Statistics• World Population –> 7 billion• Professing Christians –> 2.1 billion• Religious Non-Christians –> 3.7 billion

Group Questions1. What is a “religion”? How would you

define a “Religion”?

2. Name as many religions as you can?

3. What religion (apart from Christianity) do you know the most about? How many facts can you list about it?

4. What is the practical value of a study like this?

ReligionA system of beliefs and practices that directs a person toward transcendence and thus provides meaning and coherence to a person’s life.

ReligionA system of beliefs and practices that, by means of its cultus, directs a person toward transcendence and, thus, provides meaning and coherence to a person’s life.

CultusExternal features, no matter how small, which have meaning only for the sake of the religious belief and would be unnecessary in other contexts.

Stages in Evolution of Religion

1. Mana2. Animism3. Polytheism4. Henotheism5. Monotheism

Mana Most “primitive” form of religion Very little complexity General awareness of a Spiritual Force in world The Force is not personal

Animism Visualizes spiritual forces in terms of

Personal Spirits Many forces, pictured as personal beings with

distinct identities and names Often organized into: Nature & Ancestor Spirits

Polytheism Not just many “spirits”, but many “gods” These “gods” are vastly superior to “spirits” Pantheon = sum total of gods + goddesses

within a particular religion

Henotheism Recognize many different gods as real, but

worship only one. Visible in “other nations” in the OT

Monotheism Highest step of development (potentially) Only one God, who is:

• The creator of the world• Vastly superior to any creature• Author of moral directives for people• Alone worthy to be worshipped.

Original Monotheism• Locates the origin of religion in God, not man.

Folk ReligionThe lived, everyday practices of religion by common laypersons.

(May be very different from the “official” definitions of the religion by professionals)