The Nature of Religion

Question 1

Define religion

Answer 1

Religion by its nature defies precise definition. However, the central commonality to all world religions is the belief in something beyond the ordinary - the supernatural dimension. This can be defined as a belief in a divine being or power, which is greater than humankind and the natural world.

“Religion is belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny..(It can also be) the practice of sacred ritual observances, or related sacred sites and ceremonies.”

“The word ‘religion’ is derived from the Latin religio meaning ‘to bind’, as in the sense of binding people to the spirits. It was originally used to express the sense of awe or fear which people experiences in the presence of superior forces or the supernatural. The word has a much broader and diverse meaning today.”

“There are diverse understandings of this term. Generally, it can be understood as the human response to whatever the mystery of life is for a particular person or group. Specifically, it can refer to a system of beliefs and worship held by a group who may express their beliefs through myths or sacred stories, doctrines, ethics and religious practices.”

Question 2

What is monotheism

Answer 2

Transcendent belief in 1 God

Question 3

what is polytheism

Answer 3

Transcendent belief in many God

Question 4

What is common to all religions

Answer 4

Religion by its nature defies precise definition. However, the central commonality to all world religions is the belief in something beyond the ordinary - the supernatural dimension. This can be defined as a belief in a divine being or power, which is greater than humankind and the natural world.

Question 5

Religion latin term and def + distinct meanings

Answer 5

The word ‘religion’ comes from the Latin religio (to bind or tie back). This has two distinct meanings:
● The concept of being bound together by common beliefs.
● The notion of being kept together in fear of the power of supernatural forces at
work in the world.
Religion helps to bind people’s lives to their God/Gods, to their beliefs and to the community in which they live.
The syllabus frequently refers to religions impact on the ‘individual’ and ‘community’.

Question 6

Religion helps to..

Answer 6

bind people’s lives to their God/Gods, to their beliefs and to the community in which they live

Question 7

Define worldview

Answer 7

All human beings have a worldview, a system of understanding that gives a human a sense of order and meaning.
This way of thinking is manifested in an individual’s behaviour and reflects their:
● core beliefs
● sense of self / identity
● relationships with the world and
● interpretation of life’s events and circumstances.
People develop their way of thinking/core beliefs from pondering the answers to questions relating to human existence (existential questions - see slide # 14).
When a ‘system of answers are shared by a significant number of people’, a particular worldview can be identified.

Question 8

Way of thinking is manifested in an individual’s _____ and reflects their what

Answer 8

Behaviour

● core beliefs
● sense of self / identity
● relationships with the world and
● interpretation of life’s events and circumstances

Question 9

How do people develop their way of thinking/core beliefs

Answer 9

through pondering questions that related to human existence - existential questions

Question 10

when can a worldview be identified

Answer 10

when a system of answers to existential questions are shared by a significant number of people

Question 11

what do existential questions shape

Answer 11

One’s thinking about life, love, questions abt knowledge

Question 12

Name 4 types of existential questions

Answer 12

q abt:
- knowledge
- god
- universe
- human person
- ethics

Question 13

examples of existential questions abt knowledge

Answer 13

● What is truth?
● What influences and shapes my value system?

Question 14

examples of existential questions abt god

Answer 14

● Does God exist?
● Where can I find God?

Question 15

examples of existential questions abt human person

Answer 15

● Is there life after death?
● What is the purpose of life?

Question 16

examples of existential questions abt the universe

Answer 16

● Is the universe eternal, or was it created?
● Where did everything come from?

Question 17

examples of existential questions abt ethics

Answer 17

● Does right and wrong exist?
● Why does evil exist in the world?

Question 18

def adherents

Answer 18

followers/believers/supporters

Question 18

what is a religious worldview

Answer 18

a worldview that:
- acknowledges the supernatural dimension
- has belief in divine being or powers beyond the human and/or dwelling within the individual

Question 18

the way _____ deal with these kinds of existential questions are _____

Answer 18

faith and science, very different

Question 19

what does religion provides for its adherents

Answer 19

source of meaning that offers adherents specific set of beliefs and practices that provide structure, a sense of purpose, guidance, motivation and meaning for life

Question 20

what confirms beliefs and provides guidance on how one is to live

Answer 20

sacred texts, beliefs, ethical systems, rituals and ceremonies

Question 21

religion is a worldview shapes not js the adherents but the _____. it is a prism thru which ppl understand reality.

Answer 21

entire worldview of society

Question 22

supernatural def

Answer 22

exceeds the power and capacity of human and nature and any created natural reality

Question 23

Deity def

Answer 23

A deity is a supernatural being, like a god or goddess, that is worshipped by people who believe it controls or exerts force over some aspect of the world

Question 24

supernatural dimension implies a foundation of some sort of what

Answer 24

divine revelation or revealed faith

Question 25

can supernatural dimension be explained

Answer 25

not according to natural law

Question 26

transcendent def

Answer 26

Religion is a worldview that: ● Acknowledges the supernatural dimension ● Has a belief in a divine being or powers beyond the human and/or dwelling within the individual. Religion provides its adherents (followers/ believers/ supporters) with a source of meaning that offers believers a specific set of beliefs and practices that provide structure, a sense of purpose, guidance, motivation and meaning for life. Sacred texts, beliefs, ethical systems, rituals and ceremonies are used to confirm beliefs as well as provide guidelines on how one is to live out these beliefs. NOTE: Religion as a worldview shapes not just the adherents but the entire worldview of society. It is a prism through which people understand reality.

Question 27

latin word for transcendent and def

Answer 27

Transcendent and transcendence come from the Latin transcendere, which means ‘to climb over’ or ‘surpass’. The transcendent dimension of religion enables humans to surpass the limits of their earthly existence and concerns to focus on heavenly or spiritual concerns - divine being/s or power/s whose existence goes beyond human limitations.

Question 28

immanent def

Answer 28

This worldview emphasises the presence of God or gods within human existence, in the day-to- day, ordinary concerns of life, rather than above and beyond it. It recognises a divine being or powers as a constant reality – an active and continuing presence among believers and in this world. In Hinduism and Buddhism the emphasis is on the finding of truth from within the human spirit.

Question 29

transcendent examples

Answer 29

Judaism, Islam, christianity

Question 30

immanent latin word and def

Answer 30

Immanent and immanence comes from the Latin in manere, which means ‘to exist or remain within’.

Question 31

immanent examples

Answer 31

Hinduism and buddhism

Question 32

how is God considered transcendent and immanent

Answer 32

In Judaism, Islam and Christianity, God is considered active in human affairs as creator, sustainer, judge, and redeemer, but is also considered elevated above and distinguished from the universe. God participates in the universe, that is, is present and active in the natural world; and at the same time, transcends, rises above, the universe he created.

Question 32

examples of monotheistic religions

Answer 32

Abrahamic faiths

Question 32

examples of polytheistic religions

Answer 32

Hinduism and Buddhism

Question 33

What are the semitic faiths

Answer 33

Judaism, Islam, Christianity

Question 34

What are the abrahamic faiths

Answer 34

Judaism, Islam, Christianity, called this because they all derived from Abraham

Question 35

What are the 5 major religions

Answer 35

Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism

Question 36

Family tree of the semitic faiths

Answer 36

abraham -> isaac and ismael Issac -> judaism christianity -> roman catholicism and eastern orthodoxy roman catholicism -> protestantism Ishmael -> islam -> sunni muslim and shiite muslim

Question 37

Name some ideas and values of hinduism

Question 38

Name some ideas and values of judaism

Question 39

Name some ideas and values of buddhism

Question 39

Name some ideas and values of islam

Question 39

Name some ideas and values of christianity

Question 40

What are the headings beliefs can be categorised under

Question 40

Name the 4 characteristics of religion

Question 40

What is beliefs in belief and believers

Question 41

Examples of beliefs

Question 42

what are believers

Question 43

examples of believers

Question 44

what are sacred texts and writings

Question 44

sacred texts for christianity

Question 44

sacred texts for islam

Question 45

sacred texts for hinduism

Question 46

sacred texts for judaism

Question 47

What are rituals and ceremonies

Question 47

sacred texts for buddhism

Question 48

what are the 5 diff types of rituals

Question 49

what are rites of passage

Question 50

what are rites of communication

Question 51

what are rites of demarcation

Question 52

what are rites of memorial

Question 53

what are rites of cleansing

Question 54

rituals and ceremonies in judaism

Question 55

rituals and ceremonies in islam

Question 56

rituals and ceremonies in hinduism

Question 57

rituals and ceremonies in christianity

Question 58

rituals and ceremonies in buddhism

Question 59

what are ethics

Question 60

how r ethics and morals different

Question 60

ethics in buddhism

Question 61

ethics in christianity

Question 62

ethics in hinduism

Question 63

ethics in islam

Question 64

ethics in judaism

Question 65

what are the common features of transcendence

Answer 65

creation, revelation, life after death, what does it mean to be human

Question 65

pantheism def

Answer 65

transcendent and immanent at same time

Question 66

how is islam transcendent

Answer 66

creation - believe allah created universe revelation - qur'an was revealed to prophet muhammad life after death - undergo last judgement before entering paradise what does it mean to be human - to be muslim is to submit your life to the will of allah

Question 67

what is a dynamic religion

Question 68

religion as a living dynamic system is

Question 69

process of a dynamic religious system

Question 70

contribution of religion to an individual