RELIG103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Romanticism, Essentialism, Eurocentrism
15 Mar 2016
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01/18/2016 (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) Term refers to eurocentric assumptions and misinterpretations of. Cultures seen as exotic, undeveloped, and static. These cultural prejudices are essentialist in nature and then homogenized. East seen as superstitious, unscientific, and dangerous place. Cult of kali in temple of doom- human sacrifice, cannibalism, slavery. The western savior conception that eastern cultures cannot save themselves. East seen as peaceful, spiritual, holy, and sense. James hilton: lost horizon british diplomat finds a higher form of spirituality and inner-peace in shambhala (shangri-la) The east as keepers of divine and/or hidden knowledge and/or wisdom. Generally, for a western audience, judeo-christianity is seen as the prototype for what a religion is supposed to be. Jonathan z. smith suggest it is nit the remote other being perceived as problematic and or dangerous, it is proximate other the near neighbor, who is troublesome.
