Comparative Religions

Human Condition

the characteristics, key events & situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and morality

Religion

latin from religio (to bind) person or community literally bound to itself or something that is worthy to itself or something that is worth of reverence or respect

Methodology

How one studies religion

Theology

interpret beliefs of a particular faith tradition

historiography

reconstruct accurately events of the past to understand the beliefs system

Anthropology

how religion functions within a culture

Sociology

how does a society and religion interact and impact one another

literary criticism

sacred text of scripture through literary analysis

Psychology

“study of the soul” how religion behavior affects psyche of a person/group

phenomenology

seeking to accurately describe human experiences rather than explain them

ethics

ethical life is a basic requirement for the journey towards spiritual fulfillment

Transcendence

overcoming of the normal limitations imposed by the human conditions

salvation

spiritual fulfilment is the ultimate goal in each belief system

revelation

transmission of the divine will or knowledge to human beings

Bias

refers to a prevailing attitude, set of values, or prejudices which influence the way people perceive new information

monotheism

belief in one god

pantheism

belief in many gods

polytheism

belief that the divine reality exists in everything

nontheistic

no belief in divine

ritual dimension

a formal worship practice often based on the reenactment of a myth, this can be private or public

experiential and emotional dimension

it encompasses the emotional bond that one has with their religious community or the faith they feel towards the divine

narrative and myth dimension

a story that tends to answer questions of origin and serve as a source of important sacred truth

doctrinal dimensions

a systematic formulation is an intellectually coherent form

ethical dimensions

a dimension of religion that deals with how we are to act while living in the world

social dimension

a belief system is shared through a communtiy and attitudes prated by a group. Often rules for identifying community membership and participation

material dimension

ordinary objects or places that symbolize or manifest the sacred or supernatural

ecumenism

the movement, inspired and led by the Holy Spirit, that seeks the union of all christian faiths and eventually the unity of all peoples throughout the world

ritual

forms and orders of ceremonies (public/private)(often regarded as revealed)

Narrative and Myths

stories that work on several levels. sometimes narratives fit together into a fairly complete and systematic interpretation of the universe and humans place in it

Experiential and Emotional

dread, guilt, awe, mystery, devotion, liberation, ecstasy, inner peace, bliss

Social

belief system in shared and attitudes practiced by a group. Often rules for identifying community memebership and participation(public)

Ethical

rules about human behavior (often regarded as revealed from supernatural realm)

doctrinal

systematic formulation of religious teachings in an intellectually coherent form

material

ordianry objects or places that symbolize or manifest the sacred or supernatural

What are the ways in which we study religions (again within this course specifically)?

Methodology, Theology, Historiography, Anthropology

What is the purpose of knowing cosmology? What does it give us the answers to?

 It answers the origin/world/creation questions

What is the unitive purpose of all religions? Why is it important to understand religion through these three concepts?

Ethics, Transcendence, Salvation

How does a believer get to the goal at the end of one's life?

revelation

What is religious bias?

Irrational rumor, misinformation, fear, hatred

How does one prevent bias?

By having an open mind, we don't all have to agree we just have to show respect

What are Padua’s Cultural norms?

Act out of live, Validate Experiences, Know the full story, step out of your comfort zone, push against ignorance, represent our community

Who created the 7 Dimensions of religion? What was his purpose in this?

A scottish philosopher Ninian Smart. It was a way of defining the different worlds religions but allowing them to be compared based on 7 key elements

What are each of the 7 Dimensions, you should be able to give the definition and example for each

• Ritual: Forms and orders of ceremonies (private and/or public) (often regarded as revealed)

• Narrative and Myth: stories (often regarded as revealed) that work on several levels. Sometimes narratives fit together into a fairly complete and systematic interpretation of the universe and human's place in it.

• Experiential and Emotional: dread, guilt, awe, mystery, devotion, liberation, ecstasy, inner peace, bliss (private)

• Social: belief system is shared and attitudes practiced by a group. Often rules for identifying community membership and participation (public)

• Ethical: Rules about human behavior (often regarded as revealed from supernatural realm)

• Doctrinal: systematic formulation of religious teachings in an intellectually coherent form

Material: ordinary objects or places that symbolize or manifest the sacred or supernatural