NOR&B Flashcards
religion as a worldview that:
acknowledges the supernatural Dimension
A worldview = a general philosophy or view of life
It is a system of answers to questions such as (why we exist, why is there a universe, what happens after death, and why is there suffering)
Religion SHAPES the worldview, as they try to answer these questions.
Religion:
has a belief in a divine being or powers beyond the human and/or dwelling within the individual
Survival depends on powers and forces beyond our control
Forces live beyond the realm of nature and created and maintained the world
Supernatural dimension beyond the world or in inaccessible places - transcendent or immanent
Characteristics of Religion
Beliefs and Believer
Ethics
Sacred texts and Writings
Rituals and ceremonies
Blue earrings [are] superior [to] rings
Beliefs And Believers
BB
Paradigm (core belief) → A person has to believe this in order to be of that religion
Basis for all other beliefs - Other beliefs will flow out of core paradigm
Beliefs may not be held by all - beliefs not essential to belong
- differing beliefs other than paradigm creates divide - different divisions
Beliefs influenced by
BB
social context of the time
Reformations to religious traditions by removing customs, laws, and ideas not essential to tradition based on social and political ideologies of time
Others formed because the ancient law and custom is not believed to be important to modern times (EG Liberal Judaism)
Hierarchy
BB
may be based on gender or age
Sacred Texts and Writings ST&W
May be in written form or made into images
Given in form of revelation of God/s (some religions)
Paradigm summarised
For some - life and words of the Founder are in it - important role model basis for own lives
RULES and DIRECTIONS on how to live life, prayers, and rituals
Contains ethics and morals to assist in decision in difficult situations
Assists ministers to carry out duties and obligations
Ethics
Practical application of belief
Humans have certain obligations and expectations to other humans and environment.
Give directions on how to act sexually, politically, economically, professionally, environmentally, and bioethically
Some ethics more important than others
relies on hierarchy
Where are ethics mostly found?
Mostly found in sacred texts and writings
EG. Torah shows the actions of what a Jew must do
ethics may determine:
Most religions - how you live ethical life determines what happens to you after death
How might modernity/tech allow for revisions of ethical teachings& reasoning ?
Modernity, new technologies, and social changes revises different ethical teachings and reasoning
EG. Islamic stance on LGBT community
Some people argue that ethical teachings outdated, need revising, and aren’t relevant in 21st century as made before proper understanding on body, nature and science
