World ReligionsThe Seven Dimensions of Religion

The Seven Dimensions of Religion by Ninian SmartO Experiential and EmotionalO Narrative or MythicO Practical and RitualO Doctrinal and PhilosophicalO Ethical and LegalO Social and InstitutionalO Material

1. Experiential and Emotional

O People experience an emotional reaction to something which they believe is life changing or profound

O A focus on the subjective and emotional; what goes on inside the person

O Aims to address what it means to “feel the presence of God”

O Religious experiences allow us to move beyond everyday, ordinary experiences to new, extraordinary levels of consciousness

O Religion helps humans to make sense of their lives by inspiring (and answering) the “big questions” (human condition, spiritual perfection, identity, purpose, etc.)

1. Experiential and Emotional

O Religion begins with the religious experience of individuals

O Buddhism Prince Gautama experienced enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the first Buddha

O Islam Muhammad experienced revelations from Allah

O Judaism Abram received contact with God

O Some religions are not so obvious

1. Experiential and Emotional

How People Can Experience Religion:

O Faith – a person does not have to believe in specific doctrines but can just have faith in God

O Mysticism – a person becomes one with the divine through inward contemplation

O Vision Quest – is a primal religious practical mystical experience

1. Experiential and Emotional

O Generally speaking, within the theistic religions, God is experienced as a holy presence who is ‘other’. This presence evokes both fear and fascination.

O Pantheism is another way in which an individual may experience religion – the belief that God is in all.

O In non-theistic religions, religious experience usually takes the form of mysticism.

1. Experiential and Emotional

Abram (Judaism) Muhammad (Islam)

Prince Gautama (Buddhism)

2. Narrative or MythicO Myths are often perceived as

falsehoodsO They convey important truths

in a religious contextO They are non-historical and

non-rational but are sources of sacred truth (therefore, myths are powerful and give meaning to life)

O They are sacred stories passed along orally and commonly tell of the origins of humans and the world

O They are important because they help guide human behaviour within a faith community

The story of Creation in the Book of Genesis

3. Practical and RitualO A formal practice that re-

enacts a myth or sacred story

O Symbolic actions (combining words with actions)

O A form of worshipO The Eucharist re-enacts

the Last Supper O The Hajj re-enacts

Muhammad’s return to Mecca

3. Practical and RitualO Also includes: prayer, gatherings,

rites of passageO Rituals are:

O sacramentalO per formativeO repetitiveO social

4. Doctrinal and Philosophical

O The belief aspect of religionsO Belief in creeds, doctrines or

teachingsO Are derived from myths and

originate from lived religious experiences

O Are often recorded in sacred texts & scriptures, and serve as foundations

O Catholics have the Apostles’ Creed, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and the Paschal mystery

4. Doctrinal and Philosophical

O Explain the ideas behind a religionO Determine what is acceptable and

unacceptable (included and excluded) from religion

O Sometimes the cause of violent conflict between religions

5. Ethical and LegalO Religion shows attention toward ethicsO Ethics – moral principles that govern

behaviour (moral correctness)O How we act while living in the worldO Includes sets of teachings that respond to

this questionO Links belief with actionO Includes obligations and responsibilitiesO Example: Ten Commandments and The

Golden Rule

6. Social and Institutional

O Religious experience moves beyond personal experience; becomes a social experience (creation of religious communities)

O The shared experience of community empowers individuals and results in organizations of hierarchy of leaders

O Means belonging to a group, tribe, parish, or congregation

6. Social and Institutional

O It is through the social dimension that one learns a great deal about religion (relationships help one to connect and share their experience in a powerful and meaningful way)

O Examples: Sangha (first community of Buddhist monks and nuns); Synagogue (Jewish community); Church (Christian community); Ummah (Islamic community)

7. MaterialO Can include sacred

architecture, books, music, art, symbols, places, and nature

O The Bible, cathedrals, rivers, statues

O The Ganges for Hindus