Why We Want to Study Religion | Dr. Carol Anderson | TEDxKalamazooCollege

Summary

In 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

00:00

🌐 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.

05:02

🗣️ 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.

10:02

🌟 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.

Keywords

💡Religion

Religion, in the context of the video, refers to a set of beliefs, practices, and moral codes that are often associated with a deity or a higher power. It is one of the central themes of the video, where the speaker encourages a broader and more open-minded discussion about religion, beyond the confines of traditional definitions. The script mentions various religious traditions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam to illustrate the diversity of religious experiences and to challenge the audience to think beyond the 'boxes' of categorization.

💡Spirituality

Spirituality is discussed as a personal quest for understanding one's place in the universe, seeking a sense of peace and purpose in life. It is presented as a concept that can be separate from organized religion and can be deeply personal and varied among individuals. The video emphasizes the importance of exploring spirituality with fresh eyes and engaging in conversations that are not limited by traditional religious boundaries.

💡Boxes

The term 'boxes' is used metaphorically in the video to describe the tendency to categorize and limit our understanding of religion and spirituality. The speaker argues for taking these topics 'out of the boxes' to encourage a more open and exploratory dialogue. This concept is central to the video's message, which is about breaking free from the constraints of preconceived notions and stereotypes.

💡Conversation

Conversation is highlighted as a key method for exploring and understanding religion and spirituality. The video encourages engaging in conversations with a broad range of people, regardless of their religious or spiritual backgrounds, to foster a deeper and more nuanced understanding. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being open, candid, and willing to listen and learn from others.

💡Defining

Defining is a recurring action in the video, where the speaker discusses how individuals define religion and spirituality for themselves. The video challenges the audience to define these concepts in their own terms, rather than relying on traditional or externally imposed definitions. This process of defining is seen as a way to make religion and spirituality more personal and relevant.

💡Good and Bad

The concepts of 'good' and 'bad' are mentioned in relation to the binary way in which religion is often viewed, with certain religions or practices being labeled as one or the other. The video speaker argues for a more nuanced understanding that goes beyond simplistic moral judgments and encourages a more complex and empathetic approach to discussing religion.

💡Vulnerability

Vulnerability is described as a necessary component of meaningful conversations about religion and spirituality. It involves being open and honest about one's beliefs and experiences, which can lead to deeper connections and more profound learning. The video suggests that vulnerability is crucial for authentic dialogue and personal growth.

💡Presuppositions

Presuppositions are preconceived ideas or assumptions that can limit the scope of a conversation. The video speaker advises setting aside presuppositions to engage in more open and honest discussions about religion and spirituality. This approach allows for a broader exploration of ideas and experiences.

💡Atheist and Agnostic

The video acknowledges the diversity of beliefs by including atheists and agnostics in the conversation about religion and spirituality. It emphasizes that these perspectives are valid and should be part of the broader dialogue, challenging the notion that such discussions are only for the religious.

💡Personal Experience

Personal experience is highlighted as a significant aspect of understanding religion and spirituality. The speaker shares her own experiences, such as growing up in a United Methodist family and her connection to Buddhism, to illustrate how personal experiences shape one's views and practices. The video encourages others to share their personal stories as a way to enrich the conversation.

💡Real and Human

The video calls for making religion and spirituality 'real and human,' which means grounding these concepts in everyday life experiences and personal connections. It suggests that by discussing religion and spirituality in the context of real-life situations, we can better understand their impact and significance.

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