Introduction to Religion

Identity Forming Questions

Who am I? Why am I here? Where did I come from? What happens when I die?

What is Religion? Religion answers identity forming

questions. Religions give people understandable

models that guide behavior in relationships towards: God or the ultimate being Nature Other human beings Death, suffering, change Rites of passage

Religion

In Latin “religio” “re” means again “ligio” means to bind

Sacred – “sacer” Profane – “profanus”

Binding Profane to Sacred

Who bridges the gap between profane and sacred? Priests, prophets, mystics, shamans,

strange creatures, etc. Where do humans go to bridge the

gap? Temples, churches, mosques,

synagogues, shrines, sweat lodges, etc.

Religion is…

1. Sacred2. Pervasive3. Symbolic4. The answer to identity forming

questions

Ninian Smart’sSix Dimensions of Religion

Inward Experience Myth Ritual

Outward Doctrine Ethics Society

Inward Dimensions

Experience Myth Ritual

Mr. Kelly’s Religious Experience

Outward Dimensions

Doctrine Faith

Ethics Society