1.4 post colonialism

Today’s lesson further expands on the idea of how “listing” religions are detrimental to Indigenous religions, and the very definition of religion. The big five religions that are discussed when talking about “world religions” are Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. After Masuzawa — Discourse on Religion reading, I am now informed that “world religions’’ is a category and Conceptual framework created by the Europeans to assess the social, cultural, political practices. This framework now created the academic discipline that is Anthropology and Orientalism, both studies of non-European societies. This also created political science, economics, and sociology. The excerpt discusses how the goal of religion is to determine the characteristic features of a non-European society. Connecting this discussion with the Pueblo Indians example from keeping it 101 podcast, they conformed to the American categorical use of the word religion, as a way to argue for rights and protection. Before, these dances were an essential part of these characteristics and traditional practices, combining religion and culture together, thus creating human behavior. Being a part of the “list” entails a position of power and protection. Another example of categorical power and protection is seen with the church of scientology. Since they’re now seen as a religion, they receive a tax-exempt religious status. A question that stills wraps around my head is how does one differentiate culture and religion when imperialistic definitions combine the two?

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