So this idea of conceptual blending, how can it be applied to the study of religion? We always emphasized in class that studying religion should be completely objective. We need to look at these religions from the outside, and not let it interfere with out own beliefs. (I found a really cool website on the study of religion, click here to see it.) With this in mind, we not only study the different beliefs of the religions, but we also study the different groups of people practicing the religions. We want to figure out why and how these people are believing what they are. This is where the idea of conceptual blending comes into play!
In studying religion, we can use the theory of conceptual blending to help answer the question of how people of different religions believe what they believe. They blend different abstract ideas together that are given to them in their sacred scripture and relate it to their everyday lives. This what Christianity does with the Bible, Judaism does with the Torah, etc. The idea of conceptual blending is essential to really understanding different religions around the world, because we are able to get a glimpse into the followers' beliefs.
I think it's interesting that conceptual blending takes place in every religion, not just a select few. I think that's because it's part of daily life, and there's no way to separate religion from conceptual blending when we use it each and every day to understant the world. Great post!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I think a great example of this is Communion as it is celebrated and observed in many Christian denominations, and as originated in Catholicism. The whole concept of transmogrification and that Jesus' body and a wafer can simultaneously exist is very odd to me, not having grown up with it. But after reading this article it makes more sense.
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