Nature of
Religion
Syllabus Dot Define the Supernatural Dimension
Point 1
Cues What is a worldview?
● The way a society sees the world.
What is the ○ i.e. the society into which people are born greatly affects how they see the
supernatural world based on a set of cultural assumptions.
dimension? ● A framework or lens through which people understand the world.
● Eyeglasses analogy.
● Not all worldviews are religious.
● Religious worldviews are those that acknowledge the supernatural dimension.
○ Eg. Christianity sees Jesus as the Saviour
Definition
The supernatural dimension refers to realities that are “above nature” — powers, beings, or
forces that exist outside the natural world and cannot be explained by human reason or
scientific laws. It is central to religion because it provides a foundation of belief grounded in
divine revelation rather than human deduction.
The supernatural includes the belief in God or gods, spirits, miracles, and life beyond
death. By contrast, the natural dimension refers to human reflection or philosophy that does
not involve reference to divinity.
Characteristics:
Key features ● The Concept of God, a powerful divine spiritual entity that created the known
Universe
● Beliefs about angels or devils who interact with humanity to produce good or bad
actions or results
● The human spirit which may exist on earth after the death of the physical body
Examples:
● Christianity: God as Creator (Genesis 1:1).
Examples ● Islam: Angel Jibril delivering the Qur’an to Muhammad.
● Judaism: God revealing the Torah to Moses.
● Buddhism: Belief in rebirth (samsara) — while not theistic, it affirms a spiritual
dimension beyond the physical world.
The supernatural dimension is thus essential to understanding how religions explain
existence, provide meaning, and connect believers to the divine.
Syllabus Dot Discuss a transcendent religious worldview which has a belief in a divine power
Point 2&3 and/or powers beyond the human
Discuss an immanent religious worldview which has a belief in a divine being or
powers dwelling within the individual
Cues Transcendent Religious Worldview
A transcendent worldview understands the divine as existing beyond and above the human
,What does person and the world. The word transcendence means “to surpass.” God or the divine is
transcendent separate from humanity and acts from outside creation.
mean?
Adherents connect with the transcendent through prayer, sacrifice, ritual, or revelation.
Transcendent Religions with a transcendent worldview emphasise the greatness and “otherness” of the
Examples divine.
Examples:
● Islam: Allah is utterly transcendent. His will was revealed to Muhammad through the
Qur’an. “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example” (Qur’an
33:21).
● Christianity: God is almighty and holy, yet became immanent through Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” (John 3:16).
● Judaism: God is transcendent, revealing Himself through the Torah and covenant
(Exodus 20 – Ten Commandments).
Immanent Religious Worldview
What does An immanent worldview emphasises the divine as present within the human person and
immanment the world. The term immanent means “to dwell within.” Unlike transcendent religions,
mean? immanent traditions focus on encountering the sacred in daily life, within human
consciousness, or in the natural environment.
Immanent
Examples Examples:
● Buddhism: Focuses on discovering Enlightenment within oneself through the
Eightfold Path. The “divine power” is realised internally.
● Hinduism: Brahman is both transcendent and immanent; practices such as yoga
and meditation seek to unite Atman (self) with Brahman.
● Christianity (Holy Spirit): God dwells within believers, guiding them through the
Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Transcendence and Immanence in World Religions
● Judaism teaches that the transcendent God has only become immanent and
involved in human history in and through the Jews.
● In Christianity, the transcendent, almighty and holy God, who cannot be
Transcendence approached or seen, becomes immanent primarily in Jesus the Christ, who is the
and Immanence incarnate Second Person of the Trinity.
in World ● In Islam the belief in God's (Allah's) transcendence does not permit the concept of
Religions immanence, and all talk of incarnation or even attempts at figurative artistic
representation of the divine, or even of holy persons, are regarded as detractions
from God's absolute unicity, supremacy and transcendence.
● In Hinduism, a believer might say that one can find God wherever one seeks Him,
to describe the relationship of Brahman to the material world. Brahman is then both
transcendent and immanent - varying emphasis on either quality is made by the
different philosophies/denominations within the religion.
● In the various forms of Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana - the role
played by transcendent beings is minimal, with a view that the meaning of life is to
be found within the world (immanent)
Differences: Similarities: Transcendent Differences: Immanent
Transcendent and Immanent
, ● Belief in a divine being ● Some traditions believe ● Recognises a divine
or powers whose that God is present and being or powers as a
existence goes beyond active in the natural constant reality – an
human limitations. world; and at the same active and continuing
Compare
● Examples: Judaism, time, transcends, rises presence among
Transcendence
Christianity and Islam. above, the universe he believers and in this
and Immanence
● Specific example: created. world.
Muslims believe that the ● Examples: Judaism and ● Examples: Hinduism
will of Allah has been Christianity - God is and Buddhism.
revealed to the Prophet considered active in ● Specific example:
Muhammad and is human affairs as creator, Buddhists follow the
contained in the writings sustainer, judge, and Eightfold Path
of the Qur’an. (Allah) is redeemer, but is also prescribed by the
seen to be separate to considered elevated Buddha in order to
and outside of humans above and distinguished reach Enlightenment.
and revealed to from the universe. The ‘divine power’ is
humankind through an believed to be found
intermediary within the human and
(Muhammad). awaits discovery
through following the
prescribed path.
Syllabus Dot Define the characteristics of religion
Point 4
Cues Beliefs and Believers: Beliefs are the key tenets, doctrines, or values, which underpin the
religious practice of a particular religion for the believers (Central beliefs, Sacred people)
What are the 4
characteristics? Sacred Texts and Writings: The most important beliefs of a religion are contained in its
sacred texts. Usually these beliefs were in oral circulation before they were written down in
the sacred texts. These sacred texts contain sacred stories, which explain through
historical or non-historical means, how people are connected to this supernatural
dimension (Sacred stories & writings)
Ethics: Ethics is the reasoning behind moral decision making. The ethics and precepts of
a religion are the laws which embody the key doctrinal tenets of a religion and allow for the
practical application of that religion. In other words, ethics offers a system of standards
which regulate moral decision making
Rituals and Ceremonies: Rituals and ceremonies are practical expressions of aspects of
a religion. Rituals and ceremonies involve prescribed words and actions along with the use
of symbols. Together these reflect an understanding of the sacred dimension. Thus, rituals
and ceremonies help to lead to a greater understanding of the ultimate reality (Sacred
rituals, Sacred space, Sacred signs & Symbols, Sacred time)
All religions share four key characteristics, which interact to form a living faith:
Examples
1. Beliefs and Believers – Doctrines and followers. Example: Christians believe
Jesus is Son of God (John 20:31).
, 2. Sacred Texts and Writings – Core beliefs recorded in texts. Example: Bible,
Qur’an, Torah, Vedas.
3. Ethics – Moral codes. Example: Ten Commandments, Sharia, Dharma.
4. Rituals and Ceremonies – Practices expressing belief. Example: Eucharist
(Catholicism), Salah, Puja.
Syllabus Dot Explore the ways in which these characteristics interact to create a dynamic, living
Point 5 religion
Cues A dynamic, living religion is one that adapts to modern contexts while maintaining core
beliefs. It is full of life, practiced actively, and relevant to adherents’ daily lives.
What makes a
religion The 4 characteristics interact:
“dynamic, ● Beliefs expressed in texts
living”? ● Texts shape ethics
● Ethics lived through rituals.
How do the
characteristics
interact?
Belief and Sacred Texts Ethics Rituals and
Believers and Writings Ceremonies
Beliefs and Key values and Those who Rituals and
believers morals are live out their ceremonies
contribute to a contained within Religion reflect a living and
living and sacred texts. dynamically dynamic religion, as
dynamic religion Through base their they allow
through their Understanding ethical and adherents to
daily actions, the sacred texts, moral stance
Religion
Syllabus Dot Define the Supernatural Dimension
Point 1
Cues What is a worldview?
● The way a society sees the world.
What is the ○ i.e. the society into which people are born greatly affects how they see the
supernatural world based on a set of cultural assumptions.
dimension? ● A framework or lens through which people understand the world.
● Eyeglasses analogy.
● Not all worldviews are religious.
● Religious worldviews are those that acknowledge the supernatural dimension.
○ Eg. Christianity sees Jesus as the Saviour
Definition
The supernatural dimension refers to realities that are “above nature” — powers, beings, or
forces that exist outside the natural world and cannot be explained by human reason or
scientific laws. It is central to religion because it provides a foundation of belief grounded in
divine revelation rather than human deduction.
The supernatural includes the belief in God or gods, spirits, miracles, and life beyond
death. By contrast, the natural dimension refers to human reflection or philosophy that does
not involve reference to divinity.
Characteristics:
Key features ● The Concept of God, a powerful divine spiritual entity that created the known
Universe
● Beliefs about angels or devils who interact with humanity to produce good or bad
actions or results
● The human spirit which may exist on earth after the death of the physical body
Examples:
● Christianity: God as Creator (Genesis 1:1).
Examples ● Islam: Angel Jibril delivering the Qur’an to Muhammad.
● Judaism: God revealing the Torah to Moses.
● Buddhism: Belief in rebirth (samsara) — while not theistic, it affirms a spiritual
dimension beyond the physical world.
The supernatural dimension is thus essential to understanding how religions explain
existence, provide meaning, and connect believers to the divine.
Syllabus Dot Discuss a transcendent religious worldview which has a belief in a divine power
Point 2&3 and/or powers beyond the human
Discuss an immanent religious worldview which has a belief in a divine being or
powers dwelling within the individual
Cues Transcendent Religious Worldview
A transcendent worldview understands the divine as existing beyond and above the human
,What does person and the world. The word transcendence means “to surpass.” God or the divine is
transcendent separate from humanity and acts from outside creation.
mean?
Adherents connect with the transcendent through prayer, sacrifice, ritual, or revelation.
Transcendent Religions with a transcendent worldview emphasise the greatness and “otherness” of the
Examples divine.
Examples:
● Islam: Allah is utterly transcendent. His will was revealed to Muhammad through the
Qur’an. “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example” (Qur’an
33:21).
● Christianity: God is almighty and holy, yet became immanent through Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” (John 3:16).
● Judaism: God is transcendent, revealing Himself through the Torah and covenant
(Exodus 20 – Ten Commandments).
Immanent Religious Worldview
What does An immanent worldview emphasises the divine as present within the human person and
immanment the world. The term immanent means “to dwell within.” Unlike transcendent religions,
mean? immanent traditions focus on encountering the sacred in daily life, within human
consciousness, or in the natural environment.
Immanent
Examples Examples:
● Buddhism: Focuses on discovering Enlightenment within oneself through the
Eightfold Path. The “divine power” is realised internally.
● Hinduism: Brahman is both transcendent and immanent; practices such as yoga
and meditation seek to unite Atman (self) with Brahman.
● Christianity (Holy Spirit): God dwells within believers, guiding them through the
Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Transcendence and Immanence in World Religions
● Judaism teaches that the transcendent God has only become immanent and
involved in human history in and through the Jews.
● In Christianity, the transcendent, almighty and holy God, who cannot be
Transcendence approached or seen, becomes immanent primarily in Jesus the Christ, who is the
and Immanence incarnate Second Person of the Trinity.
in World ● In Islam the belief in God's (Allah's) transcendence does not permit the concept of
Religions immanence, and all talk of incarnation or even attempts at figurative artistic
representation of the divine, or even of holy persons, are regarded as detractions
from God's absolute unicity, supremacy and transcendence.
● In Hinduism, a believer might say that one can find God wherever one seeks Him,
to describe the relationship of Brahman to the material world. Brahman is then both
transcendent and immanent - varying emphasis on either quality is made by the
different philosophies/denominations within the religion.
● In the various forms of Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana - the role
played by transcendent beings is minimal, with a view that the meaning of life is to
be found within the world (immanent)
Differences: Similarities: Transcendent Differences: Immanent
Transcendent and Immanent
, ● Belief in a divine being ● Some traditions believe ● Recognises a divine
or powers whose that God is present and being or powers as a
existence goes beyond active in the natural constant reality – an
human limitations. world; and at the same active and continuing
Compare
● Examples: Judaism, time, transcends, rises presence among
Transcendence
Christianity and Islam. above, the universe he believers and in this
and Immanence
● Specific example: created. world.
Muslims believe that the ● Examples: Judaism and ● Examples: Hinduism
will of Allah has been Christianity - God is and Buddhism.
revealed to the Prophet considered active in ● Specific example:
Muhammad and is human affairs as creator, Buddhists follow the
contained in the writings sustainer, judge, and Eightfold Path
of the Qur’an. (Allah) is redeemer, but is also prescribed by the
seen to be separate to considered elevated Buddha in order to
and outside of humans above and distinguished reach Enlightenment.
and revealed to from the universe. The ‘divine power’ is
humankind through an believed to be found
intermediary within the human and
(Muhammad). awaits discovery
through following the
prescribed path.
Syllabus Dot Define the characteristics of religion
Point 4
Cues Beliefs and Believers: Beliefs are the key tenets, doctrines, or values, which underpin the
religious practice of a particular religion for the believers (Central beliefs, Sacred people)
What are the 4
characteristics? Sacred Texts and Writings: The most important beliefs of a religion are contained in its
sacred texts. Usually these beliefs were in oral circulation before they were written down in
the sacred texts. These sacred texts contain sacred stories, which explain through
historical or non-historical means, how people are connected to this supernatural
dimension (Sacred stories & writings)
Ethics: Ethics is the reasoning behind moral decision making. The ethics and precepts of
a religion are the laws which embody the key doctrinal tenets of a religion and allow for the
practical application of that religion. In other words, ethics offers a system of standards
which regulate moral decision making
Rituals and Ceremonies: Rituals and ceremonies are practical expressions of aspects of
a religion. Rituals and ceremonies involve prescribed words and actions along with the use
of symbols. Together these reflect an understanding of the sacred dimension. Thus, rituals
and ceremonies help to lead to a greater understanding of the ultimate reality (Sacred
rituals, Sacred space, Sacred signs & Symbols, Sacred time)
All religions share four key characteristics, which interact to form a living faith:
Examples
1. Beliefs and Believers – Doctrines and followers. Example: Christians believe
Jesus is Son of God (John 20:31).
, 2. Sacred Texts and Writings – Core beliefs recorded in texts. Example: Bible,
Qur’an, Torah, Vedas.
3. Ethics – Moral codes. Example: Ten Commandments, Sharia, Dharma.
4. Rituals and Ceremonies – Practices expressing belief. Example: Eucharist
(Catholicism), Salah, Puja.
Syllabus Dot Explore the ways in which these characteristics interact to create a dynamic, living
Point 5 religion
Cues A dynamic, living religion is one that adapts to modern contexts while maintaining core
beliefs. It is full of life, practiced actively, and relevant to adherents’ daily lives.
What makes a
religion The 4 characteristics interact:
“dynamic, ● Beliefs expressed in texts
living”? ● Texts shape ethics
● Ethics lived through rituals.
How do the
characteristics
interact?
Belief and Sacred Texts Ethics Rituals and
Believers and Writings Ceremonies
Beliefs and Key values and Those who Rituals and
believers morals are live out their ceremonies
contribute to a contained within Religion reflect a living and
living and sacred texts. dynamically dynamic religion, as
dynamic religion Through base their they allow
through their Understanding ethical and adherents to
daily actions, the sacred texts, moral stance
