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

2. Three Dimensions of Religion 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 Intellectual - Emotional - Physical Intellectual

3. Most Religions Involve… Belief in something sacred (for example, gods or other supernatural beings). A distinction between sacred and profane objects. Ritual acts focused on sacred objects. A moral code often believed to have a sacred or supernatural basis. Feelings (awe, sense of mystery, sense of guilt, adoration), which tend to be aroused in the presence of sacred objects and during the practice of ritual.

4. Most religions involve… Prayer and other forms of communication with the supernatural. A world view, or a general picture of the world as a whole and the place of the individual therein. What’s the purpose of exitence. Organization of one’s life based on the world view. A social group bound together by the above.

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Religion as a Way of Thinking Bible study Rabbinical discourse

9. Reflection Thinking about the religion you are most familiar with (likely your own or, if you are non-religious, that you have observed among family, friends, or neighbors)… Identify several examples of each dimension of religion. Why do you identify these examples as you do?

10. Examples The church building, as a physical structure, is obviously part of the physical dimension of religion. Celebration of Passover, as a holiday observed in community with family and friends, commemorating an ancient event in the history of the Jewish community, is an example of the practice & social sub-dimensions of the physical dimension of religion. I feel uplifted (feeling dimension) when we (social/physical dimension) sing songs (practice/ physical dimension) of praise (feeling dimension) When the preacher gives her sermon (practice/physical) I use my intellect to try to understand (intellectual dimension) the message and how it relates to my life.