Sources/Types of Authority

Question 1

What are the three sources of religious authority?

Answer 1

God, religious conscience and ultimate truth.

Question 2

What are five types of religious authority?

Answer 2

Scriptures, oral tradition, tradition, religious leaders, institutions/communities.

Question 3

Examples of scriptures?

Answer 3

Bible, Torah, Qur’an, Guru Granth Sahib, Vedas

Question 4

Examples of religious leaders?

Answer 4

The Pope, imams, rabbis, vicars, bishops.

Question 5

Examples of institutions/communities?

Answer 5

Church, Mosque, Synagogue.

Question 6

Examples of popular religious traditions in society today?

Answer 6

Christmas, Easter, Church weddings.

Question 7

Examples of oral traditions

Answer 7

Used particularly in Hinduism and in early Judaism/Islam to pass on stories/songs/poems.

Question 8

Why do religious leaders have authority?

Answer 8

• They have/had direct experience/communication with God or an ultimate truth.
• Are well educated in their scripture, theology and philosophy.
• Have proven themselves worthy of respect and of fear.

Question 9

Why do institutions/communities have authority

Answer 9

• Contain large numbers of people.
• People there trust in friends and leaders.
• People back up each other’s ideas.
• Longevity, for example the Catholic Church.

Question 10

Why does God have authority?

Answer 10

• Is self existent.
• Is supreme.
• Is the ultimate truth and reality: all truth is in God.
• He created universe and rules over it.