What is Religion?James A. Van Slyke, PhD

Christian Context at APU

• Personal, Incarnate God• Jesus Christ– God in the Flesh– Atonement• Crucifixion saves us from

sin• Restores relationship

with God

Christian Context at APU

• Term “Christian” (44 AD)• Born from the Jewish

Tradition– Begins with the tribes of

Abraham– Continues with Kings and

Prophets• Jesus grew up in a Jewish

context

• Christianity is the theological foundation of religious beliefs at APU– 3.3 bil (33%)

• Religion is a worldwide phenomenon– Hinduism – 950 mil (14%)– Buddhism – 370 mil (6%)– Islam – 1.5 bil (21%)– Several smaller

indigenous religions

What is Religion?• Belief in the Supernatural– Agents that influence – daily life– Examples• Demons• Spirits• Witches • Ghosts

– Often depicted in religious symbols, statues, and paintings

What is Religion?

• Ritual– Practices performed by a religious community• Often symbolic for a supernatural reality• Examples

– Communion– Worship

– Can include a variety of behaviors and actions• Music, Dance, Special forms of dress, Food, Symbols• Sacrifice, violence, initiation rites

What is Religion?

• Experiences– Subjective to the individual– Examples• Prayer• Mediation• Altered states of consciousness

– Usually defined as an experience of the divine or supernatural• Spiritual, mystic, sacred• Has important impact on someone’s life

What is Religion?

• Morality– Defines right and wrong behavior for a community– Values contained in different narratives and

prescriptive or normative statements• Stories that contain a moral value

– Parables– Life and teachings of the Buddha

• Laws or Rules– 10 commandments– 5 Pillars of Islam

What is Religion?

• Community– Unites a group of persons

together– Contains common goals– Important role in defining

identity• Cultural practices define history

of a community• Provide benefits for a

community– Education, economic resources,

support

What is Religion?

• Family and Marriage– Plays an important role in

sexual and marital values– Provides support and

education for family life– Religious values often

encourage family growth and commitment

What is Religion?

• Personal Meaning (Existential Definition)– Religion provides a sense of meaning and purpose

for life– Provides an overall narrative to make sense of the

world– Helps to deal with anxiety and ambiguity

Nelson’s Definition

• Transcendent– Aspects of life that are greater

than us– Transcend nature, history,

culture, and individuals• Immanent– Present in important aspects

of daily life

Nelson’s Definition

• Way of Life– Cultural Definition– Way of living life according to certain practices,

beliefs and values• Forms a Worldview– Unique perspective on the world based on

ultimate definitions of meaning and purpose

Religion or Spirituality?

• Religion– Typically refers to organized and identifiable

religion– Religions have members and a particular historical

tradition• Spirituality– Individually based; more experiential– Connection with others and the sacred– Often not confined to one religion