Smart's Dimensions of Religion Ninian Smart was a person who studied religion. He explained that all religions have seven different dimensions or aspects.

The Ritual and Practical Dimension Every religion has worship practices and prayer forms. Sometimes rituals are enacted to initiate (join) a person into the religious group. In religions, some form of outer behaviour is matched with an inner intention to make contact with the invisible world. An example of ritual is the practice of prayer in Christianity. Create a new slide with this title and complete the following: 1.Define the words ritual and practical. Do not just copy the definition you find but write it in your own words. 2.Research and explain how the Baptism and the Catholic Mass (celebration of the Eucharist) relate to the ritual and practical dimension of Christianity. Write a paragraph on the slide. 3.Include pictures

The Doctrinal Or Philosophical Dimension Every religion has a series of doctrines or teachings that explain what members of a religion are expected to believe. Doctrines are related in complex ways to the practices of people who belong to that religion. Religious beliefs usually refer to beliefs about a divine being or beings, beliefs about the world, and beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life. Create a new slide with this title and complete the following: 1.Define the words doctrine and philosophical. Do not just copy the definition you find but write it in your own words. 2.Research and explain how the teaching about the Trinity relates to the doctrinal or philosophical dimension of Christianity. Write a paragraph on the slide. 3.Include pictures

The Mythological or Narrative Dimension The meaning of myth is not the common one of stories or ideas that are false. Rather, the mythic dimension of religions comprises the significant stories, either real or imagined, which describe the relationship between the divine and the human realm. An example of a religious narrative are the creation stories in the Book of Genesis which express understandings about the origins of the world and people and their relationship to God. Create a new slide with this title and complete the following: 1.Define the words mythological and narrative. Do not just copy the definition you find but write it in your own words. 2.Research and explain how the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection relates to the mythological and narrative dimension of Christianity. Write a paragraph on the slide. 3.Include pictures

The Ethical and Legal Dimension Every religion has a set of social or ethical norms which portray the key values espoused by believers in that religion. These specify the behaviours expected of individuals and communities. The Ten Commandments of Christianity are one example of a system of religious laws. Create a new slide with this title and complete the following: 1.Define the words ethical and legal. Do not just copy the definition you find but write it in your own words. 2.Research and explain how the Ten Commandments relate to the ethical and legal dimension of Christianity. Write a paragraph on the slide. 3.Include pictures

The Experiential and Emotional Dimension Experience incorporates the entire involvement of a person in a religious group. It can refer to experiences of a special kind that influenced the founders and reformers of a particular religion and similar, though lesser experiences among later adherents. It can also include mystical or highly charged experiences of ecstasy, wonder or fascination recorded by religious people. Create a new slide with this title and complete the following: 1.Define the words experiential and emotional. Do not just copy the definition you find but write it in your own words. 2.Research and explain how the conversion of St. Paul on the road to Damascus relates to the experiential and emotional dimension of Christianity. Write a paragraph on the slide. 3.Include pictures

The Social and Institutional Dimension Every religion is in some way institutionalised, often through a separate organisation or set of organisations. An example of an institutional arrangement is the hierarchical structure of persons, departments, dioceses and parishes that comprise the Roman Catholic Church. Create a new slide with this title and complete the following: 1.Define the words social and institutional. Do not just copy the definition you find but write it in your own words. 2.Research and explain how the role of Archbishop and Pope relates to the social and institutional dimension of Christianity. Write a paragraph on the slide. 3.Include pictures

The Material Dimension This dimension is apparent in buildings, works of art and other creations, as well as in the preservation of sacred artefacts and sacred places. Create a new slide with this title and complete the following: 1.Define the word material. Do not just copy the definition you find but write it in your own words. 2.Research and explain how a crucifix and St. Stephens Cathedral relate to the material dimension of Christianity. Write a paragraph on the slide. 3.Include pictures