The Seven Dimensions of Ninian Smart
- Practical and Ritual Dimension
- Experiential and Emotional
- Narrative or Mythic Dimension
- Doctrinal and Philosophical Dimension
- Ethical and Legal Dimension
- Social and Institutional Dimension
- Material Dimension
Ritual/ Practical Dimension
Worship practices and prayer forms constitute a religion's
ritual dimension; note this incorporates both form and order of ceremonies,
public and private.
Sometimes rituals are enacted to initiate a person into the religious group. In religions, some form of outer behaviour is matched with an inner intention to make contact with the invisible world.
An example of ritual is the practice of prayer (Salat), five times daily, by devout Muslims. Practices such as Worship, Praying, Regular gatherings, Rites of Passage
Sometimes rituals are enacted to initiate a person into the religious group. In religions, some form of outer behaviour is matched with an inner intention to make contact with the invisible world.
An example of ritual is the practice of prayer (Salat), five times daily, by devout Muslims. Practices such as Worship, Praying, Regular gatherings, Rites of Passage
Experiential/ Emotional Dimension
Experience incorporates the entire involvement of a person
in a religious group.
It can refer to experiences of a special kind that influenced the founders and reformers of a particular religion and similar, though lesser experiences among later adherents. It can also include mystical or highly charged experiences of ecstasy, wonder or fascination recorded by religious people. It can be any or all feelings of dread, guilt, awe, mystery, devotion, liberation, ecstasy, inner peace or bliss.
People react when they have encountered something which they believe is very profound.
It can refer to experiences of a special kind that influenced the founders and reformers of a particular religion and similar, though lesser experiences among later adherents. It can also include mystical or highly charged experiences of ecstasy, wonder or fascination recorded by religious people. It can be any or all feelings of dread, guilt, awe, mystery, devotion, liberation, ecstasy, inner peace or bliss.
People react when they have encountered something which they believe is very profound.
Narrative/ Mythological Dimension
The meaning of ‘myth’ is not the common one of stories or
ideas that are false. Rather, the ‘mythic’ dimension of religions comprises the
significant stories, either real or imagined, which describe the relationship
between the divine and the human realm. Some narratives attempt to provide a
fairly complete and systematic interpretation of the universe and humans’ place
in it.
An example of a religious narrative are the creation stories in the Book of Genesis which express understandings about the origins of the world and people and their relationship to God.
Stories which explain and inspire. One such story is the Hopi (USA Indian)tradition of how peaches became sweet and the bees got wings.
An example of a religious narrative are the creation stories in the Book of Genesis which express understandings about the origins of the world and people and their relationship to God.
Stories which explain and inspire. One such story is the Hopi (USA Indian)tradition of how peaches became sweet and the bees got wings.
Doctrinal/ Philosophical Dimension
Every religion has a series of doctrines or teachings that
explain what members of a religion are expected to believe. This Dimension incorporates
simply the systematic formulation of religious teachings in an intellectually
coherent form.
Doctrines are related in complex ways to the practices of people who belong to that religion. Religious beliefs usually refer to beliefs about a divine being or beings, beliefs about the world, and beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life.
Provides rationale for many of the practices and ideas of the religion.
Doctrines are related in complex ways to the practices of people who belong to that religion. Religious beliefs usually refer to beliefs about a divine being or beings, beliefs about the world, and beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life.
Provides rationale for many of the practices and ideas of the religion.
- Trinity
- Bodhisattva
Ethical/ Legal Dimension
Every religion has a set of social or ethical norms which
portray the key values espoused by believers in that religion. These specify
the behaviours expected of individuals and communities.
The Ten Commandments of Judaism are one example of a system of religious laws.
Ideas and laws that shape behaviour.
The Ten Commandments of Judaism are one example of a system of religious laws.
Ideas and laws that shape behaviour.
- Laws of Manu
- 5 Precepts
- Ten Commandments
- Beatitudes
Social/ Institutional Dimension
Every religion is in some way institutionalised, often
through a separate organisation or set of organisations.
An example of an institutional arrangement is the hierarchical structure of persons, departments, dioceses and parishes that comprise the Roman Catholic Church.
Social outgrowth of religious experience.
An example of an institutional arrangement is the hierarchical structure of persons, departments, dioceses and parishes that comprise the Roman Catholic Church.
Social outgrowth of religious experience.
- Masjid
- Church
- Synagogue
- Sangha
Material Dimension
This dimension is apparent in buildings, works of art and
other creations, as well as in the preservation of sacred artefacts and sacred
places. The Dimensions refers to ordinary objects or places that symbolize or
manifest the sacred or supernatural .
An outgrowth of religious experience/encounter.
An outgrowth of religious experience/encounter.
- Music
- Art
- Symbol
- Architecture