What is religion Answer Sheet

Write brief reactions to the picture you see in the slide show Write brief reactions to the picture you see in the slide show. What do you know about them? What questions do you have?

What is Religion? Re-lig-ion “___________________,” “bind together” (to be bound) (“Yoga” = to Unite) “_________________________” To a Higher Power To other people, in community To the world around us With ourselves

Three Dimensions of Religion Emotional - Emotional - Physical Intellectual Religion is a way of ______________about: Origins (where did we come from?) Purpose/meaning (why are we here?) ________________ (where are we going? what happens when we die?) Who we are (the nature of human nature) Who/what God is (the nature of Ultimate Reality) The basis for our beliefs & doctrine, expressed through myth, scripture, philosophy, theology

Three Dimensions of Religion _______________________________ Religion is a way of feeling: rejoicing faith bliss peace appreciation love awe guilt joy ecstasy fear reverence gratitude hope

Three Dimensions of Religion Physical Religion is a way of ___________, of living, a social system: Spiritual practices: meditation, chanting, prayer, ritual Physical forms: art and architecture, ritual objects, statues, icons, etc. Communal celebrations: rites of passage, holidays

Religion as a way of acting (continued) Social regulation: morals & ethics, prohibitions & _________________ Institutions/organizations/communities: Leaders (gurus/priests/ministers) & followers (disciples, laity) Hierarchies, obedience & discipline (monastic communities) History

Reflection Why do people practice religion? What needs does it fulfill?