Religion Topic: Read two short articles and respond to the question

READ

The first reading is a short excerpt (9 pages [328-336]) from William James’ The Varieties of Religious Experience.
Compiled from a series of lectures given in 1901 and 1902, James’ book
is an absolute classic of religious studies, and the excerpt I’ve given
you is from one of the most-cited chapters

The second reading is a short ethnographic essay (7 pages, not counting pictures) written by me and a colleague, James Reich. It’s about Caribbean Hinduism in New York City, and in particular the stream of Caribbean Hinduism–called “Madrassi” Hinduism–where priests voluntarily get possessed by the Mother Goddess.

Here’s the question I’ll want you to be thinking about while doing the reading: “How
does Vijah’s religious experience fit into William James’ idea of
religious experience? How does it [Vijah’s experience] fit into William
James’ definition of religion?”

“Religion is Experience” Discussion Board

The question for this week’s discussion board is: “How does Vijah’s religious experience fit into William James’ idea of religious experience? How does it [Vijah’s experience] fit into William James’ definition of religion?”

Please
write a 200-word response to the question

included are both articles which need to be read first