Dear all,
I second Jenny's suggestion that we examine what various stakeholders mean by the term "religion." It is almost a cliche' in the study of religion that there is no shared scholarly definition of the term. Even within a single field, e.g. anthropology, definitions range from Tylor's "belief in spirits" (which certianly does not imply either metaphysics or ethics) to Geertz's much more complex one defining religion as a cultural system imbued with an ideology that makes certain choices seem god-given and "natural."
Another issue which has not beeen touched upon in these posts is that Wicca, like most modern Pagan religions, is not belief-based. Wiccans share few if any beliefs, and participation in Wicca does not require any particular belief or set of beliefs. Within a single coven, for example, agnostics, monotheists, duotheists, panentheists and radical polytheists may coexist peacefully. Instead, Wicca is orthopractic -- it is based on shared practice.
And at the risk of starting another flame war, let me point out that sexual orientation is much more complex than Prof. Segal suggested in his post. Culture plays a very significant role in defining it and in determining the gender of an individual's sexual partner, and it can change over the life course of an individual. It is generally best to avoid explaining one essentialization by comparing it to another one.
In peace,
Sabina
Sabina Magliocco
Professor
Department of Anthropology
California State University - Northridge
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From: Society for The Academic Study of Magic [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jenny Blain [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 2:04 PM
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Subject: Re: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] How to Cure a Witch...
Dear all,
I wonder if we can consider that there are several differing definitions
of 'religion' and of how one might be 'religious'?
As an anthropologist, I see some situations in which religions are in
conflict including mutual mistrust and denial, and others in which there
is a large measure of acknowledgment of others' beliefs and
understanding of parallel practices, including adoption of deities; with
a middle ground in which others' beliefs are tolerated and may be
partially accepted.
Nothing hard and fast here.
Jenny
--
Dr Jenny Blain
Sheffield Hallam University
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07919 556371
Sabina Magliocco
Professor
Department of Anthropology
California State University - Northridge
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