Module 2A - Elements of Religion.pdf

Elements of Religion Dr. Gbenga Adejare Background "If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences" - Thomas and Thomas, 1928:572 Meaning: "facts" do not have uniformity, their original meaning lie with the interpreters Background cont'd Elements of religion serve as a point o...

Elements of Religion Dr. Gbenga Adejare Background "If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences" - Thomas and Thomas, 1928:572 Meaning: "facts" do not have uniformity, their original meaning lie with the interpreters Background cont'd Elements of religion serve as a point of convergence for different religion in the world. While these elements are not rigid, they are useful indicators of the role religion plays in the society Ontologically, elements of religion are projected in symbolic representations Based of Thomas Theorem, religious elements are variegated, based on divergent social constructions The Element of Community Often, shared experiences help to build shared identity, including religious identities o In Durkheimian analysis, it engenders collective consciousness o In the words of Kenet Granholm (2011:791), 'The shared experiences and ritual activity of the group produce and transmit the collective sense of identity and belonging" This element can be esoteric (unique and subject to debate) because not all religions have organized structures like traditional religions. o E.g., a shamanic drum journey by a neo-shaman group that is rooted in magic The Element of Ritual Rituals are religious acts, ceremonial practices and customs that are geared towards the worship of the sacred. Religious rituals are a way of venerating and honouring the sacred. Rituals reaffirm the total commitment of adherents and reinforces their belief in the sacredness of the object being worshiped. They constitute practical avenues where members demonstrate their strong religious belief. Normally, religious rituals require the observance of certain special types of behaviour such as prayers, offering of sacrifices, observance of feast, meditations and the wearing of clothes. The Element of Belief This refers to strongly held conviction by the people who are adherents to a religion that their object of worship can solve their problems. Religions of the world are based on beliefs and the recognition and creation of a sacred supernatural being. Not all religions are organized The Element of Organization There are trained officials; priests, imams, cardinals, etc. who occupy the religious hierarchy with full powers and authority vested in them in traditional churches There are also ordinances, rules and laws that govern the day-to-day conduct of members. The Element of Demography Demographic aspect of religion include: o Age o Race o Gender o Population o Immigration o Nature of work The Element of 'Objectives' Most religions are goal-oriented There are need to be met New Age spiritualities are usually concerned with holistic healing – healing at both collective and individual levels (Lewis 1992:7) The Element of Emotions This is a reference to the spirit of reverence, humility, ecstasy, excitement and even terror that is evoked in the believer as he presents himself in the presence of the sacred. The notion that one is present during the sacred evokes behavior that is considered appropriate for the occasion. When religious Faithfuls engage in religious rituals and ceremonies, there is a tendency for them to become engrossed by the presence of the sacred. o At such a period, individuals are emotionally attached to each other and may be persuaded to do whatever their leaders would ask them to do The Element of Experience In the words of Dawson and Thiessen (2014:55), "if religion were only sets of beliefs and rites, with little other effects on us, it would be hard to imagine why religions exist or persist". Durkheim, for instance, emphasized that religion is powerful. The same is true in the analysis of Weber The experiences people have are unique to them The Element of Socialization Socialization is the process by which new members of a society learn how to behave in a way that is generally deemed acceptable. Religion is an important agent through which people are either socialized or resocialized (having to relearn or unlearn) The Element of Experience Conclusion An important characteristic of religion in contemporary sense is esoterism. All elements of religion are esoteric