nature of religion Flashcards
define supernatural dimension
an acknowledgement of a dimension that cannot be seen in the natural world. it is a place/dimension where the divine dwell/exists
what does search for meaning lead to?
leads us to ask existential questions which make our world view a religious belief system and a non-religious belief system
what is a religious belief system?
a worldview that believes in the supernatural dimension in which there is something beyond what we see
what is a non-religious belief system?
belief in the natural world in which what you see is what you get
define devine revelation
communication of knowledge to man by a divine or supernatural agency
define monotheism
the doctrine/belief that there is only one God
discuss a transcendent religious worldview
refers to the ‘out there’ aspects of spirituality. it is a worldview that is beyond the human experience and points believers toward the divine world.
what is transcendence in christianity
god is transcendent: belief in heaven as God’s dwelling ‘place’, hell as an absence of God
surpasses human knowledge: sacred/spiritual knowledge come from transcendent god
understanding the divine revelation: scripture (bible) has knowledge of divine revelation
common to monotheism: on e god, the originator/creator. god is all powerful and all knowing
define an immanent religious worldview
a system of understanding that enables humans to discover spiritual ‘truth’ within human existence
discuss an immanent religious worldview
emphasis is placed on God/s in human existence in day to day life, the deity is to be found within (referring to the inner aspects of spirituality)
what are the limitations of categorising transcendent and immanent religious worldviews?
because there is religious that have aspects of both religious worldviews
define belief
an acceptance that something exists or its true, especially one without proof
what are the characteristics of religion
beliefs and believers, sacred texts and writing, ethics, rituals and ceremonies
how can people have the full religious experience?
people need to experience beliefs & believers, sacred texts + writing, ethics, and rituals & ceremonies to have a full religious experience
identify examples of beliefs
gods (or one single god), spirits (or forces beyond the natural), angels
human nature and the natural world (its origins and destiny)
life - meaning and purpose
define sacred texts and writings
include writings that are believed to be actual copies of the words of God or written by people inspired by God - these words are considered to be holy, devout and wise
identify the examples of sacred texts and writings
the Torah, the Bible, the Qur’an
define ethics in religion
ethics govern what adherents must do, what is expected upon them to their God/God’s, environment and with treating others - clarifying what is right and wrong thus focusing on moral decision making
how are ethics deprived in religion?
in religion ethics may be derived through sacred texts, doctrines, or traditional leadership
define ritual
a prescribed pattern of religious behaviours
define rituals and ceremonies in religion
they are enactments or systems of actions and beliefs that each have a beginning, middle and an end - they are directly linked to superhuman beings or forces
it assists individuals moving from one stage of life to another
what are examples of rituals and ceremonies
in judaism male circumcision (brit milah) and coming of age ceremony Bar Mitzvah
what does the transcendent dimension allow humans?
allows humans to move beyond their earthly concerns to the heavenly/spiritual matters
what does the transcendent dimension allow humans?
allows humans to move beyond their earthly concerns to the heavenly/spiritual matters
what does immance refer to
define believers
adherents who have common beliefs that follow and accept the teaching of the religious tradition
what is the role of beliefs and believers in the religious experience?
it sustains all religions, the belief in a great reality is central to all religions which can involve transcendent or immanent deities
define a dynamic religion
one with energy, new ideas + achievements, that refreshes itself all the time, rather than being predictable and unchanging
how does the characteristic interact
the way a community reads and understands their texts affects their beliefs, their lives, their understanding of other texts, their ritual and their ceremonies
what is the result of characteristics interacting
when the characteristics interact, they help nurture a religion that is active in the lives of adherents and the society and culture they live in - thus, creating the religious experience
what is the contribution of religion to individuals
answers the existential questions in life
provides people their key morality, ethics and values
fosters self-identity
helps people understand the world and provides a framework
can incite violence when adherents are challenged
provides spiritual, philosophical and material support
what is the contribution of religion to society and culture
most laws are based on the values of different religions
helped inspire many of the earliest forms of are e.g. music, painting and architecture
basis of many rituals of society e.g. Christmas
promotes social order to a high degree
can be used to justify acts of violence or terrorism
creates a culturally diverse/multi faith society
