Lecture Sheet 2

Lecture Sheet 2
The Concept of Religion
According to Jeffrey Brodd, “religions provide a way of living and dying

meaningfully amid the mystery”. In other sense, Jeffrey Broad reflected upon the
moral framework and spiritual path to navigate life’s biggest uncertainties-
especially those surrounding existence and morality. Brodd also refers to the
“mystery” that surrounds existence. Religions do not necessarily remove this
mystery but rather help people live within it. By acknowledging the transcendent
or the divine, religions offer ways to engage with life's mysteries, whether through
rituals, prayers, or meditative practices, which invite believers into a deeper
relationship with the unknown.
The common grounds and concerns of religion have not changed much. Spiritual
fulfillment and ethics, transcendence and salvation, and idea of destination
and Ultimate Reality are some of the few terms, which are evident in every
religion. Different religions trace these terms differently and try to negotiate with
one of the most critical investigations of the human condition and beyond.
Jeffrey Brodd referred to “the seven dimensions of religion” by Scholar Ninian

Smart, who illustrated a framework to understand and analyze the complexity of
religion. These dimensions recognize that religions are not one-dimensional
systems of belief but involve various aspects of human experience. The seven
dimensions are:
1. Experiential and Emotional Dimension
This dimension refers to the personal experiences of individuals within their faith
traditions, often moments of connection with the divine or encounters with the
transcendent. It covers emotional responses such as awe, fear, or love towards the
divine. Religious experiences often inspire devotion and are sometimes seen as
transformative moments.
1. Examples: Mystical experiences in Sufism, enlightenment in Buddhism, or

the feeling of grace in Christianity.
2. Mythic or Narrative Dimension
Nowadays, myth is conceived as falsehood. It was once oral, celebrated, and

passed down through generations as part of preaching, intended to educate and
maintain awe-inspiring fear and fascination toward God. Westerners tend to focus
on knowledge acquired through empirical observation and rational thinking. While
myth is both non-historical and irrational, they do not necessarily conflict with
science and history. Myth is sacred, and therefore powerful, as it holds the
meaning and truth of human life.
Examples: the Genesis Accounts of the World Creation, Human’s Dominion over
Other Creature
3. Doctrinal or Philosophical Dimension
This includes the official teachings and beliefs of a religion, often codified in texts
or creeds. Doctrines provide a systematic understanding of the universe, the nature
of divinity, ethics, and the human condition. This dimension tends to be more
intellectual and involves theology, philosophy, and the development of belief
systems.
Examples: The Nicene Creed in Christianity, the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism,
Islamic theology of Tawhid (oneness of God).
4. Ethical Dimension
The ethical dimension deals with the moral codes and laws within a religion that
guide how adherents should live their lives. These include rules for personal
conduct, societal obligations, and principles of justice and compassion. Ethics in
religion typically address how people relate to one another, to the environment,
and to the divine.
● Examples: The Ten Commandments in Christianity and Judaism, the Five

Precepts in Buddhism, the Five Pillars in Islam.
5. Social Dimension
His dimension recognizes the communal aspect of religion, emphasizing how

religions create organized communities and institutions. Religious communities
foster a sense of identity and belonging and often have social structures such as
clergy, temples, churches, or mosques. The institution often plays a key role in
preserving tradition and maintaining the religion’s social and ethical teachings.
Examples: The Catholic Church, Islamic Ummah, Hindu caste system.
6. Ritual Dimension (Practical and Ritual)
This dimension includes the practices, ceremonies, and rituals that are central to
religious life. These may involve rites of passage (like birth, marriage, and death
ceremonies), daily practices (such as prayer or meditation), and seasonal or festival
observances. Rituals are significant because they allow believers to enact their
faith and connect with the divine or the sacred in a tangible way.
● Examples: Catholic Mass, Hindu Puja, Muslim Salat (prayer), Jewish

Sabbath rituals.
7. Material Dimension
Religions express themselves through material culture, which includes sacred

spaces, symbols, art, relics, and texts. These tangible elements serve as focal points
for devotion and are often imbued with spiritual significance. The material
dimension makes the abstract aspects of religion more accessible to believers
through physical representations.
● Examples: The Kaaba in Islam, statues of the Buddha, the Bible or Torah as
sacred texts, stained-glass windows in churches.
Ninian Smart’s seven dimensions provide a holistic approach to studying religion,

emphasizing that religion cannot be understood by focusing solely on belief or
doctrine. Each dimension interacts with the others, creating a full picture of
religious life. Moreover, Brodd’s use of Smart’s dimensions in World Religions
gives readers a structured way to explore the diversity and complexity of religious
traditions globally.
Task:1
Look up some words from the dictionary or from the book named World
Religions: A Voyage of Discovery.
Spiritual fulfillment / Ethics / Transcendence / Salvation / Adherent

/Revelation/ Genesis / Condemnation/

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Lecture Sheet 2

The Concept of Religion

According to Jeffrey Brodd, “religions provide a way of living and dying

Jeffrey Brodd referred to “the seven dimensions of religion” by Scholar Ninian

1. Experiential and Emotional Dimension

1. Examples: Mystical experiences in Sufism, enlightenment in Buddhism, or

Nowadays, myth is conceived as falsehood. It was once oral, celebrated, and

3. Doctrinal or Philosophical Dimension

● Examples: The Ten Commandments in Christianity and Judaism, the Five

His dimension recognizes the communal aspect of religion, emphasizing how

Examples: The Catholic Church, Islamic Ummah, Hindu caste system.

6. Ritual Dimension (Practical and Ritual)

● Examples: Catholic Mass, Hindu Puja, Muslim Salat (prayer), Jewish

Religions express themselves through material culture, which includes sacred

Ninian Smart’s seven dimensions provide a holistic approach to studying religion,

Spiritual fulfillment / Ethics / Transcendence / Salvation / Adherent

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