Religous Elements

The first chapter of Experiencing the World’s Religions presents several characteristics of religion that appear to manifest in all religions. Molloy characterizes religion into "eight elements." The eight elements of religions are a belief system, community, central myth, ritual, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expression, and sacredness. Some of the eight elements appear to have more relevance than the other elements. The three elements central myths, rituals, and ethics appear to contain the strongest ties together.
To describe a central myth it is best to call it a story. These stories are relevant to the development of a religion's belief system and its sacred figures. The stories within the Bible are certainly one of the best-known exampl...