Rel 133 Elements Of Religion Research Paper
Elements of Religion
James Morales
REL-133
April 17, 2013
Joseph Becker
Elements of Religion
Religion is a way of life for much of mankind, and though all religions are not the same, do all religions do the same thing? Can religion be considered as a way to unite mankind, or viewed as a way to segregate them. Lines are drawn by religions even though many look to religion as a way of life. To join again is the linguistic meaning of the word religion. To search or find the divine or sacred is what drives mankind to follow religion in all its shapes and forms. From Christianity to Buddhism, to indigenous religions such as the Native Americans, or Igbo tribes of Africa, while studying religion what components will be deemed critical …show more content…
to the composition of a religion, and what issues will be faced while studying what a religion does, and how. What are some of the ways a religion will honor the sacred, to include different rights of passage in a religion. (Malloy, 2010)
The basic concepts of religion seem to bind most religions together.
There are eight all together, the belief system, community, central myths, ritual, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expressions, and sacredness. When humans are raised in a particular setting it is easy to become narrow minded, but if one was to step back and examine the eight previously mentioned concepts, it would seem many religions have more in common than what is on the surface. Examining how a religion gets is message out would be a start, from different teachings through texts, doctrines, stories, and myths. Next would be what do different religions do, from worship to prayer pilgrimage, and rituals. Then how do religions organize themselves, most have some kind construct, or hierarchy. Religions look to leaders and have social relationships, and most religions promote some kind of outreach to the community. (Malloy, …show more content…
2010)
Some of the key critical issues in the study of religion may be prompted by independent thought by its followers. What to study is a critical issue in the study of religion. There are so many different religions, with so many different beliefs. Study now is not the same as before, so does that change the outcome of earlier studies? Were initial conclusions wrong due to the lack of evidence or data? Can any study of religion be considered wrong? How to study can be an issue when it comes to something like indigenous religions is it moral to invade or disturb a culture for academic purposes. If this culture never saw a camera or flashlight, is it okay to expose this culture to these items while studying them. Another issue would be the techniques used in studying, some like listening to stories being passed along, traveling and taking part of rituals, reading all texts and doctrines, documenting missions and the findings. What says one of these ways is better than another, or that the results of one carries more weight than any other. (Malloy, 2010)
Examples of honoring the sacred or divine can be expressed in rituals.
The rite of passage takes on many forms, the Native Americans believe that childbirth can be a very powerful and spiritual time. A young woman may go to a sacred spot to give birth. An African tribe might celebrate the birth through a community setting; in fact sometimes the baby is not considered a member of the community until the baby is named in a public celebration. Birth is not the only rite of passage, across Africa circumcision for young males ushers them into adulthood. The Apache girls have a ritual associated with their first menstrual cycle moving them from girl to woman. Native Americans seek out a vision quest or dream quest, usually including the cleansing of one’s self, and going to a place deemed sacred, and then fasting until one has a vision or dream come to them. Direction in one’s personal journey is usually found through this. Another example could be a young Jewish boys bar mitzvah; everywhere in society is some type of religious influence and example of dedication to honoring the divine. (Malloy,
2010)
In conclusion we have covered the basic concepts of religion which are a belief system, community, central myths, rituals, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expressions, and sacredness. Examined how a religion gets its message across, and what various things religions do. The critical issues that might arise while studying religion were also discussed. The different abilities from when religion started being studied to now, and can studying religion be wrong at all. Considering the different techniques of studying religion and the roles played in studying indigenous religions. The last things covered were all about different ways of honoring the divine or sacred by indigenous religions.
Molloy, m, & hilgers, t.l.(). Experiencing the worlds religions. Tradition, Challenge, and Change (5th ed.) Retrieved from the university of Phoenix ebook collection database.
James Morales
REL-133
April 17, 2013
Joseph Becker
Elements of Religion
Religion is a way of life for much of mankind, and though all religions are not the same, do all religions do the same thing? Can religion be considered as a way to unite mankind, or viewed as a way to segregate them. Lines are drawn by religions even though many look to religion as a way of life. To join again is the linguistic meaning of the word religion. To search or find the divine or sacred is what drives mankind to follow religion in all its shapes and forms. From Christianity to Buddhism, to indigenous religions such as the Native Americans, or Igbo tribes of Africa, while studying religion what components will be deemed critical …show more content…
to the composition of a religion, and what issues will be faced while studying what a religion does, and how. What are some of the ways a religion will honor the sacred, to include different rights of passage in a religion. (Malloy, 2010)
The basic concepts of religion seem to bind most religions together.
There are eight all together, the belief system, community, central myths, ritual, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expressions, and sacredness. When humans are raised in a particular setting it is easy to become narrow minded, but if one was to step back and examine the eight previously mentioned concepts, it would seem many religions have more in common than what is on the surface. Examining how a religion gets is message out would be a start, from different teachings through texts, doctrines, stories, and myths. Next would be what do different religions do, from worship to prayer pilgrimage, and rituals. Then how do religions organize themselves, most have some kind construct, or hierarchy. Religions look to leaders and have social relationships, and most religions promote some kind of outreach to the community. (Malloy, …show more content…
2010)
Some of the key critical issues in the study of religion may be prompted by independent thought by its followers. What to study is a critical issue in the study of religion. There are so many different religions, with so many different beliefs. Study now is not the same as before, so does that change the outcome of earlier studies? Were initial conclusions wrong due to the lack of evidence or data? Can any study of religion be considered wrong? How to study can be an issue when it comes to something like indigenous religions is it moral to invade or disturb a culture for academic purposes. If this culture never saw a camera or flashlight, is it okay to expose this culture to these items while studying them. Another issue would be the techniques used in studying, some like listening to stories being passed along, traveling and taking part of rituals, reading all texts and doctrines, documenting missions and the findings. What says one of these ways is better than another, or that the results of one carries more weight than any other. (Malloy, 2010)
Examples of honoring the sacred or divine can be expressed in rituals.
The rite of passage takes on many forms, the Native Americans believe that childbirth can be a very powerful and spiritual time. A young woman may go to a sacred spot to give birth. An African tribe might celebrate the birth through a community setting; in fact sometimes the baby is not considered a member of the community until the baby is named in a public celebration. Birth is not the only rite of passage, across Africa circumcision for young males ushers them into adulthood. The Apache girls have a ritual associated with their first menstrual cycle moving them from girl to woman. Native Americans seek out a vision quest or dream quest, usually including the cleansing of one’s self, and going to a place deemed sacred, and then fasting until one has a vision or dream come to them. Direction in one’s personal journey is usually found through this. Another example could be a young Jewish boys bar mitzvah; everywhere in society is some type of religious influence and example of dedication to honoring the divine. (Malloy,
2010)
In conclusion we have covered the basic concepts of religion which are a belief system, community, central myths, rituals, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expressions, and sacredness. Examined how a religion gets its message across, and what various things religions do. The critical issues that might arise while studying religion were also discussed. The different abilities from when religion started being studied to now, and can studying religion be wrong at all. Considering the different techniques of studying religion and the roles played in studying indigenous religions. The last things covered were all about different ways of honoring the divine or sacred by indigenous religions.
Molloy, m, & hilgers, t.l.(). Experiencing the worlds religions. Tradition, Challenge, and Change (5th ed.) Retrieved from the university of Phoenix ebook collection database.