Nature of Religion

Define the supernatural dimension + supernatural

Belief in the existence of a divine being(s) beyond human limitations and the natural world.

• Believed to be responsible for creation of earth and being the ultimate destiny

• Supernatural: a force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature

define worldview, religion, mono/poly theism, secular

Worldview: the way someone sees the world

·      A system of beliefs, ethics and practices, that provide purpose for an individual or group

o   E.g. Abrahamic faiths = time is linear, Indian religions = time is a cycle

·      Dependent on culture, morals, and upbringing

Religion: Source of meaning where people try to make sense of supernatural dimension.

Monotheism: belief in one God (Abrahamic faiths)

Polytheism: belief in many gods (Indian religious traditions)

Secular: Non-religious

define transcendent worldview + identify components

A belief in a divine power and/or powers beyond the human.

·      Point believers to divine world beyond earthly concerns

Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Islam, Judaism)

·      Monotheistic - One God exists beyond humans and guides them

·      Task is to transform world to a perfect state

·      One life

·      Salvation + life after death

·      One God is eternal, all knowing and good

·      Knowledge of God is sent to humans from beyond human spirit (holy books) - Angels, prophets, holy spirit

define immanent worldview + identify components

A belief in a divine being or powers dwelling within the individual.

·      Emphasis place on Gods in human existence in day to day life

Indian religious traditions: (Hinduism + Buddhism)

·      Task is to be released from cycle of rebirth

·      Ultimate goal is to reach nirvana/enlightenment within oneself

o   Find truth within human spirit

After each death spiritual knowledge is experienced

What are characteristics of a religion

Belief and believers

Sacred Texts and Writings

Ethics

Rituals and Ceremonies

what are beliefs and believers

Values and how they shape how adherents follow a religion. 1.     Beliefs about supernatural dimension 2.     Beliefs about the creation of the world 3.     Beliefs about life and purpose 4.     Beliefs about afterlife

what are sacred texts + what do they do

Contains most important beliefs of a religion. Instil law, character, and spirituality.

·      Visual, written and oral

1. Creeds - Set of beliefs                         2. Doctrines - Teaching

3. Dogmas - More than a teaching.      4. Catechisms – Questions and answers

GAIN INSIGHT INTO RELIGION + HOW TO LIVE

ALWAYS STAY THE SAME (just different interpretations)

what are ethics

Religious reflection on moral beliefs (conscience)

·      Determine right and wrong.

Regulate moral decision making which justify accepted norms

what are rituals

Reflect dynamic religion

·      Adherents live out and celebrate beliefs

·      gestures, words, and objects

PRACTICE BELIEFS AND ENGAGE WITH SCRIPTURE/TEXT

what is a living, dynamic religion

describes religions that update their interpretations of sacred texts, central beliefs and traditions based on social and cultural contexts in which adherents live

·     A practical religion that is expressed in society + everyday life of adherents

·    IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS + COMMUNITY

·      How characteristics interact (sacred texts stay the same but new interpretations)

·      Through rituals/ceremonies (traditions) + ethics

Apply beliefs through texts

give example of a living dynamic relgion

Example: Catholicism, Second Vatican Council

·      Adapting and changing to suit the times

·      Modernise the church (Liturgical reforms)

o   Idea of Christian unity was furthered as Catholics could now collaborate with protestants

o   Priests faced assembly

o   Official translation of mass (vernacular language allowed, not just Latin)

characteristics of buddhism

Ethical Teaching	Beliefs and Believers	Sacred Text	Rituals
Karma Good karma gained through the Five Precepts to reach Nirvana 1.     Refrain killing 2.     Refrain stealing 3.     Refrain from misuses of the sense or sexual misconduct 4.     Refrain from wrong speech (lying, gossip) 5.     Refrain from intoxications (alcohol)	-       Nirvana o   Escape samsara+  suffering o   Stop accumulating karma -       Samsara (rebirth) -       The path of enlightenment is through the practice and development of morality, meditation and wisdom -       The life is suffering -       The four noble truths	-       Tripitaka (Pali Canon) -       Mahayana Sutras -       The Tibetan Book of the Dead	-       Meditation -       Mantras -       Mudras: Symbolic hand gestures -       Prayer Wheels: Reciting mantras with the turn of a wheel -       Monasticism -       Pilgrimage Veneration of Buddha’s and Deities

characteristics of hinduism

Ethical Teaching	Beliefs and Believers	Sacred Text	Rituals
Dharma ‘right way of living’ to achieve good karma and then enlightenment -       Brahmacharya (chastity unless for procreation) -       Grihastha (marry and have kids) -       Vanaprastha (prepare for the next life) -       Sannyasa (person denounces material desires)	-       Enlightenment = release from suffering o   reuniting with Brahman (ultimate reality) o   release from suffering and rebirth o   soul merges with Atman (true, perfect self) -       Strive to achieve dharma -       Brahman is the creator spirit and binds each soul (atman) -       The Vedas are the ultimate authority -       Individual souls are immortal	The Vedas	1.     Marriage 2.     Prayer for children 3.     Prayer for the fetes 4.     Baby shower 5.     Celebrating Birth 6.     Giving name 7.     Piercing earlobes Beginning of education

characteristic christianity

Ethical Teaching	Beliefs and Believers	Sacred Text	Rituals
-       10 commandments -       Beatitudes -       Golden rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Love thy neighbour)	-       In Nicene Creed o   Belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the son of God and the Holy Spirit (trinity) o   The death, descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension of Christ o   The holiness of the Church and the Communion of Saints o   Humans made in likeness of God o   God the creator -       Humans made in God’s image	The Bible	Sacraments: 1.     Baptism 2.     Eucharist 3.     Confirmation 4.     Reconciliation 5.     Anointing of the sick 6.     Marriage 7.     Holy Orders   Place of worship: church

characteristics of islam

Ethical Teaching	Beliefs and Believers	Sacred Text	Rituals
The Five Pillars of Islam Shahada – Profession of faith Salat – Prayer Zakat –Almsgiving Sawm – Fasting Hajj – Pilgrimage	Belief in the Oneness of God Belief in the Angels of God Belief in the Revelations (Books) of God Belief in the Prophets of God Belief in the Day of Judgment Belief in Premeasurement Belief in Resurrection after Death Muhammad ≠ God but a prophet	The Quran and the Hadith	-       The Five Pillars of Faith (prayer = uniting mind to and submitting to Allah) -       Ritual purity in Islam -       Khitan (circumcision)   Place of worship: Mecca

characteristics of judaism

Ethical Teaching	Beliefs and Believers	Sacred Text	Rituals
-       Jews see themselves as a reflection of God -       613 mitzvot o   Most famous are the Ten Commandments -       Duty to seek holiness within themselves.	-       Monotheistic -       Forbidden to worship of any other God -       God is the creator of everything -       God is eternal -       God will help the Jewish people if they remain obedient to his -       law and loyal to him -       The Messiah will come and transform the world -       Moses was the greatest Prophet -       The whole of the Torah was revealed to Moses Jesus ≠ God but a prophet	The Torah, the Prophets and the Writings	-       Life events o   Bar/t mitsvah -       Prayer in morning, afternoon + evening -       Jewish festivals -       Kosher foods o   Nothing from pigs   Place of worship: Synagogue

what does relgion do/contribute to

Attempts to answer the fundamental questions of human existence.

·      Why am I here?  Is there a supreme being? Why we suffer? Is there life after death?

Religion provides humans with an understanding to these questions, and helps to construct meaning, provides ethical guidance, and provides a sense of belonging.

religion Contribution to individuals

·      Give guidance in life through ethics and sacred texts which people can draw on for wisdom.

·      Contribute to an individual’s sense of self and understanding and belonging.

Example 1: Martin Luther King Junior – A man whose religion guided him ethically to make changes.

religion contribution to society

Culture - Customs + behaviours of a society

Positives

Negatives

Different religions = diverse society   Legal and judicial systems are based off religions   Social justice initiatives driven by religion, and address societal issues ·      E.g. Australian Culture and Society paper on Homelessness in 2014: “Australian churches… play an important role… in reducing the prevalence of homelessness.” Inspiration of art (e.g. music + literature)   Believers from the same belief can create social cohesion ·      Doing the same thing at the same time (e.g. prayer) ·      Enforce beliefs

Led to violence when adherents believed their world view was being challenged ·      E.g. Christian Crusades (West sent armies over to help East but differences started fighting)

Example 1: Prayer in Islam

The magnitude of people praying in Egypt during Ramadan, whilst buses and trains frequently go past, show how religion is integrated into society and everyday life in Egypt.