REL 243
Module 1-Chapter 1
Chapter One
1. EB Tylor states religion is rooted in spirit worship, and is a common aspect of most religions. This particular aspect of religion strikes a chord with me in that worship is a central element in many religion, as well as thoughts on man’s spirit and the afterlife His notion is not far off when you consider that Jesus said, “God is Spirit and those who worship him must worship him in Spirit and truth”. The fact that God is in control of everything, and that he is worthy of all our worship, his views at least acknowledge the existence of a God.
Williams James saw religion from the aspect of the mind influencing the body; it was this thought process that led him into psychology. He saw …show more content…
Transcendent sacredness describes that which is viewed as being outside of the world while yet interacting with it, while immanent sacredness is describes as something that is existing within the world like an energy that interacts with its surrounding. In a religion like Christianity that emphasizes a transcendent God, one can expect a God that interacts with his creations, while still being very distinct from them. Many Native American religions see their gods as thing like the wind, moon, trees etc. These things exist within the world in which they live and thus interact accordingly.
4. Since religion is the joining again of the natural to the sacred and its traditional meaning refers to a belief that involves the worship of a God or gods. Then anyone could develop a belief system based upon how they feel one reconnects to that which is sacred. Religion such as the latter day saints, base their belief off just one man Joseph smith. Based upon what was revealed to him, the book of Mormon was founded and thus the basis for the Mormon …show more content…
Sacramental orientation is he carrying out of rituals and ceremonies regularly and correctly as the path to salvation. Prophetic orientation stresses that contact with the sacred is ensured by proper belief and by adherence to moral rules. Mystical orientation seeks union with reality greater than oneself, such as with God, the process of nature, the universe as a whole. Sacramental orientation for example, Catholics will use the sign of the cross, compared to prophetic in which a prophet will speak to believers on behalf of the sacred. Mystical orientation is more common in religions that stress the immanence of the