1. The Seven Dimensions of Religion
World Religions
The Seven Dimensions of Religion

2. The Seven Dimensions of Religion by Ninian Smart
Experiential and Emotional
Narrative or Mythic
Practical and Ritual
Doctrinal and Philosophical
Ethical and Legal
Social and Institutional
Material

3. 1. Experiential and Emotional
People experience an emotional reaction to something which they believe is life changing or profound
A focus on the subjective and emotional; what goes on inside the person
Aims to address what it means to “feel the presence of God”
Religious experiences allow us to move beyond everyday, ordinary experiences to new, extraordinary levels of consciousness
Religion helps humans to make sense of their lives by inspiring (and answering) the “big questions” (human condition, spiritual perfection, identity, purpose, etc.)

4. 1. Experiential and Emotional
Religion begins with the religious experience of individuals
Buddhism  Prince Gautama experienced enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the first Buddha
Islam  Muhammad experienced revelations from Allah
Judaism  Abram received contact with God
Some religions are not so obvious

5. 1. Experiential and Emotional
How People Can Experience Religion:
Faith – a person does not have to believe in specific doctrines but can just have faith in God
Mysticism – a person becomes one with the divine through inward contemplation
Vision Quest – is a primal religious practical mystical experience

6. 1. Experiential and Emotional
Generally speaking, within the theistic religions, God is experienced as a holy presence who is ‘other’. This presence evokes both fear and fascination.
Pantheism is another way in which an individual may experience religion – the belief that God is in all.
In non-theistic religions, religious experience usually takes the form of mysticism.

7. 1. Experiential and Emotional
Abram (Judaism)
Muhammad (Islam)
Prince Gautama (Buddhism)

8. The story of Creation in the Book of Genesis
2. Narrative or Mythic
Myths are often perceived as falsehoods
They convey important truths in a religious context
They are non-historical and non-rational but are sources of sacred truth (therefore, myths are powerful and give meaning to life)
They are sacred stories passed along orally and commonly tell of the origins of humans and the world
They are important because they help guide human behaviour within a faith community
The story of Creation in the Book of Genesis

9. 3. Practical and Ritual
A formal practice that re-enacts a myth or sacred story
Symbolic actions (combining words with actions)
A form of worship
The Eucharist re-enacts the Last Supper
The Hajj re-enacts Muhammad’s return to Mecca

10. 3. Practical and Ritual
Also includes: prayer, gatherings, rites of passage
Rituals are:
sacramental
per formative
repetitive
social

11. 4. Doctrinal and Philosophical
The belief aspect of religions
Belief in creeds, doctrines or teachings
Are derived from myths and originate from lived religious experiences
Are often recorded in sacred texts & scriptures, and serve as foundations
Catholics have the Apostles’ Creed, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and the Paschal mystery

12. 4. Doctrinal and Philosophical
Explain the ideas behind a religion
Determine what is acceptable and unacceptable (included and excluded) from religion
Sometimes the cause of violent conflict between religions

13. 5. Ethical and Legal Religion shows attention toward ethics
Ethics – moral principles that govern behaviour (moral correctness)
How we act while living in the world
Includes sets of teachings that respond to this question
Links belief with action
Includes obligations and responsibilities
Example: Ten Commandments and The Golden Rule

14. 6. Social and Institutional
Religious experience moves beyond personal experience; becomes a social experience (creation of religious communities)
The shared experience of community empowers individuals and results in organizations of hierarchy of leaders
Means belonging to a group, tribe, parish, or congregation

15. 6. Social and Institutional
It is through the social dimension that one learns a great deal about religion (relationships help one to connect and share their experience in a powerful and meaningful way)
Examples: Sangha (first community of Buddhist monks and nuns); Synagogue (Jewish community); Church (Christian community); Ummah (Islamic community)

16. 7. Material
Can include sacred architecture, books, music, art, symbols, places, and nature
The Bible, cathedrals, rivers, statues
The Ganges for Hindus