Religion in

a Different
Light
 Brief overview
•While religious beliefs
and virtues may be
deeply personal (part of
one’s identity), they are
also socially constructed
 Brief overview
•Present a different
way of approaching
religion as a social
phenomenon/reality
First thing first
– religious or
not?
Religion and Social Sciences
•Religion classes – religious
ideas and practices were taught
as doctrines, creeds, and rituals
that a believer of a particular
faith such as Roman
Catholicism NEEDS TO
ABIDE BY.
The discussion of
religion is a
personal matter and
therefore could be
very emotional.
 In our course
•We approach
religion from a
scientific standpoint
 In our course
•Religion is a social
phenomenon that is not
simply about the pursuit of
particular beliefs or practices
prescribed for us by religious
leaders.
 Religion as a social
reality/phenomenon
- Beliefs get power from
being socially enacted
repeatedly through rituals
and social action
 - By acting together, the
community of believers begins
to accept the group’s symbolic
interpretations of the world as
if they were tangible,
authentic, and real rather than
merely interpretation.
 By adopting a social standpoint
•Values and beliefs can
inform a particular
religious group’s
behavior in the public
sphere.
 By adopting a social standpoint
- e.g. Iglesia ni Christo – endorses
specific candidates during elections
- other religious group have fielded
their own leaders and members to
run for office.
- negative side if you will not
follow.
Divine revelation or
the existence of God
are therefore not
within the intellectual
purview of the social
In other words,
Approach - Not
theological
ACTIVITY
In pairs, 8
minutes ONLY
1. Make a list of similarities and
differences between attending a
Basketball match and a religious
service.
2. Is it fair to compare attending a
basketball match to a religious
experience? Explain .