Aspects of Religion
Catholicism and Judaism in the eight Aspects of Religion
What is religion?
A religion may include:
(Quoted)
- Belief in supernatural beings (gods).
- A distinction between sacred and profane objects.
- Ritual acts focused on sacred objects.
- A moral code believed to be sanctioned by the gods.
- Characteristically religious feelings (awe, sense of mystery, sense of guilt, adoration), which tend to be aroused in the presence of sacred objects and during the practice of ritual, and which are connected in idea with the gods.
- Prayer and other forms of communication with gods.
- A world view, or a general picture of the world as a whole and the place of the individual therein. This picture contains some specification of an over-all purpose or point of the world and an indication of how the individual fits into it.
- A more or less total organization of one’s life based on the world view.
- A social group bound together by the above.
Diversity in Religion
The Eight Aspects of Religion
that appropriately informs about each of the eight categories including Belief, Myths and stories, sacred texts, Rituals, Symbols, Social structure, Ethics and morals and finally Religious experience and spirituality.
Did you know?!
The cross is one of the earliest and most widely used Christian symbols. It basically symbolises the religion of Christianity. More specifically, it represents and memorialises Christ's death. A great variety of crosses have been developed, some with specific symbolic meaning and others that have simply become culturally associated with certain groups.
Latin Cross
Pictured is the simplest and most common Christian cross, the Latin cross. This empty cross reminds Christians of the resurrection, while the crucifix, with the body of Jesus on it, favored by Catholic and Orthodox churches, is a reminder of Christ's sacrifice.
Budded Cross
The budded cross is a common form of the cross. It's trefoils represent the Trinity.
Greek Cross
The Greek cross, with arms of equal length, is the most ancient cross.
Each of the Eight Aspects of Religion
Beliefs
Belief in Judaism
Belief in Catholicism
Myths and stories
Myths and stories in Judaism
Myths and stories in Catholicism
Sacred Texts
Sacred texts in Judaism
Catholic Bible
Pictured is an elaborate variety of the Holy Catholic Bible used by the Pope.
Jewish Tanakh
The Tanakh refers the the entire Jewish equivalent to the Catholic Bible.
The Torah
The Torah refers to the first five books of the Jewish Tanakh.
Sacred texts in Catholicism
Rituals
Rituals in Judaism
Rituals in Catholicism
Symbols
Symbols in Judaism
Candles
The candle is a very important symbol for Jews. Fire is warm and inviting. The Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism) says that the flame is a symbol of God’s relationship to the world and to human beings.
Chai
The Hebrew word 'Chai' is made up of the Hebrew letters chet and yud. These letters have a number value of 18. The word means ‘life’, which is highly valued in Judaism. Many Jewish people wear necklaces with the Hebrew word 'Chai' on them.
Headcoverings
Men cover their heads with a kippah (yarlmulke/scullcap) to show their respect for God. Married religious women also often wear a head covering, such as a wig, scarf or hat. This shows their modesty.
Star of David
The six-pointed star known as the Star of David (Magen David) is an ancient symbol. However, it was not always a Jewish symbol. Today, however, it is on the flag of the State of Israel.
The Mezuzah
The mezuzah is a symbol attached to the doorways of Jewish homes that identifies them as `Jewish’. The mezuzah has two parts - a parchment scroll on which certain prayers are written, and a protective container for the scroll. The protective container is usually decorated to make it attractive. Although the scroll usually cannot be seen inside the container, it is the most important part.
The Shofar
The shofar is a polished ram’s horn used in Jewish services at certain times of the year. It is blown to bring in the New Year and mark important events.
Symbols in Catholicism
The Trefoil
The Trefoil is a symbol of the Trinity; Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit.
The Egg
The Egg is a symbol of birth and rebirth. It is commonly seen near Easter in the form of chocolate to represent Jesus's resurrection.
The Scallop shell
The Scallop shell is the symbol of Baptism and is used by Priests to pour water and is often seen on Baptismal fonts.
Social Structures
Social Structures relate to the social arrangements within an arranged group.