Rel 134 Week 1

Kenneth Harmon

Elements of Religious Traditions Paper

REL 134

University of Phoenix

Rev. Dr. Steven L. Albert

8 May 2013

Religious Traditions

From Christmas to Yom Kippor, there are a variety of religious events celebrated across the world. These celebrations allow a certain group or following to honor the birth, or worship a certain deity. Religious traditions allow its followers to develop relationships with their gods, establish a sacred time to do so, draw closer to the community as well as communion with other followers of the same faith.

Relationship with the Divine

Religious traditions allow individuals to develop relationships with the divine. People who follow Christianity believe in Jesus Christ, son of Jehovah, and celebrate his birth every December 25th. This is just one way that Christians honor their god and his son. Another way way is through prayer. Many believers, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, believe that one of their gods greatest gifts was the privilege to approach him through prayer. Prayer allows individuals to communicate directly with their god and ultimately develop a personal relationship with their god.

Relationship with Sacred Time

Many religious individuals believe prayer is a sacred time. This is when they approach their god through prayer. They approach with an open heart, humility and sincerity.

         Relationship with sacred space or the natural world

         Relationship with each other

o    Identifies key critical issues in the study of religion.

o    Includes specific examples from the various religious traditions described in the Week One readings—such as a belief in one God or many gods and goddesses, church on Sunday, holy mountains, or the Quakers calling each other friends. You may also include examples from your own religious tradition or another religious tradition with which you are familiar.

References

L. Trevino & K Nelson “Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk...