What role does membership in a religious tradition play according to Wittgenstein's view of language?

Wittgenstein's perspective on language suggests that the meaning of words is deeply intertwined with the forms of life and contexts in which they are used. According to his later thought, particularly in "Philosophical Investigations," the understanding of language is not merely about definitions but involves an understanding of practices and forms of life associated with those words.

In this light, membership in a religious tradition is essential for fully grasping religious language. Religious language is used within specific contexts where shared beliefs, rituals, and experiences create a framework for understanding. A person who is part of a religious community tends to have insights that someone outside the tradition may lack. This engagement provides a background against which certain phrases, symbols, and practices acquire their meaning, emphasizing that language gains significance through its usage in particular social and cultural environments.

Thus, membership in a religious tradition is not just important but necessary for a comprehensive understanding of religious language as it is shaped by the collective experiences and practices inherent to that tradition.