Understanding Religion, Culture, and Power Dynamics

Inspirational Perspectives

"Even one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." — Malala Yousafzai (Opening of Birmingham Library, September 3rd, 2013)

"But for each of us, isn't life about determining your own finish line? This journey has always been about reaching your own other shore no matter what it is, and that dream continues." — Diana Nyad (Swam from Hawaii to Miami)

Instructor Information

Ken Derry
Office: North Building 152
Office Hours:

• Tuesday: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM (Library)
• Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (NE152)

Course Concepts

Identify the qualities that the instructor suggests the following have in common with religion: Malala Yousafzai, “Royals,” the “Abused Goddesses” campaign, Diana Nyad, “Odyssey 2013,” and Iron Man 3.

Common Themes: Community, Suffering, and Ritual.

Comparative Religious Texts

• “When it was cooked, he ate and ate. But he ate too much and very soon suffered the runs.” (Anishinaubae)
• “See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!” (Christian)
• “Fart, fart.” (Buddhist)
• “Have witnesses when you barter with one another.” (Muslim)

Defining Culture

1. Shared system/way of life: (e.g., Canadian culture, hip-hop culture). Hall suggests culture is everything people do.
2. Cultural products: (e.g., music, literature, TV, art, clothes, food). These are parts or results of shared systems.

Religion and Power

Religion is a part of culture. The study of religion is not a search for truth, but rather the study of anything involving "non-falsifiable realities" (James Cox), such as gods, salvation, the soul, love, evil, morality, and meaning.

Ideology and Social Control

• Marx and Engels: Religion as an ideology (the "opium of the people"). It comforts, masks suffering, and supports the unjust status quo.
• Gramsci: Hegemony—the ruled feel they have a stake in the powers that exploit them.
• Althusser:
  • Repressive State Apparatus (police, army).
  • Ideological State Apparatus (education, media, religion).
  • Interpellation: We actively participate in our own exploitation.
• Foucault: Power relations are complex. The Panopticon model explains how we internalize surveillance (e.g., cameras, electronic payments, the internet, Santa Claus, and God).