Explain briefly Ninian Smart's seven dimensional model of religion. Do you think that Smart's model solves the problems that arise when attempting to define religion?

For centuries Scholars birth struggled to come up with a neatly sic term for what constitutes a trust. Many scholar definitions are both square or running(a). Substantive definitions appoint ghostly belief by ballpark dogmas and practices such as (rituals, prayer or belief in one god). Substantive definitions tend to be to a fault finalize and prejudiced; it would be difficult to consider Buddhism, which is atheistic, as a religion under this definition. Functional definitions tend to distinguish a religion by the needs it fulfils, (peace, comfort, security), the problem with functional definitions is they tend to be to flexible and vague to be considered as definite solutions to what precisely makes a religion a religion since there is no clear boundary to where a religion ends and something else such as a political movement or cult begins. Recent scholars have attempted to emphasize the long nature of religion kinda than define it within a narrow framework. One of the ruff known of these attempts is the seven dimensional model proposed by Ninian brilliant, who suggested we blast each religion by looking at it under a number of several(predicate) dimensions. These are: The practical & vitamin A; ritual dimension Smart explains that religions tend to express themselves through rituals. Rituals vary greatly among religions and may include activities such as worship, preaching, prayer and meditation.

sometimes these unearthly practices are elaborate; Catholics break bread and imbibing vino to symbolise the body and blood of Jesus and sometimes slight elaborate; meditation practice in Buddhism or the Quake! rs who mould to selecther in silence. The experiential & steamy dimension The following(a) dimension involves the importance of emotions and experiences in a religion. erect as the rituals of religious practice vary so do the religious experience. The enlightenment of the Buddha, the visionary experiences of Muhammad and the suffering of... If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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