Features of a religion | Religious Education

Definitions

In order to appreciate religion it is important to understand essential concepts. Therefore, we begin with definition of terms.

Faith: is the very essence of our lives; it may not resolve many complicated issues but give us the strength to deal with it. This faith was manifested in various forms of worship like the dieties, holy books, saints and even religion. Today there are innumerable religions and their followers.

Religion: This is an organized system of worship, beliefs and practices centred around a Supreme Being. It is derived from the Latin word religio which means beliefs about and reverence for the gods. The Latin root of religio is the verb religare which means to bind things together. The idea is that religion is a relationship between the religious devotee and that which is the object of devotion ( gods, the holy, God etc.) a relationship that binds two things together. It also gives rise to a community of believers or devotees , thus religion is also binding together all of those who share the same or similar religious attitudes.

Therefore religion is concerned with:

the here and now ??beyond
the natural ?? supernatural
secular and profane ?? the holy, the sacred
temporal ?? eternal

Denomination: A term predominantly associated with Christianity, it is a branch or offshoot of a religion that has been around for many years with geographical membership. Eg. Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist etc.
Sect: A religious body forming a distinct unit within a larger group, especially one that has separated from a larger denomination by virtue of certain refinements or distinctions of belief or practice.

Cult: A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea or thing and employing unethical techniques or extreme views and values.

Introduction: Please read the information below and answer the associated questions.

There are common features of religion that are evident in most if not all religions. Can you think of any before reading. Jot them down and go right ahead and check if you are correct and add to your list as you read.

FEATURES OF RELIGION

1. Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with a deity, an object of worship, or a spiritual entity through deliberate communication. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of a hymn, formal creed, or a spontaneous utterance in the praying person. There are different forms of prayer such as petitionary prayer, prayers of supplication, thanksgiving, and worship/praise. Prayer may be directed towards a deity, spirit, for the purpose of worshipping, requesting guidance, requesting assistance, confessing sins or to express one's thoughts and emotions. Thus, people pray for many reasons such as personal benefit or for the sake of others.

Most major religions involve prayer in one way or another. Some ritualize the act of prayer, requiring a strict sequence of actions or placing a restriction on who is permitted to pray, while others teach that prayer may be practiced spontaneously by anyone at any time.

A Muslim performing wudud

2. Rituals: a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value usually repetitive acts that take place at a set time and location. They almost always involve the use of symbolic objects, words, and actions. Wudu (washing ritual in Judaism), Bar / BatMitzvah.

3. Worship: This is homage and respect paid to a Supreme Being. This can either be done public (corporate) or private (individual).

How important is worship to the believer?

4. Symbols: Visual representation of a religious belief.

5. Sacred Writings: writing that is venerated for the worship of a deity.

6. Deity: s a being, natural, supernatural or preternatural, with superhuman powers or qualities, and who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred.

7. Festival: An occasion for feasting or celebration, especially a day or time of religious significance that recurs at regular intervals commemorating an important person or event in the history of the religion.

8. Rites of Passage: Ceremonies that mark important transitional periods in a person's life, such as birth, puberty, marriage, having children, and death. For example, circumcision, baptism, naming ceremony, marriage and death.

9. Place of Worship: any building where congregations gather for prayer, example Synagogue ( Judaism), Mosque/Masjid ( Islam), Church ( Christianity) and Mandir (Hinduism).

Synagogue

The Synagogue is a Jewish place of worship but is also the centre of the Jewish religious community, and is used for study and prayer as well as social activities. Traditional Jewish worship requires a minyan (a quorum of ten adult males) before worship can take place.

Name three items in the Synagogue.     Masjid

Masjid The Arabic term for Mosque is 'Masjid', which means place of prostration. Mosques are often the centre of a community, hosting the five daily prayers, classes, weddings, and meetings. When in congregation, Muslims line up in straight rows to pray, often shoulder to shoulder, foot to foot. Mosques have a large, usually carpeted hall for praying in. There is usually an alcove in the wall of bigger mosques, which magnifies a speaker's voice when they stand within it. Everyone is welcome to visit, and many hold open days.

Why do you think men and women are separated in the Masjid?

What common item is missing in the Mosque?

Why do you think men line up shoulder to shoulder in the Masjid?

Church

The Church is a building used for religious worship by Christians and it is often also used for community activities. Churches vary considerably in appearance, from small chapels to grand cathedrals, depending on the architectural style prevalent at the time they were built and also the particular branch of Christianity worshipping there. Some may consist of a single room and be very simply furnished, while others may have several additional chapels and altars with additional rooms for clergy and vestments.

What would account for some churches being more elaborately designed than others?

Mandir

The ground floor plan of a Hindu temple, called a Mandir in Hindi, is often designed to represent the cosmos and the human connection to God. It is based on a strict grid made of squares and triangles. The square shape is an important form, and the grid consists of either 64 or 81 squares. Each square represents one diety, with the most important diety taking the middle spot.

Why is the location of the Temple so important to Hindus?

Name three locations where Mandirs are normally built in close proximity to.