1. What is Religion? Re-lig-ion
“bind/tie back,” “bind together” (to be bound)
(“Yoga” = to Unite)
“re-connect”
To a Higher Power
To other people, in community
To the world around us
With ourselves

2. Three Dimensions of Religion
Intellectual - Emotional - Physical
Intellectual
Religion is a way of thinking about:
Origins (where did we come from?)
Purpose/meaning (why are we here?)
Destiny (where are we going? what happens when we die?)
Who we are (the nature of human nature)
Who/what God is (the nature of Ultimate Reality)
The basis for our beliefs & doctrine, expressed through myth, scripture, philosophy, theology

3. Three Dimensions of Religion Emotional
Religion is a way of feeling:
rejoicing
faith
bliss
peace
appreciation
love
awe
guilt
joy
ecstasy
fear
reverence
gratitude
hope

4. Three Dimensions of Religion Physical
Religion is a way of acting, of living, a social system:
Spiritual practices: meditation, chanting, prayer, ritual
Physical forms: art and architecture, ritual objects, statues, icons, etc.
Communal celebrations: rites of passage, holidays

5. Religion as a way of acting (continued)
Social regulation: morals & ethics, prohibitions & taboos
Institutions/organizations/communities:
Leaders (gurus/priests/ministers) & followers (disciples, laity)
Hierarchies, obedience & discipline (monastic communities)
History

6. Reflection
Thinking about the religion you are most familiar with (likely your own or, if you are non-religious, that you have observed among family, friends, or neighbors)…
Identify several examples of each dimension of religion. Why do you identify these examples as you do?

7. Examples
The church building, as a physical structure, is obviously part of the physical dimension of religion.
Celebration of Passover, as a holiday observed in community with family and friends, commemorating an ancient event in the history of the Jewish community, is an example of the practice & social sub-dimensions of the physical dimension of religion.
I feel uplifted (feeling dimension) when we (social/physical dimension) sing songs (practice/ physical dimension) of praise (feeling dimension)
When the preacher gives her sermon (practice/physical) I use my intellect to try to understand (intellectual dimension) the message and how it relates to my life.

8. Reflection
Thinking about the religion you are most familiar with (likely your own or, if you are non-religious, that you have observed among family, friends, or neighbors)…
Identify several examples of each dimension of religion. Why do you identify these examples as you do?