The elements of a religion such as belief system, sacredness and rituals have become some of the most important components that relate humanity to moral values and spirituality. While religion encompasses worldviews, belief and cultural systems, they differ in various cultural backgrounds. Law (2012) indicates that this could be attributed to variations in belief systems of different religions.
Some religions emphasize on religious community activities. There are those that focus on subjective experiences while some on beliefs. It is against this backdrop that this paper analyses the elements of religion in Christianity and examines whether or not these elements are displayed in new religious movement called scientology
Christianity and the elements of religion: Christianity and belief system
There is growing debate on whether Christianity as the religion that has many followers in the world today displays the element of a belief system or not. Opponents indicate that Christianity is not a belief system since its essence is Jesus Christ and that it does not propagate an ideology.
The argument hinges on the notion that Christianity is dynamic, inherent in Jesus and does not conform or demand conformity to a database of doctrine or a belief system. Gillespie (2012) echoes the argument that this religion is unique and does not reflect commonality of creeds, consensus of doctrines and a standardized kind of a belief system.
On the other hand, Christianity as a religion is considered to be a belief system based on the life and teachings of Jesus. These teachings found in the Bible show God’s saving plan for humanity through Jesus Christ. In this belief system, Christians are also made to believe that demons and angels exist and that they (Christians) are partners with God in accomplishing God’s purposes.
Christianity and community
Christianity has strongly displayed the element of community over the years through sharing in fellowship and worship in churches. Paul in the book of Ephesians 2: 14-18 asserted that through the blood of Jesus, those who were separated from God have been reconciled to him.
Besides, the groups that were not united such as the Jews and Gentiles are now united into one community. This is clearly manifested today in Christianity as Christians of different races, nationality, degrees of sin (little or many), rich or poor, of different physical and mental abilities, gender or social standing have equal footing.
Christianity and central myths
The attitude that Christianity has on the issue of myth is a negative one. Narratives of Christianity are contrastingly considered sacred while myths are viewed as pagan and false stories.
While it is true that Biblical myths exist and important ones include the creation stories and the temptation of Eve in Genesis 1, 2 and 3, contemporary Christians are in strong disagreement over the element of myth. Palmberg (2012) asserts that Christianity should not be related to the element of myth as myths are associated with polytheism, non-historicity and falsehood.
Rituals and sacredness
Christianity is a religion which displays rituals and sacredness. Rituals vary among individual Christians, individual churches and denominations. Christian rituals are sacred and have their foundation on the teachings of Christ. Some of them include baptism, sacraments, daily worship, calendar cycle, confirmation, communion, marriage, ordination, funerals and prayer.
As already indicated, they differ depending on denomination with distinctive Protestants having spirit-led worship, speaking in tongues and the altar call while orthodox and Catholics have exorcism, holy water, monastic life, pilgrimages, penance and mass worship among others.
Ethical system and material expression
Christianity has an ethical system that stresses on the forgiveness of sin, mercy, grace and need for love. It is important to note that the ethical principles of Christianity are based on biblical teachings, have teleological aspects and are founded on concepts of grace. On the matter of material expression, the lifestyle of Christianity is based on trusting God and not material possession.
Jesus said the heart of a man lie where his treasures are and Paul in I Timothy 6:17 told the rich to put their trust in God and not in the uncertainty of riches. Jesus unequivocally supported the poor but did not actually advocate for lack of material possession. In Matthew 25: 41-46, Jesus intimated that Christians should have material possessions, but should use them well through sharing.
Religious elements in religious movements- Scientology
Scientology similar to Christianity, has religious elements such as belief system, rituals, a community, emotional experiences, ethics and myths (Shermer, 2011). Scientology encompasses a body of beliefs that teaches that human beings are immortal beings.
It is a bona fide religion with communities in New Jersey fellowshipping in the Church of Scientology. The religion has other churches in the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Its beliefs and rituals are founded on rigorous research and scientific laws (Shermer, 2011).
To sum up, the discussion above was based on the fact that the elements of religion such as belief system, sacredness and rituals have become some of the most important components that relate humanity to moral values and spirituality.
From the discussion, many religions share certain religious elements, but understand and display them differently. Christianity has its foundation on the bible and teachings of Jesus while Scientology (one of the controversial religions) has a different belief system founded on scientific laws and research.
References
Gillespie, N. (2012). God Is Not. Great! Reason, 43(11), 49-53.
Law, S. (2012). The meaning of life. Think, 11(30), 25-38.
Palmberg, E. (2012). Faith at the tipping point. Sojourners Magazine, 41(3), 33-34.
Shermer, M. (2011). Is scientology a cult? Skeptic, 17(1), 16-17, 64.