As a scholar develops a historical discussion regarding a variety of topics, be it economics, science, or architecture, it will tend to be empirical in nature, dealing mostly with facts, dates and that which is tangible. It is no different when religion is discussed historically. From a different perspective, a psychological discussion of religion will not deal with the available information in the same empirical manner. Due to the nature of the discipline, a psychological discussion will deal mostly with the interior man.
To no surprise, The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James has provided many students of religion with insight into the psychological aspects of religion through a study of the various experiences of a great number of individuals throughout history. Also, the historical discussion of religion provided by Keith Thomas's Religion and the Decline of Magic, gives us an in depth look into the many different beliefs that were prevalent in pre-industrial England. Even though the two arguments arise out of different disciplines, one historical, the other psychological, the approach to the subject of religion taken by the authors has allowed for a common ground upon which a comparison of their arguments can be made.
In a revolutionary manner, William james, at the turn of the century, put forth a discussion of religion which dealt with the influence our psychological capacities had upon our beliefs. He demonstrated that it is our psychological capacities which mold and shape the experiences which we have with religion.(James p. 194.) Corresponding to the different and varied capacities of individuals, we find religious experiences that are extremely diverse. He argues that, while the religious experiences of men may differ in the thoughts which give rise to them, they concur in the feelings and the conduct they produce, regardless of the faith being followed.(James, p. 390.) Dealing mostly with the experiences of individuals adhering to the Christian belief, he argues that religion provides the follower with faith through which he can live.( p. 391.) By faith, the adherent is empowered to deal with the hardships and difficulties which are a part of his individual condition. The God or the deity in which one believes, meets the individual on the basis of his personal needs, providing the worshipper with a fuller, richer, existence.(p. 391.) James also demonstrates that the state of faith is both a biological and a psychological condition. Furthermore, he argues that the subliminal self, a subconscious region of the mind (p. 199.), is the area from which our religious experiences emanate, producing real and observable affects, witnessed by the conscious self and within the physical world which surrounds us. Through these experiences, the suggestion of the existence of an external or higher control is inferred. To Christians, this external or higher control is known as God.
In relation to history, James argues that the religious experiences of men have changed over time and that the practises which they have followed are related to the period of history in which they lived. When the historical climate changed, so did the needs of men which were to be met by their relationship to the deity. The God which men worshipped and the way in which they were worshipped at any particular time in history was dependent upon the extent to which the God was psychologically useful in addition to the validity of the results which were brought forth from having religious devotion.
On a different note, Thomas engages in a historical debate which demonstrates how and why the religious practises of pre- industrial England changed gradually over a number of centuries. Thomas purports that, for a majority of the population in pre-reformation England, religion, astrology and magic served a similar purpose for varying classes of the laity. For many individuals, these beliefs acted as mediums through which one could obtain supernatural power.(Thomas, p. 27.) In addition, they were a way for one to harness power and use it on someone else's behalf. Also, they were a method to avoid the vicissitudes of life. As well, they helped individuals to appreciate the difficulties and problems which came about.(Thomas, p. 91)
Coping with the horrifying, inexplainable phenomena of the natural world, the frequency of disease, poverty, and the lack of cures for illness, made life harsh in comparison to the conditions in which most Britons live today. As a result, dealing and coping with the environment became a preoccupation which manifested into a never ending desire to find supernatural ways to control and limit the environments harsh processes.(p. 34.) This was encouraged by a lack of intellectual explanation and understanding of how nature worked.( p. 92.) Thomas demonstrates that, in addition to having a pagan lineage, constant mindfulness of the physical world resulted in ritualistic worship. Religion for most individuals demanded many rituals as individuals were less concerned about their soul than they were about their surroundings. As a result, religious work tended to focus outwardly instead of inwardly. Through these rituals an individual could feel as if he had altered his problems by making the natural environment some how less adept to misfortune. A farmer would sprinkle ground up bits of the sacrament over his crops, believing that he would make the earth more fertile.(p. 35.)
In a way that magic could not, religion addressed the "fundamental issues of human existence", having both social and psychological relevance which transcends its ritualistic and philosophical aspects.(Thomas, p. 761.)Both authors have demonstrated that religion has great anthropological importance, especially Thomas. Through this point, Thomas builds a bridge, enabling his argument to meet that of James directly. James tells us that religion confronts the fundamental, inner needs of man. At any time in history argue both James and Thomas(James, p. 381.) religion will satisfy and serve this purpose. By this, the deity will never fail to meet the individual at the level of his personal concerns(James, p.386); nor will religious beliefs fail to provide new philosophical doctrines for the intellectual community, adapting to the changing needs and concerns of men while also facilitating the decline of less favourable and satisfactory beliefs such as magic. In addition, religion may possibly provide further philosophical foundations for greater science, similar to how it did in the 17th century.
As a result, the arguments of James and Thomas have given the student of religion insight into the importance which religion has had in the development of humanity. Based upon their arguments, the historical role which religion has played and will continue to play cannot be denied.
Warren A. Lyon (Copyright, 1992)
More than a vain practise involving the avoidance of foods or drink or using repeated nice sayings, we have relationship. Love is patient, love is kind and never stays longer than it is welcome nor will it endure negatively abusive company unnecessarily except but in work, gratuitous or paid, for the betterment of the recipient. The movie of the week is "Enduring Love".
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