What Is Religion?

The video explores the complex and subjective nature of defining religion. It discusses how the term has evolved historically and highlights various scholarly definitions, including those by EB Tyler and Emile Durkheim. The video also introduces the family resemblances approach, which suggests identifying similarities rather than a single definition. It emphasizes that religion is a contested concept, shaped by Western scholarship, and varies depending on cultural context and individual perspectives.

What role do Western scholars play in the conceptualization of religion?

Why is it difficult to find a single definition of religion that applies universally?

How do different perspectives influence the understanding of religion?