Religion, Ritual, and Knowledge

Religion

a system of beliefs and practices involving supernatural beings and forces that functions to provide meaning, peace of mind, and a sense of control over unexplainable phenomena.

Formal Religion

coherent set of specific beliefs (usually held within holy texts but not always) about powers beyond the human (supernatural) and is based on faith

Theology

the study of the nature of God and religious belief.

Animism

the belief that objects and entities in nature are animated by distinct spirits

Animatism

the belief of that natural phenomena, objects, and places are believed to possess supernatural or spiritual powers

Deity

supernatural beings considered sacred

Sacred

the aspect of such things as places, times, objects, and people that is beyond sensation that makes them special and thus worthy of great respect.

Zoomorphic

animal based

Anthropomorphic

human based

Polytheistic

more than one God

Monotheistic

one God

Trinitarian

God exists as three persons but is one being, having a single divine nature - Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Magic

a set of beliefs and practices that involve the manipulation of supernatural forces or energies to achieve specific outcomes

Imitative Magic

performing a magical ritual on the likeness of someone or event to influence the real person or event.

Contagious Magic

performing a magical ritual on something that has been in contact with someone to influence that person.

Rituals

a specific or routine way of doing things that is generally repetitive and identifiable by other. A set of behaviours using words, gestures, and objects, performed in a prescribed sequence and manner.

Rite of Passage

are symbolic actions, endowed with social and cultural significance, which mark a period of transition. A ritual that celebrates the transition of a person from one social status to another.

Phases of a Rite of Passage

Separation, Transition, Incorporation

Cannibalism

the ingestion of your own species

Endocannibalism

eating your own community

Exocannibalism

eating people from outside your community

Auto cannibalism

eating of yourself

Funerary Systems

the treatment of the body and soul of the dead

Pretreatment

preparations for the person to die

Mortuary Process

dealing with the body of the deceased

Mortuary Treatment

the burying or resting of the body of the deceased

Commemorative behaviour

how the body of the deceased is remembered