What Is Religion?

Summary

This video explores the complexity of defining religion from an academic perspective. It highlights that religion is not a straightforward concept, with various definitions shaped by history and scholars. The term 'religion' has evolved, and its meaning differs across cultures and contexts. The video discusses perspectives from scholars like E.B. Tylor, Emile Durkheim, and Jonathan Z. Smith, emphasizing that religion is a subjective and contested concept. Instead of a single definition, it may be more useful to view religion as an analytical category shaped by the person using it.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The definition of religion is subjective and complex, often varying based on who is defining it.
• 📚 The term 'religion' has evolved over time and its meaning has shifted, differing from its Latin root 'religio'.
• 🏛️ In ancient Rome, what is now categorized as religion was divided into 'religio' (approved rituals) and 'superstitio' (unapproved beliefs).
• 🧐 Modern Western scholarship has significantly influenced the current understanding of religion as a category.
• 👨‍🏫 E. B. Tyler proposed a minimalist definition of religion as belief in supernatural beings, a view now considered too simplistic by many.
• 🏫 Emile Durkheim viewed religion as a social phenomenon, emphasizing its role in unifying society and socializing individuals.
• 🤝 Religion can be seen as a system of beliefs and practices that create a moral community, according to Durkheim.
• 🔍 Some scholars have moved away from a single definition, instead using a 'family resemblances' approach, identifying multiple characteristics that can be shared among religions.
• 🧙‍♂️ Jonathan Z. Smith argues that religion is an analytical category created by scholars, not a native term from any culture.
• 🌟 The concept of religion is contested and can encompass a wide range of beliefs and practices, making it difficult to define universally.

Q & A

What is the main challenge in defining religion according to the video?

The main challenge in defining religion is that everyone thinks they already know what it means, but it is much more complicated, with a definition that varies depending on the context and who is using the term.

How does the Latin term 'religio' differ from the modern concept of religion?

The Latin term 'religio' referred to socially acceptable cultic duties for the gods, like state-sanctioned sacrifices. It contrasted with 'superstitio,' which referred to unsanctioned beliefs. Modern religion, however, encompasses both 'religio' and 'superstitio' under one broad concept.

What was E.B. Tyler's definition of religion, and why is it considered outdated?

E.B. Tyler defined religion as the belief in supernatural beings, seeing it as the primitive core of all religions. This definition is now considered too simplistic, as modern scholars argue that religion is much more complex and cannot be reduced to just belief in spirits or supernatural beings.

How does Emile Durkheim define religion, and what aspect does he emphasize?

Durkheim defines religion as a unified system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things, which unite people into a single moral community. He emphasizes the social aspect of religion, focusing on how it reflects and reinforces societal needs and unity.

What is the 'family resemblances' approach to defining religion?

The family resemblances approach, inspired by Wittgenstein, suggests that instead of one characteristic defining all religions, there are common traits that religions share. These traits don't all have to be present, but enough similarities make something recognizable as a religion.

Why do scholars struggle to find a single unifying definition for religion?

Scholars struggle because religion is highly complex and subjective, varying across cultures and contexts. No single definition fits all cases, and every definition seems to have exceptions, leading many to see it as a contested and analytically constructed concept.

What does Jonathan Z. Smith argue about the term 'religion'?

Jonathan Z. Smith argues that 'religion' is not a native term but one created by scholars for intellectual purposes. It is a second-order generic concept used for academic analysis, similar to how 'language' functions in linguistics or 'culture' in anthropology.

How has the meaning of 'religion' shifted over time?

The meaning of 'religion' has shifted from its Roman origins, where it referred to state-sanctioned rituals ('religio'), to the modern Western concept that includes both acceptable and unacceptable practices. This shift is shaped by over 100 years of Western scholarship.

Why is religion considered a 'contested concept'?

Religion is a contested concept because its definition varies widely depending on who is using it and in what context. Different people and scholars use the term to refer to various aspects, such as belief in God, rituals, or social structures, leading to differing interpretations.

What perspective does the video suggest is most useful for understanding religion?

The video suggests that instead of looking for a single, objective definition of religion, it is more helpful to view it as a subjective, analytical category used by scholars. Recognizing the different ways people define and apply the term can aid in navigating complex discussions about religion.

Outlines

00:00

📚 What Is Religion? The Challenge of Definition

The video begins by tackling the difficulty of defining 'religion,' a concept many assume they understand. The speaker highlights that religion is far more complex, with various interpretations. Religion can be seen as a system of doctrines, cultural practices, or myths. The speaker explores questions like why Buddhism is considered a religion, but Aristotle’s philosophy is not, and discusses how definitions of religion have evolved, particularly in Western scholarship. Ancient Roman views of 'religio' as state-sanctioned rituals contrasted with 'superstitio'—unsanctioned practices—differ significantly from modern definitions, which merge both. The speaker introduces anthropologist E.B. Tyler’s minimalistic definition, 'belief in supernatural beings,' and critiques it for being overly simplistic. More recent scholars, like Emile Durkheim, view religion as a social construct that unites communities, focusing on beliefs, practices, and the sacred. The complexities and variety of definitions lead some scholars to advocate for a 'family resemblance' approach, where religion shares common traits but isn’t defined by a single characteristic.

05:01

🤔 Religion as a Contested Concept: Jonathan Z. Smith’s View

In the second part of the video, the speaker explains that religion, as an academic term, may be more of an analytical tool than a universal concept. Jonathan Z. Smith is cited, emphasizing that religion is not a 'native term' but rather an intellectual construct defined by scholars. There is no universal definition that applies to all cultures; rather, the meaning of religion is shaped by those who use the term. Religion remains a contested concept in both academia and popular culture, where debates arise over what qualifies as a religion. Examples like Scientology, Jediism, and even Coca-Cola are brought up to illustrate the fluidity of the term. While this ambiguity can be frustrating for those seeking a tidy definition, the speaker suggests that recognizing the subjective nature of religion can lead to more nuanced discussions. The audience is encouraged to question how others use the term and to appreciate the complexity involved in discussions about religion.

Keywords

💡Religion

Religion is presented as a complex, subjective term that defies a single, universal definition. The video highlights how 'religion' can refer to doctrines, cultural practices, or myths, and it explores how scholars have debated its meaning over time. It emphasizes the term's modern Western origins, contrasting ancient Roman notions of 'religio' with today's broader understanding.

💡Religio

'Religio' is the Latin term from which the modern word 'religion' is derived, though the video explains that its meaning is very different. In ancient Rome, 'religio' referred to state-sanctioned, socially acceptable cultic practices, while non-sanctioned beliefs were labeled 'superstitio.' The video uses this to illustrate how definitions of religion have evolved over time.

💡Superstitio

'Superstitio' was a term used by the Romans to describe unsanctioned, suspicious rituals and beliefs. The video contrasts 'superstitio' with 'religio,' showing that what the Romans saw as superstitious practices, such as early Christianity, would today be classified as part of a religion. This highlights how the boundaries of what constitutes religion have shifted.

💡E. B. Tyler

E. B. Tyler was an anthropologist who proposed a minimalist definition of religion as the 'belief in supernatural beings.' The video discusses his 19th-century perspective, which argued that all religions evolved from animism (belief in spirits). Tyler's definition is critiqued for being overly simplistic and has since been largely rejected by modern scholars.

💡Animism

Animism, according to E. B. Tyler, refers to the belief in spirits, which he saw as the foundation of all religions. The video mentions animism to explain Tyler’s theory of religious evolution from spirit worship to polytheism and eventually monotheism. The theory is noted for being outdated but serves to illustrate how scholars historically viewed the development of religion.

💡Emile Durkheim

Emile Durkheim is a sociologist who defined religion as 'a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things.' The video explores how Durkheim viewed religion as a social phenomenon that creates moral communities, focusing on the societal role of religion in uniting individuals under shared beliefs and customs. This view is influential in modern scholarship.

💡Sacred and Profane

The distinction between sacred and profane is central to Durkheim's definition of religion. Sacred things are those set apart and forbidden, while the profane refers to the ordinary, everyday world. The video uses this concept to explain how religious practices and beliefs are used to establish social cohesion and moral order in a community.

💡Family Resemblance

The family resemblance definition is a strategy used to define religion by identifying shared traits rather than a single characteristic. The video references Wittgenstein’s approach to games as a comparison, suggesting that while religions may differ greatly, they share enough common features (e.g., rituals, moral communities, sacred things) to be grouped together.

💡Jonathan Z. Smith

Jonathan Z. Smith was a scholar of religion who argued that 'religion' is not a native term but an analytical category created by scholars. The video presents his view that religion is a second-order concept, similar to how 'language' functions in linguistics, and that its meaning is subjective, depending on how it is used by scholars and in what context.

💡Contested Concept

The video explains that religion is a 'contested concept,' meaning it is a term whose definition is debated and varies depending on the person using it. This idea is key to understanding why it’s difficult to create a universal definition of religion, as different cultures, scholars, and individuals interpret it in diverse ways.

Highlights

The challenge of defining religion lies in its complexity and subjective nature.

Religion can refer to doctrines, cultural practices, myths, or all of these combined.

The term 'religion' has shifted over time, especially when compared to its Latin origin 'religio.'

In ancient Rome, 'religio' referred to state-sanctioned rituals, while unsanctioned beliefs were labeled as 'superstitio.'

E. B. Tyler's minimalist definition of religion as 'belief in supernatural beings' is now seen as overly simplistic.

Modern scholars emphasize religion as a social phenomenon that unites individuals into a moral community.

Emile Durkheim defines religion as a system of beliefs and practices that unite people into a community focused on the sacred.

Durkheim's definition emphasizes the social function of religion in maintaining societal rules and cohesion.

Some scholars, like Wittgenstein, suggest using 'family resemblances' to define religion instead of one fixed definition.

Robert Audi's family resemblances definition includes characteristics like belief in supernatural beings, rituals, and a moral community.

Jonathan Z. Smith argues that religion is a second-order concept created by scholars for intellectual purposes.

Religion as a category might have been invented by Western scholars, and it doesn't apply uniformly across all cultures.

Religion is a contested concept, subject to debate depending on cultural context and who is using the term.

Examples like Scientology, Jediism, and even Coca-Cola show how broad and varied the term 'religion' can be.

The video's key takeaway is that religion is a complex and subjective concept, and discussions about it need nuance and complexity.

Transcripts

Welcome to religion 101 where we will broadly explore religion what it is, and how do we go about studying it

from an academic perspective? And the first order of business is defining "what is religion?"

The biggest problem with trying to define religion is: everybody already thinks they know what it means,

but trust me, it's a lot more complicated than that.

[Music]

So what is religion? Sometimes we use the word to define a system of doctrines, or maybe a set of cultural

practice shared by a society, and sometimes we use it to refer to a body of myths, or all these things at the same

time. But what constitutes a religion? What makes Buddhism a religion?

But Aristotle's philosophy not? Why do some people say secular humanism is a religion, and other people are like,

"No, definitely not"? By the end of this video, I hope to have convinced you that religion is a subjective term

with a very blurry definition, and a contested definition - depending on who is using the term.

Our first piece of evidence is that the term religion has shifted meaning over the course of its history.

our English word "religion" really has little to do with the Latin term "religio" - where we get the modern word.

Like I talked about in another video, the Latin word "religio" refers to the socially acceptable cultic duties that

people did for the gods, like sacrificing at a state-funded temple. "Religio" was in opposition to unsanctioned,

suspicious rituals and beliefs which the Romans called "superstitio."

So for example, Christianity was labeled under "superstitio" at first because the Romans saw it as the

wrong way to relate to the gods. But this Roman definition of religion doesn't match our modern definition

of religion, which would encompass both what the Romans thought [of] as "superstitio" and "religio" under

the same concept. Our category of religion is a modern term strongly shaped by the past 100 years of Western scholarship.

It really didn't exist as a category in other cultures, and especially not in ancient Rome.

So who are these western scholars and what were their definitions for religion?

The most minimalist definition comes from the anthropologist E. B. Tyler,who defined religion as belief in supernatural beings.

Back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, anthropologists were obsessed with trying to find the

primitive religion, the religion out of which all religions evolved.

Tyler argued that it was this belief in spirits that was the foundation of all religion: a vague belief in spirits called

animism that eventually evolved into polytheism and finally monotheism. Most anthropologists today reject

this definition as being too simplistic. The religion evolution theory just

doesn't hold up to scrutiny. And not only that, there's a lot more to religion than just believing in supernatural beings.

What is more popular today is defining religion as a fundamentally social phenomenon,

something that reflects the needs and concerns of society above everything else.

Emile Durkheim is probably the most famous champion of this position.

He succinctly defines religion as, "a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things,

that is to say, things set apart and forbidden, beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community,

called a church, all those who adhere to them." Notice his focus on society,

the single unified community that he refers to in his definition. For Durkheim, religion is a form of custom that socializes individuals into a larger community,

and which provides an obligation to that individual to live by the society's rules.

For Durkheim religious beliefs and practices lend an aura of ultimate significance to society and the ideology that the society holds as important.

Like I said, this perspective of religion is very popular among scholars today, and I myself actually lend a lot of my own thinking to Durkheim

Since religion is so complex, some scholars have given up trying to come up with one unified definition for religion

instead they try to argue for a family resemblances definition.

Wittgenstein most famously applied the strategy to games. It might not be possible to find a single

characteristic that we can apply to all games, but it is possible to identify similarities. For example,

There is very little similarity between tic-tac-toe and soccer,

But they have family resemblances enough to fall under our category of a game. They both have rules. They both have opponents. They both are used for leisure.

The philosopher Robert Audi includes on his list characteristics like belief in supernatural beings, a

distinction between sacred and profane, ritual acts focused on these objects, a moral community believed to be sanctioned by divine beings and

etc. According to the strategy not all of these characteristics need to be present to label something as religion,

but if it has five or six of them it probably is a religion. Now I know what you're thinking,

we're a few minutes into this video and all we've gotten is a bunch of different definitions.

What is the one theme, the one unifying concept that will bring all these definitions together?

Ironically the one unifying theme is all of these definitions are coming from Western scholars

from the past 100 years of history. And here's why that's important:

Religion as a category may have been invented by modern Western scholars.

We really want a one or two sentence definition of religion something that we can apply to

religion no matter the cultural context or the belief system.

But as complex as religion is, that might not be possible.

You can probably always find an exception to your definition. It might be more helpful to think of religion as an analytical category of our own design.

Jonathan Z. Smith, one of the greatest scholars of religion, and who I call the Gandalf of religious studies explains it like this:

Religion is not a native term.

It is a term created by scholars for their intellectual purposes and therefore is theirs to define.

It is a second order generic concept that plays the same role in establishing a disciplinary horizon

that a concept such as language plays in linguistics or culture plays in anthropology.

What J. Z. Smith is arguing is that there is no archetypal definition of religion that we can perfectly apply to any culture.

Religion is a subjective

analytical term whose meaning depends on the person using it and on the questions

they use the term to illuminate.

This means that religion is a fundamentally contested concept, and we don't only see this in the world of scholars as they try to define it.

But we see this play out in popular culture.

We have people arguing is Scientology a religion?

Is Jediism a religion?

There is even a famous book that argues Coca-Cola is a religion.

Now, for those of you that wanted a nice tidy definition of religion, I know this might be frustrating.

If you want something that's more concrete and more objective, then I would recommend trying that family resemblances definition.

But for the time being just be aware that religion is a very subjective concept, and a concept that is very

difficult to define. When someone uses the word religion you can now ask yourself, "Are they using this term to define belief in God?

Are they using it to refer to ritual practice? What perspective are they bringing to the term?"

You will recognize that different people will use the word to refer to different things, and this will help you navigate

discussions about religion which too often lack the complexity and nuance that they deserve.

As always, thanks for watching and subscribing, and I'll see you next time.