What are the Seven Dimensions of Religion?
There are many ways to define religion and what it means to you. To define religion, a man named Ninian Smart travelled around the world studying many different religions. Whilst doing this, he created the seven dimensions of religion. The seven dimensions of religion are made up of the common features of all religions.
The first dimension is called the Practical and Ritual Dimension. The practical and Ritual Dimension explains that each religion uses outer behaviours to express their inner intentions. Worship and Prayer are included in this dimension.
The second dimension is called the Experiential and Emotional Dimension. This dimension is about the personal experience of influences with god. The Experiential and Emotional Dimension is filled with joy.
The third dimension is called the Narrative and Mythic Dimension. It is based on the stories, miracles, the parable, the poems and the history in each religion.
The fourth dimension is called theDoctrinal and Philosophical Dimension. This dimension is about the beliefs and reasons for each religion’s rituals.
The fifth dimension, the Ethical and Legal Dimension, is about the different laws and rules in each religion.
The sixth dimension which is called the Social and Institutional Dimension is about the different groups of people that form all religions.
The seventh dimension is called the Material Dimension. It is about the ‘things’ that are used to express a religion. These things include buildings, works of art and sacred things from the past.
The first dimension is called the Practical and Ritual Dimension. The practical and Ritual Dimension explains that each religion uses outer behaviours to express their inner intentions. Worship and Prayer are included in this dimension.
The second dimension is called the Experiential and Emotional Dimension. This dimension is about the personal experience of influences with god. The Experiential and Emotional Dimension is filled with joy.
The third dimension is called the Narrative and Mythic Dimension. It is based on the stories, miracles, the parable, the poems and the history in each religion.
The fourth dimension is called theDoctrinal and Philosophical Dimension. This dimension is about the beliefs and reasons for each religion’s rituals.
The fifth dimension, the Ethical and Legal Dimension, is about the different laws and rules in each religion.
The sixth dimension which is called the Social and Institutional Dimension is about the different groups of people that form all religions.
The seventh dimension is called the Material Dimension. It is about the ‘things’ that are used to express a religion. These things include buildings, works of art and sacred things from the past.