What is Religion?
Classification of Religion Types
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Defining religion must take into account the fact that there are several different types of religion in the world. They are all similar enough to come together in the category called religion, but they are also different enough that exploring these sub-categories is helpful in understanding religious beliefs and religious phenomena.
One thing which is important to note is that these categories are not all mutually exclusive. This means that it is not the case that a religion must be a part of one and thus cannot be a part of any of the others. Quite the opposite is true, actually - it isn't unusual for a religion to be a part of two or even more groupings. These aren't so much means to divide religions into different categories as they are means to understand the ways in which religion manifests itself in human society and human psychology.
Nature Religions: Characteristics, Beliefs and Practices
Those systems known as nature religions are often considered among the most primitive of religious beliefs. "Primitive" here is not so much a reference to the complexity of the religious system (because nature religions can be very complex); rather, it is a reference to the idea that nature religions were probably the earliest sort of religious system developed by human beings.Revealed Religions:Characteristics, Beliefs and Practices
Also commonly described as Law-giving Religions, the Revealed Religions are those which find their symbolic center in some set of revelations handed down by a god or gods. These revelations are normally contained in the religion's holy scriptures which, in turn, have been transmitted to the rest of us by specially revered prophets of the god or gods.Salvation Religions: Characteristics, Beliefs and Practices
Salvation religions are typically founded by a prophet or religious leader who creates a basic doctrine which explains to people how salvation might be achieved. The legitimacy and long-term authority of these prophets is often dependent upon possessing a high degree of personal charisma and, sometimes, the ability to work miracles - presumably a sign of divine favor and sanction.Sacramental Religions: Characteristics, Beliefs and Practices
A sacramental religion is one which emphasizes or focuses upon the idea that the divine is thought to be present in some fashion in physical objects in the presence of believers and the mystery-laden ceremonies which believers participate in. Indeed, contact and communication with the divine is sought principally through those objects and ceremonies.Prophetic Religions: Characteristics, Beliefs and Practices
A Prophetic Religion is strongly associated with Revealed Religion and there are times when the two terms may be used interchangeably, but the aren't exactly the same. In a prophetic religion, the role of prophets over and above the actual divine revelations is given a special status. The prophets exist to guide and warn society when it stumbles - thus, they are thought to play an ongoing and dynamic role which the static text of a revelation cannot readily achieve.Mystical Religions: Characteristics, Beliefs and Practices
A Mystical Religion is one in which mystical experiences play the most important role in terms of understanding nature, learning about the divine, and becoming a religiously devout person. At its most extreme, it excludes all other concerns with life, society, and fellow believers - it is unsurprising that mystical religions which remain mystical religions alone do not often result in coherent and long-lived religious traditions.Tribal Religions: Characteristics, Beliefs and Practices
A Tribal Religion may be best understood in terms of what it is not: it is not one which claims to have a religious message for all of humanity, it does not offer any means of universal salvation, it does not purport to have a unique insight into the will of any gods, and it does not expect anyone else to care very much about what it has to say.
Glossary: Religion & Philosophy
This extensive glossary provides detailed information on philosophical and religious concepts, from
abandonment to
Zeno of Elea!
(over 2400 entries total)
