicating with nature and living homogeneous together.
"He (the Shaman) is a self-reliant explorer of the endless mansions of a magnificent hidden universe”. Michael Harner.
Buddhism: Which is based on Buddhas actions and words, but he is only a man, and not a god. The religious experience is more spiritual, and based on a practical experience, living a good life through Buddhism practises.
‘It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.’ Buddha.
Justin E.
Concepts & language
The concept of religious language can be distinguished through the idea of religious discourse. The main differentiating factor between non-religious languages and religious languages is the terminology and theology within the context. The religious language discourse are not to be considered a separate language in the form that French and English differentiate, but instead to be considered a sublanguage of a pre-existing one. (source 1)
Within the religion of Islam, Arabic is thought to be the holy and sacred language, and it is discussed whether the Qur’an should be translated. Referencing the idea of losing meaning in translation. The idea of translation through teaching is the most commonly accepted form. (Source 2). Similar patterns are found within the religion of Judaism. ‘’The Jewish Scriptures had been preserved in Hebrew for millennia. Translating and proclaiming the holy words in any language other than Hebrew was out of the question for the religious leaders. However, they also recognized the importance of explaining the texts to those who could not understand the Hebrew language. It, therefore, became tradition to read the texts in Hebrew and then to have an oral translation called a Targum (plural: Targumim) proclaimed, and then explained in Aramaic so that the people could understand.’’ (source 3)
The problems within the translation of religious scriptures are many. Countless words have several translations, and can be completely mistranslated by changing a single letter. Alongside the problems of the actual translation, the problem of punctuation arises ‘’There is no infallible rule to follow; judgments must be based on what seems to provide the fullest and most appropriate sense in the context’’ (source 4). The main problems discussed within the field of scripture translation consists of the lack of interpretation as to metaphors, the misleading use of etymology, the use of cognates, the internal structure and the appliance of history. (source 5).
Heidi T.
Source 1: http://www.crvp.org/book/series01/i-28/chapter_three.htm
The Council of Studies of Values and Philosophies Washington, led by president George F. McLean is a group of universities from around the world, dedicated to identifying new areas of society in need of study. This particular book focuses on the use of language in religion.
Source 2: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/feb/22/bible-translation-quran-text
The Guardian is a news platform. It is well acknowledge and carries value of validity. The specific article ‘Are Religious Texts Lost in Translation?’ focuses on the translation of the Qur’an.
Source 3: http://www.cjoc.ca/pdf/Vol-3-S-1%20Amanda%20Eve.pdf
The source is an extract from The Canadian Journal of Orthodox Christianity, and focuses on the role of language in religion and ethnic identity.
Source 4: https://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/ted_hildebrandt/new_testament_greek/text/metzger-translationproblems03-bs.pdf (page 278)
The source is by Bruce M. Metzger, a professor of the New Testament Language and Liturature, from a Princeton theological seminar. The particular text focuses on the problems concerning the translation of the Bible.
Source 5: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-joel-hoffman/five-ways-your-bible-tran_b_1007058.html
The Huffington Post is a news platform. It is well acknowledge and carries value of validity. The specific article ‘Five Ways Your Bible Translation Distorts the Original Meaning of the Text’ focuses on the translation of the bible.
The concept of religious language can be distinguished through the idea of religious discourse. The main differentiating factor between non-religious languages and religious languages is the terminology and theology within the context. The religious language discourse are not to be considered a separate language in the form that French and English differentiate, but instead to be considered a sublanguage of a pre-existing one. (source 1)
Within the religion of Islam, Arabic is thought to be the holy and sacred language, and it is discussed whether the Qur’an should be translated. Referencing the idea of losing meaning in translation. The idea of translation through teaching is the most commonly accepted form. (Source 2). Similar patterns are found within the religion of Judaism. ‘’The Jewish Scriptures had been preserved in Hebrew for millennia. Translating and proclaiming the holy words in any language other than Hebrew was out of the question for the religious leaders. However, they also recognized the importance of explaining the texts to those who could not understand the Hebrew language. It, therefore, became tradition to read the texts in Hebrew and then to have an oral translation called a Targum (plural: Targumim) proclaimed, and then explained in Aramaic so that the people could understand.’’ (source 3)
The problems within the translation of religious scriptures are many. Countless words have several translations, and can be completely mistranslated by changing a single letter. Alongside the problems of the actual translation, the problem of punctuation arises ‘’There is no infallible rule to follow; judgments must be based on what seems to provide the fullest and most appropriate sense in the context’’ (source 4). The main problems discussed within the field of scripture translation consists of the lack of interpretation as to metaphors, the misleading use of etymology, the use of cognates, the internal structure and the appliance of history. (source 5).
Heidi T.
Source 1: http://www.crvp.org/book/series01/i-28/chapter_three.htm
The Council of Studies of Values and Philosophies Washington, led by president George F. McLean is a group of universities from around the world, dedicated to identifying new areas of society in need of study. This particular book focuses on the use of language in religion.
Source 2: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/feb/22/bible-translation-quran-text
The Guardian is a news platform. It is well acknowledge and carries value of validity. The specific article ‘Are Religious Texts Lost in Translation?’ focuses on the translation of the Qur’an.
Source 3: http://www.cjoc.ca/pdf/Vol-3-S-1%20Amanda%20Eve.pdf
The source is an extract from The Canadian Journal of Orthodox Christianity, and focuses on the role of language in religion and ethnic identity.
Source 4: https://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/ted_hildebrandt/new_testament_greek/text/metzger-translationproblems03-bs.pdf (page 278)
The source is by Bruce M. Metzger, a professor of the New Testament Language and Liturature, from a Princeton theological seminar. The particular text focuses on the problems concerning the translation of the Bible.
Source 5: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-joel-hoffman/five-ways-your-bible-tran_b_1007058.html
The Huffington Post is a news platform. It is well acknowledge and carries value of validity. The specific article ‘Five Ways Your Bible Translation Distorts the Original Meaning of the Text’ focuses on the translation of the bible.
Methodology
There are various different belief systems; each has their own opinions, rituals and morals, with strongly conflicting beliefs, ranging from atheism, theism, polytheism, pantheism, agnosticism etc. With each religion also having their own way of receiving and sharing knowledge, and interpreting the world around them.
The definition of a myth, in religion, is different compared to in mathematics or the sciences. It is considered more as a story rather than a false statement. As Smart said, “the use of the term ‘myth’ in relation to religious phenomena is quite neutral as to the truth or falsity of the story enshrined in the myth…and in calling something a story we are not thereby saying that it is true or false; we are just reporting on what has been said.” The truth and false in religions relies more on emotion, intuitions and revelation than the sciences. The main means of gaining knowledge in religion is through interpretation of shared stories and history of the particular system. For shared knowledge individuals have to accept and establish authority of religious texts and of religious leaders such as priests, ministers, imams and rabbis. Religious stories and histories help to promote and teach new members of the religion, its ideals and values.
A doctrine is used to help interpret the myths and stories and is considered a shared explanation of values and expectations of ‘correct’ behaviour. For example we could use the story of Adam and Eve and the Original Sin or Yuga in Hinduism. The story of the Original Sin, believes that because of the ‘sin’ Adam and Eve committed everyone on Earth is born of sin and needs to be baptised in order to be forgiven by God. Whereas the Yuga, era within a four-age cycle, in Hinduism belief that the world and all life in it, is destroyed and recreated every 4.1 to 8.2 billion years.
There are various different belief systems; each has their own opinions, rituals and morals, with strongly conflicting beliefs, ranging from atheism, theism, polytheism, pantheism, agnosticism etc. With each religion also having their own way of receiving and sharing knowledge, and interpreting the world around them.
The definition of a myth, in religion, is different compared to in mathematics or the sciences. It is considered more as a story rather than a false statement. As Smart said, “the use of the term ‘myth’ in relation to religious phenomena is quite neutral as to the truth or falsity of the story enshrined in the myth…and in calling something a story we are not thereby saying that it is true or false; we are just reporting on what has been said.” The truth and false in religions relies more on emotion, intuitions and revelation than the sciences. The main means of gaining knowledge in religion is through interpretation of shared stories and history of the particular system. For shared knowledge individuals have to accept and establish authority of religious texts and of religious leaders such as priests, ministers, imams and rabbis. Religious stories and histories help to promote and teach new members of the religion, its ideals and values.
A doctrine is used to help interpret the myths and stories and is considered a shared explanation of values and expectations of ‘correct’ behaviour. For example we could use the story of Adam and Eve and the Original Sin or Yuga in Hinduism. The story of the Original Sin, believes that because of the ‘sin’ Adam and Eve committed everyone on Earth is born of sin and needs to be baptised in order to be forgiven by God. Whereas the Yuga, era within a four-age cycle, in Hinduism belief that the world and all life in it, is destroyed and recreated every 4.1 to 8.2 billion years.
Different religions have differences in terms of shared and personal knowledge and how they are conveyed. Christianity for example, shares knowledge through theory and written text, also known as the Holy Bible. People who are able to interpret the scriptures are considered to have knowledge on the history of Christianity and the way the world was created, around 6000 years ago [1], not through evolution but by God. In terms of education, to establish authority, priests go to seminars to learn more about Christianity and therefore help educate the followers. This education establishes their authority as being more knowledgeable and an expert in their religion. People are also able to study Catholicism in universities, as this is another way of becoming an expert in their religion. Priests use their knowledge to guide new members and help interpret the bible as the word of God, whereas religious scholars use their knowledge, acquired in universities, to write theoretical and formal papers much like mathematicians and scientists.
However in Shamanism, the knowledge is more through practice. Usually a person is appointed the role of a shaman through spiritual means. For example, one of the Inuit shaman’s was selected before he was born. His mother was helping his father harness the wolves, which is apparently a taboo in her condition and he began to kick her stomach. People believed that this was by kicking her, he was recognising the taboo and therefore would be a great shaman. This resulted in many rules and regulations being followed when he was born. He was allowed to only wear clothes where the fur was stitched sideways; his first hunt was to be eaten only by men etc. He said that he received help from spirits, for example a shark came up to him and spoke his name.
(You can learn more about this on the video linked below. [2])
The shared knowledge in this case is learnt through the shaman instead of through scriptures. What he interprets from the signs sent to him through spirits is what is spoken and learnt by the people following this religion. Most of the personal knowledge attained in religions, are usually the individual’s perception of the information given to them.
As a conclusion, most of the knowledge generated in the religious knowledge systems can only be considered knowledge when it is accepted among a religious group.
[1]"Religious Studies." BBC News. Accessed June 12, 2015. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/environment/christianitybeliefsrev1.shtml.
[2]"Complete Inuit Shaman Life Story 1922." YouTube. Accessed June 12, 2015.
Astriti V.
As a conclusion, most of the knowledge generated in the religious knowledge systems can only be considered knowledge when it is accepted among a religious group.
[1]"Religious Studies." BBC News. Accessed June 12, 2015. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/environment/christianitybeliefsrev1.shtml.
[2]"Complete Inuit Shaman Life Story 1922." YouTube. Accessed June 12, 2015.
Astriti V.