Nature/Purpose/Search of Meaning

What is the Nature of Religion?

The nature of religion encompasses the beliefs, practices, and experiences that connect individuals to ultimate reality. It serves to explain the purpose of existence and provides a moral framework, community, and a sense of belonging.

What is the Purpose of Religion?

The purpose of religion is to provide individuals with a framework for understanding the meaning of life, moral guidance, and a sense of community, often addressing existential questions and offering spiritual comfort.

What is the Human Search for Meaning?

The human search for meaning is to understand one's purpose and existence, often driven by existential questions. It involves forming beliefs, values, and engaging in practices that foster a sense of identity and connection to the world.

How would you Define the Nature of Humans?

How humans have been created.

How would you Define the Purpose of Humans?

How humans have been created to serve.

Two purposes religion serves in answering life’s big questions

Giving adherents a sense of identity and a purpose within their life.

Giving adherents hope and faith in the potentiality of an afterlife or a reward within their morality and nature of following the ethics within their religion.

What Constitutes a ‘Religious Belief’?

A set of beliefs, practices, values, and teachings which individuals hold based on their faith.

Two Catholic Beliefs about Ultimate Reality and their Role in Creating Meaning.

God is the Creator of All, created everything good. — This expresses the role in aiding adherents to reaffirm their belief in God, strengthening their relationship with divinity.

God is all loving, all merciful, all just, all good. — This reaffirms adherents belief in God’s all-loving mercy which encourages them to engage in rituals such as masses and services to reinforce this belief

Belief about Human Purpose in Catholic Teachings

Humans were created for love.

Belief about Suffering in Catholic Teachings

Suffering can be redemptive and transformative.

Suffering brings humans into solidarity with the suffering of Jesus Christ.

Belief about Death and the Afterlife in Catholic Teachings

Death is not and end but a new beginning.

Christ is the path to salvation and entry into Heaven.

Describe how Beliefs about God and Human Nature Interconnect

The relationship between God and Humankind was established in a new everlasting covenant through Jesus Christ.

Describe how Beliefs about Human-Human Nature Interconnect

Humans because they were created in the image and likeness of God, must build the foundation of their relationships on love.

Describe how Beliefs about the Human-Natural World Interconnect

Humans are created in the likeness of God to be and serve with love, therefore must be co-creators with God, practicing stewardship within the natural environment.