REL 020 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Transhuman, Apostolic Succession

• School: University of Vermont
• Department: Religion
• Course: REL 020
• Professor: andrus

Document Summary

Two approaches: turner types of (cid:862)religious specialists(cid:863, kessler: institutions of society. Religious specialists: turner: people who have a special responsibility within a society for interacting with the scared, or what tur(cid:374)er calls (cid:862)a tra(cid:374)shu(cid:373)a(cid:374) co(cid:374)trolli(cid:374)g power. (cid:863, transhuman: something greater, separate, more than human. Not (cid:862)god(cid:863) because that would limit his description to only theistic religions. Christianity could have god where buddhism has karma: 3 main types or roles. Priest- associated with the continuing functioning of a permanent and organized institution. Authority comes through training within the institution. Responsible for maintaining traditions and preserving laws, narratives, doctrines, etc. for the generations to come. Responsible for performing rituals on behalf of the whole community. A person who is filling an office, a role that is continuous in that society (apostolic succession). Prophet- authority come from direct interaction with the divine; charisma. Called to his/her role by the divine. Arises at times of upheaval and religious crisis.