Openess and Honesty

1-What are the basic differences between the insider's and the outsider's perspective?

An insider is more likely to be someone that already practices the religion. This person would be trying to grow deeper in their beliefs with more of a commitment and understanding. An outsider is more likely to be a person who wants to learn more about the religion without committing to its practices and beliefs. Insider’s also may be on the defense when it comes to certain aspects of the religion than an outsider would be. An outsider may be trying to learn and understand a religion but they may take on a demeaning outlook that can make the religion seem like something it is not. In all reality both perspectives can be controversial. Each insider is actually an outsider and each outsider is actually an insider.

2-What is the relationship between openness and honesty?

Honesty in relationship to openness means not to judge a religion based on personal prejudice. An honest person will understand not only there own viewpoint but they will be prepared for the unexpected of other viewpoints. In order to study religion one must be both open and honest with themselves. A person must be able to express their viewpoint without defense and they must be able to show interest in learning about other viewpoints.

3-How do analysis and synthesis differ, and how are they related? Give an example of each.

The basic idea for an analysis is to see how something works by looking at all different parts. A synthesis on the other hand wants to keep something together and look at how it functions as a whole. An analysis will be able to figure out how different aspects of something works by looking at the individual pieces but may not be able to understand how they all fit together and it is the complete opposite for a synthesis. These ideas are related because and analysis must be able to be a synthesis. In order to analyze something one must be able to take apart and see how all the individual pieces work but they must be able to put it back together and see how everything fits together as a whole. An example would be like doing a puzzle. The person putting the puzzle must be able to analyze the different pieces based on several different factors. They must then synthesize and put the puzzle together ti see what the entire picture is when complete.

4-What role