Smart Dimensions of Religion

Summary

The lecture introduces Indian Smart's theory of religious organization, known as the 'Six Dimensions of Religion,' later expanded to seven, highlighting the sacredness of the number seven. It explores dimensions such as ritual, mythological, doctrinal, ethical, social, and experiential, emphasizing their roles in religious development and practice. The lecture challenges students to consider the criticality and sequence of these dimensions in the emergence and cohesion of religious systems, encouraging them to visualize how these dimensions interact.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lecture introduces a theory of religious organization called the 'Dimensions of Religion' or 'Six Dimensions of Religion', later expanded to seven by Ninian Smart.
• 🔢 The number seven is considered sacred in various contexts, including as the number of days in creation and a prime number symbolizing unity.
• 🤔 Two key questions for consideration are identifying the most critical dimension in the emergence of religion and which dimension is most crucial in pulling all aspects together.
• 📖 The 'Ritual Dimension' involves reenacting myths and expressing beliefs through actions, such as the Christian ritual of communion.
• 📖 The 'Mythological Dimension' encompasses sacred stories passed down through generations, providing coherence to the belief system.
• 📖 The 'Doctrinal Dimension' refers to the written sets of beliefs defining the nature of the divine and human-divine relationships.
• 📖 The 'Ethical Dimension' includes the moral or legal codes that guide behavior, such as the Ten Commandments.
• 📖 The 'Social Dimension' describes the organization of the religious community, including hierarchical structures like those in the Catholic Church.
• 📖 The 'Experiential Dimension' is about the feelings evoked by prayer, ritual, and worship, connecting individuals to the divine.
• 🏛 The 'Material Dimension' (seventh dimension) represents the physical expressions of religion, such as buildings, sculptures, and religious artifacts.
• 🔄 The lecture encourages students to consider the historical development and dynamic interplay of these dimensions in religious practice.

Q & A

What is the 'Dimensions of Religion' theory?

The 'Dimensions of Religion' theory, originally proposed by Ninian Smart, categorizes religious practices into six or seven dimensions, which help to analyze and understand the structure and organization of religious beliefs and practices.

Why did Ninian Smart add a seventh dimension to his theory?

Ninian Smart added a seventh dimension to his theory because the number seven is considered sacred in various religious traditions, including as the number of days in creation according to the Old Testament, and it is also a prime number symbolizing unity.

What are the two key questions posed by the speaker regarding the dimensions of religion?

The two key questions are: 1) Which dimension is most critical in the development of religion as it begins to emerge? 2) Which dimension is most critical in the formation of the religion, in other words, which one comes first and which one is key to pulling it all together?

What is the Ritual Dimension and why is it important?

The Ritual Dimension refers to the actions through which a community of believers reenacts its myths and stories and expresses its beliefs. It is important because rituals are repeated, sacred, and help to create social cohesion and a direct connection to the source of worship.

Can you explain the Mythological Dimension in the context of religion?

The Mythological Dimension consists of sacred stories passed down from generation to generation, usually beginning in oral tradition. These stories are sacred because they reveal and explain the beliefs and practices of the religious tradition, providing coherence to the belief system.

What constitutes the Doctrinal Dimension of religion?

The Doctrinal Dimension includes the written sets of beliefs that define the nature of the divine or ultimate reality and the relationships of humans to that reality. It is often the foundation for how one should practice their religion.

What is the Ethical Dimension and how does it relate to religious laws?

The Ethical Dimension represents the moral or legal code within a religion, such as the Ten Commandments in Christianity. It guides the behavior and actions of adherents according to the teachings of the religion.

How is the Social Dimension of religion defined?

The Social Dimension refers to the social organization of a religious community, including its structure and hierarchy. It involves how the community organizes itself, from the local level to the broader religious institutions.

What does the Experiential Dimension involve in religious practices?

The Experiential Dimension is about the feelings evoked through prayer, ritual, and worship. It is the personal and direct feeling of connection to the divine or ultimate reality, which can vary from person to person.

What is the seventh dimension added by Ninian Smart, and how does it relate to the physical expression of religion?

The seventh dimension, known as the Material Dimension, involves the physical artifacts and structures associated with religious practice, such as churches, mosques, sculptures, crosses, and other religious artwork. It represents how religion expresses itself in a tangible form.

How can one visualize the relationship between the different dimensions of religion?

One can visualize the relationship between the dimensions by creating a schematic or drawing that illustrates how each dimension interacts and contributes to the overall structure and practice of a religion, showing how they work in concert.