What Is The Experiential Dimension Of Religion

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all unique religions that have different concepts, beliefs and ideas on how to live life and worship God. Though they have distinctive differences, they also share many similarities in terms of ritual, mythic and experiential dimensions. In An Anthology of Living Religions by Mary Pat Fisher and Lee W. Bailey, the three passages from each religion that can be related in terms of these three dimensions are The Beatitudes in Christianity, The Mosaic Covenant in Judaism and Self-Restraint in Islam. When looking at the experiential dimension, each passage shows the importance of discipline and sacrifice for God. They show that by people subjecting themselves to these different circumstances, they will have a

This passage touches upon Ramadan and how those within the Islam religion need to partake in this tradition to show dedication to their god. The passage states “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint… Ramadan is the (month) in which was set down in the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So for every one of you who is present (at his home) during this month should spend it fasting, but if one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made upon) by later day” (Fisher and Bailey 286). This passage relates to the experiential dimension because individuals are putting themselves in a difficult situation as a way to create a deeper emotion connection with their religion and towards their god. They are fasting which can be seen as a very emotional experience because they are sacrificing their food and drinks due to their dedication for their god. Overall when looking at each of the passages presented it is clear to see that they all relate in terms of the experiential dimension. Though each passage goes about showing it in a different way through various circumstances, it can be easily said that each passage has a similar

In this story, it shows “God’s power to liberate the chosen people from unjust suffering” (Fisher and Bailey 204). The passage contains rules in which individuals must follow in order show their dedication to God. This passage gives rules such as “ You shall not swear falsely by the name of the lord your God; for the lord will not clear one who swears falsely by His name…You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Fisher and Bailey 204). Another significant story in this passage is the section presented about the day of Sabbath. This section of the passage gives meaning as to why the seventh day of the week in considered Sabbath day and what it consists of. For example within the text, it states “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a day of Sabbath for the Lord your God: you shall not do any work – you, your son or daughter, your male or female slave, or your cattle, or the stranger who is within your settlements. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and sea, and all that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Fisher and Bailey 204). This excerpt from the Mosaic