Untitled Quiz

Intro to World Religions: Why Study Religion?

• Studying religion facilitates a better understanding of Canadian and global politics.
• It promotes empathy and understanding between neighbors with different beliefs.
• It aids in understanding one's traditions in relation to others.
• It promotes an active role in Canadian society.

Religion in Canada

• The percentage of Canadians identifying with a Christian religion is decreasing.
• In 2021, 53.3% of Canadians identified with a Christian religion, a decrease from 77.1% in 2001.
• Conversely, those with no religious affiliation are increasing.
• 34.6% of the Canadian population reported having no religious affiliation or a secular perspective in 2021.
• 12.1% identify with other religions in Canada as of 2021.
• 29% of Canadians consider religion very important in their lives.
• This is in comparison to 12% in France and 21% in the UK.
• Religious affiliation varies across Canada.
• Christian affiliation is highest in Nunavut (82.4%) and lowest in British Columbia (35.0%).
• Those with no religion or a secular perspective are most prevalent in British Columbia (59.7%).
• Other religions are most numerous in Ontario (16.3%).

Theology vs. Study of Religion

• Theology assumes the correctness of a specific religion or worldview.
• Practitioners and believers commonly study it from within the tradition.
• It examines a religion on its own terms.
• Religious studies does not focus on the "correctness" of religious claims.
• Both insiders and outsiders can engage in its practice.
• It explores a religion using terms defined by academic disciplines- sociology and psychology.

Methodological Agnosticism

• One can be religious and simultaneously study religion.
• This course aims to remain unbiased toward or against any religion.
• Determining the "correctness" of any religion falls outside the scope of the academic study of religion within this class.
• The existence of a god or gods is viewed as unknowable from a social scientific perspective.
• The focus is on the people of a religion, their beliefs, rituals, and history.

Week 2 - Defining Religion: Internal Understanding

• Religion can be defined from an intuitive sense.
• Some examples are Hinduism and Islam.
• Astrology, Buddhism, and atheism are debatable examples.
• An "internal" understanding of religion emphasizes beliefs.
• It defines religion by a belief in certain things, gods, myths, and spiritual beings.
• Non-scholars most commonly use this definition.
• It focuses on the supernatural of gods as essential.
• Edward Tylor (1870) defined religion as "the belief in spiritual beings”.
• James George Frazer (1890) defined religion as "a propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to man”.
• Sigmund Freud (1933) suggested that "Religion is an attempt to master the sensory world...".
• Robert Orsi (1985) defines "the people's religion defined as the totality of their ultimate values".
• Problems with "internal" understandings include defining "supernatural" concepts.
• The "Invisible Hand of the Free Market" in capitalism exemplifies an invisible/non-material force.
• With the "Invisible Hand of the Free Market", laws are created that must be followed, and those who do not are punished.
• The market is a powerful entity that governs everyone's lives and has worshippers and priests of its own; unquestionable/infallible.

Practice Understandings of Religion

• "Belief" is not always the most important aspect.
• What people "do" within a religion matters significantly.
• Actions such as dress, diet, association, consumption, and prayer are crucial.
• Émile Durkheim (1912) defines religion as "a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things".
• Melford Spiro (1966) defines religion as “an institution consisting of culturally patterned interaction with culturally postulated superhuman beings."
• Bruce Lincoln (2003) identifies discourses, practices, communities, and institutions that regulate religious activity.
• "Practice" understandings recognize how issues sacred to some are mundane to others.
• It helps to analyze what people are "doing" when they are being religious.
• It can explain why something is claimed to be religious or not.
• Religion is inherently political.

Internal vs. Practice Understandings

• Internal understandings are based on beliefs, whereas practice understandings are based on practices.
• Internal understandings consider "religious" topics as inherently religious, while practice understandings see them as symbolic and political.
• The content of internal understandings is cross-culturally stable, but practice understandings are culturally specific.

Politics of Defining Words

• Definitions are always political and have real-world implications.
• The Marvel Comics example uses the X-Men as Mutants, which are human and deserve legal rights
• Toy Biz vs. United States legal case is another example, where tariffs defined “Doll (human playthings) at 12% tariff vs. Toys (non-human playthings) at 6.8% tariff”.
• Toy Biz (owned by Marvel) argued that X-Men were not human to pay lower rates
• Martin on defining “wetlands” is another example.
• It is important to consider who is defining a term.
• As well as, what the definition includes or excludes and the implications of making a definition.
• Toy Biz/Marvel defined "human" in a way that excluded mutants.
• This saved the company money on tariffs for action figures.
• George H. W. Bush defined “wetlands” as surface-level lands with water.
• This excluded 30 million acres of land previously defined as “wetlands”.
• That definition technically kept his campaign promise and appeased developers.

Politics of Defining Religion(s)

• The definition of "Christian" can exclude Mormons, Unitarians, "Oneness" Pentecostals, and Jehovah's Witnesses.
• Mormons want to be called Christian and define Christianity as, "worship God the Eternal Father in the name of Jesus Christ".
• Pastafarianism is a satirical religion centered around the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
• It was designed to test the limits of what is legally recognized as a "religion,".
• It also probes why only some beliefs receive special exemptions while others are denied them.

Religious Symbols and Secularism in Quebec

• Legal issues arise in cases like Obi Canuel's regarding the sincerity and consistency of religious practice.
• The law should remain unbiased toward religions.
• Measuring someone else's sincerity remains problematic.
• Secularism, or laïcisme, in Quebec raises questions about what assumptions underline "religion" in legislation.
• Test cases arise when Indigenous Canadians were deemed not to have 'Religion.'
• Government definitions of "religion" matter.
• Definitions can impact religious minorities.

Secularism In Quebec Before the Quiet Revolution

• Before the Quiet Revolution (pre-1960), the Roman Catholic Church oversaw Francophone education, medicine, and social services.
• High school graduation rates were low, only around 13%.
• The Church permeated social life and had preferential treatment.
• After WWII, anti-Catholic sentiments grew, along with those against communists and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Secularism In Quebec Before the Quiet Revolution (1960-1970)

• Significant events included the Canadian Bill of Rights (1960).
• As well as, the Royal Commission of Enquiry on Teaching in Quebec (1961-64).
• In 1964, Quebec's secular Ministry of Education was created.
• New CEGEPs and Université du Québec systems were introduced.
• Catholicism's role in daily life diminished.
• Catholic Mass attendance significantly declined, from 75% in 1958 to 31% in 1975.
• Quebec nationalism shifted to focusing on a strong provincial state rather than the Catholic Church.
• There was a cultural revolution in the 1960s.

Secularism in Quebec: Reasonable Accommodations

• Centers on equality before the law, equal protection, and benefit of the law.
• It ensures every individual is equal before and under the law, with equal protection and benefit, without discrimination.
• This encompasses discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability.
• Affirmative action programs do not preclude laws or programs aimed at ameliorating conditions for disadvantaged groups.
• This includes groups disadvantaged due to race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability.
• Standards apply to everyone, allowing exceptions for reasonable accommodations.

Cases and Legislation

• A 12-year-old Sikh boy in Montreal was initially prohibited from wearing his kirpan (2002).
• The Canadian Supreme Court later deemed the kirpan a reasonable accommodation (2006).
• The Syndicat Northcrest v Amselem case occurred in 2004.
• Hasidic Jews in Montreal requested frosted windows at a YMCA to prevent boys from seeing women in exercise gear (2006).
• The Bouchard-Taylor Report was published in 2008 by Gerard Bouchard and Charles Taylor.
• It stated, those who are judges, crown prosecutors, or jail guards should not be allowed to wear any religious symbol at all, therefore, are unable to favor one religion or bias because this violates what they represent, the power of the state to punish people.
• Bill 60 (2013), the "Charter of Quebec Values," would ban public servants from wearing overt and conspicuous religious symbols/attire at work, which did not pass.
• There was a 300% rise in anti-Muslim attacks following the bill's introduction that was widely mocked.
• It was perceived as targeting freedom of religion.
• Bill 62 (2017) bans face-coverings while receiving public service.
• This affected attending school, riding public transit, or going to a hospital.
• Bill 21 (2019), "An Act respecting the laicity of the State,” bans religious symbols.
• This applies to use while from receiving receiving public services.
• There is a grandfather clause for existing employees.
• Applies to municipal services, schools, subsidized daycares, and medical institutions.
• The Bill claimed inspiration from the Bouchard-Taylor Report (2008).
• The Crucifix at the Quebec National Assembly
• Premier François Legault initially opposed its removal despite advocating for Bill 21.
• It was finally removed on 28 March 2019.
• Quebec Superior Court struck down parts of Bill 21 (Apr 2021).
• The bill could not apply to English schools.
• The English Montreal School Board's request for a stay on Bill 21 was rejected.
• In December 2021, a Muslim Grade 3 teacher in Chelsea was fired for wearing a hijab.
• During the CoronaVirus (2020 – present) pandemic, face coverings have been banned.
• Questions have arisen whether wearing of face coverings is accurate or religious.
• "Notwithstanding clause" allows laws violating charter rights for 5 years.

Secularism in Quebec: Who Defines Religion?

• The government defines religion, including/excluding certain symbols.
• This determines effects.
• Religion becomes governments run instead of separate and sacred.
• The definition also caused violence and religious hate.

Week 3 - Indigenous Religion: Categories

• Basic categories include:
• Indigenous Canadian Religion
• Canada as a Settler State
• Colonization and Christian Missionary Work
• Categories are mutually exclusive.
• Among Indigenous People in Canada:
• 47% identify as "Christian”
• 47% identify as “no religion and secular perspective”
• 4% identify as “traditional (North American Indigenous) spirituality,"2.8% in Ontario
• 2% identify with other religions

History of Indigenous Canadian Religion

• "Aboriginal,” “Indigenous,” “Native,” and “First Peoples” are umbrella terms that include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
• Inuit are the people who lived there before colonization.
• Multiple groups of Indigenous peoples lived in the same sections at different times in Canada.
• "Toronto is in the ‘Dish With One Spoon Territory."
• The Dish With One Spoon is a treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas, and Haudenosaunee.
• It binds them to share territory and protect it and welcomes newcomers in peace, friendship and respect.

Dish With One Spoon

• The Wampum belt was made to create peace amongst the different tribes which were invited to this sacred agreement
• This represents a beaver tail meant to be shared together by eating it, symbolizing respect and sharing because it should be eaten with a spoon because its not sharp
• This is a sacred promise to share and respect with other tribes

First Nations

• It doesn't have a legal definition, but it does delegate authority on membership standards to individual bands
• They constitute the majority of Indigenous people in sub-Arctic Canada
• There are over 600 First Nations governments recognized in Canada, and the first contact made with Europeans were around 1000 C.E.
• Permanent relations beginning 17th century and made throughout the Indian Act

Metis

• Large demographics in Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan
• It is the French word for "mixed"
• People of mixed ancestry; usually French settlers and First Nations but
• Not all people of mixed ancestry are Métis
• Michif language, recognized as distinct by Canadian government but there is
• No clear legal authority to determine membership (except Alberta) -
• When french traders came over they often mated with Indigenous women so
• Not everyone with mixed ancestry is Metis

Inuit

• constitutes the majority of Indigenous people in Arctic Canada (as well as U.S. Alaska and Greenland)
• first contact with Europeans around 1000 CЕ
• Permanent relations beginning in the 16th century

Important Things to Remember

• Primarily “oral” literature before contact with Europeans but the
• European settlers' prejudice favouring “written” literature.
• Métis came about due to settler contact with other Indigenous Canadians
• A lot of bias against them by settlers because of the idea that there was no written scriptures.
• People made it seem like indigenous didn't have a religion all because of a lack of scripture
• Oral culture makes it hard to pin a lot of things down specifically

Canada: Religion and the Assimilation of Indigenous Canadian

• It involves Extermination: death of Native Peoples framed as a by-product of European expansion in the Americas - effectively deeming them “inhuman” or “irredeemable"
• As well as Assimilation: practiced on the belief that Native Peoples could be “improved” or “saved" according to European settler standards
• Haudenosaunee : formerly known as the Iroquois; Confederation of six nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Tuscarora

Haudenosaunee

• First encountered Europeans in 1500s with the beaver fur trade
• There are clans within each nation where a great peace maker helped create peace between the 5 nations at the time
• They became allies and a confederacy
• Heavily grounded in Haudenosaunee
• They were the invention of modern democracy.
• People can come together to vote because they were a participation of women
• Turtle Island

Longhouse Tradition (Gaiwiio)/ Handsome Lake

• Founder: Handsome Lake aka Ganioda'yo, he lived 1735-1815
• In 1799 He had a vision of longhouse tradition
• He believed that haudenosaunee were falling prey to settler exploitation, and sought a national revival
• "The Code of Handsome Lake" includes: Whisky, Witchcraft, Charms/Amulets, Abortion
• Some haudenosaunee rejected him, saying he wanted them to abandon their traditions and history
• Has the “Longhouse” as a symbol of a house protecting the six Haudenosaunee bands
• Three day ceremony sometime jan 15 - feb 15 each year
• Handsome lake was an advocate for Haudenosaunee in america, but
• Jefferson essentially tricks the indigenous
• Puralism- idea that more than one religion is right, they do not think that one religion is more correct over another
• Animism- the idea that there is life to be found in parts of the world that are not apparently obvious, trees, plants, etc...

Settler Arrival in Canada

• 1492 - First contact between Columbus and Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean
• 1497 – John Cabot makes contact with Indigenous people in Canada and -
• Early efforts at forming colonies were unsuccessful
• First permanent colonies of significance in the US were founded in the mid-16th century
• First permanent colonies of significance in Canada were founded 1605

Valladolid Debate (1550-1551)

• Debate in Spain about the proper treatment of Indigenous people in the Americas within the Catholic church
• Bartolomé de las Casas (Catholic priest) believed that native people should be treated like other “free” humans
• While Juan de Sepúlveda (Catholic priest) believed that the civilized have a moral obligation to punish immoral behavior of natives

Early Missionary Work

• Sillery, Quebec – Canada's first Indian Reserve from
• 1637 founded by Catholic priests
• Praying towns

Catholic Christianity and the Métis

• Métis and Catholicism
• Marriages between French Catholic fur traders and Indigenous women
• Typically, Catholic with strong foundation in Indigenous traditions
• Supported by the Catholic church as part of westward expansion of the religion

History of Hinduism, Week 4

• Important Figures/History;
• Beliefs and Worldview
• Texts, Stories, and how they are used
• The Leaders/ Rituals

History of Hinduism- No Founder figures

• Formed beliefs over time
• Indus Valley started about 2300-1500 BCE (Agriculture)
• Indo European settlers enter at about 1500 BCE

History of Hinduism Vedic Peroid

• Vedic period about 1500-500 BCE
• Text written in Sanskrit
• Brahmanas text from about 800-600 BCE
• Arandyakas started about 600 BCE and
• Upanishads started about 700-500 BCE

Pre-Hindu Brahmanism

• Polytheistic religion (Male dieties mostly)
• Brahmins were Priests during this time
• Ritual is important

Synthises

• Came about 500-300 BCE
• Ascetic reforms helped with this.
• Hinduism emerges with clear parameters with the Vedas established

Golden Age

• The golden age of hinduism happens at about 300 -700 CE
• During this time many temples are being constructed
• Literacy increases as they try to Bring Hinduism to Rural illerate Indians

Trimurti Brahma

• Creator god, is linked to Prajapati
• Has four faces and rarely worshipped today

Trimurti Vishnu

• Also known as Adideva. Preserving deity associated with kindess and order. Four Hands
• It is more important than brahma. Serpents, 9 Avatars, Matsya, Krishna, Buddha
• 10th Avatar will announce end of world in the
• Kalki, one of the most famous avatars / different forms that gods might take

Trimurti Shiva

• god of Destruction, Rebirth and Transformation
• Sits cross legged and the god of yoga . Is Often androgynous
• The Cobra sybolizes victory over death.
• The eye in the forhead distryots anything with just a glance.
• Dance to celebrate destruction and rebirth inDelicate balance
• Tandav - dance of the death

Sanskrit Texts

• Samsara, Atman, Moksha and karma, Atman is brahman and is in every living entity

Key Conepts in Hinduism

• Dharma.Jnana, Karma, Bhakti,

Goals

• four of them ; Artha
• kama
• Dharma
• Moksha

Sanksrit texts Vedas

• oldest hindu text and authoritative to nearly all hindiu

Upanishads

• Sanscrit text and philosiphical teachings

Bhagavad Gita

• Song of God in sanksrit

Sinksrit- The Aftherlife

• is when you have anothor body and energy transfers for the long run

Hindu Worship

• Has Puka / Murds / Mantras and you can offer things to the Gods

Social Class(class system)

• Brahmin ; the preistly class
• Vaisyns, farmers /craftsman,
• Kshatriyas rulers and warrios
• Shudras (labours )
• and the

History of Buddhism- Important Figures and history

• The beliefs and the word wide
• Texts , their stories and how they used
• The leaders and the practises

History of Buddhism Life- Suddarthia Gautama

• Born in the kingdom of kosala and advised the Kinddom if magada
• Birth , Marity , Renunnciation ..etc
• Was not to sure what was releiable befofe bographies

History of Buddhas death

• The first buddisht council (400BCE)
• Destinct budddish schools emerge
• was Supported by maurya empire

History of buddhists sects

• Theravada buddhuism

Week 5

Buddhism -History

• Beliefs/views
• Text - how they are used
• The leaders practises
• There is no figures
• emerged from practise and figures

History- Buddha/s-siddharth

• born in Kosala/Nepal - advised the King of madagha
• Birth mature renunciation , awaken , search, death
• oral traditions -means wasn't was very biographical
• Buddha was from royal lineage. becomes ascetic

History- Buddha- after death

first Buddhist council , 400 BCE Destint budsic school arise was supported by maeryman empire

Week 6

• china, Japan , Korea