Religion Asif Raza Religion can be defined as

Religion Asif Raza

Religion can be defined as a unified system of beliefs and practices that focuses on sacred things and serves to create a community of worshippers (Durkheim). l Religion is an institution of shared beliefs and practices created by us as a response to forces we cannot understand rationally, and that we believe give ultimate meaning to our lives. l

The Functions of Religion Answers questions - ultimate meaning l Provides emotional comfort l Gives social solidarity l Guidelines for everyday life l Support for the government l Social change l Dysfunctions – War and Justification for persecution l

Symbolic Interaction l Religious symbols – cross, star, moon, l Rituals l Beliefs l Religious experience – born again l

The Conflict Perspective Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of a heartless world……The opium of the people – Marx l Show social inequality – men and women l Legitimation of social inequalities – king, caste system l

Max Weber l The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

Major Religions Christianity l Islam l Hinduism l Buddhism l Judaism l Cults – Branch Davidian, Heaven’s Gate, Jim Jones, etc. l

Buddhism Four Noble Truths 1. Suffering: Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering. l

2. The cause of suffering: Desire which leads to renewed existence (rebirth) (the cycle of samsara) 3. The cessation of suffering: The cessation of desire. 4. The way leading to the cessation of suffering: The Noble Eightfold Path

The eight-fold path Right Speech - One speaks in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way l Right Actions - Wholesome action, avoiding action that would do harm l Right Livelihood - One's way of livelihood does not harm in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly l Right Effort l

Right Mindfulness/Awareness - Mental ability to see things for what they are with clear consciousness l Right Concentration - Being aware of the present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion. l Right Thoughts - Change in the pattern of thinking. l Right Understanding - Understanding reality as it is, not just as it appears to be. l

Voodoo in S. Florida l Voodoo in Florida l State Religion l Voodoo Day l

The God Delusion Richard Dawkins

l You have been appointed the Campus Director of Minority Graduation. Review what the article "Upward Mobility Through Sport" says about the chances for African American athletes to graduate from college. You are aware that this principle applies to other groups. Come up with a plan on how to increase the graduation rates of African American youth.

l Why the cow is considered sacred in India? Harris mentions that we have a "sacred" car. List the functions of the Americans' "sacred" car in the same way that Harris does with the functions of the Indians' sacred cow.