Latin = “religio”“to have an

obligation toward or reverence for”

Leo Tolstoy

“The essence of any religion lies solely in the answer to the question: why do I exist, and what is my relationship to the infinite universe that surrounds me? It is impossible for there to be a person with no religion.

Leo Tolstoy

That is, without any kind of relationship to the world, as it is for there to be a person without a heart. He may not now that he has a religion, just as a person may not know that he has a heart, but it is no more possible for a person to exist without a religion than without a heart.”

Tolstoy cont.

“The principles are very simple, comprehensible and uncomplicated. They are as follows:– That there is a God who is the origin of

everything– That there is an element of this divine

origin in every person, which he can diminish or increase through his way of living

Tolstoy cont.

– That in order for someone to increase this source he must suppress his passions and increase the love within himself;

– That the practical means of achieving this consist of doing to others as you wish to do to you.

“All these principles are common to Hinduism, Judaism, Confucianism, Taoism,

Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam.”

Paul Tillich

“Religion is that which is of “Ultimate Concern.”

Daniel C. Maguire“Religion is the response to the sacred.

So what is sacred? The sacred is the superlative of precious. It is the word we use for that which is utterly and mysteriously precious in our experience. Since there is no one who finds nothing sacred, religion is all over the place.”

A GOD IS WHATEVER

WE PUT FIRST IN

OUR LIVES

William James“Religion consists of the belief that there is an unseen order, and that our supreme good lies harmoniously adjusting ourselves therto.”

Alfred North Whitehead

“What an individual does with his solitariness.”

Bertrand Russell

“RELIGION IS SOMETHING LEFT OVER FROM THE INFANCY OF OUR INTELLIGENCE, IT WILL FADE AWAY AS WE ADOPT REASON AND SCIENCE AS OUR GUIDELINES.”

Jesse Ventura, 1999, Playboy Interview

“ORGANIZED RELIGION IS A SHAM AND A CRUTCH FOR WEAK-MINDED PEOPLE WHO NEED STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. IT TELLS PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND STICK THEIR NOSES IN OTHER PEOPLE’S BUSINESS.”

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

“What keeps the poor from

murdering the rich.”

VOLTAIRE

“IF GOD DID NOT EXIST, IT

WOULD BE NECESSARY TO INVENT

HIM.”

Theories for origin of religion

ANIMISM

Edward Burnett Tylorentire world (including AIR) is alive with “spirits”

spirits could be helpful/hurtful -- offended/flattered

pray, sacrifice, appease these spirits

grew to be “POLYTHEISM”

NATURE WORSHIP THEORY

Max Mullerhumans developed their religions from their observations of

the forces of nature

became aware of seasons, tides, phases of moon

their response was to “personalize” (Apollo) them – gave them names and described the activities of these forces with tales – led to MYTHOLOGY

Theories for origin of religion:

AS PROJECTIONS OF HUMAN NEEDS

Ludwig Feuerbachpeople view themselves as helpless when faced with the

challenges of life – so they overcome their problems by imagining/projecting an “idealized” being of goodness or power that can help them

humanity was not created in image of God, but God created in image of “idealized humanity”

people seek in heaven what they cannot attain on earth

religion is thus a form of “wishing”

Theories for origin of religion:

Karl Marxsaw religion in terms of his personal view of history and the

economic/social struggle between classes

”Man makes religion, religion does not make man. Religion is the self-consciousness and self-esteem of man has either not yet found himself or has already lost himself again…It is the sigh of the oppressed…It is the opium of the people.”

“Religion is an illusion whose chief purpose is to provide reasons and excuses to keep society functioning just as it is. It keeps people going; it is calming, addicting, needed; it controls people but ultimately blinds us to our real problems and how to solve them.”

Theories for where religion

came from:

Sigmund Freudsaw religion as guilt men supposedly feel in hating their

fathers (story of Oedipus)

saw that in all males there was a similar tendency to desire their mothers and therefore hate their fathers

in early people, “alpha male/father” kept women and drove other males away – finally, other males joined and killed the “alpha male/father”

because of this subconscious hate/guilt – people project in the sky a great father image called God

Theories for origin of religion::

TRUTH, ETHICS,MORALIT

Y

WHAT IS TRUTH

THE WAY THINGS ARE

REALITY!!!

Then what is… LOSING

TOUCH WITH REALITY

INSANITY

Where does Truth come

from?

IS TRUTH RELATIVE?

Protagoras: Truth is relative. It is only a matter of opinion. Socrates: You mean that truth is mere subjective opinion? Protagoras: Exactly. What is true for you is true for you, and what is true for me, is true for me. Truth is subjective. Socrates: Do you really mean that? That my opinion is true by virtue of its being my opinion? Protagoras: Indeed I do. Socrates: My opinion is: Truth is absolute, not opinion, and that you, Mr. Protagoras, are absolutely in error. Since this is my opinion, then you must grant that it is true according to your philosophy. Protagoras: You are quite correct, Socrates

stresses a social system in which morals are applied

ABSOLUTISM

Fixed moral laws which are to be obeyed at all times

ANTINOMIANISM

No fixed moral laws, but actions that are spontaneous

NIHILISM

No God – no rules– every person is a law unto himself

“Everything is indeed permitted if God does not exist.” - Jean Paul Sartre

SITUATIONAL ETHICSJoseph Fletcher

balance between antinomianism and absolutism

LOVE is sole factor in making judgments

Problem a person has removed God from his position and assumed the position him/her self

A person shows love to God by keeping the commandments

--personal character-- --usually unchanging--

“Treat others as you want to be treated.” (Christianity)“Not one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother what he

desires for himself.” (Islam)“One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable

to oneself. This is the essence of morality.” (Hinduism)“Do not do to others what you would not like yourself.” (Confucianism)“We obtain salvation by loving our fellow man and God.” (Sikhism)“Having made oneself the example, one should neither slay nor

cause to slay….As I am, so are other beings; thus let one not strike another, nor get another struck. That is the meaning.” (Buddhism)

“Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself.” (Judaism)

What role should morality and Ethics play in

Religion?

“Morality cannot be independent of religion, since it is only a consequence of religion – that is, of the relationship a person has to the world – but it also included in religion by implication. Every religion is an answer to the question of the meaning of life. And the religious answer includes a certain moral demand.” -- Leo Tolstoy

What role should religion,

morality, and ethics play in

Society?

MAYFLOWER COMPACT - 11/11/1620

We whose names are underwritten…having undertaken,

a voyage to plant the first colony…”

MAYFLOWER COMPACT - 11/11/1620

“In the name of God, Amen.We whose names are underwritten…having

undertaken,For the glorie of God, and advancemente of the

Christian faith…,a voyage to plant the first colony…”

The New England Primer - 1777

1st Grade Reading Book

Only Bible sold more copies

HarvardPrincetonColumbia

ALL FOUNDED ON CHRISTIAN RELIGION

PRINCIPLES

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

“Cursed is all learning that is contrary to the Cross of

Christ.”

Founding Statement 1746

JOHN ADAMS“Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan

and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.”

-1776

Original Delaware Constitution 1776

Article 22Every person who shall be chosen a

member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust…shall…make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit:

Original Delaware Constitution

“I, _________, do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed

evermore; And I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and

New Testament to be given by Divine Inspiration.”

SAMUEL ADAMS 1778

“Religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness.”

NORTHWEST ORDINANCE 1787

Article III

“Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.”

“The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor…and this alone, that renders us invincible.”

BENJAMIN RUSH - 1798“The only foundation

for…a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.”

Signer of Declaration of Independence

1st Attorney General

Webster’s Dictionary – 1828Politics

“The science of government; that part of ethics which consists in the regulation and government of a nation or state, for the preservation of its safety, peace and prosperity; comprehending the defense of its existence and rights against foreign control or conquest…and the protection of its citizens in their own rights, with the preservation and improvement of their morals.”

ALEXIS de TOCQUEVILLE

“The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and

liberty so intimately in their minds that it is impossible to

make them conceive one without the other.”

Noah Webster - 1836

“In my view, the Christian Religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government, ought to be instructed…no truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian Religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”

NEA - 1892“…if the study of the Bible is to be

excluded from all state schools; if the inculcation of the principles of Christianity is to have no place in the daily program; I the worship of God is to form no part of the general exercises of these public elementary schools; then the good of the state would be better served by restoring all schools to church control.”

GEORGE WASHINGTON

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports….In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.…”

-Farewell Address 1796

President Eisenhower

2.1.53 1st to be baptized in office

1954 “Under God” put into Pledge of Allegiance

1956 “God We Trust” becomes America’s motto

"Our government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith, and I don't care what it is."

President Clinton - 1995

“The First Amendment…does not convert our

schools into religion-free zones.”

Writing Response

What role do you feel religion plays in the election of the President of the United States?