a. Brother Anandamoy:
b. Sociology:
a. How do your ideas on science of religion compare with those of Brother Anandamoy's, "Yoga: The Science of Religion"?
Yoga includes time-tested methods that permit tremendous control of body functions. However, to the degree that it identifies with its traditional religious base -- Hinduism -- it has no more to do with science than does any of the other folk religions.
If you visit "Yoga: The Science of Religion" you will see that the foregoing is borne out. There it is said:
"Our true essence is the soul: made in the image of God -- immortal, indestructable, ever-blissful Infinite Consciousness."
Almost every word in the foregoing quote is seen to be in conflict with everything science has learned about how our bodies work. Therefore, I would say that Yoga has nothing to do with science or a science of religion.
As discussed in VOLUME II, Chapter 24.A. Hinduism, like all folk religions, is based on humanity's "tribal" propensities. As a result anyone following its teachings would not be able to develop their "wisdom" potential. Therefore, such individuals are not able to become a wise person nor to help develop a wise community. So their unique human potential is not able to be utilized to ensure the survival of our species.
b. Sociology
The science of religion concept has been used on occasion by sociologists to describe the scientific study of religion. They sometimes trace this back to Max Muller who in his 1867 book, Chips from a German Workshop, used the term Religionswissenschaft (literally "science of religion"). However, the English equivalent of the term has not received institutional support so has not been used widely.1
Copyright © 1999, 2006 Arthur M. Jackson
2/17/99
1. Rationality and the Study of Religion, Edited by Jeppe S. Jensen & Luther H. Martin, p. 65, Copyright: Aarhus University Press, Printed by: The Alden Press, Oxford, England, 1997.
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