Final answer:
It is false that anthropologists determine the reality of God/god(s). Their study is about understanding how religious beliefs shape human experience and cultures, not about proving the existence of supernatural entities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that anthropologists determine if God/god(s) is real is false. Anthropology, specifically ontological anthropology, explores how cultures construct realities, including those related to the supernatural and spiritual beings. However, instead of verifying the existence of deities, anthropologists strive to understand how religious beliefs and convictions contribute to the human experience through a lens of cultural relativism. They consider the functional role these beliefs play within societies and how they shape human interactions and worldviews.
Throughout history, religion has been of paramount importance in many cultures. Anthropologists study these beliefs to understand the emotional, social, and spiritual impact they have on individuals and communities. Thus, their focus is more on identifying patterns and meaning within religious practices rather than making a judgment about their factual truth. The practice of dismissing beliefs as false, as seen in the work of Sir James Frazer, has largely been replaced with a more culturally sensitive approach that acknowledges religious diversity and complexity.
In essence, questions about veracity, such as whether religious experiences are veridical or if the Bible's claims are factual, fall outside the scope of anthropological inquiry. Anthropology aims to understand, not to confirm or debunk the existence of deities or the ultimate truth of religious experiences. This field provides insights into how individuals and societies construct and interact with their concept of the supernatural, rather than asserting metaphysical realities.