Nature of Religion Flashcards
Define Supernatural
Attributed to a power that seems to violate or go beyond natural forces
Relating to the miraculous
Existence outside the natural world
Relating to a deity
dimensions meaning Aspects
What is a Transcendent Religion
Divine being that is beyond, above or apart from this earthly and material world
What is an immanent religion
The supernatural exists within ourselves or the world, found in daily activities; pervades the internet
define the characteristics of religion
- Beliefs and Believers
has to be a set of beliefs, and a group of people who believe in them. - Sacred Texts and Writing
that are the basis of their religion and explain the beliefs. - Ethics
religions have explicit, philosophic and/or religious reflection on moral beliefs within a tradition. - Rituals and ceremonies
To celebrate and reinforce the central belief system and structures
What is a dynamic and Living religion
- Dynamic meaning one that changes when ethical principles are applied to modern issues and can adapt to modern society and concerns.
- A living religion keeps the scripture alive and it constantly refers to the sacred text for ethical guidance by going to church or praying
What does religion contribute to the individual
Provides answers to; human nature, life purpose, creation
Community
Identity and belonging
Helps address current ethical dilemmas
Role models and guidance in life
What does religion contribute to society and culture
Laws are based on religious teachings
Development of social welfare
Dictate diet, dress, calendar
Importance of education and higher learning
Preserves peace and harmony
What is the dreaming
A central concept, which underpins all beliefs and practices in aboriginal communities
Aboriginal spirituality
- origins of the universe
- No Single creator
- Existed in some form and then shaped by A.B
- Metatemporal / Everwhen
- Totems are objects linking a person with an A.B responsible for his/her existence
Aboriginal Spirituality
- Sacred Sites
- Geocentric
- Connected to events in the dreaming or where an A.B resides
- Rituals and ceremonies take place here
- Associated with Dreaming stories
Aboriginal Spirituality
* Stories
- Function as the law, ethical reinforcement
Give guidance on; - Can and cannot be eaten
- Where food is
- Forbidden for m & w
- tribal issues & responsibility
Oultine Four different expressions of Aboriginal Symbolism
Sacred Objects
Sacred paintings
Music
Dance
Outline Six Functions of Aboriginal Symbolism
History
Rituals
Communication of Dreaming
Preserve Stories
Visual Expression
Obligations to land/people
Explain the layered nature of Aboriginal Symbolism
1st layer -
Perceived by general public and is the most obvious deception of what they attempted to portray
Elements include - colour, texture and movement
2nd Layer -
Less obvious and require a personal relationship or connection to Aboriginal peoples/community
Secret layers-
Secret Sacred layers are accessible only to initiated Aboriginal Elders
What is Arts importance to oral traditions
They assist the maintenance of continuity and consistency of culture and give a physical representation to the oral customs and history of the culture
The importance of the Dreaming for the life of Aboriginal Peoples
Provides an eternal worldview for Aboriginal people, presenting a system for understanding the world.
The dreaming is at the basis of all aspects of life in Aboriginal Societies
see notes for mindmap
Five Summary Point why Aboriginal Identity is inextricably connected to the land
Spiritual Maintenance of the land
Land is protectant and safe
Ceremonial performance through land
Land Makes them constantly in the presence Dreaming
Gives life and reality to the visible world
Outline Abrahams life
God promises land, great nation, blessing through him and blessing him
Offspring as many as the stars in the sky
Son called Ishmael with Sarai’s servant Hagar
Changes name to Abraham and Sarah promising Sarah that she will have children
Established practices of circumcision as a sign of covenant
Issac is born
Abraham sends Hagar and son away
Abraham is told to sacrifice Isaac right before God provides a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac
See video for clarification
Describe covenant, patriachs and israelites
Covenant - An agreement or promise between God and Human beings. A covenant involves an ongoing relationship between the parties
Patriarchs - The male head of a family. The forefathers of the jewish people; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Israelites - The descendants of the Patriarchs in ancient times’
Features of Progressive Jeudaism
Rejects some traditional beliefs like; the messiah, gender separations, Bat Mitzvah
Higher Emphasis on ethical tradition than the obligation of the law
Influenced by enlightenment
Features of orthodox jeudaism
Most traditional
Believes the Torah, both written and oral, as literally revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai
Strict observance of Jewish Law
Typical dressing and isolate from the secular world
E.G separated during services
Features of Conservative Jeudasim
Less traditional than orthodox but more traditional than reformed
Accept the authority of the Jewish Law (halakha) Reserve right to interpret this law; rather than bowing to divine revelation
Jewish law as binding but also something that changes and develops over time
E.G Women and men are not separated during services
Sabbath is flexible
What is Jeudasism belief in God
The belief ina single God who is the creater and ruler of th euniverse
What are the Jewish attributes of God
- Omnipotent
All powerful and strong - Omnipresence
Present everywhere - Omniscience
All knowing
