There are various explanations for why humans turn to religion; these include revelation as an origin, the natural knowledge-of-god, anthropological and psychological explanations. These explanations look to where the concept of religion originated. Why do people believe in a higher being and why do individuals act according to the values and practices related to their beliefs? These theories and explanations look to find the reasoning. Revelation as origin is the idea that religion originated through revelation of God through his intervention (via prophet’s visions, personal contact, etc.). As evidenced by Johnstone, “God himself was directly at work instructing his people, and in the process was creating religion through the process of revelation”
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These five things are characteristic of religion. Religion is a group phenomenon. This is due to the clear observation that religion is practiced and carried out through gatherings of followers. As Johnstone states, "we see places of worship all around us and have clear mental pictures of groups of people assembling together in prayer, praise, and song" (Johnstone 8). This is seen throughout many religions. There are holy days and places of worship where these people carry out their faith. It 's important to note that although a religion may originate from revelation to an individual, it "essentially always becomes a group phenomenon" (Johnstone 8). Additionally, religion is a group phenomenon comprised of individual followers, each with their own personal beliefs and thoughts. In Judaism, the Sabbath and daily prayers work to bring each individual closer to God as an individual and in a group. The Holy Days practiced also help establish solidarity and strengthen their …show more content…
In Judaism, their source of beliefs is recorded in the Hebrew Bible, which is important in the development of Judaism and can be considered a “sacred history” (Molloy). This book provides a “foundation for the development of rabbinical Judaism … [it] offered a firm basis for Jewish rabbis to offer their midrash of biblical laws and practices” along with the Ten Commandments (Molloy 291). In addition, it contained the special festivals and psalms that are used as prayers. The Torah is the “sacred core of the Hebrew Bible,” it contains teachings and stories regarding creation (Adam and Eve, Noah etc.) (Molloy
These five things are characteristic of religion. Religion is a group phenomenon. This is due to the clear observation that religion is practiced and carried out through gatherings of followers. As Johnstone states, "we see places of worship all around us and have clear mental pictures of groups of people assembling together in prayer, praise, and song" (Johnstone 8). This is seen throughout many religions. There are holy days and places of worship where these people carry out their faith. It 's important to note that although a religion may originate from revelation to an individual, it "essentially always becomes a group phenomenon" (Johnstone 8). Additionally, religion is a group phenomenon comprised of individual followers, each with their own personal beliefs and thoughts. In Judaism, the Sabbath and daily prayers work to bring each individual closer to God as an individual and in a group. The Holy Days practiced also help establish solidarity and strengthen their …show more content…
In Judaism, their source of beliefs is recorded in the Hebrew Bible, which is important in the development of Judaism and can be considered a “sacred history” (Molloy). This book provides a “foundation for the development of rabbinical Judaism … [it] offered a firm basis for Jewish rabbis to offer their midrash of biblical laws and practices” along with the Ten Commandments (Molloy 291). In addition, it contained the special festivals and psalms that are used as prayers. The Torah is the “sacred core of the Hebrew Bible,” it contains teachings and stories regarding creation (Adam and Eve, Noah etc.) (Molloy