for Smart, these are the different aspects or parts that make up a religion

a criticism that something is being shown in too simple a way; ‘reduced’ down

not to do with religion or religious ideas/beliefs

the way someone understands, interprets and inhabits the world

Evaluating the dimensions of religion

Religious education

Ninian Smart's dimensions

The place of religion in Japan

Veganism: could it be seen as a religion?

In this unit pupils will consider the term religion and ask: what does it mean? Does everyone see it as the same thing?  Ninian Smart's dimensions will provide one way in which religion has been classified. A case study of Japan and ethical veganism offer opportunities to question what is meant.

Belief: what is religion and does everyone understand it in the same way?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

different aspects or parts that make up a religion

a criticism showing something to be too simple

the way someone understands and interprets the world

to compare religions through shared aspects

Why did Ninian Smart create the dimensions?

Ninian Smart used {{}} as a secular example.

provides a structured way to study religion

One strength of Ninian Smart’s model is that it ...

One criticism of Ninian Smart's model is that it is ...

Traditionally, theology and philosophy asked ...

Ninian Smart promoted a {{}} study of religion.

A phenomenological approach focuses on ...

Evaluating the dimensions of religion

Lesson outcome

Content guidance