The document discusses the definition of religion and whether surfing could be considered a religion. It provides several potential definitions of religion, including as a set of beliefs, moral code, way of describing the world, or relationship to something bigger. It notes some common religious elements like sacred places, prophets, and heroes. The document explores if surfing meets these criteria by discussing key figures like Tom Blake and Greg Noll, sacred places like Hawaii, and whether the experience of surfing could be seen as transcendent or relating to nature. Opinions from a rabbi, Christian shaper, and academic are presented on whether surfing is a separate religion or could be considered spiritual. Commercialization and opposition to mainstream culture in surfing

3. so let’s have a think....

5. what do they believe? where do they go? do any of them have special jobs? what do they act like? religious people remember examples!! where are they from? which religions do you know about? what do they read? why are they religious? where did everything come from? are we just like animals? do they do anything regularly? what does religious make you think of?

6. what do they believe? where do they go? do any of them have special jobs? what do they act like? religious people remember examples!! where are they from? which religions do you know about? what do they read? why are they religious? where did everything come from? are we just like animals? do they do anything regularly? what does religious make you think of? 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6

31. things to think about How old is surfing? Where did it begin? What happened when the missionaries arrived? Why? Who was Tom Blake? What did he say first? What does Greg Noll say surfing was the opposite of?

32. and, MOST IMPORTANTLY write down any information that is going to help you answer this question... is surfing a religion???

42. is surfing a religion>part I Question: Why might some surfers think that what they do should be regarded as more than just a sport? Key Words/Phrases: waves & nature humans & water Noll - the hero tom blake - the prophet the ancients Hawaii - the special place

48. surf talk

52. is surfing a religion>part II temple of nirvana Question: Does surfing meet any of the definitions of religion that we have discussed before? Key Words/Phrases: bigger than ourselves related to culture belief in a deity way of speaking to do with morality something holy/sacred