Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
NATURE OF RELIGION
Define the supernatural Dimension
The most significant element of a religious worldview is the belief in a
divine being or power, which is greater than humankind and the natural
world. This being or power is believed to be responsible for the creation of
the world, for providing a moral framework for human life and being the
ultimate destiny of a human person at the end of their mortal life.
found within the human and awaits discovery through following the
prescribed path.
different communities which follow this religion. On the other hand, these
key beliefs allow individual groups to re-interpret the universal meaning to
make it applicable for their particular community. Sacred texts interact
with the key doctrines, as these key doctrines are contained in and
expressed through these sacred writings. Furthermore, in order for religion
to exist as a dynamic, living entity this doctrinal dimension, as contained
in the sacred texts, must also be applicable to the practical demands of
daily life. This is where ethics comes into play, as it is ethics, which
embodies the doctrines in the form of laws and precepts thus allowing for
the practical application of religion. In other words, ethics, which is system
of specific standards by which moral conduct can be judged, is derived
from values, which underpin the religious system. A central part of religion
is response to and interaction with the supernatural or sacred. Through
the understanding of the key doctrines and ethics of the religion, as
contained in the sacred texts believers are able to give expression to their
understanding of the divine. This element is the ritualistic dimension of
religion. The believers of that religion, by partaking in worship, teaching,
and prayers give expression to and come to a greater understanding of
this ultimate reality.
SOCIETY
Interaction between culture and religion
There is a close reciprocal relationship between the areas of religion
and culture. Religion is profoundly influenced by its cultural context
because religion cannot be expressed other than through a particular
cultural setting and context. For example, the fact that Theravadan
Sangha in Thailand, do not allow women to become abbesses is a
reflection of how men have been culturally conditioned to accept
restricted roles for women in this form of Buddhism. Conversely, religion
has a strong formative influence on culture given the dynamic ever
changing nature of culture.
Religion as a conservative influence on society
Religion is most often seen to exert a conservative influence on society in
areas regarding sexual morality and bioethics. The recent contributions of
religious groups to social debates on issues ranging from stem cell
research to euthanasia and homosexual relationships is evidence of this
conservatism. Religion is often seen to be quite clearly trying to prevent
society from moving away from traditional values.
Religion as a progressive influence on society
Religion can also act as a progressive influence on society. Religion, with
its emphasis on human dignity, can be readily seen as proactive in areas
such as the advocacy of refugee and Indigenous rights, protection of the
environment, and opposition to military action. This is because religion
has sought to instil a sense of justice in prominent social debates as a
ABORIGINAL BELIEFS
Outline the nature of the Dreaming in
relation to:
Origins of the universe:
The Dreaming includes explanations of the origins of the universe, that
is, how the world came into being through the actions of their ancestral
spirit beings, the creation of the physical world and the animals and
plants, which inhabit this world. The Dreaming, however, is not regarded
as myth by the Aboriginal people. The Dreaming is a metatemporal
concept, which incorporates the past, present and future reality as a
complete and present reality.
Sacred Sites:
The Dreaming is inextricably connected to the land, as the land is the
physical medium through which the Dreaming is lived and communicated.
Whilst all land is important to all Aboriginal people, particular sites, known
as sacred sites, have a special significance for particular Aboriginal groups
as they are connected with different events in the Dreaming. Thus,
particular groups of Aboriginal people have special responsibilities to care
for and to learn from these sites, for example by carrying out prescribed
rituals such as balance rites. (walkabout, dreaming tracks, Uluru is a
crossroad for many dreaming tracks and mythological stories)
in art cannot be taken at face value for Aboriginal art is esoteric, and has
multiple layers of meaning.
The Dreaming is a term used to refer to the concept, which underpins all
beliefs and practices in Aboriginal communities, and hence represents all
knowledge and understanding among Aboriginal societies. The Dreaming
determines all relationships and responsibilities for Aboriginal people. The
Dreaming is metatemporal, that is it incorporates the past, present and
future into a complete and present reality. The Dreaming is inextricably
linked to the land, as the land is the physical medium through which the
Dreaming is communicated. It is from the land that the dreaming flows with
stories of ancestor spirits which explain different aspects of creation. For
Aboriginal communities the telling and learning of the Dreaming stories is a
life long process. The Dreaming is communicated through art, song, dance
story and ritual.
take place, and subsequently forms the resting place for their ancestral
spirit beings. These sites are regarded as being of sacred significance and
carry with them ritual responsibilities for the Aboriginal community. Thus,
the identity of an Aboriginal person can be said to be inextricably linked
with the land. Hence, a critical part of learning about the Dreaming
includes knowing the features of the land, which they regard as a mother,
in intricate detail. Whilst traditionally, all Aborigines regard all land as
important, particular sites hold a particular significance for some groups of
Aboriginal people. These sites are known as sacred sites, and contain
certain aspects of the Dreaming, which are believed to have taken place
there. Subsequently, ceremonial responsibilities such as balance rites are
attached to these sacred sites because Aboriginal people see themselves
as related to and a part of this natural world. Balance rites are special
ceremonies to increase the reproduction of a particular animal, which is
the representation of an ancestral spirit being from the Dreaming. This
belief that an animal or a feature of the natural world is an embodiment of
the individual in his or her primordial state, is known as totemism.
Subsequently, the loss of land, which results in the inability to fulfil ritual
responsibilities, is an insurmountable obstacle to effectively live the
Dreaming.
JUDAISM
Outline the life of Abraham
Covenant Promise: Abraham (Abram) who with his wife Sarah received the
promise of God that they would be the ancestors of descendants that
would number as many as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5). This
promise, known as Covenant, expresses the commitment of God to the
people known as the Hebrews or the people of Israel.
Canaan The Promise Land: According to the tradition of the Torah,
Abraham and his family left the territory of "Ur of the Chaldeans" (Genesis
11:31) and moved to the land of Canaan which is the modern day location
Rebekah and Jacob: Following the death of Sarah in Hebron, Isaac married
Rebekah. The tradition says that Abraham died at the age of one hundred
and seventy-five years and was buried next to his wife Sarah. From the
marriage of Isaac and Rebekah Jacob and Esau were born. Isaac and
Jacob, along with Abraham are known as the patriarchs of Judaism.
Progressive Judaism:
-
Conservative Judaism:
-
is One
1.
2.
God is indivisible
3.
God is unique
God
is Eternal
1.
2.
3.
4.
God is Omnipresent
1.
2.
3.
God is Omnipotent
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Progressive Judaism - The Written Torah is open to some reinterpretation in light of changing circumstances as the text does not
represent the literal word of God.
The most basic formulation of the moral law is found in the Ten
Commandments.
1.
Noah
God's promise - God saves Noah and his family from the
flood.
2.
Abraham
God's promise -
2.
Egypt.
Commandments.
Llink between the breath of God and the life of the human being.
God's breath is the life giving force.
God has set down a way of living which is life giving and
sustaining.
The moral law set down in the Torah
"it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in
your hearts; you only have to carry it out" (Deuteronomy 30:14).
"choose life, then, that you and your descendents may live, by
loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice and holding fast to
him" (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
The moral law strongly expressed in the Nevi'im.
Prophets provide a reminder to Israel of its obligations to
faithfully follow the law
Strong emphasis on moral action reflecting justice towards one
another.
Isaiah 10 focuses on the failure to live justly with one another
Isaiah 10:1-2 condemns the actions of those who create unjust
laws and allow situations of oppression to exist
"depriving the needy of judgment and robbing my people's poor
of their rights. Making widows their plunder and orphans their
prey" (Isaiah 10:2).
Judaism has a strong emphasis on providing for the needs of the
most vulnerable in the community.
The Covenant
Covenant is fundamental for understanding Judaism
The requirements of the Covenant are expressed through the
texts in the Tenak.
Genesis chapter 17- the Covenant with Abraham.
God promises that Abraham will become "the father of a host of
nations" (Genesis 17:4).
The Covenant also includes the promise of land
"I will give to you and to your descendents after you the land in
which you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan as a
permanent possession" (Genesis 17:8).
613 mitzvot
The 613 mitzvot/commandments offer the broadest application of
Jewish ethical principles.
Significance - These mitzvot represent the foundational tenets of
Jewish ethics.
The 613 mitzvot consists of both negative (commands to refrain
from performing an act) and positive mitzvot (commands to
perform an act).
10 commandments (Decalogue)
The Prophetic Vision, including social justice and Tikkun Olam the repair of the world
Prophetic tradition
The Prophets were individuals who were called by God to
proclaim the message that people were straying from the path
laid down by the Torah by perpetuating the status quo of society.
The Prophets advocated a pro-active stance to reforming social
structures by emphasizing the broad themes of justice, equality
and peace during a time when these concepts were of secondary
importance compared to observance of law and ritual.
The Prophets were actively concerned with bettering the plight of
the poor, the needy and the oppressed and did so by challenging
the authority figures of society.
Tikkun Olam
Definition - Repair/transformation of the world.
Wisdom is a powerful force that will bring well being to those who
seek it. (Proverbs 24:5)
Righteousness
A person who lives righteously and with integrity will live a happy
life regardless of their situation (Proverbs 19:1)
A person's lack of integrity or faith will ultimately lead to their
ruin (Proverbs 11:3)
Purity
Purity, which is linked to integrity, is a virtue that has true value
and hence should be praised (Proverbs 11:4).
Generosity of spirit
Generosity of spirit involves helping society's poor and vulnerable
(Proverbs 24:10).
God will bless those who are generous to the poor and needy,
while those who do not will suffer negative consequences as a
result of their selfishness (Proverbs 28:27)
Human beings are called to imitate God who rested on the seventh
day after creating the world.
1.
2.
1.
2.
Just as the Sabbath festival is about to begin, the wife lights two
candles which represent the dual injunctions of keeping and remembering
the Shabbat.
The wife prays over the lit candles for the welfare of her husband
and children.
The table is laid with two loaves known as hallot which represent the
dual Shabbat commandments.
The father blesses the children before Kiddush is recited over the
wine.
Saturday morning is spent in the synagogue in Torah study.
The recitation of the prayer, Havdalah takes place to mark the end
of the Shabbat celebration at sunset.
The havdalah candle is lit as a sign of the end of the Shabbat, where
lighting a fire is permissible again.
CHRISTIANITY
Outline the historical and cultural context in
which Christianity began
Jesus' preaching brought him into conflict with the Jewish authorities
Jesus is the model for Christian life because he embodies the reign
of God, that is God's dream for humankind that lies at the heart of
Jesus' life and ministry
The reign of God refers to the realisation of God's vision for the
world, where the values of love, justice and peace prevail. Jesus
inaugurated God's dream for the world through his ministry, and
showed people how to bring about the reign of God, which will be
completed at the end of time
Jesus' embodiment of the reign of God can be identified according to
four significant aspects of Jesus' life and ministry: Jesus lives a life of
prayer, Jesus lives a life of service to others, Jesus acts as an
advocate for the poor and Jesus loves and forgives others
The Gospel portraits of Jesus show him to be a man of prayer, often
withdrawing from the pressures of daily life to pray in a quiet place,
and does so especially as he approaches key moments in his
ministry and during times of personal crisis
Emerged from the context of the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th
century during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Distinguishing features:
o
Eucharist
Catholicism:
Distinguishing features:
Orthodoxy:
Pentecostalism:
Distinguishing Features:
o
Considered evangelical
Protestantism:
Distinguishing features
o
ISLAM
Makkah and Madinah were the two main cities associated with the
development of Islam
There are many legends concerning the birth of the prophet which
point to his extraordinary life
Muhammad was raised by his uncle Abu Talib who was a wealthy
merchant.
In the course of working for his uncle, Muhammad met his future
wife the wealthy widow Khadija
After the initial revelation there was a period of waiting before the
proclamation the message began
After two years Jibril appeared again and this brought on the
beginning of Muhammad's preaching
During the course of his life from this point Muhammad continued to
preach while receiving further messages and instructions from Allah.
Due to the monotheism of the preaching there was no place for the
worship of idols
619 CE was the Year of Sorrows where both Khadija and Abu Talib
died
After this Makkah became the holy city of Islam, dedicated to Allah
Muslims ensure that respect for the Prophet Muhammad does not
become a form of worship
The traditions of the Hadith and Sunna are used by Muslims to learn
from the wisdom of the words and actions of the Prophet
Throughout his life and even before the night of power, Muhammad
showed himself to be a person devoted to prayer and spiritual
searching
1. Abu Bakr
- Abu Bakr was a long time
friend and associate of
Muhammad's
-
4. Abi Talib
- Ali ibn Abi Talib became the
fourth of the rightly guided
caliphs after the death of
'Uthman
-
The Sunni and the Shi'ia groupings in Islam today trace their origins back to the
disputes of this time
Sunni make up 90% of the world's Muslims. Shi'ia make up most of the remaining
10%
Shi'ia Muslims believe that the leader of Islam should be a descendent of the
Prophet Muhammad
Sunni Muslims believe that the leader should be chosen from among the tribe of
Muhammad but that it does not have to be one of Muhammad's direct
descendents
Shi'ia Muslims use the term Imam to designate their leader as they believe the
caliphate has been discredited
The five articles are belief in Allah, belief in the prophets, belief in
angels, belief in the scripture and belief in the Day of Judgment.
Nothing can rival Allah, nor can there exist anything that is even
remotely like Allah.
All individual gifts and talents are attributed to the gift of Allah
Any belief that diminishes this faith in the oneness and absoluteness
of Allah is referred to as shirk.
It reminds Muslims that they are accountable for their actions and
for their use of worldly possessions
There exist other beings which are outside the material or physical
world
The angel usually appears in human form as the angel Jibril did
when appearing to Muhammad.
Jibril is the messenger bringing the word of Allah to those who are
the chosen ones.
At the time of death the angel Azra'il will be present at the side of
the person dying to receive their soul as it leaves them.
The angel Israfil has the role of calling all souls of the Day of
Judgment.
The angel Mika'il has the special role of guarding places of worship
The angels Munker and Nadir have the role of the questioners of
souls
Muslims believe that everything that takes place is the will of Allah
They believe that they have been given free will in order to respond
to those things and it is this response that is important.
Muslim belief holds that each person is entirely responsible for their
own actions
This record is kept by the two guardian angels which are assigned
to each person
Fate/predestination
-
The idea that all things happen through the plan of Allah is called
"Al-Qadr"
Muslims believe that while Allah already knows our destiny, it is our
free will and our choice, which determines it.
Each person is given the freedom to choose and Allah respects this
free will absolutely. Muslims are rejecting any notion of fate.
The order of the Qur'an today is not the same order in which the
revelations were received.
Hadith
-
The term "hadith" means that which has been recounted or told.
Tawhid
Angels
Books of Allah
Rusul
Akhira
Fate/predestination
Tawhid
-
"He is Allah, the One, Allah is Eternal and Absolute. None is born of
Him, He is unborn. There is none like unto Him". (surah 112)
"No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision. He is
above all comprehension, yet it acquainted with all things" (surah
6:103)
"It was We who created man, and We know even the secret
suggestions his soul makes to him; for We are nearer to him than his
jugular vein" (surah 50:16)
Angels
"The Lord said to the angels."when I have created Man and breathed
My spirit into him then fall ye down and worship him." So all he
angels bowed down in worship, all of them together. But not so Iblis
the chief jinn: he refused to be among those who bowed down"
(surah 15:28-31)
"He sends forth guardians to watch over you and when death
overtakes you, the messengers will carry away your soul." (surah
6:61)
Books of Allah
"Those who say "Allah does not send down revelations to humans"
do not judge rightly. Who sent down the book which Musa brought a light and guidance for humanity? But you have made it into
separate books for show, and you conceal much of its contents"
(surah 6:91)
"believe in what has been sent down to thee Muhammad and what
has been sent down before thee" (Surah 2: 4).
Rusul
"Who can be better in faith than one who submits his whole self to
Allah, does good and follows the way of Ibrahim, the true in faith?
For Allah did take Ibrahim for a friend." (surah 4:125)
Akhira
-
"One burdened soul shall not bear the burden of another. And even
if the heavy-laden soul should cry out for its burden to be carried
not one bit of it shall be carried, not even by the next of kin" (surah
35:18).
"Your good actions will benefit only you, while evil harms only the
person who does it." (surah 41:46)
Fate/predestination
-
"If Allah lay the touch of trouble on you, no one can deliver you from
it save Allah alone; and if He wills good for you, no one can prevent
His blessing. He confers them on His servants as He chooses" (surah
10:107).
In all but a few cases there will have been similar circumstances
faced in the past and the precedents of the decisions taken should
strongly guide the response to the present situation
This involves the welfare of others and an overall concern for justice
The most important are those things which are required actions or
behaviours. Those things which are required actions are known as
fard or wajib
These actions fall into the realm of the unclear and require the
prudent exercise of personal judgment
The final level of halal actions are those which are not
recommended or are not approved
4. Sawn (Fasting):
Every Muslim must fast in the month of Ramadan between sunrise
and sunset
- The fast consists of no food, drink or sexual relations.
- Read the Quran every night
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you and you are
expected to be truly obedient (Quran 2:183).
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage):
Every Muslim who is physically and economically able must make
pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
Pilgrimage to the house (Kabah) is a duty mankind owes to God,
those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, God stands
not in need of any of his creatures (Quran 3:96-97).