Human spirituality (Rels 108) Test 1 professor Nina Adkins

Religion can be defined as a system of beliefs and practices which:

-Are focused on understanding the nature of ultimate Sacred Reality

-Affect our ways of thinking, feeling, and acting in life, and

-Support our understanding of life and sense of purpose in existence.

academic study

involves viewing religious beliefs from a wider, more inclusive perspective in order to study the phenomena of religion practiced in a variety of different ways within the cultural context of humankind.

Phenomenological

the study of the phenomena of religion from the perspective of religious persons within a certain religious tradition

Sacred Texts

-Bible

-Torah

-Qu'ran

Allegory

a story with symbolic meaning, where the characters and plot represent people and events in real life.

Sociological

the study of religious beliefs and practices within the social context of life

phenomenological method of study

1. We gather data about religious beliefs, feelings, and practices from those within a particular religion

2. We look for patterns in this data

3. We analyze the structure of these patterns

4. We suggest generalizations about these patterns.

Sacred Myth

is a story that reveals an underlying universal truth related to the essential life questions

sacred rituals

A series of actions or type of behavior regularly followed by someone within a religious context with the intention of connecting with the Sacred.

Ex:

-Worship/prayer

Birth Rituals

-Baptism

- Christening

Mircea Eliade

wrote that all religion has to do with the manifestation of the sacred

"the sacred & profane"

cosmos

the universe seen as a well-ordered whole

Transcendent View

of Sacred Reality is characterized by perceiving Sacred Reality as outside of us or beyond us

immanent view

of Sacred Reality typically perceives the sacred essence of life as being within all things including within us as human beings.

theological study

one studies a certain religion from within that religion in order to better understand and support that particular religious tradition.

theologian

is one who studies sacred texts and practices within a religion and interprets them in service to the theology, or system of belief and practice, of that religion.

Within the Academic Study of religion, there are four main methods used are....

-anthropological

-sociological

-psychological

- phenomenological.

Anthropological

the study of the development of religion within the historical context of human societies and cultures, interpreting beliefs and practices in relation to the evolving culture in which they arise and exist

Psychological

the study of how religion is related to the mind of the individual

Empathy in the study of religion

putting aside one's own viewpoint in order to enter and understand the worldview of another.

Eastern Religions

Hinduism

-Buddhism

-Jainism

-Sikhism

-Confucianism

-Taoism

- Zen.

Western Religions

-Judaism

-Christianity

-Islam

Sacred Language

-sacred

-numinous

-holy, spiritual

-divine

Numinous

If something evokes the sense of the presence of Sacred Reality

Hierophany

-If a sacred person, object, place or text helps create a window through which one can glimpse

Sacred Reality

-it is said to be " "a manifestation of the sacred."

-refers to those times when we experience this connection with the sacred.

Sacred Objects

certain objects believed to help connect us with the Sacred

Ex:

-Cross

-prayer beads

-rosemary

Sacred Persons

certain people who have a special connection with Sacred Reality, who are significant in our religious traditions and can help guide us in our quest for connection with The Sacred

Ex:

-Buddha

-Minister

-Priest

-Prophet

-Rabbi

Sacred Space and Places

There are special places within religions where it is believed one can go to be closer to the Sacred.

-Temple

-church

-synagogues

-mosques

Parable

a simple human story with a spiritual message containing significant wisdom related to life, but also may use personified animals for delivering its message

Fable

a story used to pass on a moral lesson, often using personified animals for illustrating the life lesson.

Rituals of Initiation

Rituals of Initiation include three phases - separation from the larger group or community, some kind of challenge or trial, and reintegration into the group as a changed person

Ex:

-The Bar and Bat Mitzvahs

Which of the following is a ritual for reconnecting with the Sacred after one has sinned or separated from the Sacred?

Ritual of Atonement

Authentic Ritual

based on genuine beliefs held by a religious community. In the sincere acting out of the rituals expressing those beliefs, the faith of that religious tradition is made visible and is reinforced within the community.

Schleiermacher believes

Religion is the feeling of absolute dependence