Seven theories of religion (edition 1996)

Articles by Tylor, Frazer, Freud, Durkheim, Karl Marx, Eliade, Evans-Pritchard, Geertz. Theories about what "religion" is, how it arises. This is part of an effort to frame a scientific theory of religion.

The Author is a professor/chairman at the University of Miami.

Interesting read that gives you a sound grasp of the main theories “explaining" religion. These range from superstitious primitive explanation of the natural world, projection and avoidance of human responsibilities, a means of creating allegiances of individuals to the group, illusion masking social oppression, expressions of the sacred over time, fundamental beliefs underpinning what is normal, expected, unexceptional social practices that to question is to ask for a destruction of all that is ordinary.

These theories as theories can be debated and weaknesses exposed as the book does. But what is interesting is to take them head on and consider the theological implications. Do we want a Christianity that has a bishop thanking God for deliverance from a car bomb, which had seen his wife and child killed days earlier? Do we want a Christianity that is about fellowship and community alone? Does Christianity side with the poor or the land-owners in 3rd world countries?

The last approach is a cause for more concern. Karen Armstrong explores the raise of fundamentalism since the early 20th century. Enlightenment, industrialisation and Liberals questioning all the key questions of their faith as part of the intellectual revolutions are experienced as attacking what is normal, right and ordinary, For them they are expected to question such fundamental “facts” that to do so would cause a major existential crisis that most of us are not capable of dealing with.

It’s to acknowledge that changing bible-belt Christians, Jewish settlers and Islamic jihadists need more then critical arguments. Friends at my Meeting some years ago went to an international Quaker conference about 5 years ago in South America but Evangelical African Friends saw them as pagans! ( )