St Mary Star of the SeaCollegeWollongong

Studies of Religion I

Gerry Sozio

Definitions

Religion – a form of belief and practise that comes from and leads to human experience of God or the ultimate reality.

Transcendent – outside the created world; not limited by space, time or physical conditions.

Immanent – indwelling, spreading through.

Animism – the belief that natural objects, phenomena and the universe are filled with good and evil spirits.

Semitic Faiths – transcendent religious worldviews The great monotheistic faiths of the world

Judaism Christianity Islam

Semite family of Religions – all Semitic faiths all worship the God of Abraham as the one and only God of the Universe.

Glossary

Divine: Of or pertaining to a god, especially the Supreme Being. From the latin divinas – of the gods or superhuman.

Immanent Dimension – A world view that recognises a divine being or powers as a constant reality – an active and continuing presence among believers in this world.

Transcendental Dimension – The belief in a divine being or powers whose existence ‘goes beyond’ human limitations, it is often opposed to the term ‘immanent’.

Definition of Religion?

Belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny (Collins)

In the heart of religion, the quest of the ages, is the outreach of humanity, the social being, for the values of the satisfying life. (A E Haydon)

The prophet Muhammad was asked, ‘What is religion?’ And he replied that religion is the way we conduct ourselves towards others.

In general, religion is a way of relating a mastery as a sacred or divine reality than as useless or meaningless. (M Barnes)

One may clarify the term religion by defining it as a system of beliefs and practices that are relative to superhumans beings. (Harper Collins Dictionary)

...the state of being grasped by an ultimate concern. (P Tillich)

In all countless definitions provided by scholars, the only common agreement seems to be about

‘something beyond the ordinary’

RELIGION HAS A

TRANSCENDENT DIMENSION

and that religion helps in some way to map a course through life’s obstacles and limitations of human

existence.

The Latin Word …

The Latin word religio translates as ‘religion’.

Relegare: to gather up, or turn to constantly

Religiare: to bind together

Religion has a supernatural dimension

This dimension implies a foundation on some sort of divine revelation or revealed faith.

This revelation exceeds the power and capacity of human nature and any created natural religion.

Cannot be explained according to natural laws or occurences.

The dimensions exceeds the ordinary limits of human existence and is sometimes described as abnormal, even miraculous.

Religion had a Transcendent Dimension Religion has a Transcendent dimension.

It points us towards the divine world and beyond earthly materials.

The word transcendent comes from the Latin word transcendere meaning to ‘climbover’ or ‘surpass’

The transcendent dimensions of religion enables humans to surpass the limits of their creaturely existence and earthly concerns to focus on heavenly or spiritual concerns.

In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, God is said to transcend (rise above) the world, that is, God is predominantly beyond the world.

This is an idea common to monotheism (the worship of only one God).

Judaism, Christianity and Islam focus on the transcendent religious worldview and are called Semetic religions.

They go back to Abraham, and believe in one God who created the universe.

They also believe that God made himself known to us by sending us prophets (messengers) – the prophets showed and taught the will of God to the world.

Buddhism and Hinduism focus on the immanent religious worldview – they have an Indian background.

Buddhist and Hindus rely on their inner-self and their experience for religious truth – they do not rely on books or people that have to be followed.

They are immanent worldviews that recognise a divine being or power as a constant reality.

Two types of Religious Views

The first view is a world view that holds beliefs in a divine power and/or powers beyond beyond the human dimension.

This corresponds to the world views held by Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The followers of these religious traditions believe in the One God who exists beyond the human and yet guides humanity throughout its everyday existence.

The second view maintains a belief in a divine being or powers dwelling within the individual. Such a world view is characteristic of Buddhism and Hinduism.

In the case of Buddhism, for example, it is important not to look for a Buddhist equivalent of ‘God’ but for an ultimate goal or principle, such as nirvana or dhamma that gives Buddhist lives a sense of ultimate meaning.

Activities

Define ‘religion’ (Group) Discuss your understanding of the term ‘world view’

(Group) Why do we have Religion? (Group) Construct a fifty word letter to the editor of a

newspaper on why religion should be discussed Discuss detailed examples of two world views:

One that holds a belief in a divine power and/or powers beyond the human (transcendent)

One that maintains a belief in a divine being or powers dwelling within the individual (immanent)