Nature of Religion & Belief

Flashcards summarizing key concepts related to the nature of religion and belief, focusing on supernatural and natural dimensions, as well as specific religious and cultural practices.

Supernatural dimension

Belief in a divine being/s or power greater than humankind and the natural world, common to all religious traditions.

Transcendent religion

Worldviews that hold that the divine being is beyond human reach, unattainable, and above the laws of nature.

Immanent religion

Worldviews that hold that the divine dwells within the individual, allowing potential attainment of divine status through personal means such as meditation.

Beliefs and Believers

Key tenets, doctrines or values which underpin the religious practice for believers, offering a comprehensive picture of reality.

Sacred texts

Most important beliefs of a religion contained in texts, which can include oral traditions and artistic representations.

Ethics

Reasoning and system of standards regulating moral decision making, clarifying what is right and wrong for followers.

Rituals and ceremonies

Practical expressions of aspects of a religion, involving prescribed actions and symbols to lead to greater understanding of ultimate reality.

The Dreaming

The central Aboriginal concept linking people's beliefs, spirituality, culture, and connection to the land across time.

Totemism

A natural object, plant or animal inherited by members of a clan, serving as their spiritual emblem and defining their roles and responsibilities.

Kinship

A complex network defining social organization and family relationships, determining roles, responsibilities, and obligations in Aboriginal communities.

Ancestral Spirits

Spirits believed to have originated from the seas, sky, and ground, creating natural features and life forms in the Aboriginal worldview.