Understanding Religion Essay
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 1
Lesson
Minimum of 2 scholarly sources (in addition to the textbook/lesson)
Instructions
Choose only one (1) of the following two options:
Option 1: Eight Characteristics of Religion
In an essay, address the following:
Identify and briefly describe the eight key characteristics of religion developed in your reading.
Choose 2 for further explanation and include an example for each of your chosen characteristics as demonstrated in a given religion. (You may use different religions for each characteristic or stay with one throughout.)
Why did you choose these 2 reasons? How do they relate to your own religious worldview or your clinical practice?
Option 2: Etic and Emic Views
In an essay, address the following:
Explain how the etic and emic perspectives describe your own religion or a religion with which you are familiar.
In etic, explain how an objective researcher would describe the religion including specific elements. In emic, explain how a practicing member would see the same reality.
Quote an “authoritative religious leader” from this religion as part of your emic paragraph, in addition to your scholarly source. (E.g., Buddhism-Dali Lama; Catholicism-Pope)
How does understanding this add to your understanding of your chosen religion?
What does it add to your approach to patient care?
Click on the following link to view an example for Option 2 (Shinto):
Link: Shinto Example
Hopefully you can see the difference between the etic approach using facts and objective information devoid of emotion or attachment whereas the believer (emic) approach showed devotion, faith, appealed to the senses and emotion. The quotes showed personal faith. Your emic view does not have to use quotes, except for the religious leader requirement, but it needs to show a personal view.
In addition to outside sources, make sure to reference your textbook and/or lesson.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 500-1000 words (not including title page or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (Cite textbook/lesson and a minimum of 2 outside scholarly sources – 1 for each approach for Option 2; 2 scholarly sources for Option 1.)
Page or paragraph for in-text citations
Title: Experiencing the World’s Religions
Subtitle: Tradition, Challenge, and Change
Authors: Michael Molloy
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Publication Date: 2020-01-01
Edition: 8th
APA Citation
Molloy, M. (2020). Experiencing the world’s religions: Tradition, challenge, and change (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
This textbook is available as an e-book and can be accessed from the module view.
