7 dimensions of religion

• 1. What do these terms mean?A position that says it is Belief in One Godnot possible to make upyour mind Denial of the existenceAtheismof GodThe belief in multipleThe belief that all basicgods or deities kinds of plants andanimals came fromThe negation of sudden creative acts ofeverything; there is no Godmeaning to lifeBelief in fate and existence of many gods and spirits The belief that the The belief that science Ultimate Reality is will answer all the big nature; there is no questions supernatural

2. Mythical EthicalExperientialDoctrinalRitual SocialMaterial 3. ExperientialWhat Does it Mean?People have an emotional experiencewithin their traditionHow Does it Apply to Christianity? People experience God through prayer and worship speaking in tongues, healing, the Holy Spirit (the Apostles) 4. Experiential 5. MythicalWhat Does it Mean?The stories and narratives associated withthe religion usually to give meaning orrevelationHow Does it Apply to Christianity? Parables, Gospels (the whole Bible), stories of Saints and Martyrs 6. RitualWhat Does it Mean?Often a re-enactment of the Mythical(narrative dimension)People find meaning through repetitionHow Does it Apply to Christianity? Baptism (Christening), Confirmation, Rosary, Prayer,Worship 7. DoctrinalWhat Does it Mean?The legal/written side of the religion astatement of faith or beliefHow Does it Apply to Christianity? Written laws and commandments exist within the Bible, the Church has produced many documents 8. EthicalWhat Does it Mean?Specification of the behaviours expectedof individuals and communitiesHow Does it Apply to Christianity? Often debatable but rules such as Do Not Kill, Turn the Other Cheek etc all apply. Goes deeper abortion, Euthanasia 9. SocialWhat Does it Mean?Institutions, organisations, groupsHow Does it Apply to Christianity? Churches, cell groups, meetings, schools 10. MaterialWhat Does it Mean?Buildings, works of art, sacred artefactsand placesHow Does it Apply to Christianity? Churches, Cathedrals, Art Work etc