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Ninian Smart: the 7 Dimensions

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Ninian Smart defines religion as an “organism with 7 dimensions”. He stated that whatever else a religion may be it possesses certain recognizable elements, which include myths, rituals, religious experiences, doctrines, ethics, social institutions, and material forms of the religion. These elements can be studied and used to analyze certain religions like Christianity and Judaism. Myths are an important part for all religions. Myths are profoundly true stories within the worldview of a believer. These myths often guide the behavior of the believers and help to provide models that guide the believer's behavior. In Christianity the myth of Jesus is a huge example. Jesus was portrayed as someone who was everything that people should aim to be. He was pure, selfless, loving, and holy. Myths can also explain away a discrepancy, in the example of Jesus the discrepancy was about how Jesus was born out of wedlock. In Judaism you have the Myth of Lilith. According to Jewish folklore Lilith was the first wife of Adam. She was banished from the Garden of Eden when she refused to make herself subservient to Adam. After she was cast off she was made into a demon figure while Adam was given Eve, his second wife. She was made from his rib to insure her obedience to her man. The story then goes on to describe some of the evil things that Lilith would do. These myths would describe how Lilith would capture babies in the night at eat them and how she would lead young girls and husbands astray. Lilith was viewed in Jewish culture as a symbol of promiscuity and disobedience and this myth is used a warning to others, helping them guide their behavior and stray them away from taking part in

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