2. Characteristics of Religion

nature of religion

Beliefs and Believers

Beliefs are the key tenets, doctrines, or values that underpin religious practice. They are the foundation of a religion, shaping how believers practice and live their faith.

Paradigm

A paradigm is the core belief of a particular religious tradition that serves as the basis for all other beliefs held by the believers of that tradition.

Importance of Beliefs in Religion

Beliefs are the most important characteristic of a religion, as they provide the foundation for the religious practices and understanding of reality.

Immanent vs. Transcendent Reality

Religions generally hold a belief that there is a reality greater than the universe, either immanent (within the world) or transcendent (beyond the world).

Christian Paradigm

In Christianity, the core belief is that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead to save mankind from sin and death.

Islamic Paradigm

In Islam, the core belief is that followers must submit to the will of Allah, which is essential to understanding one’s place in the universe.

Jewish Paradigm

In Judaism, the core belief is that God formed a covenant with His chosen people, revealing Himself through Moses and others throughout history.

Hindu Paradigm

In Hinduism, the core belief is that the ultimate goal of life is to achieve union with Brahman, the Supreme Being.

Buddhist Paradigm

In Buddhism, the core belief is that there is no permanent self or human person, and understanding this leads to liberation from suffering

Sacred Texts and Writings

Sacred texts may be in written form or in images, and are regarded as essential to understanding the significant beliefs of a religion. They are often given to humans as a revelation from God.

Importance of Sacred Texts

Sacred texts are regarded with great reverence and authority, as they are believed to be divine revelations from God, guiding believers in their faith and practice.

Examples of Sacred Texts

Examples of sacred texts include the Qur’an (Islam), Bible (Christianity), and Torah (Judaism). These are central to each religion’s teachings and practices.

Central Paradigm in Sacred Texts

Sacred texts often summarize the central paradigm of the religion through epic stories, such as the Exodus of Jews from slavery or the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in Christianity.

Revelation

Sacred texts are often considered a form of revelation from God, conveying divine wisdom and teachings to humanity.

Reverence and Authority

Sacred texts are regarded as having high reverence and authority within their respective religious traditions, guiding believers in their understanding of the divine.

Ethics in Religion

Ethics in religion refers to the practical application of belief, guiding how believers should behave based on their spiritual teachings.

Belief into Practice

Ethics put the belief into practice, meaning that the behaviors and actions of a believer should reflect the sincerity of their beliefs.

Central Ethical Paradigms

Central ethical paradigms, which guide religious practice, are often found in sacred texts and writings, offering moral guidance to believers.

Obligations and Expectations

Religious traditions teach that humans have obligations and expectations towards others, the environment, and the divine, influencing ethical behavior in various aspects of life.

Ethics and the Afterlife

In many religions, ethics link how a believer lives their life to what happens in the afterlife, suggesting that one’s behavior is judged by God or gods.

Divine Expectation of Goodness

Many religious traditions hold that God or gods expect humans to live good lives, with believers being judged based on how they live their lives.

Areas of Ethical Concern

Ethics in religion cover a wide range of life areas, including sexual, political, economic, professional, and environmental conduct.

Rituals and Ceremonies

Rituals and ceremonies are ways of celebrating and reinforcing the central belief system of a religion, both in public and private settings.

Public Rituals

Public rituals are formal activities with defined structures, timing, and content, serving as a public display of unity and reinforcing the central beliefs of the religion. They often draw from sacred texts (e.g., Communion in Christianity).

Private Rituals

Private rituals are often informal, personal engagements with faith that may have specific timing and content, allowing for private reflection and connection to the divine.

Purpose of Rituals

The purpose of rituals and ceremonies is to celebrate, reinforce, and express the core beliefs of a religious tradition through actions and symbolic acts.