Religious Traditions
Elements of Religious Traditions
Marion White REL/133
April 19th, 2011 Susan J. Johnson
Elements of Religious Traditions “A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs is a religion” (“religion,” 2011). Molloy (2010) stated, “Religion answers the questions who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. Religions must also provide answers to the great questions that people ask. How did the universe come into existence, does it have a purpose, and will it end? What is time, and how should we make use of it? What should be our relationship to the world of nature? Why do human beings exist? How do we reach fulfillment, transformation, or salvation? Why is there suffering in the world, and how should we deal with it? What happens when we die? What should we hold as sacred? All the questions are the same in different religions, but with different religions the answers vary” (Chapter 1, p. 14). Religions also manifest into eight elements which are a belief system, community, central myths, ritual, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expression, and sacredness. Religions exist to serve our needs. It serves our need to find some kind of purpose in the world. Religious Traditions gives people hope and understanding when it comes to death. In Christianity, worshippers believe that Jesus is the Son of God and only through him may you have eternal life. Muslims simply believe that Jesus was only a prophet of God. Both religions have many similarities and differences as well. Most religions believe the origin of everything is sacred and mysterious.
Indigenous Religions are religions that usually go back to ancient times and are usually spread through word of mouth rather than traditional literature.
Marion White REL/133
April 19th, 2011 Susan J. Johnson
Elements of Religious Traditions “A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs is a religion” (“religion,” 2011). Molloy (2010) stated, “Religion answers the questions who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. Religions must also provide answers to the great questions that people ask. How did the universe come into existence, does it have a purpose, and will it end? What is time, and how should we make use of it? What should be our relationship to the world of nature? Why do human beings exist? How do we reach fulfillment, transformation, or salvation? Why is there suffering in the world, and how should we deal with it? What happens when we die? What should we hold as sacred? All the questions are the same in different religions, but with different religions the answers vary” (Chapter 1, p. 14). Religions also manifest into eight elements which are a belief system, community, central myths, ritual, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expression, and sacredness. Religions exist to serve our needs. It serves our need to find some kind of purpose in the world. Religious Traditions gives people hope and understanding when it comes to death. In Christianity, worshippers believe that Jesus is the Son of God and only through him may you have eternal life. Muslims simply believe that Jesus was only a prophet of God. Both religions have many similarities and differences as well. Most religions believe the origin of everything is sacred and mysterious.
Indigenous Religions are religions that usually go back to ancient times and are usually spread through word of mouth rather than traditional literature.
References: religion. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved April 19, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/religion shaman. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved April 19, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/shaman Molloy, M. (2010). Experiencing the World 's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. [University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-Text]. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, REL / 133 website.