SOR II unit Preliminary Complete Notes PDF

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Complete course notes for the entire Studies of Religion two unit Preliminary Course....

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Nature of Religion SYLLABUS OUTCOME 1: RELIGION AS A WORLD VIEW Dot Point: 1.1 Supernatural dimension ● ● ●

Something that is above and beyond what is considered natural. It exceeds human existence and cannot be explained. The beliefs of the supernatural dimension include ○ the concept of God ○ the belief of Angels and Devils ○ belief that the human spirit may exist on earth after the death of the physical body.

Dot Point: 1.2 Transcendent religious worldview ● ● ●

The Transcendental Dimension is the belief in a divine power that is beyond human existence. A God or spirit lives out of reach from earth in the supernatural dimension The characteristics of a transcendent dimension include ○ prayer ○ sacrifice ○ rituals or practices that are focused on a deity.

Dot Point: 1.3 Immanent Religious worldview ● ●

The belief that a God or holy spirit/deity lives on earth within them god or spirit world integrated into humanity reached through ○ reflection or inward activity ○ meditation and various rituals ○ specific practices

SYLLABUS OUTCOME 2: CHARACTERISTICS OF RELIGION Define ● ● ●

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Beliefs is the acceptance of the beliefs of religion without the certain proof that it actually exists. Believers are people(adherents) who follow and accept the beliefs and traditions of a religion. Sacred texts hold all the morals, teachings, history, rituals and ceremonies, and stories of a religion that are used for adherents to follow as a guideline for living life Ethics are the morals and values that can be gathered through the devotion to a religion Ritual and Ceremonies are the practices that are done to respect culture and religion

How they interact

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Beliefs come from the scared texts and thusly influence the ethics and thus the rituals and ceremonies which are then performed by the believers who are educated by the ethics and their beliefs

SYLLABUS OUTCOME 3: CONTRIBUTION OF RELIGION Dot Point: 3.1 Contribution of religion to individuals ● ● ● ●

The contribution that religion makes for the individual include providing an answer to a personal search for meaning Religion also provides ethical guidance, a sense of belonging to a group, ritual meaning and a relationship with the transcendent realm. Provides individuals with answers to usually unanswerable questions It helps individuals find help and meaning even when everything seems lost

Dot Point: 3.2 Contribution of religion to society and culture ● ● ●

It helps maintain and support harmony and peace in communities. It also helps change to make better aspects of society that are unjust. Fix false ideas about a belief

Australian Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualities - The Dreaming SYLLABUS OUTCOME 1: NATURE OF THE DREAMING Dot Point: 1.1 Origins of the Universe ● ● ● ●

A european term that refers to the essence of truth in Aboriginal religious beliefs The ancestor spirits/Beings created the land first, then the plants and animals. Then they departed and returned to the land itself but before they left they modelled a way for all people to live in a moral way by caring for the land and all natural things.

Dot Point: 1.2 Sacred Sites ● ● ● ● ●

Natural land formations where Aboriginal Ancestral spirits interacted with creation All land is sacred because it was created by the Ancestor Spirits and all past generations continue to live in the land. Some lands are related to particular dreamtime stories and sacred rituals must be performed to preserve the land. The land is a physical medium through which dreaming is lived and communicated. If the ceremonies do not take place or the site is destroyed then part of the

dreaming is lost.

Dot Point: 1.3 Stories of the Dreaming ● ● ● ● ● ●

Stories of the Dreaming are about the origins of the universe and are not regarded as myth. They tell the lore, morality, relationships with other tribes and describe why certain activities take place. The Stories of Dreaming tell us about aspects of spirituality, morality and lore. They explain the history of the tribe and land that they live in. They teach the community about the spiritual nature of life and the place of the dreaming of day-to-day life. These stories describe spirituality and connect the transcendent world to the real world.

Dot Point: 1.4 Symbolism and art ●

Communicating the stories of the Dreaming , rituals and ceremonies expressed through art forms such as song, dance and art

Dot Point: 1.5 Diversity of he Dreaming for Aboriginal people ● ● ●

There are about 900 aboriginal nations each with their own dreaming stories, language and totem. Clans have their own particular dreaming and dialect. Each clan has a totem that is either a native plant or animal that the people of that clan share a spiritual connection with.

Dot Point: 1.6 Importance of the Dreaming for the life of Aboriginal people ● ● ●

The dreaming allows them to connect to the spiritual world. The importance of the Dreaming for the life of the Aboriginal people is that it is the source of their individual identity Their bond to the spirit world is renewed every time they fulfill a totemic relationship or respond to some part of their lore that is presented in dreaming.

SYLLABUS OUTCOME 2: THE INEXTRICABLE CONNECTION OF THE DREAMING, THE LAND AND IDENTITY Dot Point: 2.1 Connection of the Dreaming to land ●

The connection between the Dreaming and the land is that the land sustains Aboriginal lives in every aspect spiritually, physically, socially and culturally.

Dot Point: 2.2 Connection of the Dreaming to identity ●

The connection of the Dreaming to identity is inextricable as they are

entangled with the land in a genuine dynamic of interconnected identity

Judaism - Religious Tradition SYLLABUS OUTCOME 1: ORIGINS Dot Point: 1.1 Abraham and the Covenant Abraham: Abraham’s covenant with God was that all males are to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant between him and God. God then promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation. Isaac: God promised Isaac that he would have a son with Rebekah who ended up giving birth to twins. God said that these two sons would become leaders of two separate nations and that the eldest son (Esau) would come to serve the younger (Jacob). Jacob: God’s covenant to Jacob was that he was to be the keeper of the covenant after Isaac had blessed him. God promised the Jewish people a land to live on, this was called the Promised Land. In the Promised Land it would be a place where the Jewish can live freely and are able to expect great happiness. The promise Abraham made was to circumcise all males as a reminder of the covenant and that he would guide the Jewish people to protect them and give them the land of Israel.

Dot Point: 1.2 Moses, the Exodus and the giving of the Torah ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

When Moses was born his mother had to send him down the nile river and his elder sister Miriam followed Moses was found by the Pharaoh’s daughter and Miriam approached her oering to find a wet nurse Miriam called her mother to nurse Moses until the age of 12 where he was returned to the Pharaoh Moses was grown being taught about God and the skills to run egypt Moses wanted to solve the conflict between the Hebrews and the Egyptians after he witness a murder which resulted in the death of a Hebrew man Moses fled to Midian (Saudi Arabia) after the Pharaoh threatens to kill him Moses stayed with a priest and married the priest’s daughter who bore him two sons Moses became a shepherd for 40 years before God called to him to return to Egypt to liberate his people Moses was called by God through a burning bush where he heard a divine voice telling him to return to Egypt God tells Moses that he will make him like God to the Pharaoh (Moses’ brother) to free the Israelites and show Egypt that He is God through the

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hardening of the Pharaoh’s heart God sent down Ten Plagues, the most significant of these was the 10th where God would cause the death of the first born. This did not apply to the Israelites due to the passover. The Israelites were liberated from Egypt and lived n the desert until they were confronted by God at Mt Sinai where He renewed the first covenant with Abraham with the nation as a whole God told Moses to tell the Israelites to prepare for the third day where God will come Moses lead the Israelites to the foot of Mt Sinai where only Moses was allowed to go up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments Moses returns and gives the people the Ten Commandment, he then built 12 pillars at the foot of the mountain to represent the 12 tribes and performed a burnt oering for the lord The Israelites began to worship a Golden Calf so Moses broke them and begs for forgiveness on behalf of the nation Moses received a stone tablet with the Ten Commandments engraved from God which became a symbol for the unseen God

1. I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any strange gods before me 2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain 3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day 4. Honor thy father and mother 5. Thou shalt not kill 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery 7. Thou shalt not steal 8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour 9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods The commandments can be split into two dierent sections. The first three are for God and how to maintain adherence and loyalty to the Lord, the other seventh are focused on how adherents should treat each other to live God’s way.

SYLLABUS OUTCOME 2: MODERN JUDAISM Dot Point: 2.1 Conservative Judaism Conservative Judaism The unique features of Judaism is that it incorporates both traditional and contemporary values together. It revises the traditional laws to apply them to more contemporary scenarios that may arise. Orthodox Judaism Orthodox is unique as it follows the Torah as it was originally instituted when it was first introduced to Abraham with no exceptions, remaining completely devoted to the law as it was first written. Progressive Judaism Progressive Judaism is unique as it emphasises the evolving nature of the faith, this means that many of the laws are revised and reinterpreted, closely intertwined

with human reason, and it is not centred on the origins at Mount Sinai.

SYLLABUS OUTCOME 3: PRINCIPAL BELIEFS Dot Point: 3.1 Belief in one God The belief in one God is that He is the central to Judaism as reinforced in the Shema prayer. The attributes of God is that there is only ONE God, that GOd is indivisible and unique. The other attributes of God include ● God is eternal ● God is omnipotent ● God is omnipresent ● God is pure spirit

Dot Point: 3.2 Moral law prescribed by God The God given code of ethics which are meant to guide humans into ethical choices in keeping their dignity as God’s creation. It is also the adherence to studying the sources of moral code in the Torah and Talmud. A major aspect of the moral law include the 613 mitzvot A divinely inspired moral law is the law that binds the connection between God and the Jewish people, this is through a code of ethics that God provides his adherents to guide their decision making as to gain their dignity as God’s creation

Dot Point: 3.3 Covenant The importance of the Covenant for the Jewish people is that it is the expression of the relationship between them and God, it is a reminder of all God actions for humans and the commands they were given by God which they are required to follow which are followed by a list of blessings and curses

SYLLABUS OUTCOME 4: SACRED TEXTS AND WRITINGS Dot Point: 4.1 Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible, also known as the TeNaK, is the collection of the Torah (the jewish law), the Nevi’im (writings of the prophets) and the Ketuvim (writings). It contains all the principles of Judaism and provides ethical guidance of how to live a life in adherence. Talmud is also an important aspect of Hebrew bible. The importance of the Hebrew bible is that it documents and maintains the principles of Jewish faith, it also contains the history of the Jewish people. The main principles that are important to the text bible include the belief in one God, the covenant and divinely inspired laws, the TeNaK and the Talmud. “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make yourself a graven image; nor the form of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water beneath the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them…”

(Exodus 20: 2-6) This demonstrates the belief in one God. “And I will establish My covenant between Me and between you and between your seed after you throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant, to be to you for a God and to your seed after you. And I will give you and your seed after you the land of your sojournings, the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, and I will be to them for a God.” (Exodus 12)

Dot Point: 4.2 Talmud The Talmud is the collection of the two parts of the Oral Torah; the Mishnah and Gemara. THe Talmud is an enormous volume of important literature for Jewish life. It compiles the detailed elucidations from the wisdom of the Rabbis. It also contains the history, stories and theological reflection. The Talmud is important as it is the source from which the Jewish Halakhah (law) is derived. It complies with the law with a simplified explanation from the wisdom of the Rabbis. It also documents the history, stories and theological reflections of the Rabbis and Jewish adherents.

SYLLABUS OUTCOME 5: ETHICAL TEACHINGS Dot Point: 5.1 Commandments of the Torah The principal ethical teaching in Judaism comes from the Torah, the Prophetic vision and the Book of Proverbs. The most significant source of ethical teaching are the Ten Commandment and the 613 mitzvot which are found within the Torah.

Dot Point: 5.2 Prophetic vision Prophetic Vision is when one is called to by God to challenge the evils and inequalities within the community, advocating for a better world with peace, justice and equality as well as assistance with the poor, needy and the oppressed. Tikkun Olam is the notion that if one person saves another single human being then it is thought that person has saved the whole world. The principal ethical teachings of the Tikkun Olam include the role of the individual in bettering the world, ● stewardship, ● HaMascheah, ● Gemilut Chasidi (Acts of Loving Kindness), ● Tzekedah (charity) ● Blak Tashkit (Do not destroy)

Dot Point: 5.3 Book of Proverbs Wisdom literature ● The third part of the TeNaK known as "Ketuvim" is a collection of writings which belong loosely to a genre known as Wisdom literature.

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Wisdom literature is recognisable through its compact sayings upholding moral living and prudent judgement.

Distich ● The Proverbs generally follow a literary form known as distich which is a form of parallelism where a statement is made and then repeated in a slightly dierent form to give emphasis to the point ● There is no actual dierence in meaning between the two parts of the distich, rather the second point is a slightly varied reiteration of the first. Practical wisdom for prudent living ● The book of Proverbs is not a source of profound theological insight and reflection. Rather it is a practical guide, simply stated in down to earth terms. Wisdom ● Wisdom is the primary concern of the book of Proverbs which presents it in terms of a reciprocal relationship. ● It is presented as the path by which a person comes to knowledge of God. God is also shown as being the source of Wisdom. Thus Wisdom comes from God and Wisdom leads a person to God (Proverbs 2:5-6). ● In addition to Wisdom being inextricably connected to God there is also a strong sense that Wisdom is a powerful and eective force that will bring well being to those who seek it. ● The pursuit of Wisdom will therefore enable a person to prosper and thrive. Feminine depictions of God ● portray God in feminine terms in contrast to the predominant masculine images associated with the patriarchal culture of the times. ● Most significantly it details the qualities and achievements of this woman who personifies the aspects of Wisdom. ● She is prudent in her judgement, just in her actions and pure in her intentions. As a consequence she enjoys a rewarding life of blessing and the respect of all who know her. Righteousness ● A second significant element found in the book of Proverbs is the focus on righteousness. ● There is a strong emphasis on righteousness and integrity throughout the book. ● The writers stress that true happiness accompanies the person of integrity regardless of their situation in life. Purity ● The emphasis on purity is the third significant focus of the book of Proverbs. The meaning here is very similar to the idea of righteousness. ● The Proverbs praise the kind of purity and integrity that focus on the things of true value rather than those of dubious worth. ● A further element relates to the capacity of a person to judge their own motives and actions. ● The Proverbs warn that God's scrutiny is far more perceptive and reveals

any lack of integrity. Generosity of spirit ● The fourth important focus of the book of Proverbs is the aspect of generosity of spirit. ● In keeping with the broader Jewish tradition of care for the poor and oppressed the Proverbs clearly express the need to reach out to those in need. ● Additionally there is a strong sense that God's blessing will be upon those who act generously to the poor while those who do not will suer the consequences of their selfishness.

SYLLABUS OUTCOME 6: OBSERVANCE Dot Point: 6.1 Shabbat Shabbat is Judaism's day of rest and the seventh day of the week. On this day jewish people remember the biblical story describing the creation of the heavens and the earth in six days, the great exodus of the jewish people from egypt and look forward to a future Messianic Age. Shabbat is observed from sundown Friday until the appearance of three stars in the sky Saturday night. The exact time, therefore, diers from week to week and from place to place, depending on the time of sunset at each location. Shabbat recalls the Biblical Creation account in Genesis, describing God creating the heavens and the earth in six days, and resting on and sanctifying the seventh. Shabbat is considered a festive day, when a person is freed from the regular labors of everyday life, to contemplate the spiritual aspects of life, and spend time with family.

CHRISTIANITY - Religious Tradition SYLLABUS OUTCOME 1: ORIGINS Dot Point: 1.1 The historical and cultural context in which Christianity began The Roman Empire took control over Judea which led to religious and political tensions. Due to this Jewish adherents thought God had abandoned them. Culturally desperate Jewish adherents developed Messianism, that the ‘Anointed One’ would come to save them from oppression and would bring the Reign of God to earth.

Dot Point: 1.2 Jesus Christ - life, teachings and model for Christian life Jesus is the model of Christian life today as he and his actions are a model for how we are to act. Jesus Christ in his life would seek out those in need and do his absolute best to aid these people in whichever way he could. He would seek out the

poor and needy and clothe, feed and aid these people. Take for example the gospel of Luke. In this gospel, Jesus is depicted helping the poor and marginalised of society despite the Jewish faith seeing this as wrong. Christians today are called to do the same thing in the sense that they too are called to be christ-like and help those they see are in need. This comes from the bible where Christians are called to see Jesus in all those who are the lowest of ...