Nature of Religion

Transcendent Definition

Existence above or apart from the natural world

Christianity and transcendence

God is believed to be above and independent from all creation. There is nothing else that matches his power.

Immanent Definition

The idea that gods of spiritual forces are present in the universe and are present in every aspect of life

Hindu view of Immanence

They believe their God Brahman is endowed with them, their eternal spirit or soul, called the atman.

Rituals and Ceremonies Define

Practical expression of aspects of a religion. Involve prescribed words and actions along with symbols. These together reflect understanding of the supernatural dimension. These help to lead to a greater understanding of the ultimate reality.

Rituals and Ceremonies Example

Christianity - Christmas/Easter - Sacraments

How religion helps individuals in particular - What does it help?

Religion has made significant contributions to the life of individuals such as the personal search for meaning, ethical guidance, sense of belonging and ritual meaning.

Ritual Meaning

- Marks important stages of human experience

- Ritualised in religious tradition

Aboriginal Rituals

Aboriginals honour their ancestors through several rituals which they perform, one including rain making, if they've been good they are blessed with rain, if not they must suffer drought

Totems

Totems are significant objects, usually animals or plant which reflect which one a spirit ancestor is associated with, through this spirit allows connection to a particular area of land

Nature of the Dreaming

- Primarily important to Aboriginal people, forming a complex idea of the central and deepest reality of the Aboriginal world - Spiritual Dimension

- Dreaming does not refer to one fixed time or event, or exist in a chronological order with events before or after. The dreaming transcends time

- Aboriginals consider the Nature of the Dreaming to link back to their ancestral beings, forming the landscape and creating the plants, animals and people of the known world.

- They also founded the ceremonies, marriage laws and other laws of human society.

- The representation of the stories about supernatural beings and events

Christianity Symbol

Holy Cross

Islam Symbol

Crescent moon and star

Jewish Symbol

Star of David

Buddhism Symbol

Dharma Wheel

Hinduism Symbol

Om/Aum

Difference b/w buddhism and hinduism

Hinduism: that there is one true god, the supreme spirit, called Brahman. The goal of life in Hinduism is to attain salvation

Buddhism: Is a tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development. Buddhists strive for a deep insight into the true nature of life and do not worship gods or deities. expand all.

Hinduism Practice

rituals such as puja (worship) and recitations, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages.

4 Characteristics of Religion

Beliefs and Believers

Sacred Texts and Writings

Ethics

Ritual and Ceremonies

Hinduism Prayers (Devotion)

Om is the most important of all mantras (prayers) at shrine or temple commonly with maalaas (beads) they pray in hindi

Polytheism

Belief in many gods

Monotheism

Belief in one God

Religious Worldview

Set of beliefs about fundamental aspects of Reality that ground and influence all one's perceiving, thinking, knowing, and doing.

Secularism

A doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations.

Secular

Non-religious

transcendent

going beyond the limits of ordinary experience

Ethics

the principles of right and wrong that guide an individual in making decisions

Beliefs

specific ideas that people hold to be true

Animism

The belief that bodies of water, animals, trees, and other natural objects have spirits

Humanism

A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity