THE 9 ASPECTS IN RELATION TO ITS EXPRESSION

Rituals - Why is it important in expressing beliefs?

They provide a comforting framework and reinforce beliefs and values over time.

They reinforce beliefs, strengthening their connection to their religious community, and make their faith more concrete.

Example of a Catholic Ritual

The sacrament of the Eucharist encourages adherents to connect deeply with God, profoundly understanding and reflecting on their connection with divinity through the consumption of the body and blood of Christ, reinforcing the belief in Jesus’ LDR (Paschal Mystery).

Sacred Stories - in expressing meaning

Are symbolic narratives that communicate the core beliefs and values of a religious tradition.

Example of a Sacred Story in Catholicism + Message

Noah’s Ark is an example of a sacred story that expresses the message of God’s forgiveness and mercy, highlighting his offer of salvation and redemption within God’s Kingdom.

Symbols - Role in Religious Expression

Serve as visual reminders of core beliefs and teachings, aiding adherents to keep their faith at the forefront of their minds.

Example of a Catholic Symbol + Representation

A Catholic symbol includes the Crucifix, which represents Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice where he died for the sins of humanity, atoning humans with God, offering them the opportunity of redemption in Jesus’ paschal mystery, representing His love for humanity.

Sacred Texts in Religious Doctrines

They provide a framework for understanding and interpreting religious beliefs, offering guidance on their practical application in daily life.

How do Sacred Spaces Reinforce Religious Meaning?

Spaces are designated areas within places or temporary locations where individuals can experience the sacred and demonstrate and reaffirm their religious commitment.

How Rituals and Sacred Stories Interrelate

Celebrating special events such as Easter every year serves as a religious ritual which consist of sacred stories regarding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This event affirms adherents beliefs in the LDR of Jesus, resulting in their continuous and in-depth engagement in Easter. Similarly, the celebration of Easter, profoundly reaffirms their belief in the LDR of Jesus.

Belief 1 and its Expression in Ethics and Rituals

The belief in the LDR refers to Jesus’ life, suffering, death, and resurrection, which provided humanity redemption within God’s Kingdom.

Through ethics, adherents learn to live through Jesus’ model life, following the moral guidelines of receiving the opportunity to receiving the gift of an afterlife in God’s Kingdom.

Through rituals, adherents participate in the Eucharist during mass where they consume the body and blood of Jesus Christ through the host and wine.

Belief 2 and how its Expressed in Texts and Symbols

The belief in the Trinity expresses adherents belief in One God in Three persons, hypostases, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, ousia.

Through the text, the Nicene Creed, adherents are directed to the belief in the trinity through its text, “We believe in God, the Father Almighty […] We believe in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God […] he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit”

Through symbols, the symbolic action of the sign of the cross represents adherents acknowledgement of the Trinity which strengthens their connection with divinity.