Eric's+notes

Demystification – explaining something that is unknown

Human Condition

Question ourselves

Our nature

Have a Conscience

Self-reflection

We look to answer life’s most basic questions:

1) Are we simply physical bodies? a. With the ability to think and feel b. Are we a deeper spiritual essence? i. Do we have a soul?

2) Are we Good or Evil? a. Or something in-between? b. Or good but flawed?

3) What are human origins?

4) Why is there suffering?

Spiritual Perfection

What is Ethical?

How do we transcend (move beyond) the Human Condition?

How do we attain salvation?

What is our destiny?

What is the nature of the world?

What is ultimate reality? Monotheism - one god Polytheism - many gods Pantheism - divine reality in everything


 * 7 dimensions of religion**

1.experiential seen it with your own eyes or felt it - experienced it with your senses dream - vision quests - fasting, peyote - hallucinations

2.mythic myth, stories behind the religion

3.doctrinal doctrine = recorded beliefs of a religion

4.ethical – rules to live by - what is right and wrong for some, religious rules are more important to them than government rules

5.ritual - religious practices examples daily – praying, meditation weekly – going to services, meetings once a year - holidays once in a lifetime - a pilgrimage to Mecca, a bar/bat mitzvah, confirmation

6.social sense of community, sense of belonging, you go to see people services - shelters, soup kitchens

7.material physical objects that you use to practice your religion examples: dreidel, cross, Buddha,