DOCSLIB.ORG

The Role of Religious Fundamentalism in the Intersection of National and Religious Identities

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Role of Religious Fundamentalism in the Intersection of National and Religious Identities The Role of Religious Fundamentalism in the Intersection of National and Religious Identities Susilo Wibisono, Winnifred Louis, and Jolanda Jetten School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia ndonesia has seen recent expansions of fundamentalist movements mobilising members in support I a change to the current constitution. Against this background, two studies were conducted. In Study 1, we explored the intersection of religious and national identity among Indonesian Muslims quantita- tively, and in Study 2, we qualitatively examined religious and national identification among members of moderate and fundamentalist religious organisations. Specifically, Study 1 (N = 178) assessed whether the association of religious and national identity was moderated by religious fundamentalism. Results showed that strength of religious identification was positively associated with strength of national iden- tification for both those high and low in fundamentalism. Using structured interviews and focus group discussions, Study 2 (N = 35) examined the way that self-alignment with religious and national groups develops among activists of religious movements in Indonesia. We found that while more fundamentalist activists attached greater importance to their religious identity than to any other identity (e.g., national and ethnic), more moderate activists represented their religious and national identities as more inte- grated and compatible. We conclude that for Indonesian Muslims higher in religious fundamentalism, religious and national identities appear to be less integrated and this is consequential for the way in which collective agendas are pursued. Keywords: social identity, national identity, religious identity, fundamentalism, religiosity Researchers often perceive fundamentalism as the driv- certain religious norms may be perceived as a demonstra- ing force behind interreligious group conflict because it tion of religious supremacy that can lead to disharmonious is argued to support authoritarian aggression (Altemeyer relationships among other religious groups (Kanas & Mar- &Hunsberger,1992) or terrorist violence (Rogers et al., tinovic, 2017) and ultimately damage national interests. 2007). However, it is also clear that those who are driven by This is why we propose that it is important to gain a their fundamentalist identity to pursue particular group deeper understanding of the relationship of religious iden- goals hold more identities than just their religious iden- tity and national identity. Religious-based political action tity. We propose that how religious identity intersects with can not only exert a strong influence on societies (Kanas other identities — notably national identity — is impor- & Martinovic, 2017; Verkuyten, Maliepaard, Martinovic, tant because it determines how that the religious iden- & Khoudja, 2014), but it can affect group processes and tity takes shape and is defined. In particular, while both identities at work in religious collective action (Ysseldyk national identification and religious identification are as- et al., 2010). Such collective action may be represented sociated with group loyalty (Druckman, 1994; Ysseldyk, in various forms, such as supporting religious-based po- Matheson, & Anisman, 2010), the two identities can be litical agendas (e.g., religious education in schools, legal perceivedasmoreorlesscompatible,andthismaybeas- ratification of religious-based rituals), lobbying for reli- sociated with religious-based collective action. We argue gious interests, or religious-based intergroup hostility (see that it is important to examine the intersection of iden- Kanas & Martinovic, 2017; Kanas, Scheepers, & Sterkens, tities because, at times, the actions that emerge as a con- 2016). sequence of a particular form of intersectionality may be In the present research, we explore the role of reli- disruptive to the social fabric of nation states. For example, gious fundamentalism in the intersection of religious and the demands by fundamentalist religious groups to legalise national identity in Indonesia. In the second study, we Address for correspondence: Susilo Wibisono, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, McElwain Building, Room 303, St Lucia QLD 4067, Australia. Email: [email protected] JOURNAL OF PACIFIC RIM PSYCHOLOGY, Volume 13, e12, page 1 of 12. C The Author(s) 2019. This is an Open Access article, distributed under 1 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/corethe terms of the Creative Commons. IP address: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 170.106.202.226, on 25 Sep 2021 at 19:42:33 licence, subject (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at ), which https://www.cambridge.org/core/termspermits non-commercial. https://doi.org/10.1017/prp.2018.25 re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work. doi 10.1017/prp.2018.25 Susilo Wibisono et al. explore more specifically how active members of religious Finally, we define religious identity as a sense of be- social movements in Indonesia understand the intersec- longing to one religion (Kanas & Martinovic, 2017), and tion of religious and national identity. We propose that those with a higher religious identity typically believe in a this intersection determines the nature of activism on be- distinctive sacred worldview and an ‘eternal’ group affili- half of the group as well as the attributions that members ation (Ysseldyk et al., 2010). Many people associate them- make for events that are relevant to the religious group and selves with their religious group, and for some this extends nation. Before exploring these processes in greater detail, to seeing religious identity as more important than other it is important to define key concepts. identities. It is the relationship of religious and national identity that is the focus of the present article. Definition of Key Concepts The Relationship Between Religious and National Identities Despite the fact that there are a fair number of definitions National identity can lead to a sense of citizenship with of religious fundamentalism in different disciplines (Ma- institutional commitments and increased participation vor, Louis, & Laythe, 2011), many scholars have defined in national development (Smith, 2001). In this sense, fundamentalism as a set of dogmatic beliefs or a literal ad- national identity can establish inclusiveness, as all herence to a sacred text (Altemeyer & Hunsberger, 1992; members of a nation are considered ingroup members, Liht, Conway, Savage, White, & O’Neill, 2011; Williamson irrespective of their various other identities (Meeus, & Ahmad, 2007). In this research, we will adopt a def- Duriez, Vanbeselaere, & Boen, 2010). However, perceived inition that is related to this generally accepted charac- identity incompatibility between religious and national terisation of the concept and define fundamentalism as identities can lead to political action aimed at establishing ‘the belief that there is one set of religious teachings that religious-political governance, in order to seize power clearly contains the fundamental, basic, intrinsic, essen- from more secular governments (e.g., as witnessed in the tial, inerrant truth about humanity and deity that must Iranian revolution, the Egyptian revolution, or the Hizbut be followed, unchangeable and opposed by forces of evil’ Tahrir movement in Indonesia). Similarly, perceived (Altemeyer & Hunsberger, 1992, p. 118). This definition incompatibility of national and religious identities may provides the basis of the Religious Fundamentalism Scale lead to state repression of religious congregations, schools, (RFS) employed in many studies (e.g., Asp, Ramchan- or doctrines, and even state violence against members of dran, & Tranel, 2012; Beller & Kroger, 2017;Blogowska religious groups. &Saroglou,2011). In addition, Liht et al. (2011,p.1) The perceived incompatibility of these identities can consider religious fundamentalism as a personal orienta- serve to drive people with dual identities to participate tion that asserts a supra-human locus of authority, ab- in political action that strongly supports the domination solute truth and the appreciation of the sacred over the of one of these identities (Simon, Trotschel, & Dahne, worldly experience. Considering the scriptural interpreta- 2008). People whose religious identity trumps their na- tion within religion, fundamentalism is described as a be- tional identity are more likely to perceive their religiosity lief that a single text is absolutely authoritative and judged as more central to their self-concept (Ysseldyk et al., 2010). to be the final arbitrator of all other knowledge (Hood, The unique characteristics of religion (e.g., compelling Hill, & Williamson, 2005,p.3). emotional experience and moral authority that cannot be The other key concept in this research — national empirically disputed; Wellman & Tokuno, 2004)maylead identity— is defined as one’s sense of belonging to one religious identity to be personally more significant than state or nation (see Kanas & Martinovic, 2017; Verkuyten membership in other groups (Ysseldyk et al., 2010). et al., 2014; Verkuyten & Yildiz, 2007). High national iden- According to the ingroup projection model (Mum- tification is associated with loyalty to
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Impact of Religion on Values and Behavior in Kenya Naomi Wambui
    THE IMPACT OF RELIGION ON VALUES AND BEHAVIOR IN KENYA NAOMI WAMBU50I European Journal of Philosophy, Culture and Religious Studies ISSN 2520-4696 (Online) Vol.1, Issue 1 No.1, pp50-65, 2017 www.ajpojournals.org THE IMPACT OF RELIGION ON VALUES AND BEHAVIOR IN KENYA 1* Naomi Wambui Post Graduate Student: Finstock University *Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected] Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of religion on values and behaviour in Kenya. Methodology: The paper adopted a desk top research design. The design involves a literature review of existing studies relating to the research topic. Desk top research is usually considered as a low-cost technique compared to other research designs. Results: Based on the literature review, the study concluded that religion has positive impact on values and behavior. The study further concludes that a belief in fearful and punishing aspects of supernatural agents is associated with honest behavior, whereas a belief in the kind, loving aspects of gods is less relevant. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that policy makers should review policies involving religion by changing commonly held beliefs regarding the Constitution and religion. The study also recommended that religious leaders and parents take special care of the religious formation of children, especially during the transition period from childhood to adolescence, when they are most likely to lose their religious faith. Keywords: religion, values, behaviour 51 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Religious practice appears to have enormous potential for addressing today's social problems.
    [Show full text]
  • Religious Values in Indonesia's Character
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by eJournal of Sunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University (UIN) Ahmad Nadhif RELIGIOUS VALUES IN INDONESIA’S CHARACTER EDUCATION Ahmad Nadhif STAIN Ponorogo Jl. Pramuka No. 156 PO. BOX 116 Ponorogo 63471 Email: [email protected] ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menginvestigasi ideologi di balik peletakkan yang tercantum dalam Panduan Budaya dan Karakter Menteri Pendidikan yang diterbitkan pada tahun 2012. Penelitian ini dipaparkan sebagai bagian dari kurikulum pendidikan karakter dan memberi petunjuk pada guru tentang bagaimana melakukan implantasi untuk nilai-nilai moral yang baik dalam fikiran dan jiwa mereka. Isu pendidikan karakter menandai perubahan signifikan dalam kurikulum nasional pendidikan Indonesia yang menunjukkan potensi bagai pertarungan ideologi. Karenanya, hal ini merupakan isu penting untuk diteliti, khususnya dalam kajian Critical Discourse Analisis (CDA). Dengan menggunakan tiga model dimensional CDA Fairclough (1989), kurikulum Indonesia terkait dengan pendidikan berkarakter secara tekstual dianalisa. Analisa menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan nilai-nilai agama masih dipertanyakan; terkait dengan simbol dan jargon, agama sesungguhnya sangat dihargai; namun nampaknya hanyalah merupakan hal tak jelas untuk diam-diam menekan dan memarjinalkan core penting pengajaran. Kata Kunci: Pendidikan karakter, Nilai agama, CDA ABSTRACT This study aims at investigating the ideology behind the positioning of religion included in the Guidance of Culture and Character of the Nation of the Ministry of Education published in 2010. It is presented as part of the curriculum of character education and prescribes for teachers on how to conduct the implantation of good moral values in their students’ mind and heart. This issue of character education marks a significant shift in Indonesia’s national curriculum of education showing a potential to be a conflicting battleground of ideologies.
    [Show full text]
  • Religion–State Relations
    Religion–State Relations International IDEA Constitution-Building Primer 8 Religion–State Relations International IDEA Constitution-Building Primer 8 Dawood Ahmed © 2017 International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) Second edition First published in 2014 by International IDEA International IDEA publications are independent of specific national or political interests. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of International IDEA, its Board or its Council members. The electronic version of this publication is available under a Creative Commons Attribute-NonCommercial- ShareAlike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) licence. You are free to copy, distribute and transmit the publication as well as to remix and adapt it, provided it is only for non-commercial purposes, that you appropriately attribute the publication, and that you distribute it under an identical licence. For more information on this licence visit the Creative Commons website: <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/> International IDEA Strömsborg SE–103 34 Stockholm Sweden Telephone: +46 8 698 37 00 Email: [email protected] Website: <http://www.idea.int> Cover design: International IDEA Cover illustration: © 123RF, <http://www.123rf.com> Produced using Booktype: <https://booktype.pro> ISBN: 978-91-7671-113-2 Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3 Advantages and risks ...............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Religion 205 Morality, Ethics, and Religion
    RELIGION 205 MORALITY, ETHICS, AND RELIGION BULLETIN INFORMATION RELG 205 – Morality, Ethics, and Religion (3 credit hrs) Course Description: Values and ethics as developed, contested, and transmitted through a variety of religious practices. SAMPLE COURSE OVERVIEW This course offers a critical approach to discourse that associates religion with the development of values, ethics, and social responsibility. In the first part of the course, we take a broad look at some of the main issues related to an academic study of religion, with special attention to: the benefits and costs of equating religious practice with moral/ethical practice, the way that religion can function to authorize and legitimate certain ethical norms, and the implications or deviating from norms associated with divine or otherwise supernatural origins. In the second part of the course, we will examine specific kinds of religious practices (intellectual, ritual, emotional, and coercive) through which ideas about values and ethics are developed, prioritized, contested, adapted, and transmitted. Finally, in the third part of the course we will consider various ways to answer questions about the extent to which religion might or might not be necessary for moral and ethical development. ITEMIZED LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of RELG 205, students will be able to: 1. Discuss the sources or origins of values and ethics as transmitted through various religious configurations; 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the different ways that religious practice shapes human attitudes toward values, ethics, and social responsibility; 3. Explain how religious values impact personal decision-making, self-identity, and individual well-being; 4. Analyze the influence of religious values upon community ethics and decision-making in contemporary society.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Religious Values in Judicial Decision Making
    Indiana Law Journal Volume 68 Issue 2 Article 3 Spring 1993 The Role of Religious Values in Judicial Decision Making Scott C. Idleman Indiana University School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/ilj Part of the Constitutional Law Commons, Courts Commons, and the Religion Law Commons Recommended Citation Idleman, Scott C. (1993) "The Role of Religious Values in Judicial Decision Making," Indiana Law Journal: Vol. 68 : Iss. 2 , Article 3. Available at: https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/ilj/vol68/iss2/3 This Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Law School Journals at Digital Repository @ Maurer Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Indiana Law Journal by an authorized editor of Digital Repository @ Maurer Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Role of Religious Values in Judicial Decision Making SCOTT C. IDLEMAN* [U]nless people believe in the law, unless they attach a universal and ultimate meaning to it, unless they see it and judge it in terms of a transcendent truth, nothing will happen. The law will not work-it will be dead.' INTRODUCTION It is virtually axiomatic today that judges should not advert to religious values when deciding cases,2 unless those cases explicitly involve religion.' In part because of historical and constitutional concerns and in * J.DJM.P.A. Candidate, 1993, Indiana University School of Law at Bloomington; B.S., 1989, Cornell University. 1. HAROLD J. BERMAN, THE INTERACTION OF LAW AND RELIGION 74 (1974). 2. See, e.g., KENT GREENAWALT, RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS AND POLITICAL CHOICE 239 (1988); Stephen L.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring the Association Between Religious Values and Communication About Pain Coping Strategies: a Case Study with Vietnamese Female Cancer Patients
    ISSN 1799-2591 Theory and Practice in Language Studies, Vol. 8, No. 9, pp. 1131-1138, September 2018 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0809.04 Exploring the Association between Religious Values and Communication about Pain Coping Strategies: A Case Study with Vietnamese Female Cancer Patients Thuy Ho Hoang Nguyen University of Foreign Languages, Hue University, Vietnam Abstract—This study explores the association between the values of dominant religions in Vietnam and the communication about pain coping strategies employed by Vietnamese women who have cancer. Data was collected by means of in-depth interviews with twenty-six Vietnamese female cancer patients. Content analysis was then utilised to describe and interpret the women’s pain talks. Participants proposed six religion-related pain coping strategies, including accepting pain, bearing pain on one’s own, trying to change karma, being positive about pain, managing to forget pain and sharing pain when it becomes unbearable. The findings reflected that the religious values of Confucianism and Buddhism are associated with the patients’ communication about the strategies they employed to cope with their pain. Moreover, the language of communicating pain coping could be mapped onto the categories of passive language and active language, within the religion framework. The research has thus also confirmed the role of language in the communication about pain experience. Index Terms—pain coping strategies, religious values, Vietnamese culture, language of pain I. INTRODUCTION Amongst the cultural values that impact on pain communication, religion plays a particularly important role. Religion has been found to influence issues such as the quality of life, the communication about coping strategies and the mental health of those who undergo cancer treatment.
    [Show full text]
  • Spirituality: History and Contemporary Developments – an Evaluation
    Page 1 of 12 Original Research Spirituality: History and contemporary developments – An evaluation Author: Spirituality is increasingly becoming a popular concept both in the media and in academic 1 Anne C. Jacobs literature. However, there is a vast difference between the original concepts of spirituality, Affiliation: which were largely based on a Biblical view, and many contemporary perceptions thereof. 1School of Philosophy, Spirituality is generally seen as being divorced from any specific religion and specific truth North-West University, claims. Nevertheless, it can be stated that spirituality is now seen as a universal human Potchefstroom, South Africa phenomenon. An evaluation of these trends is attempted by studying the concept in its Correspondence to: original Biblical context, and by understanding the development of the dichotomy between Anne Jacobs religion and spirituality. Email: [email protected] Spiritualiteit: Geskiedenis en hedendaagse ontwikkelinge: ’n Evaluering. Spiritualiteit Postal address: word ’n toenemend populêre konsep, beide in die media en in akademiese literatuur. Dit is Internal Box 208, belangrik om op te merk dat daar ’n groot verskil is tussen die oorspronklike konsep van Potchefstroom Campus, spiritualiteit, wat op ’n Bybelse siening gegrond was, en baie van die hedendaagse persepsies North-West University, Private Bag X6001, daarvan. In die meeste gevalle word spiritualiteit tans beskou as iets wat van enige spesifieke Potchefstroom 2520, godsdiens asook spesifieke aansprake op waarheid geskei is. Daar kan wel gestel word dat South Africa spiritualiteit vandag as ’n universele menslike eienskap beskou kan word. Hierdie tendense word geëvalueer deur die konsep in die oorspronklike Bybelse konteks te bestudeer en deur Dates: Received: 03 Sept.
    [Show full text]
  • Psychotherapy and Religious Values: Remembering Allen E. Bergin's Legacy
    Open Theology 2016; 2: 876–880 Psychotherapy and Religious Values Open Access Editorial P. Scott Richards* Psychotherapy and Religious Values: Remembering Allen E. Bergin’s Legacy DOI 10.1515/opth-2016-0066 Allen E. Bergin’s Legacy Allen E. Bergin is internationally known and respected for his pioneering research and scholarly writing about religion, mental health, and psychotherapy. No other individual has so profoundly contributed to the development of a spiritual framework for the behavioral sciences and healthcare professions. During the 1980s and 1990s, he risked his international reputation as an eminent psychotherapy researcher and scholar when he courageously confronted the entrenched, anti-religious bias that had existed for over 100 years in the psychology and psychotherapy fields. Bergin’s pioneering research and writings on psychotherapy and religious values and religion and mental health ignited a worldwide, ecumenical, interdisciplinary movement to bring religious and spiritual values and approaches into the mainstream behavioral sciences and mental professions. His writings transcended denominational religious differences and united mental health professionals from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds in the common quest to develop spiritually oriented treatment approaches to assist all of the human family. Bergin’s first major publication about religion and psychotherapy, “Psychotherapy and Religious Values,” was published in 1980 in the prestigious Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.1 In the article,
    [Show full text]
  • “Une Messe Est Possible”: the Imbroglio of the Catholic Church in Contemporary Latin Europe
    Center for European Studies Working Paper No. 113 “Une Messe est Possible”: The Imbroglio of the Catholic Church 1 in Contemporary Latin Europe by Paul Christopher Manuel Margaret Mott [email protected] [email protected] Paul Christopher Manuel is Affiliate and Co-Chair, Iberian Study Group, Center for European Studies, Har- vard University and Professor and Chair, Department of Politics, Saint Anselm College. Margaret Mott is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Marlboro College. ABSTRACT Throughout the contemporary period, the Church-State relationship in the nation-states of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal – which we will refer to as Latin Europe in this paper – has been a lively source of political conflict and societal cleavage, both on epistemological, and ontological grounds. Epistemological, in that the person living in Latin Europe has to decide whether his world view will be religious or secular; ontological, in that his mortality has kept some sense of the Catholic religion close to his heart and soul at the critical moments of his human reality. Secular views tend to define the European during ordinary periods of life, (“métro boulot dodo,”) while religious beliefs surge during the extraordinary times of life (birth, marriage, death,) as well as during the traditional ceremonial times (Christmas, Easter). This paper will approach the ques- tion on the role of the Catholic church in contemporary Latin Europe by first proposing three models of church-state relations in the region and their historical development, then looking at the role of the Vatican, followed by an examination of some recent Eurobarometer data on the views of contemporary Catholics in each country, and finishing with an analysis of selected public pol- icy issues in each country.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Legal Document
    No. 91615-2 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON STATE OF WASHINGTON, Respondent, v. ARLENE’S FLOWERS, INC., D/B/A ARLENE’S FLOWERS AND GIFTS, AND BARRONELLE STUTZMAN, Appellants. INGERSOLL AND FREED, Respondents, v. ARLENE’S FLOWERS, INC., D/B/A ARLENE’S FLOWERS AND GIFTS, AND BARRONELLE STUTZMAN, Appellants. BRIEF OF NATIONAL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF APPELLANTS D. John Sauer Todd M. Nelson, WSBA 18129 JAMES OTIS LAW GROUP, LLC NELSON LAW GROUP PLLC 12977 North Forty Drive, Ste. 214 600 Stewart Street, Suite 100 St. Louis, Missouri 63141 Seattle, Washington 98101 (314) 682-6067 (206) 269-8290 [email protected] [email protected] Counsel for Amici Curiae TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ...................................................................... ii STATEMENT OF INTEREST OF AMICI CURIAE ................................. 1 INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF THE CASE .......................... 2 ARGUMENT .............................................................................................. 3 I. Millions of Christians, Jews, and Muslims Sincerely Believe That Their Religious Beliefs Must Be Fully Integrated Into Their Lives in a “Vital Synthesis” of Work and Religious Values. ..................................................................... 3 II. Millions of Christians, Jews, and Muslims Adhere to the Deeply Rooted Religious Belief that Marriage Is the Divinely Ordained Union of Man and Woman. .............................. 9 III. The American Tradition of Respecting
    [Show full text]
  • “Religion and Law in Japan”
    “Religion and Law in Japan” A Brief Sketch of Japanese History, Tradition, and Cases Dedicated to Nineteenth Annual International Law and Religion Symposium at Brigham Young University October 2012 Tasuku Matsuo Attorney at law, Matsuo & Kosugi Preface I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my dearest friend, Mr Connan Grames of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for his giving me this honorable opportunity. I truly appreciate the long-time friendship with Mr Grames, whom I have respected for his accomplishment as a lawyer and sociologist, and his dedication to his family as a father. Chapter 1 – Japanese Society and Its Traditional Faith – Animism Law and religion are an inalienable part of society. Religious values constitute central elements of societal values that form the rules, principles and institutions governing society. First of all, there is a long tradition of animism in Japan. In the Japanese worldviews, there is less distance between man and the divine. From prehistoric times, Japanese people worshiped nature as divine. They believed that natural features such as mountains, rivers, stones, and plants all had spirits and venerated those as Kami or gods, which most were seen as the sacred powers within nature. The people offered prayers to them and sought salvation from them. Typically, the core of Shintoism, an indigenous religion of Japan, is based on the worship of nature. Also, another special feature of Japanese religious culture rests on the polytheism in it. Contrary to the Western Judeo-Christian monotheistic tradition, so many different gods are enshrined in Japan, including human beings, animals, natural gods and even foreign gods, that there is a term "Yaorozu no kami", literally meaning 'eight million gods'.
    [Show full text]
  • PR 324 Philosophy of Religion
    PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION PR 324 Dr. Joel R. Smith Fall 2012 Skidmore College An investigation of the fundamental paradoxes of religious belief. Questions to be considered will include the arguments for the existence of God, the problem of suffering and evil, the nature of mystical knowledge, and the rise of modern religious skepticism. We will explore religious skepticism, religious faith, and religious diversity. We will emphasize Western religions, especially Christianity, but will give attention to other Western and Asian religious traditions. Learning Goals: 1. Explore some of the basic philosophical issues about religion, as mentioned above, by focusing on three central issues: religious skepticism, religious faith, and religious diversity. 2. Study selected texts by important philosophers of religion. 3. Focus on key Western religious ideas, especially in Christianity as our case study, but also consider some key Asian religious ideas. 4. Place philosophical inquiry in the broader context of religious life by surveying key elements in five religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, including some study of the Bible. 5. Develop subtle reading, writing, and analytical skills, including critical evaluation, by discussing readings and writing essays about them. 6. Develop with me and others in the class a fruitful way to discuss controversial and sensitive issues about religion. 7. Explore your own views about religion and about philosophy to develop your own philosophical and religious values. I would be delighted to talk with you outside of class. Make an appointment or drop by during my office hours: Office hours: Monday & Wednesday: 2:30- 3:30 Tuesday & Thursday: 11:30-12:30 Friday: 1:45- 3:00 Office: Ladd 217 Email: [email protected] Office phone: (518) 580-5407 (Please don't call me at home.) Texts: 1.
    [Show full text]