World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide

©2017 Achieve Test Prep Page 7 of 96 Chapter 1: Defining Religion Religion encompasses different ideas across the globe. Religion is a cultural system of practiced beliefs and rituals that include a holy text, holy individuals, holy places, and ethics by which people should live. Religion can be the belief in a personal God or gods that direct the world’s order or have set the world in place and stepped back. Religion includes symbols and doctrines. Most religions include rituals for those who choose to practice. Many religions attempt to answer the question of what happens to the body, mind, spirit, and soul upon death. Some religions teach ethics for individuals in this life so they might be rewarded in the next life or after death, while others believe the body and essence of the person ceases to exist after death. Some religions have millions of followers, while others are comprised of only a few. All religions have a set of beliefs and dogmas that define the relationship between the follower and the sacred, or Divine One. Religion is universal in the world and it is a very ancient institution. Since the beginning of time, individuals and entire cultures have tried to understand the essences of life and death and their relationship with the creator. While everyone believes their religion and/or religious practices hold the “correct” answer to these questions, it is important to understand the beliefs of others. Studying religion gives insight to the ethics and morals of other people. 1.1 Dimensions of Religion and Religious Beliefs Myths are tenets within religion or one component of the religion. The word itself may seem to say the component is made up or untrue, but in this case, the word myth is an aspect of the religion. A myth may be something that carries historical or symbolic meaning within that religion. Every religion has myths. Supernatural or sacred beliefs are also components that are part of a particular religion. Rituals are the repetitive actions a believer or holy person practices. A ritual is a sequence where something is done first, then a second something, then a third, etc. Rituals may be prayers said at a certain time of day or they can be the order of the worship. Rituals can be words, songs, or objects used in a holy place. Holy places can be outdoor locations where something pertinent to the religion happened or they could be a building like a church, mosque, or temple. Doctrine is used to teach religious beliefs within a particular religion. The doctrine of a religion holds the law or “codified” (written) beliefs of that religion; this is used to teach children and the newly initiated the principles and beliefs of the religion. It may include the ethics, morals, and rituals of the religion and reasons why the religion holds those ideals sacred. These doctrines are accepted by the church (religion) and may include a creed of beliefs the candidate must know.