ANTH 1150 Lecture : Religion.docx
19 Apr 2012
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Document Summary
The study of religion was an early focus of cultural anthropologists. In the 19th century, focus was on primitive /non-western religions: current research looks at religion in all societies, including modern states. Theories of the origin of religion: religious beliefs, beliefs about supernatural forces and beings, ritual practices, religious specialists. Defining religion: as in all of anthropology, the challenge is to find a definition that is broad enough to fit all cultures, current definition says that religion is: beliefs and behavior related to supernatural beings and forces. Varieties of religious beliefs: cross-culturally, people express their religious beliefs in many ways, cultural anthropologists classify these expressions into, myths. Convey messages about supernaturals through the story itself. Usually part of the oral (verbal) tradition. Three anthropological theories about myths: all are functional : malinowski: myths are a charter for society, they provide a rationale for the group.
