Unit 1 Flashcards
What is Emile Durkheim’s definition of religion?
A Social Institution that involves a Unified System of beliefs and practices that recognizes the Sacred.
What does the term ‘profane’ refer to in the context of religion?
The mundane, everyday parts of life, repetitive.
What does ‘sacred’ mean?
Things that are special and separate from everyday life inspiring awe and deserving of reverence.
What are rituals in religious contexts?
Forms of Symbolic Practice that highlight the sacred.
What are totems?
Objects that take on sacred meaning.
What is cosmology?
The study of the universe that asks questions about its nature, creation, and humanity’s relationship with it.
What is theistic religion?
Belief in God or multiple gods, teaching a certain theology or doctrine about the divine.
What is monotheism?
Belief in only one God.
What is polytheism?
Belief in many gods.
What is pantheism?
Belief that a singular Divine reality exists and unites everything.
What is animism?
Belief that non-object entities have divine spirits.
What is non-theistic religion?
Religious belief that does not include a belief in a Divine being.
What is atheism?
The belief that gods do not exist.
What is agnosticism?
The belief that one does not know if gods exist or not.
What are Ninian Smart’s Seven Dimensions of Religion?
Experiential, Mythic, Ritual, Material, Social, Doctrinal, Ethical.
What is the experiential dimension of religion?
Religious experience of individuals.
What is revelation in religious contexts?
Transmission
The transmission of the Divine will or knowledge to human beings.
What is mysticism?
deep, personal moment with the universe or a higher power by looking inward and thinking really hard.
What does the mythic dimension of religion entail?
Myths are narratives or stories that are sources of sacred truth.
What is the ritual dimension of religion?
Formal worship practice often based on reenactment of myths or sacred stories.
What is the material dimension of religion?
Rituals performed in sacred places with sacred objects.
What is the social dimension of religion?
Religion involves communities and shared experiences that fortify the religion.
What is the doctrinal dimension of religion?
Belief in the creeds, doctrines, or teachings of their religion.
What is the ethical dimension of religion?
Religions attempt to answer the question ‘How are we to act while living in the world?’
