the symbolic nature of this form of spirituality

•the symbolic nature of religious literature 

          •human language may be inadequate for dealing with spiritual issues

          •since these questions have no answers, symbolism hips to point people towards the meaning that the writer is trying to communicate 

          •it is often used in stories to help people answer philosophical and religious questions

•the symbols of religious literature 

          •it depends on interpretation of particular words and symbols

          •knowledge and understanding of a religion will also influence their reading of religious texts

          •spiritual ideas may be easier to understand as they are not specific to a religion 

•spirituality through religious literature

          •may cause some to respond spiritually due to the beauty of the words 

          •writers examine spiritual questions related to aspects of a religious belief, such as God

          •the writers are sharing these experiences in hope that others will find their answers 

what does religious literature tell us – about God, about belief, about the writer?

•religious literature teachings about God

          •the Holy books are proof of God’s existence since God has sent revelations to these people

          •Holy books emphasise that God is beyond human understanding and so the revelations can help us to learn more about him 

          •to help believers’ develop understanding, there are commentaries related to Holy books

          •portrayed to be the judge and a powerful figure and has the power to cleanse sin’s 

          

•religious literature teachings about belief

          •it explains the teachings of a specific religion and can help members to understand more

          •it also helps non-believers to be more aware 

          •accounts of events within the religion can be a source of support - some may die for this

          •this can show that accepting beliefs is more than attending a place of worship 

          •literature may also show disagreement within a religion about the beliefs of faith 

          •believes God is real and that he has the power to redeem the writer 

•religious literature teachings about the writer 

          •there is a clear indication of the writer’s religious beliefs, when recording experiences 

          •in texts, it may be possible to understand the message the writer is trying to convey

          •however, literature may not be easy to recognise their religious beliefs without context

          •the writer is asking for forgiveness by praying to him, and wants to redeem himself

what impact does religious literature have on those looking on – believers and non-believers

•impact of religious literature on believers 

          •Holy books provide additional support to believers about the truth of their religion 

          •Holy books are inspired in some way by God

          •religious literature from teachers help explain the texts for greater understanding 

          •reading the lives of other believers may be an example to follow 

          •reading literature allows them to feel closer to God as well as to teach others

•impact of religious literature on non-believers 

          •religious believers believe that the religious ‘truths’ is good enough to convert people

          •they may be converted by hearing readings or watching a play that makes them feel there is a greater power than themselves 

          •religious literature may raise questions in their minds, forcing them to seek answers 

          •however, literature may convince atheists that God really doesn't exist, claiming that the range of Holy books means that they cannot all exist and if he did, then he would be one

how is religious literature used in worship (public and / or private)

•religious literature in public worship 

          •it is used to support public worship to teach the religion’s message e.g at sermons

          •drama is used to teach believers about aspects of their religions e.g nativity plays

•religious literature in private worship

          •famous preachers’ sermons are available for believers to read for themselves

          •many will read their Holy Book daily to help concentration during private prayer

          •religious believers will also have a prayer book to help private devotion 

          •writing literature may be prompted by a need for the winter to express their feelings

how and why religions use literature

•religions use literature through holy books, teachings of famous believers, fiction with a religious message and poetry 

•religions use literature in order to help others teach about their religion, so that their is a more universal way of learning about their religion 

•they may also inspire others to follow their faith 

•information is a lot more accessible and so is more welcoming towards others  

different types and examples of each of the following: holy books, books of teachings of famous believers, fiction with a religious message, poetry

•holy books: the Holy Bible 

          •contains a variety of genres, with 66 true and fictional books

          •tells us the story of Christ about Christians 

          •it is an allegory in which the Father is God and the Sons are regular people 

          •it is also a parable since it has a story with a message, especially forgiveness

          •inspiration: •the importance of forgiveness is what unites people

                              •to emulate the Father 

                              •offers wisdom and responsibility 

          •revelation: •reveals the nature of God

                             •shows the story of God and the teachings of the church 

          •devotion: •lots of people wrote the Bible

                           •used in services

                           •people learn lots from the Bible

•private use: •one can sit down and study it themselves

                     •discern some wisdom 

                     •they made read it through Lectio Divina (where they'll repeat readings slower)

                     •it is a way of revealing the truth about God as morals etc. speak through the text 

•public use: •it is used in churches

                   •discerns how God speaks into our human experience 

•books of teachings of famous believers: The Rule of Saint Benedict 

          •he envisioned a place of welcome and a school for the service of the Lord

          •where people could live in a Christian community - founded the first monasteries 

          •looking after and treating others gently - “we hope to introduce nothing harsh”

          •welcoming of strangers, being kind and learning about Christ etc.

          •rules ensure that people don't kill each other when they are living together 

          •teachings include: sharing food, taking stocks, chefs eating first 

                    •thus making sensible rules for a practical life

          •the Abbot tells us not to have favourites, treat other people with respect and to respect the youngest as God can speak through them 

          •inspiration: •has decent wisdom about community life

                              •seeking after the truth as it gives the framework for answers 

                   

          •revelation: •it reveals more about the religious text 

          •devotion: •it is a hard thing to endure and live by

•private use: •they study a book in private 

                     •they made read it through Lectio Divina (where they'll repeat readings slower)

                     •it is a way of revealing the truth about God as morals etc. speak through the text 

                     •they keep on reading until they find something to pray about 

•public use: •it is used in churches

                   •discerns how God speaks into our human experience 

•fiction with a religious message: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe 

          •it is a massive allegory 

          •the series explores the interlinking of the universe - all is connected by God 

          •professor: C.S Lewis 

          •lion: Jesus

          •Susan: People

          •Edmund: Judas

          •White Witch: the Devil 

          •stone table: the Cross

          •it shows the triumph of goodness over evil

          •“the problem is, the white witch did not know the deep magic before time” 

                    •the “deep magic” is C.S Lewis’ atonement theory (the explanation of Jesus’ death) 

          •it says God isn't safe but that he's good because of his power

          •Edmund betrays the others like Judas

•poetry: Psalm 19

          •they are spiritual songs in the Old Testament 

          •taken from the Creation Oratorio by Haydn 

          •tells you to look around you - God and his creation is everywhere 

          •embeds many religious ideas into the text 

how is religious literature produced – inspiration, revelation or devotion

•inspiration

          •religious literature may be inspired by other literature or experiences

          •Holy Books may inspire writers to create commentaries

          •many religious founders may inspire a biography to be created

          •the writer’s beliefs may be also a source of inspiration and form a theme for their writing 

          •most popular inspiration is in music, art, song and film 

•revelation 

          •Holy Books are examples of revelation and the writers are believed to have received revelations from God 

          •other writers record their religious experiences to help believers deepen their understanding of the religion or how a teaching is used in practice 

          •discovery of your own spirit / finding something deeper 

•devotion 

          •literature is often written as an act of devotion 

          •many poems show the writer’s love of God or religious figure 

          •they are sometimes performed as an act of devotion or to teach others about God