Prof. M.

Lakshmipathi Raju
Belief in Supernatural being

Characteristics:

Sacred, Holy
Fear, Happiness
Rituals
Moral Implication
Religion

Rituals Religious Behaviour

Beliefs- Faith

Organization Mechanism

Three Aspects:


Discipline

Integration

Cohesive Function

Social wellbeing

Means of control

Moral Standards

Functions:

Belief in Supernatural power
To control this power
To manipulate supernatural power
Exorcist performs rituals
Black magic, white power


Black Magic
Uses magic power
For evil purpose


White Magic
Use magic for well-being
Magic
Religion

Magic
Superior power by prayer

to coerce superior power

Public Secret

Respected

Fear
Practices. Prayers With Charms

Difference between Religion and Magic
Magic
Pseudo science (false science)
Wrong assumption
Deals with super natural

Science
Cause, effect relationship
Empirical facts
Deals with natural
Observation, experiment
Magic and Science

Emerged from idea and soul
All objects inhabited by spirits
All activities caused by spirits
Soul after death transmigrated
These spirits worshipped
Theories of origin of Religion
To control nature
Powers to control nature superior
Evolution in sequence
Magic stage, religious stage, scientific stages

Naturalism by Max Muller

Nature surprising
This surprise led to worship

Magic by JG Frazer
Belief descended from them
Totem objects
Collective representations
Totem treated as sacred
Collective consciousness
Ceremonies, rituals bind people
Totemism by Emile Durkheim

Fetishism


Revered object has power
Worship of fetishes
A leaf or stone
Among pre literate people

Superstition

Irrational belief omen, sorcery, etc.,
Followed by many
Becomes religious practice
Christianity
Christ as Prophet
Monotheistic
Faith in Jesus, service, love Neighbours
Ten commandment's

Hinduism
Dates back, thousands of year
Polytheistic, several gods
Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha
Moksha [salvation]
Four ashrams of life


Prominent Religions
Islam
7
th
century Prophet Mohammad
Monotheistic, one god
Surrender to will of god- Allah
Quran revelation of god

Buddhism

4
th
century BC
Four noble truths
Suffering, cause of suffering, (desire)
Nirvana remove cause of suffering
Eight fold path

24 Thirthankaras
Rishabadev- first
24
th
Mahavir
Jain delivered from JIN (conquer)
Three gems right path, right knowledge right conduct
Jain believe in soul, karma, cycle of birth

Sikhism

Guru Nanak teachings
Guru Govind Singh


Jainism

Beliefs, rituals
Supernatural - god, heaven, hell
Mode of worship holy texts, philosophy
Victory of good over evil

Ideology of Religion


Values of nationality
Secularism
Religion undergone change
Cause of strife
Communal violence
International terrorism
Notorious activities

Modern society