Nature of Religion + Aboriginal spirituality Flashcards
1
Q
DEFINE THE SUPERNATURAL
A
- A central connecting feature of all differing religions
- The belief in a divine being or power which is greater than humankind and the natural world
- Different religions have different responses to the question of what is the supernatural dimension: Semitic religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam believe that the supernatural dimension in a single being or divine power (monotheism) whilst Hinduism and Buddhism believe in a number of divine beings (polytheism)
2
Q
TRANSCENDENT RELIGIOUS WORLDVIEW
A
- Belief in a divine power beyond the human
- Semitic religions emphasise the idea of God being revealed to humankind from beyond human spirit
- For example: Muslims believe that Allah was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed through the Koran
- The example is transcendent because, the divine being is separate and outside of the human
3
Q
IMMANENT RELIGIOUS WORLDVIEW
A
- Belief that the supernatural being or divine being dwells within the individual
- Eastern religions emphasis the finding of truth from within the human spirit
- For example: Buddhists follow the eightfold path prescribed by the Buddha in order to reach enlightenment
- The example is immanent because, the divine power is found within the human and away discovery
4
Q
CHARACTERISTICS OF A RELIGION: Beliefs and Believers
A
- The key tenets, doctrines or values that underpin the religious practice of a particular religion for the believers
- For example: Hindus that each person is intrinsically divine and the purpose of life is to seek the divinity within all of us
5
Q
CHARACTERISTICS OF A RELIGION: Sacred texts and writings
A
- The most important beliefs are contained within the religions sacred texts
- Often contain sacred stories which explain how people are connected to the supernatural realm
- For example: the christian bible which teaches christians the 10 commandments
6
Q
CHARACTERISTICS OF A RELIGION: Ethics
A
- The laws which embody key doctrinal tenets of a religion
- Allows for the practical application
- A system of standards that regulate moral decision making
- For example: In Judaism, Simon the Just taught: “The world rests upon three things: Torah, service to God, and showing loving-kindness”.
7
Q
CHARACTERISTICS OF A RELIGION: Rituals and ceremonies
A
- The practical expressions of aspects of religions
- Involve prescribed words and actions along with the use of symbols
- Reflect an understanding of the supernatural dimension
8
Q
INTERACTION OF CHARACTERISTICS TO CREATE A DYNAMIC, LIVING RELIGION
A
- Rituals give the doctrinal elements a lived expression
- The ethics act as a general guide and unify different branches of religions as well as allowing for different interpretations making different communities
- Ethics are contained in texts
- Ethics are practically applied each day
9
Q
CONTRIBUTION OF RELIGIONS: To individuals
A
- Personal search for meaning: answers the enduring questions
- Ethical guidance: enables individuals to act in a morally appropriate manner (example: bioethics)
- Sense of belonging: provides a sense of community because they bring together people of similar values and ideas. Individuals have the opportunity to express values in a supportive environment
- Ritual meaning: marking important stages of life (marriage, birth etc)
10
Q
CONTRIBUTION OF RELIGIONS: To societies
A
- Promotes altruism
- Provides social control
- Encourages mass ethical choices
- Progressive influence on society
11
Q
NATURE OF THE DREAMING: origins of the universe
A
- How the world came to be through spiritual ancestors
- The ‘land owns us’ - Bob Randall
- Not necessarily a creation story as they are less concerned with how the universe was created but rather what it is
- Ancestors emerged from earth
12
Q
NATURE OF THE DREAMING: sacred sites
A
- The dreaming is inextricably connected to land as it is the physical medium through which the dreaming is communicated
- Carry out rituals on land
- Land is integral to culture, lifestyle and spirituality
- The land is part of their identity
- Not only just the physical land but the entire environment of living things
- Land binds people to their spirituality
- Hundreds of different countries, differing in significance to each Indigenous group
- For example: Lake Mungo as it is a sacred resting place for aboriginal ancestors
13
Q
NATURE OF THE DREAMING: stories of the dreaming
A
- Recall the journeys of ancestral beings
- For example: song lines help guide through environments
- Can be told through dance too
- For example: the emu and jabiru story that tells the story of greed between two brother, it informs Indigenous people about a specific star alignment
14
Q
NATURE OF THE DREAMING: symbolism and art
A
- Explains the creation of the natural world
- Recalls the way that ancestral beings shaped the world
- Established morality
- A concise/universal way to spread spirituality across approx. 900 languages
- For example: rock art is the oldest form of this
15
Q
The diversity of the Dreaming
A
- There is diversity across rituals, ceremonies, art, symbolism, land and practices as well as language and spiritual figures such as totems
- In Arrente, dreaming is Tjukurrpa and means to understand the law
