In reading the book, In the Presence of Mystery by Michael Horace Barnes, he speaks of how two groups’ approach studying a religion: Reductionists and Phenomenologist. As a reductionist, they doubt there is numinous in religion and thus, try to reduce religion to its causes in a human. Basically, this means to get to the bottom of why people believe in mystery. Reductionists solely believe people look to a higher power for four reasons: search for intelligibility, psychology, social stability, and genetic reasons. As well as a non-religious approach, there is a religious view; Phenomenologists. The root word phenomena defined is, unusual and to take something just as it appears. Phenomenologists believe in sui generis, which means the idea is unlike anything else and there is no judgement or skepticism. …show more content…
They believe that since no one was there to witness Jesus on the cross or the first fire being lit, no one has the right to judge its existence. In my opinion, everything needs an answer or reason, so if I were to study a religion I would most definitely take the reductionist’s approach.
If there is no proof of a higher deity, I want to know why and how people practice religion. Personally, digging deeper into the humans’ mind, can show me the answer. In terms of psychology, God is comforting to most. While going through that “I want nothing to do with my mother” phase, I would look to God for comfort or ask for forgiveness because of a past mistake. I needed someone and God was there. This emotional attachment to God is very common in jail cells, particularly in the death row. In situations like these, nuns will come in to help the crime victims look to God for comfort and relaxation of the mind. Another one of the reductionists’ view is, search for intelligibility. People are