Religious Traditions

Elements of Religious Traditions

University of Phoenix Chicago Loop Campus

REL/134

Facilitator: Daniel E. Bermudez, Ph.D.

Elements of Religious Tradition

In this paper, we will discuss religious traditions, key characteristics of religions, and key critical issues within the study of religion. Let’s look at the world wide study of religious traditions.

What is Religion?

Someone might ask, “What is religion?” My definition of religion is a group of people in an organization who come together to worship and share in the same beliefs. Chapter one of our reading defines religion as a system of belief that involves worship of a God or gods, prayer, ritual, and a moral code. The word religion like many words has Latin roots; re-, meaning “again,” and lig-, meaning “join” or “connect”. Religion translates to mean “to join again” or “to reconnect.” Basically religion is the joining of natural and the human world to the sacred world (Molloy, 2010).

Key Characteristics of Religion

Within the different religions, key characteristics are the same. Eight elements are the key characteristics of religion.

* Belief system: A worldview of a complete systematic interpretation of the universe.

* Community: Ideas practiced by a group.

* Central myths: Stories retold or reenacted to express religious beliefs.

* Rituals: Rituals are beliefs enacted through ceremonies.

* Ethics: Rules from the supernatural realm or social guidelines establish human behavior.

* Characteristic emotional experiences: Emotions such as dread, guilt, awe, mystery, devotion, conversion, “rebirth,” liberation, ecstasy, bliss, and inner peace are associated with religions.

* Material expression: Religions express themselves through materials such as statues, paintings, musical instruments and compositions (including chants), ritual objects, flowers, incense, clothing, architecture, and specific locations.

* Sacredness: Ceremonies make a distinction between...