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