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For most of us in the western world, we have all been brought up with a certain idea of what religion means. ... (1) As time went by, especially the post-war period, we learnt more about other cultures and their beliefs, we also realised that the popular conventional use of the term ‘religion’ was taking on a different meaning. (2) Before we continue to look at the principles a student of religion should follow, we certainly need to look at the definition of religion. ... This type of definition does not only focus on what religion is, but also what it does for the culture group as well as the individual. (4)
To help me defining religion, I would like to highlight a dimensional model, which was proposed by Ninian Smart. (5) He proposed a model that existed of 7 dimensions, which he claimed to characterise religions, so adequately, that nobody would ever have to ponder on another definition of religion. ... He also includes social and material aspects of religion. (6) The reason why he summarised religion in these 7 dimensions is found in the following quote. ... ’ (7) This functional definition has positive advantages, but also leaves us with a problem as to where to draw the line around our religion. ...
Beckerlegge, author of Block 4, quotes Steve Bruce a leading sociologist of religion when discussing substantive definitions.
Approximate Word count = 1050
Approximate Pages = 4.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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