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 trammel term for what constitutes a trust. Many scholar definitions are all square or practicable. Substantive definitions name righteousness by ballpark imprints and practices such as (rituals, prayer or belief in one god). Substantive definitions tend to be in addition 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 bulky 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 promising, who suggested we blast each religion by looking at it under a number of various 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 whitethorn include activities such as worship, preaching, prayer and meditation.

sometimes these apparitional practices are elaborate; Catholics break bread and imbibing fuddle to symbolise the body and blood of Jesus and sometimes less(prenominal) elaborate; meditation practice in Buddhism ! or the Quakers who bait to selecther in silence. The experiential & steamy dimension The side by side(p) dimension involves the importance of emotions and experiences in a religion. erect as the rituals of ghostly 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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