Religion: Religious Experience and Spirituality PDF

Religion: Religious Experience and Spirituality (Prelim) Prepared by: JLJ-C Definitions of Terms The English word “religion” is derived from the Middle English “religioun” which came from the Old French “religion.”; originally derived from the Latin word “religo” which means...

Religion: Religious Experience and Spirituality (Prelim) Prepared by: JLJ-C Definitions of Terms The English word “religion” is derived from the Middle English “religioun” which came from the Old French “religion.”; originally derived from the Latin word “religo” which means “good faith”, “ritual”, Some also believes that it comes from the word “religare” which means “to tie fast”, or “bind together.” Why Religion is Important? The majority of religions have developed starting from a revelation based on the exemplary history of nation, of a prophet or a wise man who taught an ideal of life. Religion is one of the primary disciplines for investigating the boundary questions of life and death, of love and hate, that characterize the human condition. The goal of studying religion should be wisdom and not knowledge for own sake. It shouldn’t be simple knowledge about the world but wisdom about right relationship within the world. Because it raises questions of purpose and value along with developing important life skills Different Elements of Religions a. Dogma - a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true. b. b. Sacred Books - any book regarded by a religious body as an authoritative source or divinely inspired statement of its faith, history, and practices. c. Rituals/Traditions - is any repetitive and patterned behavior that is prescribed by or tied to a religious institution, belief, or custom, often with the intention of communicating with a deity or supernatural power. d. Worship - Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. it's a type of unquestioning devotion to a superstitious belief or deity. Religion development New Age Movements New Age Movements arose in the West through a fascination with the religions of the East, meditation and yoga and in the counter-culture of the 1960s. Adherents eschew formal, hierarchical religion preferring direct experience and a creative spirituality. New Agers take elements from various traditions, often incorporating esoteric and paranormal trends, creating an eclectic fusion to suit themselves. More recently an interest in the occult and paganism has arisen, along with sessions of channelling, where contact with a deceased spiritual teacher or luminary is made and messages received. An interest in healing and shamanism is often part of this view and a holistic vision of the individual and of the planet is typical, often leading to specific dietary preferences and vegetarianism. Interfaith Movements In recent years there has been a growth of interfaith dialogue between leaders and members of different faith traditions, with many different organizations coming into being. Many major events in Britain, such as the The Service of Remembrance on November 11 is a ceremony that honors those who have died in war. It's held to mark the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. at the Cenotaph in London now routinely include the leaders of different religious traditions, who often know each other well, as their paths cross frequently these days. Co-operation between faith communities is a fact of life and often goes unreported. Quasi-Religions Although religions usually have a transcendental focus, there is a view that would include other worldviews as religious. These days football has become an overwhelming passion for many, breaking through divisions of sex, age and class and splintering into allegiances to clubs and teams but within a shared community of fans. When people die, their support of their team is frequently quoted as part of their identity. This is a kind of implicit religion, which is found in many secular aspects of life, with communal rituals and shared beliefs forming a cohesive community. Religious Experience This is a particularly appropriate term for experiences which either confirm or conform to the tenets of a religious tradition or which take place during religious observance or practice or are the result of lengthy preparation or devotion, of mental training, prayer or fasting. Such experiences may be communal, taking place within a setting of worship or ritual or may be solitary Another term often used to designate type of EXPERIENCE A more general term, spiritual experience may be preferred for experiences which do not reflect any specifically religious beliefs. However, the experience might bring awareness of dissatisfaction with the everyday, triggering spiritual unrest and leading to a spiritual search. Paranormal Experience Another term for psychical experience is Paranormal Experience, which usually refers to powers which have not yet been explained by science and are seen as beyond the norm. This includes such events as telepathy, telekinesis and clairvoyance. Psychical research concentrates on the experiences as evidence of the paranormal rather than considering the effects on the lives of the experients. Out of the Body Experience (OBE) At times people feel themselves to be separate from their own body, usually watching it from the outside, often above. This is known as an Out of the Body Experience and tends to happen at times of stress or during accidents and traumatic situations. Such experiences lead to a consideration of what human consciousness is, challenging the materialist paradigm as the OBE seems evidence of some kind of mind-body dualism. Near Death Experience (NDE) This is often preceded by an OBE and takes place when the individual is clinically dead but has a coherent experience before being revived. An NDE can occur during an accident, cardiac arrest or in times of massive stress. Other phenomena around death are Death Bed Visions, End of Life Experiences and Post Death Appearances. Other term associated with religion A. Faith - complete trust or confidence in someone or something. strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof. B. Belief - an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists. the belief in a religion's central articles of faith. C. Soul - the soul is our humanity that makes us feel emotions, will and desires. D. Spirit - The spirit is our deeper connection with a supreme being when we believe them. This is what connects us to a supreme being or deity. E. Atheism - Is in the broadest sense an absence of belief in the existence of deities or supreme being F. Agnosticism - is the view that the existence of God, of the divine or the supernatural is unknown or unknowable Religious Worldview 1. Monism - theory or doctrine that denies the existence of a distinction or duality in some sphere, such as that between matter and mind, or God and the world. the doctrine that only one supreme being exists. 2. Polytheism - is a belief in and worship of many Gods. Eg. Greece, Rome, Egypt. Polytheism is a belief system that is similar to animism, totemism. Totemism, system of belief in which humans are said to have kinship or a mystical relationship with a spirit-being, such as an animal or plant. The entity, or totem, is thought to interact with a given kin group or an individual and to serve as their emblem or symbol.