All Topics Flashcards
Define the Dreaming that you should mention in every Aboriginal answer
It is the spiritual aspect of Aboriginal religion that encapsulates both the spiritual and physical dimensions, giving meaning to all aspects of adherents.
The dreaming determines the Aboriginal and connects adherents to ancestors, land, ceremony and kinship groups.
Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming - Kinship
Kinship comprises of systems of customary law that governs social interaction between Dreaming adherents and their culture, clans and tribes.
Prior to colonisation, there were about 900 Aboriginal clans and these kinship groups:
- dictated connections between families and tradition
- aids social networks and communication
- promotes acceptance and sense of belonging
- gives equality and unity in community
- creates a huge family (everyone is related spiritually).
Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming - ceremonial life
Ceremonies are the rituals that sustain the spirituality and re-affirm one’s belief in the Dreaming. Ceremonies are the physical expression of a metaphysical connection made between an adherent and a parallel dimension, allowing them to outwardly express their faith.
- paint/decoration is used to symbolise a presence of an ancestor e.g dot/cave paintings
- rite of passage/initiation ceremonies
- burial ceremonies
- totemism is expressed such as the Black Duck which is the totem for the Umbarra clan
E.g 2020 Aboriginal Sunrise Ceremony
Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming - Obligations to land and people
Land, people and Dreaming share a symbiotic relationship whereby the land offers a medium for spiritual expression and the people owe a responsibility to thus protect the land as per their beliefs.
- the land is their ‘mother’ and God
- land is the medium through which they communicate to their elders and spiritual realms
- land is where they carry out ceremonies and thus express the Dreaming beliefs
- land is foundation for beliefs, traditions, rituals & laws
- land is dwelling place for ancestral beings
What is dispossession?
The action of depriving ATSI people of their land, family, community groups and thus their religion and identity.
- dispossession came about because of European colonisation
- land and people dispossession resulted because of terra nullius, a commonwealth doctrine meaning ‘land belonging to no one’
Discuss the continuing effects of dispossession on aboriginal spiritualities – Separation from the land
The land is intrinsically important to the life of aboriginals because they have a symbiotic relationship. As they were dispossessed they lost:
- their God, ‘mother’
- the medium by which they performed ceremonies and rituals
- Sacred sites and totemic responsibilities
- Their connection to ancestors
- Their symbolic spiritual identity
- Tribal lore and law
- Meeting places for kinship groups
Discuss the continuing effects of dispossession on aboriginal spiritualities – Separation from kinship groups
Dispossession broke up Aboriginal nations, clans and tribes and disturbed their social connections and families.
- They were isolated from their loved ones and families
- They lost language, identity, culture, gender roles, oral law, sense of belonging, family structures, communication etc
- It destroyed unity and one’s sense of belonging
- Because they were all distanced they lost heritage, faith and their connection to present and past family members
Discuss the continuing effects of dispossession on aboriginal spiritualities – The stolen generation
This is the term used to describe the many children of aboriginal and mixed blood, who were removed from their families to be cared for on missions, institutions or assimilated into white foster families. This was a traumatic event that led to the loss of aboriginal culture, kinship, heritage, oral law, identity, links with land and religion as a whole.
The bringing them home report was an inquiry into the genocide and section 7a talks about national sorry day.
Continuing effect- some people don’t know their family and their life expectancy is 10 years less than ours (ABS 2020) because they are underclass society.
What is the land rights movement?
This refers to a religious and political movement to secure the rights of aboriginal people to their land and insure that their religious, spiritual and cultural integrity is preserved.
Outline the importance of native title for the land rights movement
1993!
Native title is the recognition that aboriginal people have rights and interests to land and Waters according to their traditional laws and customs as set out under Australian law.
The native title act 1993 overturned terra nullius, whereby the the parliament recognised the continuous connection between aboriginal people, their spirituality and their traditional lands.
Outlined the importance of Mabo for the land rights movement
1992!
Mabo and others V the state of QLD 1992: it was the first case won by indigenous people in relation to land ownership.
The Meriam people explained to the High Court that their identity was lost due to dispossession from land, it was the first case that over through the fiction of terra nullius, recognising their rights and a sustained connection.
Outlined the importance of Wik for the land rights movement
1996!
Wik people’s V. QLD: Landmark High Court case whereby native title rights were found to coexist with pastoral leases. The case took a step in the right direction for the recognition of aboriginal land rights in conjunction with contemporary societal issues such as pastoral leases.
Outlined the importance of the dreaming for the land rights movement
Essentially: aboriginal adherents need the land so that they can express their belief in the dreaming.
- The land is extremely important to aboriginal spirituality and symbolic identity.
- The dreaming and expressions of the dreaming are lived through the medium of the land.
- Songs, stories, oral teachings, sacred sites, dances and more are all communicated through the land.
- And adherent lives out their responsibilities through the land, through their totemic connection this is outlined in dreaming.
- The land is a physical and natural representation of a metaphysical existence between life on the land and the ancestral beings.
- Through successes in the land rights movement some indigenous Australians have been able to reconnect with their land dust reconnecting them to the dreaming and their ancestors.
Outline changing patterns of religious adherence from 1945 to the president using census data – religious growth
Religious growth is mainly seen outside of Christianity.
- Islam grew 0.3% in 1976 to 2.6% in 2016.
- Hinduism grew from 0.1% in 1986 to 1.9% in 2016.
Outline changing patterns of religious adherence from 1945 to the present using census data – religious decline
Religious decline has mostly affected Christianity.
- Christianity significantly declined from 61.1% in 2011 to 52% in 2016.
- Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity in Australia, decline from 25% in 2011 to 22.6% in 2016.
Outline changing patterns of religious adherence from 1945 to the present using census data – changing patterns of non-religious adherence
- Atheism has been increasingly rising in popularity from 22% in 2011 to 30% in 2016. This is due to a decline of traditional religions and growth of more non-religious schools of thought and belief systems such as humanism and agnosticism
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to Christianity as the major religious tradition
- Christianity is the dominant religion in Australia because it was the main religion in England and it was cultivated in Australia as they colonised us in 1788.
- It is steadily and drastically Declining, however Christianity is still the major religious tradition but this is changing.
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to immigration
- As people migrate to Australia from other parts of the world, they bring new religion and add to the dynamic, multicultural religious landscape of Australia.
- In 1973, the white Australia policy was abolished this led to all religions growing especially Islam because people are now able to migrate to Australia.
- According to the ABS, immigration of people from the Middle East to Australia accounts for 68% of the religious growth of Islam in recent years.
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to denominational switching
- This is the concept of people changing from one sector of Christianity to another.
- The switches with the aim of finding a more suited religious belief, becoming more progressive or more Conservative, moving churches for new meaning, moving churches because of disputes, moving churches because of marriage.
- Catholic and orthodox Christians tend to have a higher level of denominational loyalty due to histories and traditions.
- This switching has resulted in the emergence of a number of new Christianity denominations such as the Quakers and the salvation army sect.
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to the rise of new age religions
- Examples include astrology, numerology, feng shui, crystals, tarot cards.
- These have grown popular due to the rise of individualism, materialism and the fact that there is no dictatorial God.
- They can be adapted and changed, they are inclusive and exciting and they are very flexible.
- They are popular because some people get dissatisfied with conventional mainstream religion, these new religions are dynamic, interesting and involve more supernatural elements and as such people want a new diverse belief system.
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to secularism
- Secularism is the principle of separation of the state from religious institutions.
- Secularism 6 to defend the absolute freedom of religious and other beliefs without government interference or political agendas involved.
- With a more secular approach to religion there has been a transition in a number of ways such as the disenchantment of the religious meaning behind Christmas and taking off religion from some paperwork.
- As Australia becomes more secular and there is a weekend emphasis on religion there has been an emergency of atheism and agnosticism.
What is ecumenism?
Ecumenism can be seen as a movement within the Christian church towards unity between the different Christian denominations.
- It stresses the common values and teachings that prevail across denominations and they celebrate their similarities.
- E.g. the union of Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational denominations in 1977 to form the uniting Church in Australia.
The impact of the National Council of churches on the ecumenical movement in Australia
The NCC a is a national organisation That has 19 member churches that aims to increase the understanding of of different denominations and communicate social change affectively.
E.g Greening the church initiative: where Protestant Presbyterian and uniting Church members come together and help with Earth care activities and ecological sustainability programs
The impact of the NSW ecumenical Council on the ecumenical movement in Australia
This state council is comprised of 16 Christian member churches and the mission has the aim of maintaining unity, committing to the gospel, and living out good practices and charity.
- E.g. peace and justice initiative: catholic and orthodox denominations come together and work with the council to help asylum seekers and refugees rights during an array of charities and workshops.
Evaluate the importance of interfaith dialogue in multi faith Australia
Interfaith dialogue is formal discussion aimed towards developing a greater mutual understanding between different religious traditions and multifaith Australia refers to the multicultural aspect of Australia comprising of hundreds of religions.
- It promotes greater understanding and tolerance.
- It breaks down stereotypes
- Improves communication, limiting violence and improving pace
E.g Religions for peace Australia: this is an NGO that holds seminars online during the coronavirus period whereby leaders of different faiths come together to educate the public about different religions and their connections.
Examine the relationship between aboriginal spirituality’s and religious traditions in the process of reconciliation
Reconciliation refers to the acknowledgement by various groups in Australia of the great injustices done to indigenous Australians in the disposition that occurred in the past. It also refers to people’s willingness and commitment to rectify these roles and improve the position of aboriginal people in the future.
E.g Reconciliation Australia: this is a body that was established to focus on the nature of reconciliation whereby Christian communities promote and build better relationships between aboriginal and non-aboriginal’s and promote sustainability of all life.
E.g Pope Francis says that indigenous people must have final say about their land and customs and he has stated that welcome to country speeches and aboriginal symbols shall be used in churches and services around Australia.
Identify animism as an expression of the religious dimension in human history
Animism is the belief that a spirit or transcendent force exists in every object whether living or nonliving, believing in things such as animals, plants, natural structures, rocks, land having supernatural power.
E.g According to the ABS nearly 80% of Japan practice Shinto which is an animistic religion.
Identify polytheism as an expression of the religious dimension in human history
Polytheism is the belief in many gods that can be separate or related to a single encompassing entity
E.g Polytheistic religion date back to Ancient Greek and Egyptian times however is still practised in 2020 with 1.2 billion Hindus in the world.
Identified monotheism as an expression of the religious dimension in human history
Monotheism is the belief in a single God who is not limited by time or space, they are the creator of the universe and a continuing spiritual force that is active in the lives of all adherence.
E.g judaism is traditionally considered one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world pre-7th century and still lives today with 16 million Jews in the world as of 2020.
Evaluate the place of the religious dimension in human history to provide meaning and purpose for the individual
- The religious dimension can provide individuals and groups with a sense of personal fulfilment and meaning, a source through which they can find their identity and aspirations.
- The religious dimension can impact people on an intellectual and emotional level such as providing meaning about creation and comfort inside times.
- Religion gives people a sense of self, community, unity and belonging.
- The religious dimension answers life’s hardest questions and provide them with answers such as why are we created and what purpose do we serve?
- The religious dimension provides individuals with a purpose on an ethical level such as Christianity guiding adherence to show love to others.
Evaluate the place of the religious dimension in human history to provide social cohesion
- The religious dimension can be a way through which society is influenced to maintain order in peace.
- Religion can provide the impetus for communal action such as religion speaking out about domestic violence and protecting the community.
- Religion can be universally uniting in experiences of disaster or sadness whereby people come together to comfort each other in the name of their God or belief system.
- Through sacred texts and ethical teachings peace and harmony is also educated to the community and thus society can coexist mutually.
Evaluate the place of the religious dimension in human history to provide social transformation
Paradoxically, whilst religion is a force of social cohesion and unity it can also serve as a platform for social transformation.
- Religion encourages people to work towards justice and a peaceful society and thus religion can inspire transformation of individual attitudes and collective behaviours.
- Religious groups can also be seen at the forefront of campaigns which seek to address issues such as poverty, indigenous rights and unemployment, this is social transformation
- The religious dimension can be used as a tool for criticising structures, customs and beliefs of its own societies and governments, Inspiring revolution and change on a political and national scale.
Investigate statistical data of the current global distribution of Christianity
Christianity is the largest religion in the world today and there is a clear trend which points to it steady decline in the western world and its rapid growth in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
According to the Australian bureau of statistics: the five largest national populations of Christianity are Congo, Germany, Nigeria, Russia, China
Investigate statistical data of the current global distribution of Islam
Islam is the fastest growing religion of the five major world religions today and is the second largest religion in the world. It is growing strong in western countries and remain strong in its traditional areas such as Asia and Africa.
Islam is largely populated in Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, turkey, India etc
Investigate statistical data of the current global distribution of Judaism
During World War II the Nazi party sought to destroy the Jewish population of Europe and approximately 6 million Europeans died. It is difficult to obtain figures about the number of Jews living in an area because they are usually fearful of persecution and are reluctant to divulge their religious identity.
Investigate statistical data of the current global distribution of Hinduism
Hinduism is growing around the world largely due to immigration
Hinduism is largely populated in South Africa, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India etc
Investigate statistical data of the current global distribution of Buddhism
Buddhism is scattered around the world however largely populates Asian countries
Buddhism is largely populated in Taiwan South Korea, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam etc
Recognise the reasons for the rise of new religious expressions as people search for personal fulfilment
In a secular, individual orientated society there is a strong need to find meaning and purpose in life’s journey through religion.
- There is an attraction to new-age religions because they offer personal fulfilment through exciting activities such as concert like church services.
- New religions are often diverse and offer inclusive and fresh religious ways such as empowerment, reassurance and comfort.
- For one to be fulfilled they need to be content and happy and if a person is dissatisfied with traditional religion such as in adherence being unhappy with the George Pell situation in Catholicism they may move to a new religious expression where there is less hierarchy.
Recognise the reasons for the rise of new religious expressions as people seek ethical guidelines
Within a secular society, religion has become more pointless in guiding individuals morally because they seek morals through things such as law.
- Orthodox and Catholics are strict to their morals based on sacred texts and values which give them ethical meaning.
- With new-age religions, they offer newer and more exciting ethical teachings that are not as strict as conventional religion and are more excepting with factors such as gay people.
Recognise the reasons for the rise of new Religious expressions as people seek to clarify their relationship with society
With conventional religion and new-age religion, people want to feel a part of something, whether a body of people or a non-related family.
- Adherence with him religious groups are taught to love everyone and as such they will clarify their relationship with everyone else through interfaith dialogue, mutual respect and harmony.
- New religions also place a large emphasis on societal relations such as tarot cards being a multi person activity, encouraging connections in society
Explain how the rise of materialism has influenced the growth of new religious expressions and spiritualities
- Some new-age religions such as numerlogy indicate a large involvement in gaining profits.
- Materialistic societies with its cult of individualism, encourages self affirmation and personal fulfilment.
- Religion has turned to business in this consumerist environment whereby commodities such as merchandise can be bought or sold. This can involve people having to pay to join a religious group.
