Nature of religion

Question 1

What is the supernatural dimension?

Answer 1

Acknowledged by all religions as a power or being that is beyond human limitation and comprehension which is believed to be a divine being or power.

Question 2

Does Christianity believe in an immanent or transcendent God?

Answer 2

Both immanent and transcendent

Question 3

Do Christians believe in monotheism, polytheism or atheism?

Answer 3

Monotheism

Question 4

Does Judaism recognise God to be immanent or transcendent?

Answer 4

Transcendent

Question 5

Does Islam recognise God to be immanent or transcendent?

Answer 5

Transcendent

Question 6

What is immanence?

Answer 6

Describes God as exisiting in and extending into all parts of the created universe and the belief that the supernatural and divine power dwell within the individual as a constant reality.

Question 7

What is transcendence?

Answer 7

The aspect of God’s nature and power which is wholly independent of the material universe, beyond all physical laws.

Question 8

What is monotheism?

Answer 8

The belief in one God.

Question 9

What is polytheism?

Answer 9

The belief in or worship of more than one God.

Question 10

What is henotheism?

Answer 10

Adherence to one particular God out of several, especially by a family, trade or other group.

Question 11

What is non-theist?

Answer 11

A person who does not believe that there is a God or Gods.

Question 12

What is a paradigm?

Answer 12

A shared set of understandings, conceptions, interpretations and beliefs.- the core beliefs of a religion e.g. Christianity’s paradigm is that Jesus died to atone the sins of humankind.

Question 13

What is a tenant?

Answer 13

A principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy.

Question 14

What is a doctrine?

Answer 14

A set of beliefs.

Question 15

What belief is central to all religions?

Answer 15

Belief in the supernatural dimension

Question 16

Where are the most important beliefs of a religion contained?

Answer 16

Sacred texts and writings

Question 17

What is the significance of sacred texts and writings?

Answer 17

Aid adherents to understand the significant beliefs of the religion as they provide the foundation and is a role model to which adherents can base their lives. e.g. the Laudato Si is a sacred piece of writing which provides adherents with guidelines concerning the environment.

Question 18

Why are the 10 commandments beneficial?

Answer 18

They are present in the Bible and Tanakh and provide ethics and guidelines for adherents

Question 19

What are ethics?

Answer 19

Reasoning behind moral decision making and the practical application of beliefs.

Question 20

What are Mitzvot?

Answer 20

Commandments.

Question 21

What are the characteristics of religion?

Answer 21

Beliefs and believers, sacred texts and writings, ethics and rituals ceremonies.

Question 22

What are rituals and ceremonies?

Answer 22

-customary ways of celebrating the beliefs of a religious tradition
-keep a religion alive, relevant and active in the lives of adherents
-integral to celebrating and reinforcing the central belief system and structures for a particular religious tradition

e.g. Buddhist meditation, Hajj and reconciliation

Question 23

How do the characteristics of religion interact?

Answer 23

Sacred texts and beliefs and believers interact because beliefs determined what was originally written in the sacred texts and over time these writings determined what beliefs later generations would have

Question 24

What is the contribution of religion?

Answer 24

Ethical guidance, sense of belonging, laws in society and art and architecture

Question 25

What is a dynamic living religion?

Answer 25

A dynamic living religion is ever changing and alive in nature. How people engage, express, create, and otherwise practice religion and spirituality in their everyday lives.

-has to be versatile and relevant

-changes to adapt to contemporary society so it remains relevant to the lives of adherents without compromising the core beliefs

-sacred texts like the Bible can be interpreted so that they are applicable to society

Question 26

What is the Dreaming?

Answer 26

A metatemporal concept which underpins the practices, faith and responsibilities of Aboriginal people. This can be portrayed through stories, art, sacred sites and symbolism and the origins of the universe.

Question 27

What is the significance of the Dreaming?

Answer 27

-provides an explanation of creation-how the universe was made

-provides a set of rules or laws for living. Provides rules for social relationships, economic activities, religious activities and ceremonies and art.

-Dreaming stories connect Aboriginal’s with the land and the origins of the universe e.g. the Rainbow Serpent

-It is the physical link to humans and the spiritual world

-inextricable connection of the dreaming, the land and identity

Question 28

Describe the inextricable connection between the Dreaming, the land and identity:

Answer 28

The dreaming is inextricably linked to the land because the land contains the Dreaming and is the medium through which the Dreaming is lived and communicated

-Totems serve as links between the human world and the eternal Dreaming

-Individuals speak of the land as part of their identity e.g. I am a Wiradjuri woman