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Religion and Dogma

Religion and Dogma. What is DOGMA?. Ism(s). What is an ism? Ideology... Theism: there is a god, usually one god Monotheism: only one god (Islam, Judaism, Christianity) Polytheism: many gods (Buddhism, Hinduism) Pantheism: god is everything, the nature and universe (Hinduism, Taoism)

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Religion and Dogma

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  1. Religion and Dogma

  2. What is DOGMA?

  3. Ism(s) • What is an ism? Ideology... • Theism: there is a god, usually one god • Monotheism: only one god (Islam, Judaism, Christianity) • Polytheism: many gods (Buddhism, Hinduism) • Pantheism: god is everything, the nature and universe (Hinduism, Taoism) • Atheism: definitely no god • Agnosticism: may be a god

  4. Religion and South Park • In carnivalesque, Bakhtin thought that the “sacred” was central to carnival's humor • South Park interrogates the “unquestioning acceptance of bizarre religious tenets” (Johnson-Woods p. 228) • South Park also explores religion vis-à-vis: • Churches as financial corporations (tax exempt) • Churches as brainwashing institutions that use superstitions • Churches as outdated secret societies

  5. Images of Jesus Christ • Depictions of Christ often reflect the ethnic characteristics of those depicting • In South Park he is stripped of divine powers but is a celebrity

  6. Across the board... • Divine leadership is not the problem; earthly hypocrisy is the issue • South Park looks to the hypocritical and applies logic to examine religious belief systems • “Carnival is a reminder that the pope's shit stinks, too” (Johnson-Woods p. 240)

  7. A challenge... • South Park started with religious debate (“War on Christmas”) • Challenge of religious dogma; Not an “attack on religion” • Literal interpretation of texts as truth/word of God • “inerrancy”: Bible is perfect, historical document • South Park challenges believers NOT beliefs!!! Misinterpretations of holy documents • Can religion encourage critical thought? What about extremism and fundamentalism? • Religious fundamentalism as enemy of open society?

  8. Christianity • 2.2 billion adherents; world's largest • Protestant, Roman Catholic, Anglicism • Began in the mid first century • 75-80% of Americans claim to be Christian • 50% align with Protestant Christianity • 25% align with Roman Catholicism • 4-5% other religions • 15% atheist, agnostic, don't care

  9. The Catholic Church • A Christian denomination • 1.2 billion adherents • Views itself as the original church • Baptized v. faith; one god but other god-like (i.e. Virgin Mary); Sacred Tradition v. Bible only • Anti-contraception, homosexuality is unholy • Sex abuse and ordaining women

  10. The Doctrine • Roman Catholicism uses doctrines taught by the Roman magisterium (the Pope and bishops) • Catholic Church derives its doctrines from the "sacred deposit" found in Scriptures and Sacred Tradition • The Sacred Tradition is inaccessible because only the magisterium is able to establish the authentic meaning and the contents of Sacred Tradition can only be known through the magisterium

  11. “Red Hot Catholic Love”(2002) • Aired after the 2002 child sex abuse scandal in U.S. • Critique of atheism and Catholic “sacred deposit” aka “Holy Document of Vatican Law” (Queen Spider) • Inability for religions to adapt to modern society (change) • Critique of fundamentalism • Inability to think critically • Carnivalesque? Lower body? • Crapping out your mouth?

  12. Stories....

  13. 2002 Catholic Church Scandal • Began with exposing the Boston Archdiocese • Major issue in US; opened the floodgates globally • Cover up of abuse; often handled by Church not authorities • $2B-$3B in settlements • 3,000+ cases

  14. The Love Boat

  15. Pitfall

  16. “Bloody Mary” (2005) • Air eve of Feast of the Immaculate Conception • Controversial episode • Complaints to advertisers • Role of God and humans in choice, life, behavior • Alcoholic Anonymous...choice v. faith • Need to learn discipline • Carnival? Lower body?

  17. Censorship • Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights • Anti-defamation group • Protect First Amendment rights of Catholics...but what about those who speak against it? • Opposed portrayal of Virgin Mary • Episode did not re-air like “Trapped in the Closet” • Joseph A. Califano, Jr.,Viacom's Board

  18. 8, South Park & Blasphemy • South Park is born out of blasphemy • Blasphemy: disrespect for something sacred; often contempt or hatred • god(s), people of God like pope, priest, nun • Blasphemy as free speech? • Protected in most countries • In US, blasphemy law would violate Constitution (14th Amendment) • Blasphemy can be censored by....?

  19. South Park: “they mock not the belief, but the believer, and credit the believer where their lives reflect good, ethical practice. They also point out hypocrisy wherever possible.” (Koepsell p. 106) • Nothing or nobody is sacred in South Park

  20. 5, Science v. God • Science is a method of discovery of “truth” • Not a doctrine itself, but has doctrine • Belief in proportion to evidence • Scientific method: routine for discovering theory • A theory is accepted when it's simpler, raises fewer questions, explains more, and coheres with what we already know

  21. Logical Fallacy • Since it hasn't been proven false, it's likely true • “appeal to ignorance”; lack of evidence is not evidence • No certainty in science; future discovery will overturn current truth • Existence, burden of proof on believer

  22. Religion is “ethics” and “meaning”; not how the world works • Scientific claims are open to scrutiny; religious claims? (i.e Jesus) • Religious believers are quick to critique other believers/beliefs but not question their own (i.e. Scientology) 8

  23. “Go God Go” and “XII” (2006) • Theory of evolution v. Creationism • Satire on the debate in education • “Retard baby” • Science v. Religion • Atheism as its own religion • Atheist as extremism • God is a spaghetti monster • Societies will wage war without religion

  24. Answer to the “Great Question” • Getting rid of “isms” • Allied Atheist Alliance v. United Atheist Alliance v Unified Atheist League • Allusion to Life of Brian: Judean People's Front/ People's Front of Judea/ Judean Popular People's Front)

  25. Pastafarianism • Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster • Parody religion that opposes the teaching of creationism and intelligent design in schools • Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster • Parody religion that opposes the teaching of creationism and intelligent design in schools • Satires creationism

  26. Evolution • Banned from school curriculum until the 1960s • "Logic and reason aren't enough: You also have to be a dick to everyone who doesn't think like you." ~Ms. Garrison

  27. New Atheism as New Religion?

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