In essentialists' view, what fundamentally grounds the essence of religion?

The essentialist view of religion posits that there is a fundamental quality or essence that defines what religion truly is, which is often associated with a transcendent source. Divine inspiration is a key component in this perspective, as it asserts that religions derive their core truths and principles from a higher power or divine being. This belief underscores the idea that religious experiences, beliefs, and texts are rooted in the divine, highlighting an intrinsic connection between humanity and the sacred.

In contrast, focusing on human experiences emphasizes the subjective side of religion, suggesting that individual perceptions shape religious meaning, which does not align with the essentialist focus on a fixed essence. Community practices highlight the social aspect of religion, which involves rituals and behaviors shaped by the collective experience rather than a singular, divine source. Similarly, historical context considers the influence of time and culture on religious beliefs, which can shift and change, thus not supporting the essentialist claim of a stable, unchanging essence based on divine inspiration. Therefore, divine inspiration is fundamentally viewed as the grounding essence in essentialist thought, resonating with the belief in an absolute, divine foundation for all religious experience and expression.