Along with internal diversity and change over time, another fundamental tenet of a religious studies approach is to recognize the ways that religions are embedded in human cultures and not isolated in a discrete private sphere. We’ll examine many layers of this aspect of religious studies later in our module, but for now let's explore two simple ways to see how religion is embedded in culture by considering the calendar and national monuments or significant cultural sites.
We'll start with the calendar. Find your own country calendar (https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2016&country=29)
here. (See the scroll down list on top to find your country and press “show” for it to display. Holidays and observances are listed below the monthly calendar.) Which national holidays are recognized and which ones are not? Are any related to religion? What is the structure of the work/school week and what does this represent about historical and cultural values? For example, in the United States where the government is secular, schools and municipal offices are closed on Sundays and Christmas day is a national holiday. Compare this with India, also a secular democracy, where many Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist holy days are recognized. (See here for a 2016 calendar of many religious holidays, and here for definitions of holidays: (http://www.interfaith-calendar.org/calendardefinitions.htm).
http://www.interfaith-calendar.org/2018.htm
here. (See the scroll down list on top to find your country and press “show” for it to display. Holidays and observances are listed below the monthly calendar.) Which national holidays are recognized and which ones are not? Are any related to religion? What is the structure of the work/school week and what does this represent about historical and cultural values? For example, in the United States where the government is secular, schools and municipal offices are closed on Sundays and Christmas day is a national holiday. Compare this with India, also a secular democracy, where many Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist holy days are recognized. (See here for a 2016 calendar of many religious holidays, and here for definitions of holidays: (http://www.interfaith-calendar.org/calendardefinitions.htm).
http://www.interfaith-calendar.org/2018.htm
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