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