Why We Want to Study Religion | Dr. Carol Anderson | TEDxKalamazooCollege
Summary
TLDRIn this insightful discussion, the speaker advocates for a broader, more open conversation about religion and spirituality, beyond traditional categorizations. They encourage exploring these topics with fresh perspectives and without the constraints of predefined 'good' or 'bad' labels. The speaker emphasizes the importance of discussing religion and spirituality with those we enjoy, fostering genuine and meaningful dialogues that can lead to a deeper understanding of these complex subjects in our lives.
Takeaways
- 📦 The speaker suggests that religion has traditionally been categorized into two boxes: one listing various religions and the other labeling them as either 'good' or 'bad'.
- 🌏 The speaker encourages a broader and more open conversation about religion and spirituality, inviting everyone regardless of their background or beliefs to participate.
- 🔍 The speaker emphasizes the importance of defining religion and spirituality in one's own terms, rather than adhering to strict academic or traditional definitions.
- 👥 The speaker proposes that discussions about religion and spirituality should occur with people we enjoy and trust, as this fosters a more meaningful and open dialogue.
- 🤝 The speaker highlights the value of vulnerability in conversations about religion and spirituality, as it allows for a deeper understanding and connection with others.
- 💬 The speaker suggests that conversations about religion and spirituality should be embedded in the context of everyday life, making them more relatable and less abstract.
- 🌱 The speaker shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how religion can be a part of one's life in various ways, including through participation in community and cultural activities.
- 🤔 The speaker encourages questioning and redefining what religion means to each individual, rather than accepting preconceived notions or labels.
- 🌟 The speaker believes that the best conversations about religion and spirituality happen when they are intertwined with other aspects of life, making them more personal and meaningful.
- 🌈 The speaker argues that religion and spirituality are not confined to the boxes of specific religions or moral judgments, but are expansive and encompassing of a wide range of human experiences and questions.
- 💡 The speaker concludes by urging the audience to make conversations about religion and spirituality real and grounded in personal experiences, to see what insights and connections can emerge.
Q & A
What is the main premise of the speaker's discussion on religion and spirituality?
-The speaker's main premise is to take religion and spirituality out of the traditional, rigid boxes (such as specific religions or the binary of 'good' and 'bad') and explore these topics with an open, fresh perspective. They aim to encourage conversations that challenge, reframe, and redefine how people understand and engage with religion and spirituality.
Who does the speaker mean by 'we' when discussing religion and spirituality?
-The speaker uses 'we' to include everyone in the conversation, regardless of their religious or spiritual background, beliefs, or lack thereof. This inclusive approach invites people from all walks of life to engage in discussions about religion and spirituality.
What kind of environments does the speaker suggest are best for discussions about religion and spirituality?
-The speaker suggests that discussions about religion and spirituality are best held with people whose company we enjoy—friends, family, and others with whom we feel comfortable. This creates a more open and vulnerable environment conducive to meaningful conversations.
Why does the speaker believe it's important to talk about religion and spirituality?
-The speaker believes it is important to talk about religion and spirituality to challenge existing definitions, explore personal meanings, and make these topics more human and relatable. Such conversations allow for a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
What does the speaker say about how people define religion and spirituality?
-The speaker acknowledges that religion and spirituality can mean very different things to different people. For some, it might mean following a traditional faith; for others, it could be a personal experience, like hiking, or even a critical perspective, such as seeing religion as 'the opiate of the masses.'
How does the speaker approach the topic of teaching religion?
-The speaker, who teaches religion, explains that their approach is to facilitate a space where students wrestle with big questions, such as defining religion, theology, and spirituality, or understanding different religious traditions and their historical and cultural contexts.
What example does the speaker give to illustrate their point about religion feeling like an experience?
-The speaker shares that for them, religion isn't about belief but about how it feels. For example, being comfortable in a Buddhist country and participating in local customs and rituals, or feeling the same comfort in attending a Christian church for the music, just like their grandmother did.
How does the speaker suggest we should deal with differing views on religion and spirituality?
-The speaker suggests that good conversations about religion require openness, vulnerability, and a willingness to suspend presuppositions. Engaging with people we like or trust makes it easier to have deep, candid discussions, even if there are disagreements.
What do the speaker's examples of personal conversations reveal about religion?
-The examples reveal that religion is often just one aspect of life that shapes routines and commitments, similar to any other significant activity. For instance, a Roman Catholic attending Mass and the speaker attending a local community center are both examples of commitments that shape their lives.
What is the speaker's ultimate goal for these conversations about religion and spirituality?
-The speaker's ultimate goal is to make conversations about religion and spirituality more expansive, human, and real. They want these topics to be explored in ways that are meaningful to individuals, allowing for personal definitions and understandings to emerge.
Outlines
🌐 Exploring Religion and Spirituality Beyond Labels
The speaker begins by challenging the conventional categorization of religion into two distinct boxes: one listing various religious denominations and the other labeling them as either 'good' or 'bad'. The speaker invites a broad and inclusive conversation on religion and spirituality, emphasizing that everyone, regardless of their religious or spiritual background, should be part of this dialogue. The goal is to redefine and explore these concepts with fresh perspectives, encouraging open-ended questions and a willingness to engage with the topics without preconceived notions. The speaker shares personal anecdotes, such as growing up in a United Methodist household, to illustrate the diversity of experiences and the fluidity of religious identity.
🗣️ Engaging in Conversations with Enjoyable Company
The speaker suggests that discussions on religion and spirituality should be reserved for those with whom we enjoy spending time, such as friends, family, and acquaintances. This approach fosters a sense of vulnerability and openness, which are essential for meaningful exchanges. The speaker argues that good conversations require a willingness to listen and to be heard, setting aside preconceived notions to engage genuinely with the other person's perspective. The speaker shares examples of how these conversations can unfold, such as when people ask about their profession and the ensuing dialogue about the nature of religion and spirituality. The speaker emphasizes that these discussions can lead to a deeper understanding of how religion and spirituality are perceived and experienced differently by individuals.
🌟 Integrating Spirituality into Daily Life Conversations
The speaker advocates for integrating discussions about religion and spirituality into everyday conversations, rather than treating them as separate or isolated topics. By weaving these conversations into the fabric of our daily lives, we can better understand how they shape our experiences and perspectives. The speaker uses the example of a neighbor who attended early mass and how their commitment to this practice became a natural part of their discussions. The speaker reflects on how such conversations can reveal the personal significance of religious practices and how they intersect with other aspects of life, such as community involvement and personal identity. The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to engage in real and meaningful conversations about religion and spirituality, which can lead to a more humanized and relatable understanding of these concepts.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Religion
💡Spirituality
💡Boxes
💡Conversation
💡Defining
💡Good and Bad
💡Vulnerability
💡Presuppositions
💡Atheist and Agnostic
💡Personal Experience
💡Real and Human
Highlights
The speaker proposes a fresh exploration of religion and spirituality, encouraging a reevaluation beyond traditional categorizations.
An invitation is extended to everyone, regardless of their religious or spiritual background, to engage in conversations about religion and spirituality.
The speaker shares personal anecdotes from a United Methodist upbringing, illustrating the diversity of religious experiences.
The importance of defining religion and spirituality in one's own terms is emphasized, recognizing the subjective nature of these concepts.
The speaker advocates for conversations about religion and spirituality to occur only with those we enjoy, fostering a more open and receptive environment.
The value of vulnerability in conversations about religion and spirituality is highlighted, as it allows for deeper understanding and connection.
The speaker discusses the diversity of religious experiences, noting that religion can mean different things to different people.
An example is given where the speaker's teaching of religion leads to a discussion about the personal significance of Buddhism.
The speaker emphasizes that religion is not just about belief but also about how it feels and is experienced.
The conversation with a neighbor about attending Mass illustrates how religion can be integrated into everyday life and conversations.
The speaker argues that religion and spirituality should not be confined to rigid categories but should be discussed in a broader, more human context.
The idea that religion and spirituality are part of the fabric of life, influencing our daily decisions and commitments, is presented.
The speaker concludes by encouraging real and meaningful conversations about religion and spirituality that reflect our lived experiences.
Transcripts
good afternoon so my premise is that we
have put religion in two boxes one is a
row it says Christianity Hinduism
Buddhism Jainism Baha'i Judaism Islam
and so on second set of boxes is a pair
and the first says good and the second
says bad so I want us to talk about
religion and spirituality I want us to
talk about religion and spirituality so
we can take those topics out of those
boxes and play with them get to push at
them hug at them a little bit toss them
in the air turn them inside out I want
us to explore religion and spirituality
with fresh eyes and ask as many new
questions as we can possibly think of so
when I say that we can talk about
religion and spirituality
who is we when I use the word we in that
sentence I am throwing the doors wide
open inviting everybody into the
conversation it doesn't matter if you
consider yourself religious or not it
doesn't matter if you consider yourself
spiritual or not it doesn't matter if
you were raised in a single religious
tradition your whole life or it doesn't
matter if you're raised in two religious
traditions because your parents were of
different faiths it doesn't matter if
you are spiritual but not religious
doesn't matter if you've changed
religion doesn't matter if you've tossed
religion out the door for example I was
raised United Methodist when I was in
junior high in high school what that
meant is that religion shaped the
structure of my Sunday's so whole family
went to church I went off to Sunday
School then we had the church service
afternoon was spent with youth group and
then I had to go back with another group
of friends
and we had rehearsal for the handbell
choir yes I was in handbell choir and
somewhere in the morning we had coffee
our and when I was in junior high the
goal was a snag as many cookies as you
could without getting caught right so
you get you get some idea of how my
Sunday went now on the other hand some
of the best scholars of religion in the
country weren't raised in a religious
tradition at all they call themselves
nuns and oh and es right and that number
is growing so it doesn't matter if
you're an atheist it doesn't matter if
you're an agnostic it doesn't matter if
you are spiritual or religious there is
no admission ticket to these
conversations what does matter is that
you want to talk about religion and
spirituality what does matter is that we
do it as broadly as we can possibly
imagine so when I say that we can talk
about religion and spirituality we get
to define it however we want let me
explain why I say that scholars of
religion and theology have written
volumes and believe me volumes on how to
define religion how did it find theology
who is God that's the point of many of
the courses that we teach in the
religion department to wrestle with the
big defining questions what is Buddhism
who was Muhammad is Catholicism in
Kalamazoo the same as Roman Catholicism
in 1970s Brazil what does Judaism look
like in 18th century France
what is that space between Jesus Christ
and the establishment of Christianity as
a religion so these are the questions we
asked in class room when I say that I
want us to talk about religion and
spirituality though I really want us to
talk about religion and spirituality
outside the classroom so for you if
religion means the faith that you are
raised in that's great if for somebody
else it means that you define
spirituality and
hiking along the Cascade crest trail
that's wonderful beautiful part of the
country if for somebody else religion
means the opiate of the masses
that I'm really really happy that you
have read Karl Marx and if religion is
something that you've left behind it's
not a problem if somebody else defines
religion in a very personal way that
you're struggling with trying to
understand what religion means for your
life personally there are a lot of other
people who are asking exactly the same
question and you have a lot of company
so for the purposes of these
conversations we get to define what
spirituality and religion mean for our
lives that's the important thing
we get to do to this thing we get to do
the defining so my next premise is that
we should only talk about religion and
spirituality with people that we like
yeah let me say it again so you really
get it I propose that we only only talk
about religion and spirituality whose
company we enjoy friends family
relatives people you'd like to get to
know better and I've already heard your
titter and you know that you're kind of
breathing a sigh of relief there you oh
good she's not saying that I have to
talk about religion spirituality with
the person who's comes to knock on my
door about some strange religious
tradition I don't know anything about
right I am NOT saying talk to everybody
about religion right I personally have a
very difficult time talking about any
topic with people who aren't interested
in the mutual exchange the same is true
for religion good conversations require
a sense of vulnerability in order to
hear what our conversation partners have
to say we need to suspend our
presuppositions and our assumptions we
need to set those aside and just listen
in order to be heard by our conversation
partners we need to reach down deep and
find the words to put to just those
things that we're thinking about
religion in spirituality we need to be
candid we need to be open and just
because we're being candid and open
doesn't we doesn't mean we're being all
nice and agreeable oh yeah that's cool
right you get into real arguments and
exchanges that's when the best
conversations occur so when we talk with
people that we like that's when we learn
the most we enjoy the give-and-take and
we learn more from each other than we
would learn just on our own so what is
it that we learn when we start talking
about religion and spirituality well the
first thing is we learned that people
have a whole lot of different ways of
talking about it
right so not only the content but how
they talk about it some people are
nervous some people are okay and the
other thing we learn is that religion is
spear trailing mean very very different
things to a lot of people I want to give
you an example of conversation that I
often have and it's usually with people
who have just met me they say so Carol
what do you do for a living and I always
have a great response I say I teach
religion absolutes tiny stillness not a
word right then then the I broke us up
sometimes this one sometimes this one
look at me he say so and I bailed him
out at that point and I say I teach a
comparative religion or I teach Buddhism
and Hinduism at college and there and
then he variable in the next comment is
oh that's so cool I always wanted to
know more about Buddhism and then we're
off to a good conversation because
Buddhism of course is the good religion
inevitably the next question is so do
you believe in Buddhism and when I say I
am most comfortable being Buddhist in a
Buddhist country like Burma or Sri Lanka
then I really get the raised eyebrows
they're like oh right I get the funny
looks and then I have to go on and
explain that for me religion isn't about
belief it's about how it feels so is it
a natural thing to go to the local
temple does everybody take their shoes
off when you go up the stairs where do
you get your offerings do you recognize
the chants that are being played over
the loudspeaker do you know the prayers
and at this point they're kind of
getting it right and then when I say
it's no different for me than it was
from my grandmother who said she went to
church for the music then they get it
that this is about how it feels and at
that point in time I usually reflect the
question back to them I say so what does
religion feel like for you and then we
have a really interesting conversation
and in that exchange although I've just
in the course of coming up with this
talk I'd only come to think of this as
the process of taking religion out of
boxes but we've taken religion out of
the Buddhism box and we've also taken
Buddhas amount of the good box and we
mixed it up a little bit my conviction
is that the best conversations about
religion and spirituality are those
convictions that are woven into other
conversations about what's going on in
our life let me give you another example
I have a neighbor she's no longer
neighborhood she used to be a neighbor
and we would walk our dogs in the
evening I don't have the dog see but you
get what I'm saying
and we would walk you know around the
neighborhood about a mile loop and we
would talk about our day how'd it go
what was going on you know how the dogs
doing what's making you crazy and after
a few years of doing this on a regular
basis I realized that she went
to early mass every Sunday and it just
became part of the thing that we were
talking about I said did you go to Mass
today she said yeah and we would kind of
move on and recently I have come even
though those conversations have stopped
I've come to talk about think about
those conversations as sort of things
that make up our life and I realized in
the course of our conversations that
when she would talk about going to Mass
and what that meant to her it was
exactly the same way as I would talk
about going down to the local Kalamazoo
gay and lesbian Resource Center where I
was and still I'm on the board right
these are both things that our time
commitments for us we commit our time in
our energy to the institutions the Roman
Catholic Church on the one hand local
nonprofit on the other and they shape
the texture in the shape of our week in
our months in our daily lives now you
might think that somebody who is a
devout Roman Catholic wouldn't have
anything in common it was somebody like
me I've been out as a lesbian for well
over 30 years right if you pay attention
in the media Roman Catholic lesbian
absolutely antithetical right but when
we embed that conversation in how we
really live our lives religion is just a
thing it's not a big thing
it's just a thing helps us shape and
define our lives and it certainly has
never gotten in the way of our
friendship even though we don't walk the
dogs together we still are friends to
this day
so religion and spirituality don't fit
into the boxes right christianity
hinduism buddhism good bad religion to
spirituality are bigger than those boxes
now don't get me wrong i'm not saying
there isn't such a thing as christianity
hinduism buddhism good bad religion is
good right religion is bad there is
absolutely no denying that i'm not going
to argue otherwise but i am saying that
we can talk about religion and
spirituality in a more expansive way
religion and spirituality are about big
questions what do we think the world is
what is human nature it's about the fact
that people have asked these questions
for hundreds and thousands of years
right certain religions have rejected
some answers and kept others and when we
begin to talk about it just in a usual
human way we get to wrestle with those
questions and answers to in short we get
to make religion human we get to define
it we get to answer it we get to take
religion and spirituality and make it
real for us so talk about religion talk
about spirituality above all make these
conversations real and then see what
happens
thank you
Weitere ähnliche Videos ansehen
Spirituality Vs. Religion: A Deep Analysis
Akhir Nya Mereka Terdiam & Merinding Lihat -The Meaning Of Life -
A CAÇA POR ATENÇÃO DOS BRASILEIROS SANGUESSUGAS EAS CONVERSAS BANAIS - OLAVO DE CARVALHO #olavo
Potential: Jordan Peterson at TEDxUofT
Spiritual but not Religious?
Spirituality VS Religion: 5 Things You Should Know
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)