Introduction to Religion
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Transcript of Introduction to Religion
Introduction to Religion
Identity Forming Questions
Who am I? Why am I here? Where did I come from? What happens when I die?
What is Religion? Religion answers identity forming
questions. Religions give people understandable
models that guide behavior in relationships towards: God or the ultimate being Nature Other human beings Death, suffering, change Rites of passage
Religion
In Latin “religio” “re” means again “ligio” means to bind
Sacred – “sacer” Profane – “profanus”
Binding Profane to Sacred
Who bridges the gap between profane and sacred? Priests, prophets, mystics, shamans,
strange creatures, etc. Where do humans go to bridge the
gap? Temples, churches, mosques,
synagogues, shrines, sweat lodges, etc.
Religion is…
1. Sacred2. Pervasive3. Symbolic4. The answer to identity forming
questions
Ninian Smart’sSix Dimensions of Religion
Inward Experience Myth Ritual
Outward Doctrine Ethics Society
Inward Dimensions
Experience Myth Ritual
Mr. Kelly’s Religious Experience
Outward Dimensions
Doctrine Faith
Ethics Society