Homework 9/14

1. The study of religion can learn a lot from insiders, as it is those insiders who support and treasure religion the most.
2. We can't rely only on insider sources because obviously they have biased opinions regarding their respective religions. Religion from the point of an Atheist or an Agnostic, for example, would add a much needed third objective.
3. The advantages are numerous, but the primary advantage is, as I mentioned before, objectivity. Also, an outsider's first impression of a religion can often shed new light on aspects of that religion that were not so clear to it's followers. A new perspective is often welcome, and to study religion it is important to have people who believe in that religion and people who don't in order to fully discuss it.
4. Yes. First-hand experience is crucial to understanding and learning about a religion.
5. Zaehner's understanding is that western religions are united by prophetic and scriptural revelation ( words from a prophet.) And that the east is bound by reflective human insight from a wise person or sage (individual reflection.)
6. The East is misleading because most of the religions that fall under the "Eastern" category did not originate from the East and also because a lot of the world has shifted and new boundaries have arisen.