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Questions and Answers
According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the relationship between religion and the scholar's study?
According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the relationship between religion and the scholar's study?
What does Jonathan Z. Smith mean by 'relentlessly self-conscious'?
What does Jonathan Z. Smith mean by 'relentlessly self-conscious'?
According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the subject matter of the study of religion?
According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the subject matter of the study of religion?
When examining other religions, what does Jonathan Z. Smith suggest scholars should do?
When examining other religions, what does Jonathan Z. Smith suggest scholars should do?
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According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the role of imagination in the creation of religion?
According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the role of imagination in the creation of religion?
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What does Jonathan Z. Smith mean by 'religion has no independent existence apart from the academy'?
What does Jonathan Z. Smith mean by 'religion has no independent existence apart from the academy'?
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What is the primary expertise of the student of religion, according to Jonathan Z. Smith?
What is the primary expertise of the student of religion, according to Jonathan Z. Smith?
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What is the main purpose of the scholar's study of religion, according to Jonathan Z. Smith?
What is the main purpose of the scholar's study of religion, according to Jonathan Z. Smith?
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According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what should the student of religion be aware of?
According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what should the student of religion be aware of?
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What does Jonathan Z. Smith mean by 'religion is what humans do'?
What does Jonathan Z. Smith mean by 'religion is what humans do'?
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Study Notes
Relationship Between Religion and Scholarship
- The study of religion is inherently linked to academic inquiry; scholars must recognize their role in framing and interpreting religious phenomena.
- Jonathan Z. Smith emphasizes that all religious studies are subjective, influenced by the scholar's perspective and context.
Relentlessly Self-Conscious
- 'Relentlessly self-conscious' refers to scholars being critically aware of their own biases, assumptions, and the implications of their interpretations in religious studies.
Subject Matter of the Study of Religion
- The subject matter involves human behaviors, practices, and the contexts that shape religious beliefs, rather than an abstract notion of 'religion' itself.
Examining Other Religions
- Scholars should approach the study of other religions with a critical mindset, taking into account their own cultural biases and striving for contextual understanding.
Role of Imagination in Religion
- Imagination plays a crucial role in the creation of religion; it shapes how individuals and communities conceptualize and express their spiritual experiences and beliefs.
Religion’s Existence and Academic Context
- Smith suggests that 'religion has no independent existence apart from the academy,' highlighting that religious categories and definitions are often constructed through academic discourse.
Expertise of the Student of Religion
- The primary expertise involves analyzing and interpreting religious phenomena, employing critical thinking and methodological tools to explore various religious expressions.
Main Purpose of Studying Religion
- The main purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of human experiences related to religion, exploring how beliefs shape identities, cultures, and societies.
Awareness for Students of Religion
- Students must be aware of their own positionality and how it affects their study, as well as acknowledge the dynamic interactions between religion and culture.
'Religion is What Humans Do'
- Smith asserts that religion is an active process; it is defined by human actions, practices, and interpretations rather than by static, essential qualities.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Jonathan Z. Smith's perspective on the study of religion with this insightful quiz. Explore how religion is perceived as a construct of scholarly analysis and the role of imagination in its study. Discover the interconnectedness between religion and academia in this thought-provoking quiz.
