The term "religion" comes from the Latin - to connect, connect. Believers use it to denote their faith. They believe that they have a certain connection with some higher forces, which is not subject to the laws of society and nature and stands above them.
Introduction
Religiosity is one of the forms of manifestation of faith, a special kind of relationship between people and a worldview. The basis of religion is the belief in the existence of the other world and the supernatural. Reverence and cultivation of sacred meanings gives sacredness to everything connected with faith.
Religious culture is a set of techniques and methods available in religion that carry out and ensure the existence of a person. This term can also be considered part of the spiritual component of a person, which is designed to satisfy religious needs.
The structure of religion
Unable to provide a precise definition for the term "religion". Most people will answer that religiosity is faith in God. If we approach decoding from the side of science, then the opinion will depend on specialization. So the term canbe considered from a historical point of view, social, psychological, etc. Basic elements of religion:
- Religion begins with faith. Both a knowledgeable, educated person and a simple tramp can come to her. In relation to religion, these people will be equal. Faith is an important part of human consciousness, but in the process of communication it is concretized. The authority of the priesthood, the prophets and the founders of the church is strengthened, the veracity of the sacred books is affirmed, and the image of God arises.
- Teaching is the second aspect of religion. Books can be not only about God and his relationship to people and the world. There are teachings about morality and ethics, rules of life, church art, and so on. The creators of religious books are both specially trained people with a certain education, and philosophers. Theologians interpret and study the scriptures, prove and expound into specific aspects of the doctrine. Philosophers, in turn, reveal more accessible, general questions about God.
- Religious activity is one of the components of faith. This concept includes a series of actions that people perform for the purpose of worshiping God or other higher powers. Religious activities include sermons, prayers, services and rituals. To perform religious actions in most religions, it is necessary: a church building (temple, church, prayer house), special items, clergymen. One cult can be thought out to the smallest detail, solemn and complex, while another allows elements of improvisation, cheapand simple. Each religion has its own rules for these events. This was one of the factors that provoked a series of religious wars in Europe in the 16-17th century.
- Communities. During religious ceremonies, people unite in groups and communities. Such gatherings of people are called communities. People in them are united by a common religion. In most religions, communities have a certain structure: governing bodies, a center uniting all (for example, the patriarchy, the pope, etc.), monasticism, subordination of the clergy.
Religion Study Positions
It is impossible to say unequivocally what kind of science or academic discipline deals with the study of religion.
There are several scientific approaches dealing with religion:
- Confessional. Adherents of this approach try by all means to prove the truth of their particular religion. Make sure she's superior.
- Naturalistic (atheistic). The followers of this method believe that religiosity is a mistake, a temporary phenomenon that occupies a place in history. The researchers of this approach study faith from the political, economic and social sides, without delving into the subtleties of the teachings about God.
- Phenomenological. This method analyzes religion from the side of history. The finds of archaeologists, the works of art historians and ethnographers are raised.
Issues of the emergence of religion
The topic of the emergence of religion is very controversial. Questions of this kind are more philosophical and always causelots of discussions.
There are several main answers that are mutually exclusive:
- Religion arose with the first man. If you stick to this version, then people were created by God, as indicated in the Bible. Supporters of this point of view argue that if there was no Lord, then man would not have appeared. Therefore, the concept of God is initially present in the mind.
- The second answer says that religiosity is a feeling developed by a person on his own. Initially, every member of society was an atheist, but along with the language, the beginnings of science and art, people began to show signs of a religious worldview.
Classification of religions
Systematization of the studied objects makes it possible to determine the internal connections, to understand the logic of the presentation of the material.
The simplest classification of religions includes three groups:
- Primitive ancient tribal beliefs. Arising the very first, they have remained in the mind of man to this day. It is from these beliefs that many superstitions originate.
- State-national religions. They are the basis of religious life for individual nations and peoples. For example, Hinduism among the peoples of India.
- World religions: Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. They have gone beyond the borders of states and nations and have a large number of followers in the world.
Without going into details, all religions can be divided into two groups:
- Monotheistic, claiming that God is one.
- Polytheistic, accepting the existence of multiple gods.
You can also distinguish levels of religiosity:
- Conceptual.
- Regular.
Modern religiosity does not allow rigid division on the basis of faith. Buddhists, Christians, Jews and Muslims attend the same educational institutions, public places, spend time in the same company. Although several centuries ago, different views on the existence of higher powers led to religious wars.
Conclusion
In today's world, each faith offers its own sacred texts, values and norms. Obligatory part of religious culture is observance of cults. A person, when performing appropriate actions, develops a certain worldview, which helps him to pass the tests encountered in life with faith.
