I view religion as the outward manifestation of one's spiritual beliefs. Religion is the structure, the habits, the actions, but not the belief or spiritual state, itself.
explanantion control (Social Control sets our moral/ethics(law and religion)) legitimation community(unifying creates identity) Cult Language Ritual (performance of religion)
wanna write about religion with the anthropological approach but struggling finding a topic for my master thesis, try to find some inspiration here. The way you talk and explain make things very understandable!! Thanks for your hard work
Michael Kilman haha so psyched that you replied, A little background info, I’m living in Germany now and since half year I’ve been actually having some regular conversation with people from the witness of Jehovas (they of course talk with me with the purpose to make me convert) So I’m considering why not make them my research target, but I still don’t know what exactly to research. 🙈🙈
I would say that religion is the collection of cultural ideas and practices that connect humans with the sacred spiritual or divine. That pretty much includes everything that is somewhat distant yet organized enough to be recognizable. Thus including all the things that have the necessary and sufficient characteristics and excluding all those that don't we have a good defenition
But what does spiritual mean? Divine? Scared? The problem with drying to define something so diverse is that there is always exceptions. As I say in the video, definitions aren't really that useful beyond a really generalized starting point. If we are to actually study religion in all it's complexity, we can't use simple language and definitions to really get to the bottom of it.
I actually have scripts for a few more religion episodes written and new episodes in post production. Unfortunately my laptop for editing is out of commission. As soon as I have the means to get it fixed I'll get new episodes up.
Could you be a bit more specific? What about comparative myth? Generally speaking it can be useful to approach myth that way but it does have limits like any approach.
@@MichaelKilmanAuthor Sure. Without wishing to be too verbose, though I'm happy to elaborate if needed, I'm curious about the academic integrity of using mythological motifs and themes to draw conclusions about the nature of our species and our relationship to symbolism. In order for that hypothesis to be true, those themes would have to be present in the mythology of indigenous peoples and/or collectives that would have no cultural contact with the mythological machinations of The Levant or the Semetic world. There seem to be a number of alluring candidates: Senda in Inuit mythology, for example, as it seems she meets the archetype of the Divine Feminine and her association with the Underworld and the Cosmic Ocean. But I'm not sure if that's academically reasonable or if I'm just projecting. Does that make sense?
Very interested in studying anthropology of religion. Is there anyone that might know an online degree that offers this area of study? Thanks, Jay from Seattle area.
When you mention the Hindu caste system, the photo that flashes on the screen is of a historical painting that details the Mexican casta system of "racial" categories and their mixtures. That is not precisely the same thing as the Hindu/Indian caste system, even though the word we use in Romance languages comes from the same root. Conceptually, there may be some similarities between Western racial categories and the Hindu caste system, but they really are not the same thing.
Thanks for the comment here. You are absolutely right and I totally missed that one. Sometimes it can be tough to find images that I both have permission to use and detail exactly what I am talking about. Most likely I saw this image and didn't pay enough attention and made a mistake. I appreciate you pointing that out. I'm not sure I can fix it at this point but perhaps I will find a way to note it in the video somehow. I will look into it. Thanks for watching and checking in about it.
Religion is belief's in a God or Gods. Philosophy, Ethics, Morals and Spirituality is nothing to do with Religion and each has its own classification. Example: Catholics or Christian Church Ethics of burning people alive (when in power) was considered a good thing because the worst crime to them was to those who did not believe in there God or Gods and burning disbelievers alive was a good thing because it purified their souls........................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................Present day religious controlled countries like Saudi Arabia will just cut of the head or hang those who do not believe in their God. Many people would class this Religious Ethic as Evil and because Buddhism does not believe in God or Gods but follow the philosophical teachings of Buddha and does not really classified it self as a Religion but as a Philosophy. Example: How one should live ones life, say without material wealth attachments?
Your response indicates that you entirely missed the point of this episode. There are many religions (for lack of a better term) that would fall into a similar character as you suggest with Buddhism. Definitions of what constitutes a religion really aren't all that interesting. They are limited and excluding as I indicated in the episode. What we are interested in anthropology is the social and cultural dynamics surrounding culture. Consider the categories of what religions do as I speak of above. It is absolutely the case that Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Judaism, Jainism and any other of religion both on a world level or a local level indigenous religion do these things. That doesn't mean that all religions are the same or have the same goals. Each religion seeks to produce a culturally relevant subject, an individual who falls within the bounds of their particular society. This is what is interesting to the study of anthropology. What social relationships form around religion and how do they relate to the larger picture of a cultural practice. What conditions were present during the different phases of a religious system? Religion is not and cannot be separated from the rest of culture. What goes on a religion is reflective of other elements of a culture, they are interrelated. This is what an anthropologist is interested in. If you aren't familiar with the Anthropological Lens, watch episode 1. Also, it may not be the case that you have studied Buddhism as extensively as you think. For example, Pure Land Buddhism, one of the largest sects of Buddhism around, absolutely looks and feels a lot like Christianity and speaks of the grace of Amida Buddha for salvation. There are also several other forms of Buddhism in South East Asia that certainly have deities. Now you may say that is a distortion of Buddhism or that they have somehow missed the point, but those Buddhists may not think that way. Just because you disagree with that particular form of Buddhism or have an idea that there is a certain 'pure' kind of Buddhism doesn't really matter in their eyes. Since you bring up religion and violence it is also pretty clear you have a particular agenda and idea in mind here. That's okay, nothing wrong with that, but I am not really going to engage you in that conversation here as it is out of place. I will say, that I do have a future episode planned for Religion and Violence. Feel free to comment on that episode when it goes up where it will be more relevant.
I came here (yesterday) from watching by chance an interesting TH-cam talk on Phillippe SHOCK Matthews channel called "Origin of the Human Race and the Invention of White People with Anthropologist Michael Kilman" and TH-cam your name to find out if you had more interesting topical views and watched your video on Anthropology in 10 or less: 104: Race Part 1: The Biology of Skin. And this video on Anthropology in 10 or Less: 109: Religion Part 1: An Anthropology of Religion. Because I come from the UK and Religion here (and it depends what era you was brought up in) everyone one was told they were a Christian and no other religion existed which was compulsory in school learning and Religion here ment a belief in a God (Yahweh, Jehovah or Gods including; Christ and Lucifer etc) of which you was not allowed to question its stupidity and brainwashing on the young or adult mind. As you get older you find out there are other religions, philosophies and belief systems. Alot of people here in the UK do find Religion Evil, but the subject of Ethics, Philosophy, Spirituality and Mythology not so, from watching your video, you seem to lump or Hi-jack these subjects all into Religion and you coming from a Catholic God brought up background can make you bias in doing so. Not many people know what is Anthropology and it sounds interesting and scientific and I think it would be best you term it "Anthopology of Beliefs " since when seeing the wording religion some might atomatically swicth off(as someone trying to shove religion up them through the back of doors) whereby using the wording belief not so. Since it is an interesting topic to know the Anthopology of beliefs or philosophies of other peoples say in Africa and Eskimo cultures.
clint eastwood in my college courses I suggest to students that worldview is a better term then religion because belief is also problematic and a concept born out of world religion. However like many terms in the English language, we do need to use them in order to demonstrate what exactly we are talking about. Anthropology has had many different definitions for their term religion and a quick google search will bring you a dozen, several of which may not even include Christian religion. Some of us also talk of two main categories of religion sometimes. Those are religions of faith verses religions of experience. It is a bit of a false dichotomy because it suggests that religion is either or and that’s not true, it is a range of possibilities but it also allows us to understand that actually, some languages and cultures do not allow for a Christian like religion to arise. Sometimes making these videos is difficult because there is so much information I must cram into ten minutes. When I️ teach in my introduction to anthropology courses at universities, we spend three hour and an half long classes on this topic with plenty of time for questions and clarification. Another thing I️ can say is that religion will be defined differently by different individuals with different backgrounds. I️ completely understand your background as it was not all that dissimilar from mine. Currently I️ am a practicing Buddhist and I️ can tell you, there are definitely religious elements to the structure of what they do. I️ am also considering doing a live stream episode with an expert on the anthropology of religion coming up, if you follow this show on Facebook or subscribe here you will get news about that. Also, I️ answer questions on Quora when I️ have time so feel free to ask more there. Thanks for watching
When someone uses the words beliefs I don’t straight away link it to a God or Gods since its parent word “believe” is used all the time in every day life example: In a court of Law a judge will ask do you believe this statement to be true or false or jokingly do you believe elephants can fly? Today’s use of the word religion in the UK means beliefs in a God or Gods, its original meaning might of meant something totally different from the ancient past, example: a scholar might say (If the word is derived from Latin) “Re” means before and “ligion” mean attached to. I personally don’t see Buddhism as a religion but as a philosophy since a Buddhist book I read years back there was no mention of God or Gods and dogmatic scriptures to abide too only Chinese or Japanese philosophers who had observed the life around them a gave their simple philosophical views on. There are not many intellectual stimulating subjects on TH-cam and if there is it’s going to be drowned with garbage I tend to find knowledgeable subjects by chance, so many thanks for you uploads on the learning of Anthropology etc.
A lot of what you talk about above is a part of anthropology. Check out the Episode 107 on Sapir Whorf. It is absolutely the case that different words and concepts create different meanings and trends amongst cultures. Thanks for the compliment about the show. I enjoy when people comment and want to discuss. Yes, TH-cam is filled with craziness but there are a growing number of amazing educational shows on here now. Perhaps one day, I will be able to get an episode up every week. Thanks!
This series is the best intro to anthropology I've been able to find on youtube, thank you for making it.
Happy to hear that you enjoyed it. More soon!
Experience tranquility- zenyatta
I view religion as the outward manifestation of one's spiritual beliefs. Religion is the structure, the habits, the actions, but not the belief or spiritual state, itself.
Brilliant introduction video, definitely should have more viewers!
Thanks glad you think so. I am hoping to get another dozen or so up this year. But this is a side project to my academic work. Thanks for watching.
thank you Michael, a wonderful introduction!
I'm glad you appreciated it
explanantion
control (Social Control sets our moral/ethics(law and religion))
legitimation
community(unifying creates identity)
Cult
Language
Ritual (performance of religion)
wanna write about religion with the anthropological approach but struggling finding a topic for my master thesis, try to find some inspiration here. The way you talk and explain make things very understandable!! Thanks for your hard work
You're welcome! Let me know what you decided to write on. I'd love to hear about it.
Michael Kilman haha so psyched that you replied,
A little background info, I’m living in Germany now and since half year I’ve been actually having some regular conversation with people from the witness of Jehovas (they of course talk with me with the purpose to make me convert) So I’m considering why not make them my research target, but I still don’t know what exactly to research. 🙈🙈
I am proud of you for what you have contributed to anthropology.
Thank you sir! It's an honor to have a compliment from someone as knowledgeable as you! Your classes are still some of the most memorable for me.
@@MichaelKilmanAuthor I recognized a lot of myself in that presentation!
@@davideller708 well taking several classes with might have something to do with that haha
@@MichaelKilmanAuthor Are you still teaching?
I would say that religion is the collection of cultural ideas and practices that connect humans with the sacred spiritual or divine. That pretty much includes everything that is somewhat distant yet organized enough to be recognizable. Thus including all the things that have the necessary and sufficient characteristics and excluding all those that don't we have a good defenition
But what does spiritual mean? Divine? Scared? The problem with drying to define something so diverse is that there is always exceptions. As I say in the video, definitions aren't really that useful beyond a really generalized starting point. If we are to actually study religion in all it's complexity, we can't use simple language and definitions to really get to the bottom of it.
Thanks professor! Procrastinating finishing your final now, and this is a great way to do it. :)
Good luck
This was so interesting to watch! This may be an odd question, but did you go to St. Laurentius as a child?
I did not. Sorry.
@@MichaelKilmanAuthor okay, sorry that was odd! you reminded me of an old classmate who, coincidentally, has the same name.
good stuff bro!!
Appreciate it
So sad there is not any more parts :( I have definitely arrived here too late
I actually have scripts for a few more religion episodes written and new episodes in post production. Unfortunately my laptop for editing is out of commission. As soon as I have the means to get it fixed I'll get new episodes up.
Hi Michael! I see I am a little late on this, so I am wondering do you have a public email anyone can ask you something serious??
Actually, two new religion episodes will go up this month so you aren't too late. You can find a contact firm on my website loridianslaboratory.com
What’s your take on comparative mythology?
Could you be a bit more specific? What about comparative myth? Generally speaking it can be useful to approach myth that way but it does have limits like any approach.
@@MichaelKilmanAuthor Sure. Without wishing to be too verbose, though I'm happy to elaborate if needed, I'm curious about the academic integrity of using mythological motifs and themes to draw conclusions about the nature of our species and our relationship to symbolism. In order for that hypothesis to be true, those themes would have to be present in the mythology of indigenous peoples and/or collectives that would have no cultural contact with the mythological machinations of The Levant or the Semetic world. There seem to be a number of alluring candidates: Senda in Inuit mythology, for example, as it seems she meets the archetype of the Divine Feminine and her association with the Underworld and the Cosmic Ocean. But I'm not sure if that's academically reasonable or if I'm just projecting. Does that make sense?
Very interested in studying anthropology of religion. Is there anyone that might know an online degree that offers this area of study? Thanks, Jay from Seattle area.
Hi Jay, I believe Arizona State University may have a full online Anthropology program. I will fish around and see if I hear of any others.
Looks like Colorado State University and Oregon State University have full online programs as well. Best of luck.
Michael Kilman thank you for your time and videos.
can i know you references?
it is because im doing a research..
They are in the description
When you mention the Hindu caste system, the photo that flashes on the screen is of a historical painting that details the Mexican casta system of "racial" categories and their mixtures. That is not precisely the same thing as the Hindu/Indian caste system, even though the word we use in Romance languages comes from the same root. Conceptually, there may be some similarities between Western racial categories and the Hindu caste system, but they really are not the same thing.
Thanks for the comment here. You are absolutely right and I totally missed that one. Sometimes it can be tough to find images that I both have permission to use and detail exactly what I am talking about. Most likely I saw this image and didn't pay enough attention and made a mistake. I appreciate you pointing that out. I'm not sure I can fix it at this point but perhaps I will find a way to note it in the video somehow. I will look into it. Thanks for watching and checking in about it.
@@MichaelKilmanAuthor I have confidence you can address this in future videos! I love your work and share it often with students.
Religion is not about god... the one thing I know for sure
Religion is belief's in a God or Gods. Philosophy, Ethics, Morals and Spirituality is nothing to do with Religion and each has its own classification. Example: Catholics or Christian Church Ethics of burning people alive (when in power) was considered a good thing because the worst crime to them was to those who did not believe in there God or Gods and burning disbelievers alive was a good thing because it purified their souls........................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................Present day religious controlled countries like Saudi Arabia will just cut of the head or hang those who do not believe in their God. Many people would class this Religious Ethic as Evil and because Buddhism does not believe in God or Gods but follow the philosophical teachings of Buddha and does not really classified it self as a Religion but as a Philosophy. Example: How one should live ones life, say without material wealth attachments?
Your response indicates that you entirely missed the point of this episode. There are many religions (for lack of a better term) that would fall into a similar character as you suggest with Buddhism. Definitions of what constitutes a religion really aren't all that interesting. They are limited and excluding as I indicated in the episode.
What we are interested in anthropology is the social and cultural dynamics surrounding culture. Consider the categories of what religions do as I speak of above. It is absolutely the case that Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Judaism, Jainism and any other of religion both on a world level or a local level indigenous religion do these things.
That doesn't mean that all religions are the same or have the same goals. Each religion seeks to produce a culturally relevant subject, an individual who falls within the bounds of their particular society. This is what is interesting to the study of anthropology. What social relationships form around religion and how do they relate to the larger picture of a cultural practice. What conditions were present during the different phases of a religious system? Religion is not and cannot be separated from the rest of culture. What goes on a religion is reflective of other elements of a culture, they are interrelated. This is what an anthropologist is interested in. If you aren't familiar with the Anthropological Lens, watch episode 1.
Also, it may not be the case that you have studied Buddhism as extensively as you think. For example, Pure Land Buddhism, one of the largest sects of Buddhism around, absolutely looks and feels a lot like Christianity and speaks of the grace of Amida Buddha for salvation. There are also several other forms of Buddhism in South East Asia that certainly have deities. Now you may say that is a distortion of Buddhism or that they have somehow missed the point, but those Buddhists may not think that way. Just because you disagree with that particular form of Buddhism or have an idea that there is a certain 'pure' kind of Buddhism doesn't really matter in their eyes.
Since you bring up religion and violence it is also pretty clear you have a particular agenda and idea in mind here. That's okay, nothing wrong with that, but I am not really going to engage you in that conversation here as it is out of place.
I will say, that I do have a future episode planned for Religion and Violence. Feel free to comment on that episode when it goes up where it will be more relevant.
I came here (yesterday) from watching by chance an interesting TH-cam talk on Phillippe SHOCK Matthews channel called
"Origin of the Human Race and the Invention of White People with Anthropologist Michael Kilman"
and TH-cam your name to find out if you had more interesting topical views and watched your video on Anthropology in 10 or less: 104: Race Part 1: The Biology of Skin.
And this video on Anthropology in 10 or Less: 109: Religion Part 1: An Anthropology of Religion.
Because I come from the UK and Religion here (and it depends what era you was brought up in) everyone one was told they were a Christian and no other religion existed which was compulsory in school learning and Religion here ment a belief in a God (Yahweh, Jehovah or Gods including; Christ and Lucifer etc) of which you was not allowed to question its stupidity and brainwashing on the young or adult mind. As you get older you find out there are other religions, philosophies and belief systems.
Alot of people here in the UK do find Religion Evil, but the subject of Ethics, Philosophy, Spirituality and Mythology not so, from watching your video, you seem to lump or Hi-jack these subjects all into Religion and you coming from a Catholic God brought up background can make you bias in doing so.
Not many people know what is Anthropology and it sounds interesting and scientific and I think it would be best you term it "Anthopology of Beliefs " since when seeing the wording religion some might atomatically swicth off(as someone trying to shove religion up them through the back of doors) whereby using the wording belief not so. Since it is an interesting topic to know the Anthopology of beliefs or philosophies of other peoples say in Africa and Eskimo cultures.
clint eastwood in my college courses I suggest to students that worldview is a better term then religion because belief is also problematic and a concept born out of world religion. However like many terms in the English language, we do need to use them in order to demonstrate what exactly we are talking about. Anthropology has had many different definitions for their term religion and a quick google search will bring you a dozen, several of which may not even include Christian religion.
Some of us also talk of two main categories of religion sometimes. Those are religions of faith verses religions of experience. It is a bit of a false dichotomy because it suggests that religion is either or and that’s not true, it is a range of possibilities but it also allows us to understand that actually, some languages and cultures do not allow for a Christian like religion to arise.
Sometimes making these videos is difficult because there is so much information I must cram into ten minutes. When I️ teach in my introduction to anthropology courses at universities, we spend three hour and an half long classes on this topic with plenty of time for questions and clarification.
Another thing I️ can say is that religion will be defined differently by different individuals with different backgrounds. I️ completely understand your background as it was not all that dissimilar from mine. Currently I️ am a practicing Buddhist and I️ can tell you, there are definitely religious elements to the structure of what they do.
I️ am also considering doing a live stream episode with an expert on the anthropology of religion coming up, if you follow this show on Facebook or subscribe here you will get news about that. Also, I️ answer questions on Quora when I️ have time so feel free to ask more there.
Thanks for watching
When someone uses the words beliefs I don’t straight away
link it to a God or Gods since its parent word “believe” is used all the time
in every day life example: In a court of Law a judge will ask do you believe this statement to
be true or false or jokingly do you believe elephants can fly?
Today’s use of the word religion in the UK means beliefs in
a God or Gods, its original meaning might
of meant something totally different from the ancient past, example: a scholar might say (If the word is derived
from Latin) “Re” means before and “ligion” mean attached to.
I personally don’t see Buddhism as a religion but as a
philosophy since a Buddhist book I
read years back there was no mention of God or Gods
and dogmatic scriptures to abide too only
Chinese or Japanese philosophers who had observed the life around them a gave their simple
philosophical views on.
There are not many intellectual stimulating subjects on TH-cam
and if there is it’s going to be drowned with garbage I tend to find knowledgeable
subjects by chance, so many thanks for you uploads on the learning of Anthropology etc.
A lot of what you talk about above is a part of anthropology. Check out the Episode 107 on Sapir Whorf. It is absolutely the case that different words and concepts create different meanings and trends amongst cultures.
Thanks for the compliment about the show. I enjoy when people comment and want to discuss. Yes, TH-cam is filled with craziness but there are a growing number of amazing educational shows on here now. Perhaps one day, I will be able to get an episode up every week.
Thanks!
It's not really ten minutes or less if it's over ten minutes, maybe change the title to "Anthropology in ten minutes and thirty one seconds or less".
10 minutes of content. Who watches the credits?