3.1 Questions

Question 1

Society definition

Answer 1

An aggregate of people living in an ordered community

Question 2

Religion definition

Answer 2

‘A community organized around beliefs related to the Ultimate Reality and the consequent beliefs, practices, principles and codes for behaviour

Question 3

Existential Questions definition

Answer 3

The big questions in life that concern the nature, purpose and origin of existence

Question 4

9 Aspects definition

Answer 4

1. Constituent elements of all religious traditions
2. Express the religion’s belief system
3. Form the religion’s unique identity

Question 5

‘Outline beliefs for Ultimate Reality’

Answer 5

1. Ultimate Reality is Trinity
2. Although each person is wholly God, they’re still “distinct” (CCC 254) from one another
3. Trinitarian nature of God is the “central mystery” (CCC 234) of Catholicism
4. The Trinity is the creator of all things “visible and invisible” (Nicene Creed)
5. God is “love” itself and calls mankind to “freely share in His blessed life”
6. The second person of the Trinity, God the Son, became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, as Jesus of Nazareth in 1st century Palestine
7. Despite assuming human nature, Jesus retained His divinity as both “true God, true man” (CCC 464)

Question 6

How do religions influence the search for meaning?

Answer 6

1. Purpose (Will of the UR/vocation)
2. Ethical framework (Guides adherents to decisions and lives and provides virtuous responses to any challenges they may face)
3. Answers (Religions provide answers to the existential questions, such as ‘Who/what is the Ultimate Reality?’ and ‘What is the meaning of Suffering?’. These answers are said to have been revealed through the Ultimate Reality)
4. Connection (Enables adherents to find meaning through connecting the temporal to the divine through the various rituals and spiritual experiences of the tradition)
5. Emotional wellbeing (Religions offer hope to individuals’ lives through inspiring meaning in otherwise meaningless events, such as death and suffering, that enable individuals to find hope for the future. The social structures of the religion also provide the adherent a community of like-minded believers that can help support the individual in their search for meaning)

Question 7

How do religions influence wider society?

Answer 7

1. Culture (Influences the aesthetics of society through mediums such as architecture, literature and painting. Sources of parables and folklore. Offer insight into the past through historical records)
2. Justice (Promotes advocacy for the poor in public debate. Made tangible through social institutions such as hospitals, schools or charities. Influences the legal system and law making)
3. Cohesion (Shared social celebrations. Builds a collective sense of belonging between members of society, providing emotional support in times of struggle. Gives rituals that strengthens social bonding through providing meaning to these events, namely weddings and funerals)

Question 8

What are the existential questions?

Answer 8

Questions pertaining the nature of existence. These questions are asked by all individuals at some point in their lives, such as ‘What is the meaning of suffering’ and ‘Who/what is the Ultimate Reality’