RELIGION:

MEANING & KEY

ELEMENTS
 ETYMOLOGY
( origin of the linguistic form of the word)
1. Latin word that means “ to tie or to bind”
- Indicates the 2 objectives of religion
• To bind humanity and the Divine together
• To bind humans to a community that is bound by the Divine.

2. Two Latin words “ re” means again and “lig” means “join/connect”
-Religions means to join again or being reconnected.
• Humanity and the Divine
• Human world and sacred world
ETYMOLOGY
3. Latin word “ religare”- means to tread carefully
- Indicates respect and care for both the natural and supernatural
worlds

Summary:
Religion serves as a bridge between the human world and the sacred
world.
-it suggests that a higher purpose in human living is unity with the
Divine, and religion provides the necessary way or guidance. To
accomplish this purpose.
KEY ELEMENTS OF RELIGION
-there is no claim that these elements are final or complete
-not all are essential

1. Worldview
2. Spiritual world
3. Sacredness
4. Ethical codes
5. Community
6. Sacred writings
7. Central stories
8. Rituals
9. Artistic expressions
1. Worldview- set of beliefs that are coherent and comprehensive
- a comprehensive belief system
*beliefs – assertions, claims, thoughts about things that are held to be true.
Examples: 1. belief that humans have immortal souls
2. That there is God or gods
3. That there is universal justice – wrongdoings are punished and good
deeds are rewarded
-As coherent – belief systems are consistently interrelated ; they affect or influence one
another
Example:
1. Humans are free and thus accountable to their actions
2. Human life is sacred and a creation of God thus it is wrong to destroy life.
As comprehensive- they account for a wide range of phenomena/ events in the world; it
deals with a wide range of human concerns
Example: 1. what makes life meaningful; life after death
2. how the world began; how will it end
3. how to deal with one another; how humans regard natural environment
2. SPIRITUAL WORLD- “transcendental or supernatural world”
-Religion believes that there is a spiritual world or a transcendent reality.
-outside the physical or natural
-known or accessed by visions, revelations, and mystical experiences
-acceptance of its reality or truth is a matter of having faith.
-usually includes a God, gods, souls, angels principles ( law of karma) & values.

3. SACREDNESS
Religion regard certain things as sacred ; thus treated with respect or reverence
*Two kinds of sacredness:
a. Inherent- it has a value on its own; valuable by itself
Example: those that are spiritual in nature (God, gods, souls, principles,values)

b. Derived- its value is derived from something that has inherent sacredness.
Example: those that are physical in nature ( sacred spaces, symbols, statues, relics, scrolls,
clothing )
4. ETHICAL CODES or moral codes
- Refer to guidelines concerning how humans ought to relate to the Divine,
treat one another or behave towards one another, God, gods and revered
teachers.
- Revealed by God/ gods to chosen messengers or realized through chosen
messenger.
- May include rules about what foods to refrain from eating, what type of
clothes to wear.

5. COMMUNITY
-a religious belief system is shared and practiced by a community of believers
-involves an organization consisting a hierarchy of authorities
6. SACRED WRITINGS
-contains main teachings or doctrines, central stories, ethical codes and
prophesies.
-divinely inspired; contents are usually revealed by a God or gods through
chosen messengers or revered teachers through meditation
-mere recitation of passages can produce religious effects like blessings,
forgiveness, spiritual calmness and power to overcome sin or fear and to
exorcise evil spirits.

7. CENTRAL STORIES
-include accounts of how the world and human race began; how God is
personified in the world; how the important events in the life of a great
teacher came about; how some actions of faithful followers became worthy of
emulation(like martyrdom).
8. RITUALS
- Includes ceremonies that re-enacted sacred stories and various activities
such as songs and dances that expresses praise or thanksgiving to God, gods
or a revered teacher or prophet.

9. ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS
- Can be in the form of music, dances, architectural designs, sculpture, poetry,
drama and others.
- many of the world’s renowned artistic works were religiously inspired.

*Discussion Question:
1. Which of the definitions of Religion best captures the meaning of Religion?
Why?
2. Which among the key elements of religion for you is the most important
and the least important? Explain your answer.