Ninian Smart
Smart was a modernist.
He used phenomenology ‘informed empathy’ to approach religion – this offers a nonjudgemental description of the way religion is believed and practiced by the adherents.
He tries to present to the reader in a clear fashion the theory and practice of religion. As
such he does not delve into the content of definitions but rather into the common dimensions
displayed by various religions. He is not looking for a definition of religion but rather to
provide an insight into the nature of religion.
Although religion is a plural phenomenon all are concerned with the search for the ‘invisible’
dimension of human experience. Smart concludes that each religion has its own unique
expression of the invisible that should not be judged against each other.
Early in his career he insisted that an ideology such as Marxism or humanism could be
considered religious, because they resemble religious traditions in how they function and
therefor belong properly to Religious Studies
Smarts sevenfold scheme of study
Whatever else the religion may or may not be, all religions possess certain recognizable
elements, which can be studied.
Smart pointed out that some religions emphasise certain dimensions more than others and
that in some religions one or more dimensions may be almost non-existent.
These dimensions can be divided into historical and parahistorical. Historical can be studied
empirically whereas parahistorical relies upon the realm of belief and concepts.
The dimensions are as follows;

The practical and ritual dimension: This covers acts of worship, both private and
corporate, prayer, preaching, sacrifice and meditation. It also includes practices such
as yoga. Examples include the celebration of the Eucharist in Christianity,
participating in the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mekkah (Mecca) in Islam, or offering puja in
Hinduism.

The experiential and emotional dimension: Bringing together a range of religious
phenomena ranging from conversion experiences to shamanistic trances. It also
includes less dramatic feelings, such as a sense oneness and stillness, which are
often reported by believers as occurring during moments of quiet reflection. Such
experiences are frequently taken as a private affirmation of the individual's faith.

The narrative, or mythic, dimension: This incorporates the stories that form the
starting point for a great deal of religious teaching. Creation myths are brought
together with devotional material and accounts of the lives of significant individuals.
Both printed texts and oral traditions are included. The Christian Bible and the
Sikh Guru Granth Sahib are examples of texts that belong to the narrative and mythic
dimension.

The doctrinal and philosophical dimension: Referring to the official teachings of
the world's religions. As religions develop, their narratives and myths both inform and
are explained by more complex and intellectually rigorous doctrines or official
teachings; within Christianity one could point to the doctrine of the Trinity, in
Islam tawhid (the oneness of God).

The ethical and legal dimension: This covers religious rules and laws that stem
from the narrative and doctrinal aspects of each tradition. By following the various
laws or commandments, the believer seeks to lead a virtuous life. In the Jewish
Torah there are 613mitzvah or commandments and in Islam there is the sharia law.
In Polynesian traditions there is the concept of tapu (taboo) that limits or forbids a
wide range of activities, for example limiting who may, or may not, collect shellfish
from a given location or at certain times of year.

The social and institutional dimension: This includes the living embodiment of
each religion; its followers. The institutional aspect refers to the organised structures
and hierarchies often to be found within religious traditions. In Buddhism,
the sangha is the name given to both a specific community of monks or nuns and to
the wider community of Buddhists. In Roman Catholicism the papacy falls within the
social and institutional dimension.

The material dimension: The last of Smart's dimensions. Religions of all sorts have
created physical expressions of their faith, be it buildings, works of art or dramatic
performances. Buddhism has given rise to massive statues, Orthodox Christianity
has produced beautiful icons and Hinduism boasts awe inspiring mandirs or temples.
Parahistorical – Philosophical, story, ethical.
Historical – Ritual, experiential, social, material