The Religions Book

14

and there are major differences of
opinion between religions on such
matters as the afterlife. We can,
however, identify certain elements
common to almost all religions in
order to examine the similarities
and differences between them.
These aspects—the ways in which
the beliefs and practices of a
religion are manifested—are what
the British writer and philosopher
of religion Ninian Smart called the
“dimensions of religion.”
Perhaps the most obvious
elements we can use to identify
and compare religions are the
observances of a faith. These
includes such activities as prayer,
pilgrimage, meditation, feasting
and fasting, dress, and of course
ceremonies and rituals. Also
evident are the physical aspects
of a religion: the artifacts, relics,
places of worship, and holy places.
Less apparent is the subjective
element of the religion—its
mystical and emotional aspects,
and how a believer experiences
the religion in achieving ecstasy,
enlightenment, or inner peace, for
example, or establishing a personal
relationship with the divine.
Another aspect of most religions
is the mythology, or narrative, that
accompanies it. This can be a
simple oral tradition of stories,

or a more sophisticated set of

scriptures, but often includes a

creation story and a history of

the gods, saints, or prophets,

with parables that illustrate and

reinforce the beliefs of the religion.

Every existing faith has a collection

of sacred texts that articulates its

central ideals and narrates the

history of the tradition. These

texts, which in many cases are

considered to be have been passed

directly from the deity, are used in

worship and education.

In many religions, alongside this

narrative, is a more sophisticated

and systematic element, which

explains the philosophy and doctrine

of the religion, and lays out its

distinctive theology. Some of these

ancillary texts have themselves

acquired canonical status. There

is also often an ethical element,

with rules of conduct and taboos,

and a social element that defines

the institutions of the religion and

of the society it is associated with.

Such rules are typically concise—

the Ten Commandments of

Judaism and Christianity, or the

Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism,

for example.

Religion and morality

The idea of good and evil is also

fundamental to many faiths, and

religion often has a function of

offering moral guidance to society.

The major religions differ in their

definitions of what constitutes a

good life—and the line between

moral philosophy and religion is far

from clear in belief systems such

as Confucianism and Buddhism—

but certain basic moral codes have

emerged that are almost universal.

Religious taboos, commandments

and so on not only ensure that the

will of the God or gods is obeyed,

but also form a framework for society

and its laws to enable people to live

peaceably together. The spiritual

leadership that in many religions

was given by prophets with divine

guidance was passed on to a

priesthood. This became an

INTRODUCTION

What religion a man shall

have is a historical accident,

quite as much as what

language he shall speak.

George Santayana,

Spanish philosopher