Nature of religion and Australian Beliefs Flashcards
What is the supernatural dimension of religion?
It refers to beliefs in a reality beyond the physical world, including divine beings and supernatural powers.
What are the key characteristics of religion?
Beliefs and believers, sacred texts, ethics, rituals, and ceremonies.
What is a religious worldview?
A worldview shaped by religion that helps explain life, creation, and human purpose.
What does the transcendent dimension refer to?
It refers to belief in a divine reality beyond the physical world, like gods or universal spirit.
What are beliefs in religion?
Core ideas about the divine, creation, the universe, and life after death.
What are sacred texts in religion?
Writings considered divinely inspired that provide religious teachings and laws (e.g., Bible, Qur’an).
What role does ethics play in religion?
It provides moral principles that guide behavior, answering questions of right and wrong.
What are rituals in religion?
Formalised actions or ceremonies like prayer, meditation, and life-cycle events that express beliefs.
What does it mean that religion is dynamic?
It evolves over time while maintaining core beliefs, adapting to cultural changes.
How does religion contribute to individuals and societies?
It provides meaning, comfort, moral guidance, and influences culture and social values.
What are different views on a supreme being in religion?
Monotheism (one God), polytheism (multiple gods), pantheism (divine in everything).
What do religions say about life after death?
Beliefs include reincarnation, heaven and hell, spiritual existence, or annihilation.
How long have Aboriginal people lived in Australia?
For around 65,000 years.
What was the Aboriginal land management system when Cook arrived in 1770?
Caring for Country, a traditional way of managing land and resources.
What is cultural burning?
Low-intensity fire management used to reduce wildfires, help plant growth
How did Aboriginal people practise sustainable living?
Through sustainable hunting and fishing, only taking what is needed and following seasonal patterns.
How did Aboriginal people manage water?
Using traditional knowledge to protect rivers, wetlands, and waterholes.
What are totems and what is their purpose?
Animals, plants, or land linked to a group, who must protect and care for them.
Why are sacred sites important to Aboriginal peoples?
They are spiritually significant places connected to Ancestral Beings and Dreaming stories.
What were some misconceptions Europeans had about Aboriginal people?
That the land was Terra Nullius, they were uncivilised, and all shared one culture.
Were Aboriginal cultures the same across Australia?
No, there were over 250 language groups, each with distinct culture and identity.
How do Aboriginal people identify themselves?
Through local language or territory groups.
What common elements are shared across diverse Aboriginal cultures?
Language, stories, beliefs, traditions, and respect for Elders.
What are the 6 main aspects of the Dreaming?
Creation stories (e.g. Rainbow Serpent)
Spirituality and land connection
Law and social structure
Sacred sites and ancestors
Art, dance, storytelling
Ancestral presence
Why are Ancestral Beings important in Aboriginal spirituality?
They are creators of life and law, and are present in traditions, art, and ceremonies.
Who are Ancestral Beings in the Dreaming?
Spirits who created the land, animals, and laws.
Why is land important in Aboriginal spirituality?
Land holds stories, spirits, laws, and is deeply spiritual and sacred.
What is a sacred site?
A place with deep spiritual meaning, connected to Dreaming, ancestors, and ceremonies.
Example: Uluru
What is the role of Elders in Aboriginal society?
Elders are respected knowledge holders, who pass down stories, laws, and traditions.
Why shouldn’t non-Aboriginal people access sacred or secret rituals?
Because only Elders can share full stories, and it’s culturally inappropriate to access what’s sacred
What does Aboriginal art communicate?
The connection between Ancestral Beings, Law, culture, values, and ceremonies.
