Hi Pink,
Firstly, this is going to be a fairly long post as I've been working on this response for a while, in between grading essays. I didn't want to be hasty in replying and have been deliberating over my answers. But I now realise how futile this is, for it is not as if I could come up with a respond that would be a final word. On this note, I want to start by saying that I do not think that there can ever be any one essential understanding of or final word on religion.
So, let me say at the outset that I fully agree with you that 'religion' and 'religiosity' should be always be interrogated. I do not doubt that you have experienced firsthand the damaging effects of unreflexive religiosity on the people you have come in contact with--hence, your sincerity in wanting to challenge unskilful and entrenched notions of religion. What you are attempting to do is, undoubtedly, commendable and to an extent necessary; and you are certainly not alone in doing this.
However, to the extent that you are working with an
essentialised notion of religion, I would have to disagree with you--from all your replies so far, it seems to me that you sometimes slide into essentialism. Although I must also admit the the thread has taken so many twists and turns that any interpretation of your words or anyone's words would begin to slide the very moment we try to put a finger on it. But that's ok with me, for as I see it, it is this 'impossibility' of containing interpretation that gives communication its 'possibility' (see link below).
Now, let me try to answer your questions. I'll start with the second question. I will give it some attention as it will pretty much answer the other answers.
How familiar are you with the history and origin of the idea of religion (the concept, not the phenomenon)?
I have posted the rather lengthy reply here instead:
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.ph ... 076#p20076" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; so that I won't clog up this space.
- What does the _concept_ of religion mean to you personally? How does the _idea_ of religion itself make you feel?
See the answer to the above.
As for the remaining questions:
- For you personally, what elements of Buddhism need to be viewed through the lens of "religion"?
- Is meditation inherently a religious activity?
- Is lovingkindness inherently a religious activity?
- Is generosity inherently a religious activity?
- Is compassion inherently a religious activity?
- Is death contemplation inherently a religious activity?
- Is a religious perspective necessary to understand and practice sila?
- Is a religious perspective necessary to understand kamma?
- Is the experience of clarity (both incremental and ultimate) a religious experience?
- Are the various mind-states (or stages) encountered throughout our meditation practice religious experiences?
- If you hold a belief in rebirth: Is a religious perspective necessary in order to have a positive rebirth experience upon death of the body?
My answers would be 'no, not inherently or necessary'.
However, I would say 'maybe' if we are working with a the understanding of 'religion' that I've suggested.