Nature of Religion and Beliefs
1. Definitions of the word ‘religion’ aim at the notion that it provides individuals with a ‘sense of meaning’. Identify how ONE religious tradition provides adherents with an answer to ONE life questions. (3)
Is there life after death? Is a very frequently asked question and religious beliefs can help adherents answer questions such as these. Christianity provides their adherents known as Christians the answer to this question.
Christianity tells us that there is not only life after death, but also eternal life. The Bible, a collection of texts sacred to Judaism and Christianity, records that Jesus (the son of God) took on the punishment that all of us deserve and sacrificed Himself to pay the penalty for our sins which was death. Three days after, He proved Himself victorious over death by rising up from the grave. It is said that He remained on the Earth for forty days and was witnessed by hundreds of people before ascending to heaven. Romans 4:25 - He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Christians believe that this resurrection is the core and centre of their faith. They believe that if they put their trust on Jesus as their saviour, they too will be saved and guaranteed resurrection and eternal life after death just like Jesus did. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2. Select ONE of the following religions and explain how the four main characteristics of that particular religion combine to become a living, day-to-day practice. (5)
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism
Religion is both classified and dictated by four main characteristics: Beliefs and adherents, sacred texts and writings, rituals and ceremonies, and ethics. These four characteristics are explored in every religion, forming the day to day practices and core of the religion. Islam follows these four characteristics in their day to day practices, and overall core principles and beliefs.
A living religion is one that is full of life; it is practical, real and immersed in everyday human experience. The adherents for the religion Islam are called Muslims and through their daily practices, this statement becomes true for them.
Beliefs are ideas that are considered true and express the self-understanding of the tradition. All organised religions have a system of beliefs and these provide a picture of the first steps in knowing how best to live. In accepting these aspects, believers make sense of life in terms of the ideas and values of that religion. Muslims believe that following the complete way of life taught by Islam is the only way to attain real happiness in this life and afterwards as well.
Oral or written sacred texts, writings or other types of stories are at the centre of all religions. Most of these texts contain information that teaches the way of life in their own religions and help build a direct relation with the transcendent if there is one. In Islam, the Qur’an is the central sacred text and the Hadith presents the life of the Prophet Muhammad. It is not only read and meditated upon, but gives essential direction for Islamic beliefs and customs.
Rituals and ceremonies are systems of actions and beliefs. These involve special, deliberate and repeatable patterns of behaviour. Religious rituals affirm the values, meanings and purposes that are shared within a tradition. These can include activities such as prayer, worship, meditation, pilgrimage, sacrifice, and festivals. Islamic people follow the Five Pillars of Islam. These compose the framework of obedience for Muslims. These include:
- The testimony of faith: There is only one Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
- Prayer: Ritual prayer performed five times a day. At dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and at night.
- Giving: Almsgiving (giving to others as an act of virtue for free).
- Fasting: Means to refrain from having all kinds of food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset for Muslims. They fast during Ramadan in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
- Pilgrimage: A physical and spiritual journey that all physically and financially capable Muslim must be expected to make once in their lifetime. They are required to spend their days completely devoted to worship for God and asking him for forgiveness and anything else they wish for.
Ethics in religion are the moral principles that guide religions and set the standards for what is right and acceptable and what is not. When viewing Islamic ethics, Muslims should read and follow the teachings of the sacred texts such as the Qur’an and the Hadith. The Hadith presents Prophet Muhammad as an exemplary human whom Muslims must imitate in all respect. The Five Pillars of Islam along with the general virtues is also a core of Islamic ethics and followed as obedience.