The Nature of Religion and Belief Systems
Defining the field
A belief system is any organised set of convictions about reality, value and meaning. Religion is a particular kind of belief system usually marked by belief in a transcendent or sacred reality, a community, a body of texts or oral tradition, ethical norms, rituals, and a distinction between sacred and profane. Candidates should be able to define religion substantively (by content, e.g. belief in the supernatural), functionally (by what it does, e.g. social cohesion or meaning-making), and critically, noting that each definition includes some traditions and excludes others.
Key concepts
Know the difference between monotheism, polytheism, henotheism, pantheism and nontheistic traditions such as Buddhism. Understand immanent versus transcendent conceptions of the sacred. Be able to distinguish a cult, a sect, a denomination and a church as sociological categories without using them pejoratively. Note that secular belief systems (humanism, political ideologies) can be analysed with the same functional tools.
Common traps
Questions often reward noting that a definition is contested rather than asserting one is correct. Avoid equating religion with theism. Do not treat Australian Aboriginal spirituality as a "primitive" version of religion: describe it on its own terms, with the Dreaming as an enduring, present reality rather than a mere past myth.
Rule of thumb
When asked whether something is a religion, apply two tests: does it address ultimate meaning or the sacred, and does it organise that meaning through community, practice and ethics? Answer by weighing both tests rather than by a checklist.