Introduction to world religions

WELCOMETOPICS IN RELIGION

Introduction to World religions• Religion – comes from Latin word Religio,

meaning fear or awe one feels in the presence of a spirit or god or a supernatural power.

• In modern western culture it isA set of beliefs having to do with godsThrough that a moral system is developed

Questions can be raised with this kind of understanding Paul Tillich says it is the “ultimate concern”

Introduction to World religionsImportant factors which are considered

for a religion• Deals with people’s relationship with the

unseen supernatural world.• Developed myths and rituals in

connection to the unseen supernatural world for various purposes.

Introduction to World religions• Developed a system of organized rituals, place

of worship, religious functionaries and sometimes scriptures.

• Usually have some statements, in some form, about life after death

• Developed code of conduct or moral order• Attracted a large following either in the

present or in the past• Normally there is a founder

Introduction to World religionsTheories of the origin of religion

Animistic theory: Suggested by Tylor and improved by Bishop Codrington. Spirits are every where and so they need to be communicated. Bishop introduced the word Mana – a supernatural power.

Nature worship theory: Suggested by Maxmuller. The power of nature made people to worship it.

Introduction to World religionsTheory of original monotheism: Suggested by

Wilhelm Schmidt. Every primitive group believed in a high god who became distant and therefore polytheism and idolatry came into existence.

The magic theory: Smart individual first developed magic to manipulate the supernatural and slowly gave birth to religion.

Projection of human need: Man is not created in the image of God but god is created in the imagination of man. Karl Marx is one of them.

Introduction to World religionsDifferent types of religions

Basic religion: unorganized, no written form like Animism, Totemism etc.Religions originated in India: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, JainismReligions originated in China & Japan: Taoism, Confucianism, Shintoism etc.Religions originated in Middle East: Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Baha'ism, Islam.