Roy Rehberg: Elements Of Religious Traditions
Elements of Religious Traditions
REL 134
3/10/2014
Roy Rehberg
Elements of Religious Traditions Living in an age of knowledge, we have discovered a vast majority of information throughout the years. This information has allowed us to thrive in this world and furthermore, make decisions on what we believe in. Throughout the world, there are many different religions. Some may share the same elements, and some may be vastly different. Certain cultures may believe in one God, monotheism. Others in more than one God or Goddess, polytheism. Some may choose not to believe in anything at all, atheism. “Shinto, for example, does not have a set of commandments, nor does it preach a moral code; Zen Buddhism does not worship a divine being; and …show more content…
Having a relationship with the Divine is an important component of almost all religions. However, the methods of how each religion achieves this is varied by their traditions. In Christianity, it is all about praying, worshiping, and reading the Bible. For Buddhists, they focus on meditation and mantras. Hindus have pilgrimages to holy cities, yoga, and meditation. As we can see, praying and meditation seem to be a common trend. That is the time you can put all other things out of your mind and focus on your relationship with your God. The list goes on and on, but just like traditions have affected other aspects of our lives, religion is no different. Different cultures reach a relationship with the divine in different ways. Although some beliefs may be similar, there are no two religions who believe in exactly the same things ("The Big Religion Chart", …show more content…
There are eight characteristics that make up a religion, they are belief systems, community, central myths, ritual, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expression, and sacredness (Molloy, 2010). When any or all of these characteristics are found to be in common with another person, bonds can be formed. However, both parties may not have the same religion. It is possible for two people to have some of or similar beliefs and still for some type of relationship. These characteristics can be used for any religion and furthermore; defined to fit with each religion
REL 134
3/10/2014
Roy Rehberg
Elements of Religious Traditions Living in an age of knowledge, we have discovered a vast majority of information throughout the years. This information has allowed us to thrive in this world and furthermore, make decisions on what we believe in. Throughout the world, there are many different religions. Some may share the same elements, and some may be vastly different. Certain cultures may believe in one God, monotheism. Others in more than one God or Goddess, polytheism. Some may choose not to believe in anything at all, atheism. “Shinto, for example, does not have a set of commandments, nor does it preach a moral code; Zen Buddhism does not worship a divine being; and …show more content…
Having a relationship with the Divine is an important component of almost all religions. However, the methods of how each religion achieves this is varied by their traditions. In Christianity, it is all about praying, worshiping, and reading the Bible. For Buddhists, they focus on meditation and mantras. Hindus have pilgrimages to holy cities, yoga, and meditation. As we can see, praying and meditation seem to be a common trend. That is the time you can put all other things out of your mind and focus on your relationship with your God. The list goes on and on, but just like traditions have affected other aspects of our lives, religion is no different. Different cultures reach a relationship with the divine in different ways. Although some beliefs may be similar, there are no two religions who believe in exactly the same things ("The Big Religion Chart", …show more content…
There are eight characteristics that make up a religion, they are belief systems, community, central myths, ritual, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expression, and sacredness (Molloy, 2010). When any or all of these characteristics are found to be in common with another person, bonds can be formed. However, both parties may not have the same religion. It is possible for two people to have some of or similar beliefs and still for some type of relationship. These characteristics can be used for any religion and furthermore; defined to fit with each religion