religion | unit 1

divine/natural revelation, current issue etc

what is natural revelation

• explored through 2 dimensions: inward and outward

• the ways human beings have come to know god through personal experience and through the created world

natural revelation - inward dimension

• encountered through human reflection

• deep desires for knowledge, beauty, love and meaning which are not satisfied by any finite achievement

• this points beyond the material world to god who is the source of these things\

• when people experience moments of insight, creativity or intimacy and recognise these as gifts received rather than achievements claimed

• the giver is understood to be god

natural revelation - outward dimension

• found in the created world itself

• through human reason, people observe order, complexity, beauty and power in nature

• this is recognised as signs of a divine creator

• diversity and richness of creation reveal a god who delights in beauty and abundance

• human qualities like compassion, self sacrifice and faithful love reveal gods presence because these virtues reflect and participate in divine love

CCC 1147 (natural)

god speaks to man through visible creation. the material cosmos is so presented to man’s intelligence that he can read there traces of its creator.

Acts 9:4-8 (divine)

saul, saul, why do you persecute me?

CCC, p.53 (divine)

god communicates himself to man gradually

CCC, p.50 (natural)

by natural reason, man can know god with certainty, on the basis of his work

john 14:6 (jesus)

i am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through me

CCC 73

god has revealed himself fully by sending his own son…the son is his father’s definitive word; so there will be no further revelation after him.

places of religion

religious

political

social

religious role of religion

• aus is a cultvating env for growing diverse beliefs

• beliefs brought by migrants and first nations culture influence society

• evidence - religious traditions and celebration, sacred sites and places of worship

political role of religion

• integral to aus politics

• impacts political values and opinions

• evidence - judeo-christian values evident in the constitution, arrival of the first fleet and the good samaritan

religion

Religion is a system of beliefs, practices, traditions, and values centred around belief in a higher power or spiritual reality, such as God or gods.

what does it mean to be religious?

• Belief in a higher power or sacred reality (e.g. God or divine truth)

• Participation in religious rituals and practices (e.g. prayer, worship, sacraments)

• Following moral and ethical teachings of a religion in daily life

• Engagement with sacred texts as guidance for belief and behaviour

• Involvement in a religious community (e.g. attending church, mosque, temple)

• Experiencing and expressing spirituality through reflection, prayer, or worship

reasons why major divisions exist in religion

• Differences in interpretation of sacred texts and teachings
  Followers may disagree on how scriptures (e.g. Bible, Qur’an) should be understood or applied, leading to different beliefs and practices.

• Differences in religious authority and leadership
  Disputes over who has the authority to lead or interpret teachings (e.g. priests, scholars, prophets, or the community) can create divisions.

• Historical and cultural influences
  Events such as reforms, political changes, or cultural differences can lead to new branches within a religion developing over time.

• Doctrinal disagreements (belief differences)
  Differences in core beliefs about God, salvation, or religious practice can result in separate denominations or sects.

• Geographical spread and adaptation
  As religions spread to different regions, they may adapt to local cultures, leading to variations in practice and belief.