Bellringer

• What does religion mean to you?

What is Religion?

Re-lig-ion• “bind/tie back,” “bind together” (to be

bound)• “re-connect”

– To a Higher Power– To other people, in community– To the world around us– With ourselves

Three Dimensions of Religion

Religion is a way of thinking about:• Origins (where did we come from?)• Purpose/meaning (why are we here?)• Destiny (where are we going? what happens when

we die?)• Who we are (the nature of human nature)• Who/what God is (the nature of Ultimate Reality)The basis for our beliefs & doctrine, expressed

through myth, scripture, philosophy, theology

Intellectual - Emotional - PhysicalIntellectual

Three Dimensions of ReligionEmotional

Religion is a way of feeling:

awe

faith

hopegratitude

appreciation

ecstasy

joy

bliss

fear

guiltlove

reverence

rejoicing

peace

Three Dimensions of ReligionPhysical

Religion is a way of acting, of living, a social system:

• Spiritual practices: meditation,chanting, prayer, ritual

• Physical forms: art and architecture,ritual objects, statues, icons, etc.

• Communal celebrations:rites of passage, holidays

Religion as a way of acting (continued)

• Social regulation: morals & ethics, prohibitions & taboos

• Institutions/organizations/communities:– Leaders (gurus/priests/ministers) & followers

(disciples, laity)– Hierarchies, obedience & discipline (monastic

communities)– History

Reflection

Thinking about the religion you are most familiar with (likely your own or, if you are non-religious, that you have observed among family, friends, or neighbors)…

Identify several examples of each dimension of religion. Why do you identify these examples as you do?

Examples

• The church building, as a physical structure, is obviously part of the physical dimension of religion.

• Celebration of Passover, as a holiday observed in community with family and friends, commemorating an ancient event in the history of the Jewish community, is an example of the practice & social sub-dimensions of the physical dimension of religion.

• I feel uplifted (feeling dimension) when we (social/physical dimension) sing songs (practice/ physical dimension) of praise (feeling dimension)

• When the preacher gives her sermon (practice/physical) I use my intellect to try to understand (intellectual dimension) the message and how it relates to my life.