Religion and Non - Religion

Question 1

The expression of the religious dimension in human history

Animism

Answer 1

• Animism is the belief that natrual objects, natural phenomena and the universe possess souls

Aboriginal Spirituality
The live creatures of The Dreaming are Ancestral Beings, who are ever-present. Their spirits are transmitted via countless sacred sites e.g. Uluru and totems e.g. Black Cockatoo, amongst Aboriginal peoples.

Shintoism
Shinto is a polytheistic religion that centres on supernatural beings known as kami that are said to pervade everything e.g. mountains, trees and rivers. Because of the connection between the kami and the natural world, Shinto is regarded as animistic.

Taoism
Taoist beliefs are founded on the notion that there is a natural order or a “way of heaven” that one might discover through living in harmony with nature. Taoist deities can be found in nature spirits, legendary figures from history, humanised planets and stars, immortalised mortals, and reptiles like dragons, tigers, and snakes.

Question 2

The expression of the religious dimension in human history

Polytheism

Answer 2

Polytheism is the belief in more than one god/s

gods/goddesses can be human in several ways
They have human emotions and can hold grudges against each other, yet they are immortal

Hinduism

• Hinduism is the oldest and most complex of all living dimensions. Hinduism is polytheistic, three gods rule the world Brahma: the creator; Vishnu: the preserver and Shiva: the destroyer.

Shintoism

• The essence of Shinto is kami, the divine spirit found in all things. The essence of Shinto is especially manifested at Mount Fuji within the cherry blossoms, bonsai trees and formal gardens. An important theme which continually appears within Shinto is a great love and reverence for nature. Any oddly shaped aspect of nature is regarded as a kami.

Taoism

• Deities are a part of our universe and are equally obligated movements of Taoism as humans are which is why they are recognised as deities not gods. Deities are worshipped in temples and each deity is worshipped depending on the circumstance of the worshipper. The universe was created through the interactions between the two primordial (existing before time) opposite forces of yin and yang.

Question 3

The expression of the religious dimension in human history

Monotheism

Answer 3

Monotheism is the belief in one God

God is seen as omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent

Christianity

• Christianity has the monotheistic belief in the singular Christian God. Christians associate God with being a total of three beings (the trinity) - the Father of all creation and the universe. Bringing God’s new life to all creation. God the son, Jesus Christ, redeemer and sustainer of life (turning all creation from sin and darkness and more fully to God. God the Holy Spirit, the sanctifier, blessing and making Holy

Islam

• Islam has a monotheistic belief in the Islamic God Allah. The key to Islamic faith is for Muslims to devote full submission and love to Allah. The 5 pillars are an example of this. Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj.

Judaism

• Judaism has the monotheistic belief of Yaweh, the Jewish God. Unlike Christianity, Jews believe that Jesus was not the messiah, and that the messiah is still yet to come. Jews believe that Yaweh approached Prophet Abraham with three covenants.

Question 4

The significance of the religious dimension in human history

Meaning and purpose for the individual

Answer 4

Religion provides answers for the big questions in life, such as: ‘who am I?’ ‘why am I here?’ ‘why does the world exist?’

Islam
- Islam translates as “submission.” A Muslim’s ultimate purpose in life is to adore their creator Allah by upholding the Divine precepts recorded in the Qur’an and the Prophet’s Tradition. Earthly life is merely a test, determining one’s afterlife, either in Jannah (Paradise) or in Jahannam (Hell)

Judaism

• An Orthodox Jew discovers meaning and purpose in life by abiding by the rules that God provided to His Chosen People at Sinai. The 613 Mitzvot include laws on the do’s and don’ts associated with worship, relationships and daily activities such as food preparation.

Christiantiy

• Every person is made in God’s image and likeness, according to Christian doctrine, which forms its fundamental tenet. Because of this, people who live in Christian communities are more likely to have relationships that value dignity and respect, which in turn promote personal safety and self-worth.

Question 5

Significance of the religious dimension in human history

Social cohesion

Answer 5

Social cohesion is building shared values and communities of interpretation, reducing disparities in wealth and income

Islam
Hajj pilgrimage

The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca ignites the removal of racism and tribal attitudes to religion. Pilgrims praise God through the collective supplication (du’a) and remembrance of God. It is a way of establishing a connection with monotheism. This creates a sense of harmony between adherents and provides a sense of acceptance.

Judaism

Key events in life (e.g. Bar Mitzvah in Judaism)
Bar Mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony that enlightens an adherent to becoming a complete member of the Jewish community. Bar Mitzvah provides a sense of belonging of adherents who complete the Bar Mitzvah and additionally promotes personal wellbeing by enhancing the common good.

Christianity
Looking after the poor in society (e.g. Vinnies)
Through Christians participating in volunteer work such as St Vincent De Paul, they are able to promote the common good throughout the community and increase social cohesion and acceptance through every individual.

Question 6

Significance of the religious dimension in human history

Social Transformation

Answer 6

Social transformation relates to reconstructing of all aspects of life, culture to social relations, from politics to economy, from the way we think to the way we live

Islam

Education – Opening of Islamic schools (e.g. Islamic Schools Association of Australia)
The opening of Islamic schools in Australia recollects the social transformation of Islam through Australia previously being a Christian dominated country. By opening schools of a different religious tradition, this demonstrates how society is transforming the previous views of other religious traditions that were not Christian, and allows for islamic adherents to receive an education by their religious tradition.

Judaism

Fighting oppression – The Exodus story tells of the Jewish people who were inspired by their faith to overthrow and flee slavery.
Through fighting oppression, the Exodus story fights the oppression the of the slavery of the Israelites. Through Moses leading the Israelites through the Red Sea, Jewish adherents have previously been oppressed by society for their religious traditions, but socially transform this by being the change they want to see in the world.

Christianity

Social services - Salvation Army

Through social services such as the salvation army, Chrsitanity is able to be a significant aspect of social transformation through caring for the less fortunate through helping society through the injustices and hardship that may be upon them by being the hands of God.

Question 7

The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions

Answer 7

Christianity

Christianity is affilated with majroity of the population in Australia, North America and South America. Europe is predominantly Christian
Additionally, Christianity is prodominenatly affiliaed with New Zealand, Russia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor Leste, New Caledonia and South Korea
Christianity has historically spread around the globe and it still today remains a geographically widespread religion

Question 8

The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions

Islam

Answer 8

Islam is the largets religion in Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Albania
Islam is a dominant religion in the Middle East and Northern Africa
14.2% of Indians are Muslims, this country is the largets muslim population, including Indonesia
Islam is additionally the fastest growing major religious tradition
The number of Muslims is expected to increase by 70% from 1.8 billion in 2015 to approximately 3 billion in 2060

Question 9

The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions

Judaism

Answer 9

Judaism is the largest religion in Israel. More than 4/5 of all Jews live in just 2 countries. The United States and Israel. 76% of the Israel population are practising Jews

Question 10

The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions

Hinduism

Answer 10

India, Mauritius and Nepal have the greatest number of Hindu adherents
Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with approx 1.2billion hindius in humerous countries
Hinduism is the dominant religion in only three countries India (79%) Mauritius (48%) and Nepal (80%)
Many regions throughout the world do support significant populations of Hindus which include the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, North America, South America

Question 11

The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions

Buddhism

Answer 11

In China, Buddhism has the greatest number of religious adherents. In China 18% of the population are Buddhists
Within Southeast Asia, is where majority of the world’s Buddhists live including 13% in Thailand where 93% of the population are Buddhists

Question 12

The rise of new religious expression and spiritualities

Search for personal fulfilment

Answer 12

Many people are no longer happy to commit and accept religious rules without question (many may not feel fulfilled by a religious service).
In a very individualistic age, people go searching for a spirituality that they can tailor to their own personal needs.
New Age religions can suit many individual needs and so they become more attractive to a new generation.

‘ Wicca’ in Pagan religions incorporates a polytheistic faith through which numerous adherents will select certain Gods or Goddesses from various global religions and use those Deities for personal devotion. Personal fulfilment affects the rise of ‘ Wicca’ in Pagan religions as it provides adherents with the opportunity for personal devotion on the terms of the adherent, and guides adherents to search for a spiritual connection with their own faith.

Question 13

The rise of new religious expressions

Seek Ethical Guidelines

Answer 13

Traditional religions are often seen to be out of touch with society and so do not offer up-to-date and practical ethical advice.
Moral Relativism is a notion that affects society – the idea that what is right for me, may not necessarily be right for other people.
As many people cannot form their own ethical guidelines, they turn to New Age religions.

‘The prosperity gospel’ in Christianity - The revivalist and charismatic churches continue to be a significant part of the prosperity gospel movement. The “health and wealth gospel” or the “Word of Faith” movement are two names for it. The idea that God rewards growing faith by improving health and/or prosperity is a distortion of the message of Jesus.

Question 14

The rise of new religious expressions

Seek to clarify their relationship with society

Answer 14

We have learned that religions help people feel socially connected.
Despite social media, the individualistic society can make people feel more isolated than ever.
Humans need meaningful contact with others to survive.
Some turn to New Age religions to help themselves feel connected and that they belong in a community

‘Neo-Hasidism’ in Judaism - Neo-Hasidism is a method used by non-Hasidic Jews to spiritually deepen their Judaism by drawing from the teachings and customs of various Hasidic groups, particularly Chabad and Breslov. Neo-Hasidism is a way to practise Judaism without having to adhere to all of a given Hasidic group’s ideologies and norms.

Question 15

The influences on the growth of new religious expression and spiritualities

Rise of materialism

Answer 15

When many traditional faiths reject excessive wealth and encourage adherents to reject themselves from money/objects some new age faiths say nothing about it or encourage followers to gain more to endure happiness

‘The prosperity gospel’ in Christianity - Rise of materialism
The revivalist and charismatic churches continue to be a significant part of the prosperity gospel movement. The idea that God rewards growing faith by improving health and/or prosperity is a distortion of the message of Jesus

Question 16

Influences on the growth of new religious expressions and spiritualities

Scientific progress

Answer 16

Despite science ruling out many religions, people still desire spiritual answers
Some new age religions answers have a pseudo-scientific basis and it is seen as being more valid than a traditional religions response

“Horoscopes, numerology”

Question 17

Influences on the growth of new religious expressions and spiritualities

Growth of ecological awareness

Answer 17

Some new age religions can be quote animistic and so more and more people begin to see nature as spiritual
People are attracted to New Age religions because they feel that closeness to the environment

‘Wicca’ in Pagan religions - Growth of ecological awareness
The pagan religion known as Wicca was established in the middle of the 20th century. Wiccans revere nature, which is frequently personified as Father Sky and Mother Earth. They can refer to their gods by a variety of names because they practise polytheism. Numerous Wiccans will select certain Gods or Goddesses from various global religions and use those Deities for personal devotion

Question 18

Influences on the growth of new religious expressions and spiritualities

Disenchantment with traditional religious practice and guidance

Answer 18

People feel that traditional religions are out of tuch with mdoern society
Crimes committed by people within these faiths are seen as hypocrisy hence many people leave these faiths (particular young people)

It has become more apparent and socially acceptable to have ‘no religion’
People still desire spiritual answers though hence the rise of new age religions

Neo-Hasidism is a method used by non-Hasidic Jews to spiritually deepen their Judaism by drawing from the teachings and customs of various Hasidic groups, particularly Chabad and Breslov. Neo-Hasidism is a way to practise Judaism without having to adhere to all of a given Hasidic group’s ideologies and norms.

Question 19

Non - religious worldviews

The human search for personal fulfilment through non - religious practices

Athiesm
Essential feature - there is no God or life after death

Answer 19

A person who rejects thr belief of God because they belief it is false is an atheist
The concept of God to them is meaningless, unintelligible, contradictory, incomrpehnsible or incoherent

They belief there is no god/God or life after death and it is important to live life to the fullest and enjoy life

There is no organised doctrine that sets these beliefs and morals it is based on the individual’s way they should live life without deity

Question 20

Non - religious worldviews

The human search for personal fulfilment through non - religious practices

Athiesm
Essential feature - Based on human reason

Answer 20

The belief that a higher power limits the autonomy (slef control and governence) of a human

Athiests can argue that it can take a greater mind to assess personal behaviour, moral and ethical frameworms based on prefferred outcomes and social responsibilites than it does to oursource responsibility for this behaviour to religious instituitions

Question 21

Non - religious worldviews

The human search for personal fulfilment through non - religious practices

Athiesm
Essential feature - Science plays a key role in human advancement

Answer 21

People relate to science for the answers of why life is the way is is, through paritucalry atheists and evolution

Question 22

Non - religious worldviews

The human search for personal fulfilment through non - religious practices

Agnosticism
Essential feature - neither believs or disbelieves that there is any sort of higher power

Answer 22

A person who believes nothing is known or can be known of the existence of God is Agnosticism

Neither believes nor disbelieves that there is any sort of higher power.

• It is a world view that is impossible to know whether or not God or other supernatural beings do or don’t exist
• There is some belief that God exists but it also looks as though there is evidence that God does not exist
• The implication of this arguement is that agnostics may come to believe in God or other divine deities in the future if evidence of their existence of non - existence does arise

Question 23

Non - religious worldviews

The human search for personal fulfilment through non - religious practices

Agnosticism
Essential feature - An uncertainty of knowledge

Answer 23

• There is a mistake or being wrong of human reasoning which prevents human beings from obtaining absolute certainty in any matter

Question 24

Non - religious worldviews

The human search for personal fulfilment through non - religious practices

Agnosticism
Essential feature - Moral reasoning is often similar to humanism (figure it out rationally)

Answer 24

Some people argue it is important to live a good moral life just in case there is a God

Question 25

The human search for personal fulfil ent through non - religious practices

Humanism

Rational humanism

Answer 25

Humanism is a system of thought that places more importance on human matters rather than divine or supernatural ones.

Humanism is a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion.

Question 26

The human search for personal fulfil ent through non - religious practices

Humanism

Rational humanism

Humans are the highest form of intelligence

Answer 26

The human mind and experience are the most reliable guide for human bheaviour, decision making and understanding the world

Question 27

The human search for personal fulfil ent through non - religious practices

Humanism

Rational humanism

Human reasoning provides answers to the questions of life.

Answer 27

A human does not need religion to decide what is morally right and wonr. Compassion, equality, morality, ethics and a reason to build a better world for human kind

Question 28

The human search for personal fulfil ent through non - religious practices

Humanism

Rational humanism

Humans choose their values freely and rationally.

Answer 28

• Ethical values are derived from humans need and interest to be tested by experience
• Humans live good moral lives, not because the belief in God or religious standards of behaviour, but because of their respect for human life
• Positive aspirations and behaviour of individuals are encouraged because of the consideration that doing good to others is the obvious way to show respect and rationally the best way to behave

Question 29

The human search for personal fulfil ent through non - religious practices

Humanism

Scientific humanism

Answer 29

Definition of Scientific Humanism: Human beings are viewed naturalistically

Question 30

The human search for personal fulfil ent through non - religious practices

Humanism

Scientific humanism

The universe is self - existinng and not created

Answer 30

Scientific method requires humanists to propose new asertions about the world in the forms of theories (observation, hypothesis, predictions)

Need to be tested by experiment - without religious practices

Question 31

The human search for personal fulfil ent through non - religious practices

Humanism

Scientific humanism

People should use a scientific based philosphy as an approach to life

Answer 31

Policies must palce a significant emphasis upon scientific and technology to address global problems such as poverty, environmental degradation and social inequities. - Religion doesn’t address this

Question 32

The human search for personal fulfil ent through non - religious practices

Humanism

Scientific humanism

Reality is what can be touched, measured or numbered

Answer 32

• Reality can be discovered through scientific research and experimentation
• Things which cannot be seen, such as emotion, beauty and thought should not be regarded as knowledge or truth
• Science should aim to foster human creativity and encourage achievements that add to satisfactions of life

Question 33

The human search for personal fulfilment through non - religious practices

Agnosticism
Atheism
Humanism

Ethical behaviours are a person’s responsbility

Answer 33

Ethical behaviour of an indivudal is based not on reward or punishment of a higher being - deity, but on the individuals’s own reasons for acting

Ethical behaviour will be determined by the individual’s own understanding of what is morally good or bad

May be adoption of local customs and and may lead others to develop own ethical systems

Question 34

The human search for personal fulfilment through non - religious practices

Agnosticism
Atheism
Humanism

Human life determines a person’s opportunities and aspirations

Answer 34

Key events in a person’s life may need to be celebrated in diverse forms other than those offered by a religious traditions (marriage, death, burial)

In defiency of belief in life after death, the person will view the presrnt life as the best and only opportunity to achieve life goals

This realisation will affect person’s attitude to health and exercise and other means of human belonging

Question 35

The human search for personal fulfilment through non - religious practices

Agnosticism
Atheism
Humanism

Recognition of the common lot of all humans and the common good

Answer 35

A person that argues human life itself is essentially good and worthy of preserving then a person might devote part of activites whicha ttempt to improve life of others

Working in the instructions for social welfare, education is common humanity and is recognised. An individual may also work towards the eradication of racism and bigotry

Question 36

The difference between religious and non - religious worldviews

The response of one religious and one - non - religioys belief

Concept of the transcendent

Christianity and Humanism

Answer 36

Christianity - God is outside space and time, he created all that exists
God gives meaning life and the goal is afterlife
He is involved in life and sometimes intervenes in human history (revelation, miracles)

Humanism - Although not necessarily evident that God doesn’t exist, humanists focus on this earth and making it a better place
Many people argue that this life is all there is and that there is no afterlife
The highest moral standard is human logic and they don’t believe God judges people to heaven or hell

Comparison - Humanists believe in evolution as the main cause of human life. In contrast, some Christian groups reject the idea of evolution although many are able to accept the belief that God is the origin of life and used evolution as a part of his plan

Question 37

The difference between religious and non - religious worldviews

The response of one religious and one - non - religious belief

The human person

Christianity and Humanism

Answer 37

Christianity - God created the first humans nd designed how they were to procreate
God loves each human individually and infinitely.
Humans are created in ‘the image and likeness of God’ - reward of eternal life for living ethically

Humanism - Humans are the most evolved species on the planet and should use their intelligence to achieve their fullest potential
A human person should be able to use their intelligence to discovery what is right and wrong and does not need religion to explain this

Comparison - Comparison: Both Christian adherents and humanists believe that humans should strive to become the best people they can be. Christians believe there is an external award for living a good and fruitful life, in comparison to humanists who believe there is no reward, but it helps others around you. Both humanists and Christians believe in free will and that it should be directed towards improving the lives of others. They do differentiate on consequences and punishments for evildoers (Chrsitna believe in hell)