recap key terminology overview of 7 dimensions of religion

1. What do these terms mean?
A position that says it is Belief in One God
not possible to make up
your mind Denial of the existence
Atheism
of God
The belief in multiple The belief that all basic
gods or deities kinds of plants and
animals came from
The negation of sudden creative acts of
everything; there is no God
meaning to life Belief in fate and existence of many
gods and spirits
The belief that the
The belief that science
Ultimate Reality is
will answer all the big
nature; there is no
questions
supernatural

2. Mythical Ethical
Experiential Doctrinal
Ritual Social
Material

3. Experiential
What Does it Mean?
People have an emotional experience
within their tradition
How Does it Apply to Christianity?
People experience God through prayer
and worship… speaking in
tongues, healing, the Holy Spirit (the
Apostles)

4. Experiential

5. Mythical
What Does it Mean?
The stories and narratives associated with
the religion… usually to give meaning or
revelation
How Does it Apply to Christianity?
Parables, Gospels (the whole
Bible), stories of Saints and Martyrs

6. Ritual
What Does it Mean?
Often a re-enactment of the Mythical
(narrative dimension)
People find meaning through repetition
How Does it Apply to Christianity?
Baptism
(Christening), Confirmation, Rosary, Prayer,
Worship

7. Doctrinal
What Does it Mean?
The legal/written side of the religion… a
statement of faith or belief
How Does it Apply to Christianity?
Written laws and commandments exist
within the Bible, the Church has produced
many documents…

8. Ethical
What Does it Mean?
Specification of the behaviours expected
of individuals and communities
How Does it Apply to Christianity?
Often debatable but rules such as Do Not
Kill, Turn the Other Cheek etc… all apply.
Goes deeper… abortion, Euthanasia

9. Social
What Does it Mean?
Institutions, organisations, groups
How Does it Apply to Christianity?
Churches, cell groups, meetings, schools

10. Material
What Does it Mean?
Buildings, works of art, sacred artefacts
and places
How Does it Apply to Christianity?
Churches, Cathedrals, Art Work etc