Characteristics of Religion

Elements of Religion Belief system Community Central stories/myths Rituals Ethics Characteristics emotional experiences Material expression Sacredness

Ninian Smart’s Sociological Model of Religion There is a relationship between the existence of religions and humankind’s need for meaning. According to Ninian Smart’s theory, all world religions have the following elements which came into being due to our need to explain mystery

1. An Encounter with the Divine All religions begin with an experience of the divine. The “divine” is that which gives meaning to our existence. Someone has an experience of a greater reality which transforms that person and our understanding of reality. This person is the founder. Example: The disciples meet and follow Jesus.

2. The Myth The encounter with the divine is remembered and retold, first in story form and then in writing. An attempt is made to communicate the experience. Sacred books (scriptures) tell the story of the founder’s religious experience. Example: The disciples tell others about Jesus. These stories later become written down in the “gospels” or Bible.

3. Rituals Attempts are made to recreate the encounter with the divine using ceremonies and celebrations. Example: For Catholics, the Mass is an attempt to recreate the experience of Jesus giving himself for us at the Last Supper and on the cross

4. Community People come together who share a common vision of the world based on their understanding of the divine. In most religions, branches or splits occur in the community as a result of a variation in experience, beliefs or world view. Example: The Catholic Church is made up of local church communities.

5. Morality (Code) Members of the community share a common set of values which are rooted in the experience of the divine. These values determine right and wrong. Example: Ten Commandments

6. Beliefs (Creed) The community shares a common vision of what the world could be like based on the encounter with the divine. Example: The Christian vision of the Kingdom of God; The Apostle’s Creed

Religious Teaching or Doctrine (Creed) Sacred Symbols and Rituals creeds, laws, articles of faith Community of Faith Leaders and followers Morality (Code) Norms of behaviour, virtues, values, karma, ethics Religious Experience Divine Human God founders gods mystics Spirits prophets angels avatars Demonic Heirophanies satan Encounters with devils the sacred evil spirits Theophanies Encounter with God Sacred Symbols and Rituals Symbols (water) Objects (rosary) Places (shrines) Clothing Food Prayer Life-cycle rituals Daily rituals Weekly rituals Pilgrimages Annual festivals Sacred Stories Myths Stories which explain sacred realities: hero, creation, divine, natural Scriptures Sacred Writings containing myths, history, law, wisdom, teachings, prophecy