Religion and Society Unit 4 Notes PDF

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RELIGION & SOCIETY: UNIT 3 & 4 Beliefs: Articles of faith that are thought to be true or evident by adherent.  Sacred Stories: Relate in imaginative detail a believed truth, such as that conveyed by historiography, legends, edifying parables and folklore.   Texts: Compilations of oral and written literature in which the essential parts of the religious tradition are recorded.  Rituals: A prescribed set of actions that has symbolic meaning and is considered sacred includes litergues and ceremonies.  Ethics: Moral principles which govern behaviour and guide adherents about what they ought to do.  Symbols: Signs, objects, actions or places that represent a special religious meaning or power.  Social Structure: An established social model to which society conforms, which often places religious leadership at or near the top of society.  Spiritual Experience: Life events that can be had in religious or non-religious contexts and to which religious or spiritual meaning encountered, affecting one’s belief  Space, Place, Artefact & Time: SPACE: Designed areas within a place where the sacred may be experimented and commitment demonstrated. PLACE: Particulate site that represent the presence of the sacred. ARTEFACTS: A source of identity or focus for prayer including ancient stones, statues, articles of clothing, paint used for ceremonies, beads used for prayer, mats, scrolls or icons. TIME: The organisation of daily, weekly and annual ceremonies, prayers, festivals and rituals that form the rhythm of life for adherents and communities of a religious traditions.             

RELIGION & SOCIETY: UNIT 3 & 4  EXISTENTIAL QUESTIONS The ultimate reality Ultimate Reality is one way to name that cosmic force beyond human understanding perceived by believers in some religions to be the dynamic power that creates and controls the universe. In the cosmology of many religions, there is a god figure, spirit, force or divine principle that is considered the supreme power and in whom resides wisdom, enlightenment, omnipotence and moral values.  The nature and purpose of human life Religious traditions offer a framework to help understand human existence. These frameworks developed from religious world views that ascribe human existence to purposeful creation and design. Religious world views variously describe the nature of humans as both good and evil; infinite (soul, divine spark) and finite; free and predestined.The purpose of human existence may be identified as being compassionate, attaining salvation accepting inevitable suffering. There may be primeval myths about human origins, beliefs on the relative importance and role of humanity on Earth and teachings that express values.  The nature and meaning of suffering (R&S study design) Religious Perspectives of Good and Evil (text book) ‘Good’ can be seen as the essence of the divine nature or those actions a human being carries out that are virtuous, worthy and beneficial to themselves and others...[Some religions] recognise good and evil as products of human choice, made by following or ignoring divine commands.  Death and the afterlife Just as meaning can be found in life, it can also be found in death. Religious traditions since time immemorial have constructed beliefs, rituals, codes of behavior and prayers to mark the death of a human being. These assist not only in overcoming the loss of a loved one but also in justifying the death in theological terms. Most traditions have developed a theodicy and eschatology to explain death and the afterlife to their adherents. Related beliefs refer to the mystical union of reality with the divine, the ultimate destiny of humanity, including the end of time.  The relationship between ultimate reality and humanity The supreme being, or ultimate reality, is often seen as being in a relationship with humans...in some faiths, as in Judaism and Christianity, the ultimate reality may be seen as both immanent and transcendent at the same time. P232  The relationship between humans Religious traditions provide ideals and guidelines for the relationships between people The relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world Religious traditions, in their sacred texts and, in particular, their creation myths, explore the relationship between humankind and the natural world in which they live and upon which they rely

RELIGION & SOCIETY: UNIT 3 & 4  The Purpose of Religion in the Search for Meaning  Religious traditions and denominations help address life’s big questions, existential questions, or deep seated questions: They also ● Make sense of existence and the world. ● Help explain the purpose of human life and the rest of the natural world ● Provide guidance for appropriate behaviour ● Socialization of individuals, build community sense of purpose, and identity ● Promote justice ● Define and protect the sacred ● provide meaning and purpose in life ● can provide guidance for appropriate behaviour ● can give reason and faith ● can give a sense of having a valuable and purposeful place in society ● A framework for appropriate behaviour towards and relationship with the UR ● A framework for appropriate behaviour towards relationships with humankind. ● A framework for appropriate behaviour towards and relationships with human life and the rest of the natural world  The nature of religious beliefs and their role in responding to the search for meaning ➢ “Modern sociologists have suggested that the purpose of religion is to help shape society through providing ideas that support progress. ➢ Anthropologists have argued that religion expresses what the whole community believes to be the meaning and purpose of life. ➢ This is done through ceremony or ritual and in this way religion stabilises and unifies a society by giving an identity to its members. A more recent view is that religion’s purpose is to provide a way of belonging – for both the community and the individual. One way of clarifying the purpose of religion is to look at what religious traditions commonly offer the societies in which they operate. Often their purpose is to provide society with: ● A belief in a transcendent authority that provides the society with common values ● A metanarrative, or truth narrative, that provides a way of making sense of ‘the world’, including its origins and end ● A symbolic understanding of mystery or that which remains inexplicable ● Rituals and symbols that designate significant moments in the life of the individual or the community ● Ethical principles and moral values that guide human behaviour ● Objects that are sacred and inspire the community through their beauty, either as ideas or as art ● A way of expressing individual or communal emotions ● A world view that gives an individual’s life meaning and purpose.  The search for meaning is a fundamental human response to life, which is both universal and personal. Humans across time and place have similarly pondered the wonders of nature and life, and have reflected on the mysteries of how and why it all came to be, and how and why some things keep going while others cease to exist.” 

RELIGION & SOCIETY: UNIT 3 & 4  Each religious tradition has beliefs not found within other religious traditions. These are called foundational beliefs or  distinctive beliefs.  Fundamental beliefs are the beliefs of a religious tradition which explain the basic questions to existential questions.  Subsequent beliefs are beliefs which are formed around foundational and fundamental beliefs. They are not central to the religion, but different subsequent beliefs may be found in different denominations.  The Interplay Relationship between Religion and Society ● Religions are part of the societies they exist in. They influence society, and society influences the religion. ● Religions have had, and continue to have, both positive and negative impacts on society and vice versa ● Religious traditions can offer society stability (social stability) by providing guidance for appropriate behaviour, promoting justice, building community. ● Religious traditions also assist in the transmission of value systems and cultural traditions. ● Religions can be seen to be the cause or factor in war. “It is difficult to separate religious antagonisms from cultural, political and economic interests.” ● Religions sometimes encounter the concept of extremism, which may include people dying for their faith (martyrdom), and at some points in history and in the world, some religions have forced people to convert to their religion. ● In the 21st Century, many religions do not have the same influence or authority as they once did.  The Purpose of Religious Beliefs Some of the purpose of religious beliefs are to help explain existential or deep meaning questions concerning ultimate reality, the nature and purpose of human life (including who am I, what is my purpose in life, etc), the meaning of suffering, death and the afterlife, the relationship between ultimate reality and humanity, the relationship between humans, the relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world. Religious traditions are centred around their beliefs. Some religious beliefs are distinctive to a religious tradition, like Roman Catholicism, and other beliefs are also help by other Christian denominations.  What makes a belief Fundamental? ● underpins (supports) the belief system ● internal structure of belief system ● belief hold the core values and fundamental morals for the belief system     

RELIGION & SOCIETY: UNIT 3 & 4  Nicene Creed  I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen  Beliefs of the Catholic Church Beliefs can be ‘categorized to look at the wisdom provided by them in the traditions’ relationships with the Ultimate Reality, each other and with creation… The beliefs… can provide answers to the ‘big questions’ in the life… these fundamental beliefs are part of an integrated system of beliefs that provides a cohesive, overarching narrative to the adherents of a tradition.  One God → “I believe in One God” (Nicene Creed) God: a general term for the deity or ultimate reality. Christianity believes in only one God. This belief in One God is called MONOTHEISM. Within the Roman Catholic tradition, some of the characteristics of God are: 1. Infinite: unlimited in every kind of perfection and that every conceivable perfection belongs to this God in the highest conceivable way 2. Divine: intelligent and free and distinct from the created universe 3. Eternal: beyond temporal limits and reactions. God has neither beginning, nor end, nor duration by way of sequence or succession of moments. There is no past or future for God but only an eternal present 4. Transcendent and immanent: space, like time, is one of the measures of the finites. On the one hand God is necessarily present everywhere in space as the immanent cause and sustainer of creatures, and on the other hand God transcends the limitation of actual and possible space, and cannot be circumscribed or measured or divided by any spatial relations. Metaphorically and paradoxically ‘God’s centre is everywhere; God’s circumference nowhere.’ 5. Immutable: In God "there is no change, nor shadow of alteration" 6. Omniscient: possesses perfect knowledge of all things. 7. Omnipotent: all powerful. “God said, ‘let there be light’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:4)  

RELIGION & SOCIETY: UNIT 3 & 4 God as Father Christianity sees God in personal and relational terms. The image of God as Father captures the belief that God created all things, especially human beings ❖ “Our Father in Heaven” (Matthew 6:9) parallel “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.” (Luke 11:2) ❖ “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) ❖ “Let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God ... God is Love” (1st letter of John 4:8)  God as Creator Christianity believes that God created everything in love. ❖ “I believe in one God the Father the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” (Nicene Creed) “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth...” (Genesis 1:1) ❖ “God saw all that God had made and indeed it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)  Trinity A term denoting the specifically Christian doctrine that God is a unity of three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. ❖ “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son.” (Matthew 11:27) ❖ “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30) ❖ “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father. God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one being with the Father.” (Nicene Creed) ❖ “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified” (Nicene Creed) ❖ “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) ❖ “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21-22)           

RELIGION & SOCIETY: UNIT 3 & 4 Jesus Christ The central figure of Christianity, whose life, death and resurrection represent for Christians God’s saving act for humanity. His name ‘Jesus’ is derived from the Hebrew word that means ‘saviour’ and the title ‘Christ (Hebrew: messiah) means ‘anointed’ and refers to one commissioned by God for a special task. ❖ “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ” (Nicene Creed) ❖ “Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard his equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking on the form of a slave, being born in human form. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:6-8)  Holy Spirit The mysterious power or presence of God in nature or with individuals and communities, inspiring and empowering them with qualities they would not otherwise possess. ❖ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Luke 4:18) “Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven....” (John 20:22) ❖ “Suddenly from heaven there came a rush of a violent wind and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the spirit gave them the ability.” (Acts 2:2-4)  Resurrection A rising to life from death. The Christian belief in Resurrection is not so much about the immortality of the soul as the resurrection of the dead. It is to be distinguished from resuscitation or reincarnation. It denotes a complete transformation of the human person. ❖ “We will not all die but we will all be changed ... the dead will be raised imperishable ... When this perishable body puts on perishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?” (1st letter of St Paul to the Corinthians) The resurrection of Jesus is not only the foundation of this belief but is the foundation of all Christian beliefs. It anticipates the general resurrection of all believers.  Key Scripture Texts  Genesis 1:1 → “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 1:27 → “God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”  Genesis 1:31 → “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.”  Genesis 2:15 → “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (sometimes translated as ‘to tend and to keep’)”  Exodus 20:13 → “Thou shalt not kill.”

RELIGION & SOCIETY: UNIT 3 & 4  Leviticus 19:18 → “Love Your Neighbour Love your neighbour as yourself.”  Deuteronomy 6:4 → “You shall love the Lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”  Deuteronomy 27.19 → “Cursed be anyone who deprives the alien, the orphan and the widow of Justice.”  Micah 6:8 → “What does the Lord require of you? Do Justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.”  Luke 4.17-18 → “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”  Luke 6:31→ “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  Luke 6:36 → “Be merciful as your heavenly Father is compassionate.”  Luke 18:22 → “Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  Luke 19:10 → “For the Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost.”  Luke 22:19→ “Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  Matthew 5 → “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 25 → (Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for...) “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”  John 6:35, 40 → “I am the Bread of Life...This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.” 

RELIGION & SOCIETY: UNIT 3 & 4 John 6:54 → “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day”  John 11:25-26 → “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”  John 15:12 → “Love one another as I have loved you.” ...