Reflections on the differences between religion and culture.
Culture may be thought of as a causal agent that affects the evolutionary process by uniquely human means. Religion, on the other hand, is considered a process of revelation and contains the concept of the "faithful" who receive the message of revelation. Culture permits the "self-conscious evaluation of human possibilities" and therefore presents a device for increasing human control over species change. There are dangers, however, in accepting cultural relativism without any constraint, such as respect for human life and dignity. In this article, the author attempts to clarify the boundaries between religion and culture and acknowledges that further research is needed on the religion/culture dichotomy.
Bonney
Richard
R
Center for the History of Religious and Political Pluralism, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom. bon@le.ac.uk
D001290:Attitude / Q000208:ethnology; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000208:ethnology; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000208:ethnology; D003267:Contraception; D003469:Culture; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000208:ethnology; D012067:Religion; D012923:Social Class