Question

Consider the definitions of religion. What problems might we encounter in proposing just one definition of religion? How do ethnographic case studies challenge Wallace’s definition of religion?   

Answer 1

The different definitions of religion include; belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God. It is a system of faith and worship. It can also be defined as a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion. The problems we might we encounter in proposing just one definition of religion is the fact that; if they are too narrow they may exclude many belief systems which most agree are religious, and they may be too vague and ambiguous. Ethnography study is a firsthand study of what people say and do in a given particular context. Ethnographic case studies challenge Wallace’s definition of religion as this type of study incorporates the context which is different in case making the definition of religion different in each context and very dynamic. However, the limitation of Wallace's definition of religion is that it is too static .i.e. it does not include the context. As according to him it comprises of just;  “beliefs and rituals concerned with supernatural beings, powers, and forces” (Wallace, 1966, p. 5)