1. What is Religion? Re-lig-ion
“bind/tie back,” “bind together” (to be bound)
“re-connect”
To a Higher Power
To other people, in community
To the world around us
With ourselves

2. Three Dimensions of Religion
Intellectual - Emotional - Physical
Religion is a way of thinking about:
Origins (where did we come from?)
Purpose/meaning (why are we here?)
Destiny (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

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

4. Three Dimensions of Religion Physical
Religion is a way of acting, 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

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