CHAPTER 1 STUDYING THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS Pg

A Global Village The world’s religions are part of people’s everyday world As a result, we need to be educated on the religions of the world Because we live in such a diverse world, we have the opportunity to enrich our lives and connect with people who think and live differently than we do Challenging task

The Nature of a Religious Tradition As humans, we ask deep questions that cannot really be answered: Why are we here? Where are we going? Religion provides a way of living and dying meaningfully, even if our questions remain unanswered

Religious Questions Human beings have qualities that separate us from the rest of creation We are self-conscious We have the capacity for self-reflection We have a conscience We are spiritual Spirituality, sometimes paired with a specific religion, helps us to answer life’s most basic questions Religious responses are grounded in tradition and community

What is the Human Condition? The initial religious question: What is our essential nature? Religions give an account of human origins (ex. Adam and Eve) Why do we suffer? A religion typically describes a means of overcoming suffering

What is the Human Condition? What is spiritual perfection? Almost every religion describes what is needed to fulfill out spiritual potential most perfectly Acknowledge the goodness of being as spiritually mature and near to perfection as possible What is ethical? Religions typically prescribe an ethical life as a basic requirement for the journey toward spiritual perfection Teachings regarding right and wrong

What is the Human Condition? How do we transcend the human condition? Some forms of spiritual perfection can be attained in this life (ex. Buddhist enlightenment) Involve a type of transcendence, or overcoming of the normal limitations imposed by the human condition

What is the Human Condition? How do we attain salvation? Most religions teach that spiritual maturity or perfection is closely related to some form of salvation from the ultimate limitation imposed by the human condition: death Direct connection between the transcendence attained in this life and final salvation (ex. Buddhist attainment of enlightenment in this life leads to Nirvana, the final liberation) Other religions teach that salvation depends on the divine and spiritual perfection that awaits in the afterlife (ex. Christianity and Islam)

What is the Human Condition? What is our destiny? Most religions provide answers to the question: Where are we going ultimately? Some religions believe that humans face two possible destinies: One leads to reward and eternal life in paradise The other leads to condemnation With religions that believe in more than one lifetime (ex. Hinduism), spiritual maturity determines the nature of one’s future life

What is the Human Condition? What is the nature of the world? Cosmology – the understanding of the nature of the universe What is the ultimate reality and how is it revealed? Theistic religions hold a belief in God or in multiple gods Monotheism – belief in one God Polytheism – belief in many gods Pantheism – belief that the divine reality exists in everything

What is the Human Condition? What is the ultimate reality and how is it revealed? (continued) Nontheistic religions do not hold a belief in a god, but hold a belief in various divine beings Humans are part of the ultimate reality Most religions teach that the ultimate reality is somehow revealed to humans Revelation takes place through sacred stories or myths, or through religious experience

Seven Dimensions of Religion All religious traditions are made of seven dimensions: Experiential Mythic Doctrinal Ethical Ritual Social Material The seven dimensions are intertwined and complementary.

Seven Dimensions of Religion Experiential Religions commonly begin with the religious experiences of individuals When Gautama experienced enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, he became the Buddha Muhammad experienced revelations from Allah Faith belongs to the category of religious experience even though it cannot be documented

Seven Dimensions of Religion Experiential In theistic religions God is experienced as a holy presence This experience is usually characterized by two emotions: Awe-inspiring fear Fascination Ex. God’s revelation to Moses through the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2-15) In nontheistic religions, religious experience usually takes the form of mysticism, in which the individual becomes one with the divine through inward contemplation

Seven Dimensions of Religion Mythic No longer a commonly held worldview Myths are not falsehoods, but convey important truths Sources of sacred truth and give meaning to life Myths are sacred stories that are passed along from one generation to the next Usually set in the distant past Tell of the origins of humans and the world The nature of things and the proper way to live Ex. Genesis account of creation

Seven Dimensions of Religion Doctrinal People who believe in a certain religion believe in the creeds, doctrines, or teachings of their religion Doctrines, creeds, and teachings make sense of the content of experience and myth Recorded in sacred texts or scriptures

Seven Dimensions of Religion Ethical How are we to act while living in the world? Ritual Worship is a common aspect of religions Most forms of worship are carried out through some formal practice, or ritual Many rituals reenact a myth or scared story

Seven Dimensions of Religion Social Religions naturally involve communities Sense of community is empowering Material Sacred architecture, icons, and books of scripture

Studying the World’s Religions Challenges Can there be more than one true religion? Religion is grounded in mystery There are two approaches to studying the world’s religions Comparative approach – compare the different religions based on common questions Empathy – the capacity for seeing things from others perspectives

CHAPTER REVIEW PG. 19 #1-11 VOCABULARY PG. 19