Scholars conclude that what we ordinarily call religion manifests to some degree the following eight elements:

Scholars conclude that what we ordinarily call religion manifests to some degree the following eight elements:

1. a belief system
2. community
3. central myths
4. rituals
5. an ethical system
6. emotional experiences
7. material expressions of religion
8. sacredness

In a short essay, complete the following:

1. Examine to what extent your religious beliefs fall into this pattern. Do some elements have more weight than others? If you do not have a belief system, interview someone who does and examine their belief system. Provide enough details to support your answer.
2. Then examine one of the "new religions" or alternative paths that are seen in today's world and apply the same analysis to their beliefs. Do some elements have more weight than others? Are some totally absent? Provide enough details to support your answer. Please limit your analysis to no more than three elements for each section.
3. Conclude by explaining some of the key questions and that religions face today.