Religion, Belief Systems & Aboriginal Spirituality

Worldview

The way in which a particular group of people or an individual views the world, consisting of meaning, purpose, belonging, and identity.

Religion

Composed of beliefs and practices that provide meaning and purpose to adherents, transcending their world and limitations.

Supernatural Dimension

Refers to a power or being beyond human limitation and comprehension, existing beyond the natural world or the world of humans.

Transcendent Religious Worldview

Beliefs in divine powers exceeding human limitations, where the deity or supernatural dimension is beyond or above Earth.

Immanent Religious Worldview

The belief in divine powers or beings present within the natural world or within humans themselves.

Belief

The acceptance of something that exists, especially in the context of religion, attitudes towards mythological, supernatural, or spiritual aspects.

Believer

An adherent of a particular religion who follows the beliefs of that religion.

Sacred Text

Oral or written texts in religions that form the foundation for beliefs, ethics, and rituals of the religion.

Sacred texts

Provide foundation for beliefs and ethics of a religion, guiding adherents and maintaining principal beliefs

Bible

Christianity's sacred text containing Old and New Testaments, psalms, parables, recounts of Jesus' life, and creation story

Tanakh

Judaism's sacred text with 3 main sections - Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim, containing poetry, creation stories, laws, and commandments

Supreme beings

Integral to many religions, affirming belief in a transcendent world beyond human existence.

Alfred North Whitehead

Claims without religious vision, 'human life is a bagatelle of transient experience.'

Christianity - Trinity

God of Christianity exists in three aspects: Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Trinity), guiding adherents through Jesus Christ.

Pain & Suffering

Refers to pain caused by evil and human neglect, prompting questions on God, human existence, and the universe.

Redemptive suffering

Offering sufferings to Christ as a redeemer of sins.

Life after Death

Religions address what happens after death, detailing concepts like resurrection and reincarnation.

Christianity - Afterlife

In Christianity, souls go to heaven or hell based on their actions on Earth.

Religion & Society

Religion influences society through moral guidance, laws, and societal practices.

Moral Precepts

Each religion has its moral precepts central to teachings and ethics.

Aboriginal Spirituality

Based on the Dreaming, detailing spiritual beliefs of creation and existence.

Metatemporal

The past, present, and future intertwine to form the complete present reality.

The Dreaming

Not a god but a way of being linked to the land, influencing all aspects of Aboriginal life.

Eternal Connection

Between ancestral spirits and Aboriginal people, communicated through songs, stories, art, and ceremonies.

Origins of the Universe

Dreaming explains the world's creation through ancestral beings.

Creation Stories

Unique narratives of how the world was created by ancestral spirits

Dreaming

Aboriginal belief system explaining creation, behavior, and rituals

Sacred Sites

Locations of significance to Aboriginal people for rituals and events

Uluru

Famous Aboriginal sacred site in Australia

Kinship

System of relationships within a clan, guiding conduct and responsibilities

Totem

Symbolic representation of an Aboriginal person's kinship group

Custodianship

Responsibility for preserving and protecting land and traditions

Symbolism

Use of symbols to convey cultural values and stories

Aboriginal Art

Artistic expression reflecting cultural heritage and stories

Country

Area where an Aboriginal person belongs

Mother

Reference to the land of Australia in Aboriginal culture

Inextricable

Unable to be separated or disentangled

Ancestor Spirits

Believed spirits residing in the land by Aboriginal people

Ethical System

Set of moral principles governing behavior within a tribe

Reciprocal Obligations

Mutual responsibilities and duties within kinship relationships

Oral Tradition

Passing down knowledge through spoken stories and songs

Identity

Sense of self and belonging within Aboriginal culture

Ancestral Beings

Supernatural entities in Dreaming stories shaping the world

Spirituality

Beliefs and practices related to the spirit world

Family

Concept of unity and belonging encompassing all aspects of life

Land Custodianship

Responsibility for caring for and preserving the land

Ancestral Knowledge

Wisdom passed down from elders to maintain traditions

Aboriginal Elders

Respected individuals in the community for their wisdom and guidance

Dreaming Stories

Narratives explaining creation, law, and ethical conduct in Aboriginal culture