Ninian Smart
Religious Teaching or Doctrine
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Community of Faith
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Religious Experiences
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Reflection
This CPT enabled us to discover what others believe and how they live, and to appreciate their own unique heritage. We learned about the teachings and traditions of a variety of religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, etc.; the connections between religion and the development of modern society; the role of religion in my human experience; and the influence of a broad range of religions on my society. I've learned that religion is a very important part of life and even those who are not religious by nature consider it to be important. The reason is largely down to the belief that society needs religion. As a society we benefit from our collective religious beliefs. In fact there are many people who would argue that we could not function without religion. The biggest reason that society needs religion is to regulate behavior. Most of the laws that we follow today have their basis in religious teachings. There is considerable debate as to whether or not religion is required to make us good people but what is beyond dispute is that the rules for what is acceptable for society are largely based on religion. Without religion we would almost certainly live in a different type of society. Religion can have great importance for a society for a variety of reasons. Depending on the culture and governmental style it can range from a simple influence to a complete control of society. This is where extremism can come into the discussion, which can result in modern society placing blame on religion because of the people's abuse of its teachings. Thus, religion is the central element in the life of civilization. Throughout the ages it is a proof of its values. It has been the propagator of basic values and ethical code which provide cohesion to society and integration to personality. If one looks dispassionately into the charges against religion and admits all of them, in the end, he is constrained to believe that the article was worth the cost.
Judaism
- Believe in one God.
- Believe the Messiah has not come yet.
- Pentateuch
- Kashruth
- Sefer Torah
Christianity
- Believe in One God, the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth.
- Believe Jesus the Son of God has come to forgive our sins and one day will come again.
- Four Gospels.
- Acts of the Apostles.
- Epistles (Letters)
- Revelation
- Nicene Creed
Islam
- Follow Muhammad the Prophet.
- Jihad.
- Hadith.
- Qur'an (Muhammad preaching God's will).
- Shari'ah.
Community of Faith
Judaism
- Pray in a synagogue.
- Rabbi.
- Patriarch.
- Minyan.
- Jewish Laity.
Christianity
- Have priests that lead ceremonial masses to the congregation and public.
- Have a Pope (Bishop of Rome) whom is at the top of the Catholic rankings.
- Roman Catholic.
- Protestant.
- Orthodox.
- Pentecostal
- Former Emperors (1000s).
Islam
- Worship in a mosque.
- Imam
- Caliph
- Ayatollah
- Muezzin
Religious Experiences
Judaism
- Listen and follow God's teachings.
- Their Messiah is still to come.
- Moses (Ark of the Covenant).
- Chosen People (Laity).
- Messiah.
Christianity
- Jesus Christ has come and forgiven our sins.
- He turned water into wine.
- He walked on water.
- He rose from the dead.
- The devil tempted Jesus during his forty day public ministry.
- Martyrs.
- Saints.
- Holy Spirit.
Islam
- Strictly follow one God (Monotheism).
- Muhammad encountered by the angel Gabriel to assemble the Qur'an.
- Night Journey/Ascension.
Reflection
This CPT enabled us to discover what others believe and how they live, and to appreciate their own unique heritage. We learned about the teachings and traditions of a variety of religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, etc.; the connections between religion and the development of modern society; the role of religion in my human experience; and the influence of a broad range of religions on my society. I've learned that religion is a very important part of life and even those who are not religious by nature consider it to be important. The reason is largely down to the belief that society needs religion. As a society we benefit from our collective religious beliefs. In fact there are many people who would argue that we could not function without religion. The biggest reason that society needs religion is to regulate behavior. Most of the laws that we follow today have their basis in religious teachings. There is considerable debate as to whether or not religion is required to make us good people but what is beyond dispute is that the rules for what is acceptable for society are largely based on religion. Without religion we would almost certainly live in a different type of society. Religion can have great importance for a society for a variety of reasons. Depending on the culture and governmental style it can range from a simple influence to a complete control of society. This is where extremism can come into the discussion, which can result in modern society placing blame on religion because of the people's abuse of its teachings. Thus, religion is the central element in the life of civilization. Throughout the ages it is a proof of its values. It has been the propagator of basic values and ethical code which provide cohesion to society and integration to personality. If one looks dispassionately into the charges against religion and admits all of them, in the end, he is constrained to believe that the article was worth the cost.