GSC Associates Religion related concepts Steve Carson GSC Associates for JTC 1/SC 24 WG 8 Palm Springs, CA USA August 2001

GSC Associates Definition of religion NSOED Definition of religion: Belief in or sensing of some superhuman controlling power or powers, entitled to obedience, reverence, and worship, or in a system defining a code of living, esp. as a means to achieve spiritual or material improvement; acceptance of such belief (esp. as represented by an organized Church) as a standard of spiritual and practical life; the expression of this in worship etc. ME. 4 A particular system of such belief.

GSC Associates Classification of faith groups Religion Branch Denominational family Religious body Congregation

GSC Associates Example For instance, an individual in the United States may identify herself as "Christian" in a general survey. She is probably aware that her church is quite different from some Christians. She is a Protestant; she has Catholic neighbors who she knows are Christians, but a different kind of Christian. She may explain she is a Presbyterian when telling her coworkers what church she goes to. If she is active in a congregation, she can probably identify a specific religious body (or "denomination"), such as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

GSC Associates Example - continued 1.This person's religion is Christianity. 2. She is part of the Protestant branch of Christianity. 3. She is Presbyterian. Presbyterianism is a denominational family within Protestantism. 4. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is the religious body (or denomination) she belongs to. 5. Finally, the Oakview Presbyterian Church is the congregation she attends.