RELIGIONProf. M. Lakshmipathi Raju

Belief in Supernatural being

Characteristics: Sacred, Holy Fear, Happiness Rituals Moral Implication

Religion

Rituals – Religious Behaviour

Beliefs- Faith

Organization – Mechanism

Three Aspects:

Discipline

Integration

Cohesive Function

Social wellbeing

Means of control

Moral Standards

Functions:

Belief in Supernatural power To control this power To manipulate supernatural power Exorcist performs rituals Black magic, white power

Black Magic Uses magic power For evil purpose

White Magic Use magic for well-being

Magic

Religion Magic

Superior power by prayer – to coerce superior power

Public Secret

Respected Fear

Practices. Prayers With Charms

Difference between Religion and Magic

Magic Pseudo science (false science) Wrong assumption Deals with super natural

Science Cause, effect relationship Empirical facts Deals with natural Observation, experiment

Magic and Science

Emerged from idea and soul All objects inhabited by spirits All activities caused by spirits Soul after death transmigrated These spirits worshipped

Theories of origin of Religion

To control nature Powers to control nature superior Evolution in sequence Magic stage, religious stage, scientific stages

Naturalism by Max Muller

Nature surprising This surprise led to worship

Magic by JG Frazer

Belief – descended from them Totem– objects Collective representations Totem – treated as sacred Collective consciousness Ceremonies, rituals bind people

Totemism by Emile Durkheim

Fetishism

Revered object – has power Worship of fetishes A leaf or stone Among pre literate people

Superstition

Irrational belief – omen, sorcery, etc., Followed by many Becomes religious practice

Christianity Christ as Prophet Monotheistic Faith in Jesus, service, love Neighbours Ten commandment's

Hinduism

Dates back, thousands of year Polytheistic, several gods Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha Moksha [salvation] Four ashrams of life

Prominent Religions

Islam 7th century – Prophet Mohammad Monotheistic, one god Surrender to will of god- Allah Quran – revelation of god

Buddhism

4th century BC Four noble truths Suffering, cause of suffering, (desire) Nirvana – remove cause of suffering Eight fold path

24 Thirthankaras Rishabadev- first 24th – Mahavir Jain delivered from JIN (conquer) Three gems – right path, right knowledge right

conduct Jain believe in soul, karma, cycle of birth

Sikhism

Guru Nanak teachings Guru Govind Singh

Jainism

Beliefs, rituals Supernatural - god, heaven, hell Mode of worship – holy texts, philosophy Victory of good over evil

Ideology of Religion

Values of nationality Secularism Religion –undergone change Cause of strife Communal violence International terrorism Notorious activities

Modern society