SOR Term 1 Test- Nature of Religion

Worldview

* A framework that shapes the way we perceive and understand the world

Supernatural dimension

* The belief in the existence of powers beyond the natural world that are beyond human understanding

Monotheistic faiths

* One supernatural divine being
* Transcendent

Polytheistic faiths

* Many divine beings
* Transcendent or immanent

The transcendent dimension

* The divine is above or superior to the world and is at a distance from people
* Christianity

The immanent dimension

* The divine presence is in the world through participation and intervention
* All religions become immanent when you pray
* Buddhism, hinduism

Intervention

* The closeness of divine being to people, with concern for their welfare

Major Characteristics of Religion

* Beliefs, sacred texts, rituals and ceremonies and ethics

Beliefs

* The key tenets, doctrines which underpin the religious practice for believers

Sacred texts

* Where the important beliefs of religion are found
* Usually in oral circulation before written down
* Sacred stories which explains how people are connected to the supernatural

Rituals and ceremonies

* The practical and experiential expressions of a religion
* Involve prescribed words and symbols to get a greater understanding of the supernatural

Ethics

* The reasoning behind decision making
* How beliefs are applied

Rituals vs Ceremonies

* Rituals = explicit engagement according to sacred text
* Ceremonies = more low key and inspired by religion

Public rituals

* Formal and organised event
* Experienced by the whole religious community
* e.g a Bar Mitzvah- the Jewish community coming together to celebrate coming of age

Private rituals

* Rituals for the individual or a small group
* e.g Shabbat- the weekly day of rest mandated by God marked by family dinner on a Friday night

Contribution of religion to individuals

Give guidance and purpose in life through wisdom, contributing to a sense of self, understanding and belonging

Contribution of religion to society and culture

* Religion changes culture to sustain a society and can encourage social cohesion
* Social cohesion comes from a mutual understanding of the meaning of existence

Dynamic and living religion

* A practical religion immersed in in human existence
* It is important to the lives of adherents and evident in society and culture

How characteristics of religion interact

When BSRE interact it nurtures a living religion

How Christianity is a living religion

* Belief- Jesus is the son of God = lives through Jesus’s actions
* Sacred Texts- The Bible= gives guidance for followers on ethics
* Rituals- Baptism= getting baptised
* Ethics- Everyone is made in God’s image= pro-life stance on abortion