Nature of Religion study

what is religion

a distinctive answer to the human need and/or search for the meaning in life

types of questions of existence

knowledge, God, universe, human person, ethics

characteristics of religion

beliefs and believers, sacred texts, ethics, rituals and ceremonies

dynamic and living religion

when all the characteristics of religion connect and interact

common features of monotheistic religions

creation, revelation, life after death, what does it mean to be human?

factors influencing the differences in beliefs

age, gender, devoutness, location

main points about sacred texts

all sacred texts are extremely significant and contain the core paradigm of a faith (central belief) some are the result of a revelation and many contain ethics for followers. given special respect (e.g. sacred locations)

main points about ethics

the practical application of belief. codes of behaviour that distinguish between right and wrong and guide how to behave.

main points rituals and ceremonies

rituals are the lived expression of a religion - how beliefs are experienced by people in the real world. broadly divided into public and private rituals

standard version of the rainbow serpent story

the rainbow serpent starts travelling around the land, creating mountains and valleys. she fills some valleys with water to create rivers. then she created the sky, the sun and the clouds. then she called the other animals to come out of their slumber

how is the Dreaming communicated

through the Dreaming stories and word of mouth, which connects Indigenous people to the landscape and their tradition

connection between Dreaming and the land

all aspects of Aboriginal life are connected to the land in some way. this connection is inextricable, meaning it can never be separated

Aboriginal identity

Aboriginal identity is created through connection with the Dreaming and the land. the Dreaming and land prescribe all aspects of Aboriginal society, which shapes a person's identity

importance of the Dreaming

Aboriginal society is held together by the connections between the Dreaming, land and identity - this is why the Dreaming is of utmost importance in an Indigenous person's life