Nature of relgion notes PDF

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Nature of religion notes...

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THE NATURE OF RELIGION Religion as a worldview Supernatural dimension o Supernatural: something that is above or beyond what is natural  Religion is the belief in a supernatural dimension,  Described as “divine, abnormal or miraculous”  All religions are unique to their response in the SD  Belief in the SD is central to all world religions  E.g. Having a God is a supernatural understanding Transcendent religious worldview o A worldview that recognises a divine being/power, who existence “goes beyond human limitations”  Concept referring to an existence beyond the world Examples  God looking down to us from above – god is separate and outside of the human Immanent religious worldview o A worldview that recognises a divine being/power, an active and continuing presence among believers and in the world – within human limitations  God is present within human existence (e.g. feeling god in your daily life)  The divine power is held within an individual or nature Examples : o Christianity, Judaism, Islam - God (divine power) is said to transcend above and beyond humans o Buddhism + Hinduism - divine power dwells within an individual (immanent) Note – a healthy approach to religion will include a balance between the transcendent ( out there), and the immanent dimension Characteristics of religions Components needed for a religion to function, these characteristics allow a religion to be organised and allow its adherents to practise their faith and seek guidance: o Beliefs and believers  The key principles/beliefs (tenet), doctrines or values, which underpin the religious practises of a religion and for their believers  Differing interpretations of these beliefs can result in disunity  A religion is kept alive by its beliefs /believers  Keeps religious communities connected/unified o Sacred texts and writings  ST are at the centre of a religion  ST provide direction and guidance to believers about how to live their lives  ST – show how people are connected to the supernatural dimension e.g. Christians believe in the bible which was inspired by the word of God

Example - The Qu’r’an is a ST in Islam that is not only read and mediated upon, but gives essential direction for Islamic beliefs/customer o Ethics  Purpose – to clarify between right and wrong  Offer a system of standards, which regulate moral decision making  Act as a guide for adherents for what they should and shouldn’t do o Rituals and ceremonies  Practical expression of a religion (art/performances)  Helps adherents gain a deeper understanding of their religion  Are sacred – linked to the supernatural + divine Dynamic Living religion Dynamic religion – one characterised by ambition, new ideas and practical achievements   

Providing meaning to its adherents – by being current and adapting to modern/contemporary society Real and immersed in everyday human life A religion that embodies its core beliefs whilst still adapting to modern context

The characteristics of religion need to work together – in order to create a living and dynamic religion

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Diagram ^^

The Contribution of religion Individuals o Provides:  Sense of belonging, and community  Helps individuals find a purpose within their life  Gives people an identity as a believer within a religion -

Gives ethics that help guide their decision making Present role models, guidance and direction - to develop faith and to become their best version of themselves Through mediation, prayer and reflection – religion can help adherents find inner peace

Society o Contributes to:  Our individual worldview  How we see ourselves  Maintaining peace and order in society  The creation of wars and hostile environments  Society’s law – based on the ethical systems of a religion  To the creation of hospitals + orphanages which represent the motivation of religions to help the poor, sick and disadvantaged -

Religion – underlying goal is to create goodness and harmony Can confront challenges and stimulate change in society e.g. where there is injustice in the world Can offer comfort in a time where the world may seem enormous and uncaring at times

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS BELIEFS AND SPIRITUALTIES – T HE DREAMING  Aboriginal- refers to any indigenous group in the world  Indigenous- the original inhabitants of any country -

Aboriginals way of life was nomadic – meaning they survived by hunting and gathering – Europeans did not understand this way of life Aboriginals cultures are highly developed, deeply religious, and closely linked to the nature and the land Called “Aboriginality spiritualty” – refers more to way of life rather than a separate religious practise

The Dreaming o Incorporates the past, present and the future into a complete and present reality o Refers to the concept that underpins all beliefs and practises in the aboriginal community, and hence represents all knowledge - The dreaming is the centre and basis of Aboriginal religion/life - Determines all relationships and responsibilities of AB people - Teaches everything about life e.g. how to live off the land + learning about ancestral spirits - AB believe the world was created in the Dreaming - Sacred sites, stories, arts + symbolism are all expressions of the dreaming Nature of the dreaming  The dreaming- represents all knowledge and understanding in Aboriginal societies

 Ancestral beings- the spirits who formed the landscapes, plants, animals and people of the world, they also created the ceremonies and laws in Aboriginal tradition Origins of the universe o The dreaming includes explanations about the origins of the universe: - How the world came into being through actions of the ancestral beings - Creation of the physical world - Animals and plants which inhabits the world Sacred sites o Sacred sites hold a particular significance to AB groups - Sacred sites are connected to different events in the dreaming o Dreaming= has an inextricable connection to the land, as the land is a physical medium – through which the dreaming is lived and communicated Stories of the dreaming -

The telling and learning of the dreaming stories – is a lifelong process for AB people Stories of the dreaming are revealed to AB tribes through; songs, dance, art and rituals – this is how traditions are passed on through generations Story telling = “oral traditions”

Symbolism and art -

Art/symbols play a role in the telling of stories + preserving of sacred laws handed down from the past Visuals – assists in oral story-telling A majority of Aboriginal art – was temporary, meaning it only lasted for a particular ceremony e.g funerals/initiations All aboriginal art has a religious theme

Layers of meaning o There are many ‘layers of meaning in aboriginal rituals + ceremonies  1st layer= most obvious and accessible to all  2nd layer= not so obvious, require more experience, and a deeper relationship with aboriginal culture for understanding  Deeper layers= are secret/sacred, are only understood by the elders of the tribe Diversity of the dreaming for aboriginal people -

There are 900 aboriginal nations in Australia, therefore dreaming stories differ greatly Each nation has its own dialect, meaning languages were different among aboriginal groups As a result, dreaming accounts are different

Importance of the dreaming for the life of aboriginal people o Importance of the dreaming to AB: - Defines all relationship and responsibilities for AB - Explains why the land is important to the expression of religious spirituality - Their spirituality is incorporated day to day life and celebrated through devotional prayers Inextricable connection

Land + dreaming -

Land is considered “mother” Land= core of all spirituality Land = strong inextricable connection It is the physical link to the invisible and spiritual world Dreaming – sets the moral + social bonds and the inextricable connection between humans, ancestral beings and the spiritual world

Identity -

An AB person identity is inextricably linked to the land – as it is the understanding that the land enables them to understand their totemic responsibilities to each other and the land Aboriginals consider the land part of their identity “I am the land”...