Religion and Non - Religion Flashcards
The expression of the religious dimension in human history
Animism
- 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.
The expression of the religious dimension in human history
Polytheism
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.
The expression of the religious dimension in human history
Monotheism
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.
The significance of the religious dimension in human history
Meaning and purpose for the individual
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.
Significance of the religious dimension in human history
Social cohesion
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.
Significance of the religious dimension in human history
Social Transformation
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.
The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions
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
The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions
Islam
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
The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions
Judaism
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
The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions
Hinduism
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
The Global distribution of the five major religious tradtions
Buddhism
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
The rise of new religious expression and spiritualities
Search for personal fulfilment
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.
The rise of new religious expressions
Seek Ethical Guidelines
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.
The rise of new religious expressions
Seek to clarify their relationship with society
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.
The influences on the growth of new religious expression and spiritualities
Rise of materialism
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
