Religion & Society Flashcards
What are the nine aspects of religion?
1- Beliefs 2- Sacred Stories 3- Spaces, places, times and artefacts 4- Texts 5- Rituals 6- Symbols 7- Social Structures 8- Ethics 9- Spiritual experiences
what is religion?
Religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God/s
Why do people choose to follow a religion?
For most people they follow a relgion for Spritual Fulfilment. This is probably the biggest reason to choose a religion. They believe that there is a “spiritual void” that is missing in their lives and they want to experience it.
Are religion and society connected?
Yes, religion is inherent within many aspects of society, and religious beliefs inevitably affect areas such as politics, economics, and cultural values.
Six stages of a pilgrimage
The call The separation The journey The contemplation The encounter The completion and return
What are beliefs?
Beliefs are at the heart of these symbol systems. It forms the basis of the whole religion and keeps it alive
What are sacred stories?
Stories are the most natural human way of understanding and expressing our identity. They range from the great myths of the tradition about the beginning and purpose of all things; through the stories of the progress of our people through history; to our individual beliefs.
What are spaces, places, times and artefacts?
Places refers to a location for worship or spiritual engagement.
Spaces, which are also focus areas for worship or spiritual experience, Spaces may also be where particular rituals are performed or individuals worship.
Times refers to those periods that are set for recognition of and participation in a particular spiritual experience within a religious tradition. Such may engage the whole membership of the religion or a special group or individuals.
Artifacts refers to human made objects and works that carry varying degrees of spiritual significance within a religion. Not all artifacts related to a religion hold such spiritual significance
What are texts?
Texts are normally written (scriptures) but may be oral in pre-literate societies, or even non-verbal (picture or dance). What distinguishes them from other forms of aural or visual expression is their fixed form
What are rituals?
Ritual is the repetition of an ordered special kind of behaviour, particularly relating to the religious beliefs of the community
What are symbols?
Symbols are objects or representations that point beyond themselves, beyond their surface meaning, to a deeper (in this case religious) meaning.
What are social structures?
Social Structure refers to the institutional aspects of the tradition, its internal organisation, leadership and varied social roles; as well as to its relationship to the wider society.
What are ethics?
Ethics is, the codification of the rules for behaviour, the way we make decisions about right and wrong, and the values that underlie such decision-making
What are spiritual experiences?
Individual Spiritual experience consists both of those personal experiences that contribute to a growth in understanding, acceptance and commitment to the tradition; and those that lead to a modification or even rejection of some or all of the beliefs of the tradition
