post 1945 and Religion and Non Religion Flashcards
Example of a ceremony?
Birthing ceremony
- When a mother was ready to give birth, she would go to a special place where she would be performed rites and songs to help the birthing process.
- After birth, the placenta was buried as a sign of the child’s inextricable connection to the land.
Example of protecting the land?
Firestick farming
→ Controlled burning using low intensity fires to reduce the risk of wildfires and encourage plant growth.
→ Demonstrates their reciprocal relationship with the land and their obligation towards it.
Outline change in Aus landscape for no-Religion?
- Massive increase since 1945
- Biggest growth due to a rise in secularism
1971: 7%
2016: 30%
2021: 38.9%
Due to the abolishment of WAP (White Australia Policy) which other religious traditions entered Australia?
Hinduism –> largely from India
Islam –> From Turkey, Lebanon and the wider Middle East (those fleeing civil war) and more recently, Africa.
Ind Disadvantage, Inequality, and Stolen generations fact?
Disadvantage:
- Only 9% of Aboriginal people speak their language at home (2021 census)
Inequality: psychological distress
- 1 in 3 Ind youth and 1 in 8 non Ind
Stolen Generations:
91% never completes year 12
Outline a new age religion?
Scientology
→ Scientology is a religious system based on the seeking of self-knowledge and spiritual fulfilment through graded courses of study and training.
Ecumenism – NCCA – outline an impact and initiative?
Impact:
- Work through several programs including the Christian World Services [responsible for Make poverty history (MPH)
Initiative:
- ‘act for peace’ - Christmas bowl mission (sends aid assistance to 22 countries throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East and the Pacific
or
- NATSIEC - supports Aboriginal rights
Outline change in Aus landscape for Hinduism?
- Huge growth over last 40 years (fastest growing in Australia)
- Almost doubled since 2016 census
1986: 0.1
2021: 2.7
Outline change in Aus landscape for Christianity?
- Major decline
- Catholicism became largest denom. In 1980s
Before 1945: 99%
2016: 52%
2021: 43.9%
(Catholic, Anglican, Uniting Church)
Examples of interfaith Dialogue?
The Columban Centre for Christian – Muslim relations
- Foster Muslim community by addressing misconceptions and stereotypes against Islamic faith.
Together for Humanity
- Intercultural Understanding Programs, Youth Interfaith Leadership Program
Ecumenism – NSW Ecumenical Council – Outline an impact and initiative?
Impact:
- Social justice program – seeks to address issues of justice and equity for all people especially ATSI
- house of welcome - supports asylum seekers without work rights or social security
Initiative
- ‘Pacific conference of Churches’
Examples of Prominent initiative in the reconciliation movement? one going process?
NATSIEC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Council)
> program to empower women to tell their stories off loss (stolen generations)
Executive council of the Australian Jewry
> lobbies govt to apply recommendations of Bringing them Home report.
Buddhist fellowship and walk alongside and Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.
The ongoing process of reconciliation still faces serious barriers, such as the Australian Bureau of statistics showing life expectancy 20 years below average.
Outline an example for each of the expressions of the religious dimension?
Animism: Japanese Shinto (Believes trees, mountains, the sun and moon are all understood as deities)
Polytheism: Ancient Greeks (Recognise Zeus as father of the Gods, but worship many)
Monotheism: Islam (Surah 112 – Tawhid)
How does the religious dimension provide meaning and purpose?
Religions give a moral code
- E.g. 10 commandment or the commandment of love; “Love one another as I have loved you, do as I do (John 13:34) –> demonstrates Agape love.
- Rituals - give value in life
How does the religious dimension provide social cohesion?
Unites people under a common belief
- E.g. Sharia law in Islam, education –> Good Samaritan Sisters (education for girls/women)
How does the religious dimension contribute to social transformation?
Can force social change and influence the rate of social change (religions can be both conservative and progressive)
E.g. Mary Mackillop - helped people with their education especially children.
Progressive – Care for the environment (Laudato Si), the abolishment of slavery
Conservative – Women (equality), same sex marriage, divorce
Christianity global distribution?
Christianity
31% of world pop
2.2 billion people
Where:
- USA, Brazil, México, and Rice
Islam global distribution?
Islam
23% of world pop
1.6 billion people
Where:
- Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh
Hinduism global distribution?
Hinduism
15% of world pop
900 million people
Where:
- India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
Buddhism Global distribution?
Buddhism
6% of world pop
488 million people
Where:
- China, Thailand, Japan, and Myanmar
Judaism global distribution?
Judaism
0.22% of world pop
14.9 million people
Where:
- USA, Israel, France, Canada
What are the reasons for the rise in new religious expressions?
- Search for personal fulfilment
- Seek ethical guidelines
- Seek to clarify their relationship with society
Example of someone seeking personal fulfilment in another religious expression?
Many people wish to seek improvement of their minds and bodies through practising forms of spirituality that are not part of their own religious traditions (For example, westerners practising yoga or tai chi).
People seek new ways of healing (e.g. acupuncture)
How does someone seek ethical guidance through a new religious expression?
Moral relativism = everything becomes a matter of personal choice, and there is an absence of moral certainty or truth → result of secular/materialist society
People in a modern society face new ethical issues such as cloning, global warming, IVF, gender fluid, ecology and tradition religious response may not appear to be relevant
