Seven Dimensions

of Religion
(Ninian Smart)

Experiential
Practical &
& Emotional
Ritual Narrative
or
Mythic

Different
Material beliefs… Doctrinal
common &
elements Philosophical

Social Ethical
& &
Institutional Legal
The 7 Dimensions of
Religion
(Ninian Smart)

Ninian Smart proposed that there were seven common dimensions intrinsic to
the nature of religion. Smart argues that these dimensions are shared by all
true religions of the world, irrespective of the social, cultural or historical
contexts that they emerged from.

The seven characteristics are:

1. Practical & Ritual dimension:

The things that a religious tradition does to demonstrate belonging.
These practices may include worship, preaching, prayers & rituals.

2. Experiential & emotional dimension:

This dimension underpins all other dimensions and relies on the
presence of feeling and emotional investment in the religious tradition.
For example, a ritual practiced without any emotional investment is
cold and impersonal.

3. Narrative or mythic dimension:

The space for sacred stories in a religion. For example: Genesis
creation stories in Christianity.

4. Doctrinal & philosophical dimension:

Systems of beliefs and values that are used to formulate intellectual
statements on the basis of faith. Example: Leviticus in the Hebrew
Scriptures; Encyclicals released from the Vatican in Christianity.

5. Ethical & legal dimension:

The laws that exist within the religion. These are often quite specific
and relate to the way the follower lives their life. Examples: 10
Commandments (Christianity), 5 precepts or virtues (Buddhism).

6. Social & institutional dimension:

This relates to the formal organisation of a religion (e.g. Churches) and
the charismatic or sacred people honoured in the religion (e.g. Saints,
gurus, mystics & prophets).

7. Material dimension:
The physical parts of the religion, inanimate objects including:
 buildings, art, and sacred sites. Examples include: mosques, ikons,
Uluru, city of Jerusalem.

Adapted from:
Smart, N. (1989). The World’s Religions, Old Traditions & Modern Transformations. Cambridge
University Press: Cambridge. pp.21-22.