The term "religion" comes from the Latin - to connect, to bind. Believers use it to denote their faith. They believe that they have a certain connection with certain 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 type of relationship between people and worldview. The basis of religion is the belief in the existence of the otherworldly and supernatural. The veneration and cultivation of sacred meanings gives sacredness to everything connected with faith.
Religious culture is a complex of techniques and methods available in religion that carry out and ensure the existence of man. This term can also be considered part of the spiritual component of man, which is designed to satisfy religious needs.
Religion structure
It is not possible to provide an exact definition for the term religion. Most people will answer that religiosity is faith in God. If we approach the decoding from the side of science, then the opinion will depend on specialization. So the term can be considered from a historical point of view, social, psychological, etc. The main elements of religion:
- Religion begins with faith. Both a knowledgeable, educated person and a simple tramp can come to her. Relative to religion, these people will be equal. Faith is an important part of human consciousness, but in the process of communication, it is specified. The authority of the priesthood, prophets and founders of the church is strengthened, the veracity of the holy 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 relation to people and the world. There are teachings on morality and ethics, rules of life, church art, etc. 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 on specific aspects of dogma. Philosophers, in turn, reveal more accessible, general questions about God.
- Religious activity is one of the components of faith. This concept includes a number of actions that people perform in order to worship God or other higher powers. Religious activities include sermons, prayers, services, and rituals. To carry out religious actions in most religions, it is necessary: ââa church building (church, church, house of worship), special items, clergy. One cult can be thought out to the smallest detail, solemn and complex, while the other allows elements of improvisation, cheap and simple. Each religion has its own rules for conducting 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 come together in groups and communities. Such crowds are called communities. People in them are united by a common creed. In most religions in the communities a certain structure is provided: governing bodies uniting all the center (for example, the patriarchy, the pope, etc.), monasticism, subordination of the clergy.
Religious Studies
It is impossible to say unequivocally what kind of science or academic discipline is studying religion.
There are several scientific approaches to religion:
- Confessional. Adherents of this approach try by all means to prove the truth of their religion specifically. Convince that she is superior to others.
- Naturalistic (atheistic). The followers of this method believe that religiosity is a mistake, a temporary phenomenon that occupies a place in history. 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 parses religion from the side of history. The findings of archaeologists, the work of art historians and ethnographers are rising.
Religion Issues
The topic of the emergence of religion is very controversial. Questions of this kind are more philosophical and always cause a lot of discussion.
There are several basic answers that are mutually exclusive:
- Religion arose with the first person. If you stick to this version, then people were created by God, as indicated in the Bible. Proponents of this point of view argue that if there were no Lord, then man would not have appeared. Therefore, the concept of God is initially present in consciousness.
- The second answer says that religiosity is a feeling developed by a person independently. Initially, each member of the society was an atheist, but along with the language, the beginnings of science and art, people began to show signs of a religious worldview.
Religion Classification
Systematization of the studied objects makes it possible to determine the internal relationships, understand the logic of the presentation of the material.
The simplest classification of religions includes three groups:
- Primitive ancient tribal beliefs. Having arisen the very first, to this day they have remained in the consciousness of man. 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 went 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, recognizing the existence of many gods.
You can also highlight the levels of religiosity:
- Conceptual.
- Commonplace.
Modern religiosity does not allow for strict separation on the basis of faith. Buddhists, Christians, Judaists 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. An obligatory part of religious culture is worship. When performing the appropriate actions, a person develops a certain worldview, which helps him to pass the tests encountered in life with faith.