Sor Notes

Supernatural dimension is the belief in a divine being or power, which is greater that humankind and the natural world. It is responsible for the creation of the world and provides morals for human life. An immanent religious worldview is the belief that a divine being or power as a constant reality and dwell within the human. For example, Buddhism has emphasis on finding truth from within the human spirit. Buddhists follow the Eightfold Path prescribed by Buddha in order to reach enlightenment. This is an immanent worldview because the divine power is believed to be found within the human and awaits discovery through following the prescribed path. A transcendent religious worldview is the belief in a divine being or powers whose existence goes beyond human limitations. For example, Christianity emphasizes the idea of God being revealed to humankind from beyond the human spirit. Christians believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to save humankind from sin and death as it states in the Bible. This is a transcendent worldview because the divine being is seen to be separate and outside of the human and revealed to humankind through intermediary.
The characteristics of religion are the key beliefs that are held by the followers (core beliefs), the sacred text or texts that contain the word of the God or gods (contain stories), ethics (directions on how they should live) and the significant practices (rituals and ceremonies) these are rites of passage and reinforce the central belief system and structures for the traditions. These characteristics interact to create a dynamic living religion by combining together to provide meaning for those who follow a religion. It is practices, such as rituals, which give the doctrinal elements a lived expression. All religions need key tenets or doctrines which act as a general guide and hence unify the different communities which follow this religion. Sacred texts interact with the key doctrines, as