Basics of Religion

�        RELIGION--a system of socially shared symbols, beliefs, and rituals that is directed toward a sacred or supernatural realm and addresses the ultimate meaning of human existence.

�        MAGIC�a ritual attempt to compel supernatural beings or forces to influence events in the natural world

�        SACRED�uncommon and extraordinary aspects of social life that inspire in a community of believers feelings of awe, reverence, and respect

�        PROFANE�ordinary, commonly understood and routine activities that people take for granted as they go about their daily lives.

�        ANIMATISM--� a system of beliefs in which supernatural forces rather than beings are the dominant power in the universe such as Karma or Manna

�        ANIMISM�the belief that spirit beings inhabit the same world as humans but on another plane of existence

�        THEISM�a belief in one or more supreme beings or gods who because of their power and influence in human affairs are deserving of worship�polytheism, monotheism

 

1.      Nothing is inherently sacred� sacredness is bestowed on something by a community of believers� One group may consider something sacred and another the same thing profane.

2.      Religious Symbols

3.      Religious Beliefs

4.      Religious rituals�definition:� formalized, stylized enactments of beliefs.

5.      Magic rituals are commonly employed to deal with current and specific problem (rainmaker, prayer before football games). Religion is directed toward solving problems of ultimate meaning.

6.      Breakdown of religions of the world��

7.      Functions of Religion�

�        answers questions of ultimate meaning

�        emotional comfort

�        social solidarity

�        provides guidelines for everyday life

�        provides social control

�        effects social change

8.      �Dysfunctions of Religion�

�        Persecution

�        War

�        Guilt

�        Death

9.      Cults�a new religion with few followers whose teachings and practices put it at odds with the dominant culture and religion

�        All religions begin as cults

�        There is usually the appearance of a charismatic leader (an individual who inspires people because he/she has extraordinary qualities

�        Each cult is met by rejection on the part of the dominant culture

�        Messages are considered bizarre

�        Members antagonize the majority

�        Majority is convinced it has a monopoly on the truth

�        Cult demands an intense commitment, as it is confronting a hostile world and its members develop close relationships, separating themselves from non believers

�        MOST CULTS FAIL�SOME SUCCEED TO BECOME ESTABLISHED RELIGIONS

Religious Diversity:

Religious diversity is a given, at least in North America. The U.S. has been called the most religiously diverse nation in the world. ₃

�        About 76% of Americans currently identify themselves as Christians.

�        About 14% do not follow any organized religion.

�        The rest follow an amazing array of non-Christian religions, from Asatru to Zoroastrianism. 

�        In addition, the religious composition of the U.S. is changing rapidly: the percentage of Christians is dropping almost one percentage point a year; those not affiliated with any religion are increasing over one half percentage points a year.

All of these numbers and trends are emphasizing the importance of how each faith group reacts to this increasing religious diversity. The fundamental question is whether a group's understanding of religious truth includes or excludes the validity of other faith groups' beliefs. There are three popular approaches to this question:

	Exclusivism: the belief that their faith group is the only completely true religion, and that all others are false, and perhaps Satanic in nature.
	Inclusivism: the belief that one's faith group is the only completely true religion. However, truth is also found in other religions.
	Pluralism: the belief that all of the tens of thousands of faith groups in the world are valid and true, when viewed from within their particular culture.

 

 

Conservative Christians viewing non-Christian religions:

Their beliefs differ:

	Many conservative Christians are exclusionists (i.e. they believe that their own denomination and those who agree with them are the only valid faith, while all other groups are in serious error).
	Some are inclusionists (i.e. they believe that their group's beliefs are fully true, while all other groups only have part of the truth).

�        They see their own faith group, as based upon the Word of God as expressed in the Bible. Generally, they believe in the inerrancy of the Bible.

�        Most believe in the traditional Christian belief that an individual will be sent to Hell when she/he dies if she/he has not first repented of their sins and then been "saved" by trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior, while still alive. This would include essentially all members of non-Christian faith groups and many members of Christian denominations.

�        They may view other world religions as one of the following:

	only partially true, or
	mostly worthless, or
	influenced by Satan or
	actually controlled by Satan, or
	a variety of Satanism.

�        In addition, many conservative Christians do not recognize other Christian denominations as being truly Christian. This is seen in their local ministerial associations which are frequently separate from the mainline/liberal Christian ministerial group in the same city. It is also seen in their attacks on more liberal Christian denominations and on new religious movements which teach beliefs that are different from their own, and at variance from historical Christian beliefs.

�        Some conservative Christians believe that the Gods and Goddesses of other religions are actually demons. Thus, they see little difference among Hinduism, Buddhism, Satanism, Wicca, other forms of Neopaganism, and all other non-Christian religions. They believe that while members of these religions think that they are worshiping deities, they are really interacting with evil spirits or with Satan himself.

Liberal Christians viewing non-Christian religions:

�        Many liberal Christians are pluralists: they view the major religions of the world as different attempts to understand questions related to deity, humanity, and the rest of the universe.

�        They generally view the all-evil quasi-deity, Satan, as being a concept of profound evil, and not as a living entity with supernatural powers. They see the Gods and Goddesses of non-Christian religions as being unrelated to Satan, although some of those deities may have both good and evil aspects.

�        They view all of the major religions as inspiring many of their members to lead more moral and spiritual lives. They welcome religious diversity and view it as making a positive contribution to the country.

 

 

 

 

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