Belief, Communal and Seeker religious styles are used widely in the video series in this course. I believe most people can identify with each style at one point in their lives. The belief style deals with boundary questions. It is the basics that make up what you think and hold to be true. Communal style is belonging to a group that hold the same truths as you do. It is like being a part of a community. Seeker style is for those who may have held certain truths, but are now unsure. The community in which they belonged now doesnt seem to "fit". Or the seeker may just be asking more profound questions. There is much validity in the study of each of these styles. It may turn our study inward to where we are, belief, communal, or seeker? All religions began with a myth of some sort. Be it Christianity and the creation of the world or Buddhism and the journey of Siddharta to enlightenment. Myth can also point to the future. The communication of myth is often acted out in ritual. One example is the Last Supper. Which is still celebrated today in most Christian churches in America. Each may have a peculiar way of doing so, but the message is still the same. Symbolic depth helps laity understand myth in religion. There may be certain truths that are either too abstract or difficult to understand, so explanantions are made to aid in understading. One may not be able to understand why humans are inevitably going to die. An Indian legend or story from Genesis in the Bible can satisfy the curiousity. It may be an explanation that is silly to some and widely accepted by others.Some key function of myth in religion as discussed in Beliefs and Believers and the video series are as follows: It answers profound life questions. This is important to religious followers as described in the above paragraph. It guides individual and collective behavior. Myth makes up the "basics" of religion. It is these basics that make up the beh...
