Touchstone 1: Reflecting on Major Approaches to Studying Religions Assignment

Posted: April 2nd, 2022

Touchstones are projects that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help you refine skills, and demonstrate application of knowledge. They serve as critical checkpoints to assess your understanding before moving forward in the course. You can work on a Touchstone anytime, but you can’t submit it until you have completed the unit’s Milestones. Once you’ve submitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted toward your final course score. This structured approach ensures that you engage deeply with the material before evaluation.

Touchstone 1: Reflecting on Major Approaches to Studying Religions

ASSIGNMENT: In this unit, you learned some of the reasons for studying religion. Exploring these reasons helps contextualize the diverse ways religion influences societies and individuals. You also learned that religion is universally recognizable, yet difficult to define. This paradox makes it a compelling subject for academic inquiry. A narrow definition of religion that ties it to a belief in and worship of a higher, supernatural power, can exclude religions like Buddhism. On the other hand, definitions of religion that eliminate mention of the otherworldly or divine by equating it simply with “faith” or “belief” yield an understanding that is overly-broad. Thus, scholars must navigate between overly restrictive and excessively broad definitions.

Due to the challenges of studying religion, various methodologies have arisen including: phenomenology, theology, historical approaches, comparison, philosophy, and sociology. Each of these methods offers unique insights but also comes with limitations. This Touchstone gives you an opportunity to reflect on these major approaches to studying religion. Your reflection should demonstrate critical thinking about the complexities of religious studies.

In a 400-600 word short essay, you will explain the difficulties involved in defining religion. Then you will select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking, and explain its strengths and weaknesses. Your analysis should engage with scholarly perspectives while presenting your own viewpoint.

A. Assignment Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define. Consider how cultural variations and personal interpretations complicate a universal definition. Review the lessons in Unit 1 as you consider your response. Then, select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and explain what you believe to be its strengths and weaknesses. Your choice should reflect both academic value and personal interest.

Your short essay should include four parts:

Explain, in your own words, two reasons why religion is difficult to define.

Select one method for studying religion that you believe to be most thought-provoking and summarize the approach in your own words.

Explain a strength of this approach to studying religion.

Explain a weakness of this approach to studying religion.

The methods for studying religion discussed in Unit 1 include:

Phenomenology

Theology

Historical Approaches

Comparative Religion

Philosophy of Religion

Sociology of Religion

As you develop your reflection, be sure to engage with the course material from Unit 1. Incorporating course concepts will strengthen your argument and demonstrate comprehension. You will use information from the Sophia tutorials to support your response. When citing material from a tutorial, please include the name of the tutorial and use the following format (using Sophia’s Primal Religions tutorial as an example):

In-text citation: (Primal Religions, n.d.)

Reference: (n.d.). Primal Religions [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning. https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit1/study-guide/7845/primal-religions-2

Refer to the completion checklist below throughout the writing process. Adhering to these guidelines will help ensure a well-structured and polished submission. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.

❒ Have you explained two reasons why religion is difficult to define, in your own words?
❒ Have you selected a method for studying religion from Unit 1 and summarized the approach?
❒ Have you explained a strength and a weakness of this approach to studying religion?
❒ Does your short essay demonstrate engagement with the course material from Unit 1?
❒ Is your short essay between 400-600 words, double-spaced, and formatted in 12-point font?
❒ Have you cited examples with in-text citations?
❒ Have you proofread your short essay for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization?

(The rest of the document remains unchanged, including the rubric and requirements.)

Suggested Extra References (2016-2025):
Nongbri, B. (2021). Before Religion: A History of a Modern Concept. Yale University Press.

Taves, A. (2018). Revelatory Events: Three Case Studies of the Emergence of New Spiritual Paths. Princeton University Press.

Cotter, C. R., & Robertson, D. G. (Eds.). (2016). After World Religions: Reconstructing Religious Studies. Routledge.

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Reflecting on Major Approaches to Studying Religions
Religion remains a fascinating yet elusive subject for scholars and students alike. Despite its universal presence across cultures, pinning down a clear definition proves challenging. Furthermore, the methods used to study it offer unique perspectives, each with distinct advantages and limitations. Below, I explore two reasons why defining religion is difficult and reflect on the phenomenological approach as a thought-provoking method, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.

Why Defining Religion Is Difficult
Determining what counts as religion often stumbles over its diversity. Many traditions, such as Buddhism, do not centre on worshipping a supernatural deity, which complicates definitions tied to a higher power. Instead, Buddhism emphasises personal enlightenment and ethical living, prompting debate about whether it fits traditional religious categories. Consequently, a narrow focus on divine belief excludes practices that millions consider religious, revealing the inadequacy of rigid frameworks.

Equally important, broad definitions equating religion with any form of faith or belief can stretch the term too far. For example, someone might passionately believe in a political ideology or a sports team, yet these are rarely classified as religions. Without clear boundaries, the concept risks losing its distinctiveness, blending into other areas of human experience. Thus, striking a balance between specificity and inclusivity remains a persistent challenge (Approaches to Studying Religions, n.d.).

The Phenomenological Approach to Studying Religion
Among the various methods, phenomenology stands out as particularly intriguing. This approach seeks to understand religion by focusing on the lived experiences of believers, setting aside preconceived notions or judgements. Scholars employing this method examine rituals, symbols, and personal accounts to grasp how individuals perceive the sacred. Rather than debating whether a belief is true, phenomenology prioritises the subjective reality of the practitioner, offering a window into the essence of religious life (Phenomenology of Religion, n.d.).

A Strength of Phenomenology
A key advantage lies in its emphasis on empathy and firsthand insight. By exploring how people experience their faith—through prayer, meditation, or community gatherings—phenomenology captures the emotional and cultural richness of religion. For instance, observing a Hindu festival like Diwali reveals not just theological ideas but also the joy and connection it fosters among participants. This depth helps students appreciate religion as a dynamic, human phenomenon rather than a mere set of doctrines (Smart, 2020).

A Weakness of Phenomenology
However, this method has its drawbacks, particularly its reliance on subjectivity. Because it focuses on individual perspectives, phenomenology struggles to provide a broader, objective picture of religion. Two practitioners of the same faith might describe their experiences differently, leaving scholars with fragmented insights rather than a cohesive understanding. Moreover, The Academic Papers UK Thesis Writing Service without critical analysis, it risks overlooking historical or social factors that shape those experiences, limiting its scope (Chryssides and Geaves, 2019).

Conclusion
Defining religion proves elusive due to its diverse expressions and the challenge of setting clear boundaries. Phenomenology, with its focus on lived experience, offers a compelling way to study this complexity, bringing depth and empathy to the forefront. Yet, its subjective nature can hinder a fuller, more analytical grasp of religious traditions. Together, these reflections underscore the intricate nature of religion and the value of thoughtful approaches to its study.

References
(n.d.). Approaches to Studying Religions [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning. https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit1/study-guide/7845/approaches-to-studying-religions-2
(n.d.). Phenomenology of Religion [MOOC]. In Approaches to Studying Religions. Sophia Learning. https://app.sophia.org/spcc/approaches-to-studying-religions–2/unit1/study-guide/7845/phenomenology-of-religion-2
Chryssides, G. D., & Geaves, R. (2019). The Study of Religion: An Introduction to Key Ideas and Methods. Bloomsbury Academic.
Smart, N. (2020). Dimensions of the Sacred: An Anatomy of the World’s Beliefs. University of California Press.

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