The Four Characteristics of Religion

1. Beliefs and Believers

1.1. Brings people together in communities

1.2. Come in the form of doctrines and tenets

1.3. Groups can reinterpret universal meanings to make them applicable to their community

2. Sacred Texts and Writings

2.1. Contain key doctrines and expresses them through sacred writings

2.2. Examples

2.2.1. Hebrew Bible

2.2.2. Quran

2.2.3. Torah

2.2.4. The Tripitaka

2.3. Can be modernised with technology e.g. Muslim prayer app

3. Ethics

3.1. Embodies the doctrines in the form of laws and precepts

3.2. Derived from key values

3.3. Guides and rules must be applicable to the practical demands of daily life

4. Rituals and Ceremonies

4.1. Give doctrinal elements a lived expression

4.2. Strengthens adherent's relationship with the superntural

4.3. Transcendent Worldview

4.3.1. Strengthens relationship with God or gods and furthers understanding of the ultimate being

4.4. Immanent Worldview

4.4.1. Strengthens inner relationship and spiritualiy within themselves and provides meaning of the ultimate reality