Nature of Religion and beliefs

NESA definition of religion

Religion is "an integral part of human experience... a distinctive answer to the human need for meaning in life .. generally characterized by a world view that recognizes a supernatural dimension - belief in divinity or powers beyond the human and/or dwelling within the human.

Common questions about meaning

what happens after death

what is the purpose of life

where did I come from

why am i

why is their evil/bad/disease

does God exist

Why do people search for meaning

fear of not knowing

uncertainty

comfort/reassurance

wanting a purpose

wanting meaning and hope

A sense of meaning can

reassure

guide ethical decisions

give a purpose

give hope

sustain through difficult times

What is a worldview

a system of answers to the questions of human existence that is shared by a significant number of people. It is a view or understanding of life itself.

Can worldviews be non-religious

yes

What does religion provide in terms of worldview?

religion attempts to provide a system of answers to the question of human existance.

Materialism

one who believes that the only realities are material ones. No need for a God or a spiritual reality.

Practical materialism

seeking pleasure, profit and success in material (physical) terms.

Humanism

believe that there is not spiritual dimension. The realization of human potential (individual or societal) is all important

Nihilism

no meaning or purpose.

Hedonism

live for the pleasure of the moment

Marxism

a form of atheism which pushes for humanity to progress towards a more equal world as workers overcome oppression by the wealthy. Looks at the faults in capitalism. Began by Karl Marx.

Deism/Theism

Believes in a God, but without belonging to a religion.

Deism holds that a god must exist, based on the evidence of reason and nature only, not on supernatural evidence.

Atheism

believes that there is not God

Agnosticism

has no belief in either or non-existence of a God/spiritual dimension (a gnosis = without knowledge). This cannon be known

Hedonism

living purely for pleasure and happiness

Dualistic

describes two distinct ideas or powers, e.g. good and evil, body and soul; apartness or being apart or separated; not united

Existential

that which exists or has existence

Immanence

Divine presence in the world through participation and intervention in human history

Incarnation

God taking human nature in Jesus of Nazareth, in order to save humankind

Incorporeal

God is a spirit and as such has no physical body

Nirvana

Buddhist state of ultimate happiness and a worthy goal

Omnipotent

God is supreme and all-powerful

Omnipresent

God is a spirit and as such is present everywhere all the time

Omniscient

God is all knowing

Reincarnation

Belief that, upon physical death, the soul is reborn into another body thus proceeding through a number of lives

semitic

belonging to the language groups including Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic and Amharic; Middle Eastern

Supernatural

in anthropology this term refers to a different elevated order of existence

Transcendence

Divine as above or superior to the world, the highest being and the ultimate cause in the universe.

Questions about knowledge. Examples include:

1. What is truth?

2. What influences and shapes my value system?

Questions about God. Examples include:

1. Does God exist?

2. Where can I find God?

Questions about the universe. Examples include:

1. Is the universe eternal, or was it created?

2. Where did everything come from?

Questions about the human person. Examples are:

1. Is there life after death?

2. What is the purpose of life?

Questions about ethics. Examples are:

1. Does right and wrong exist?

2. Why does evil exist in the world?