Religion and Non-Religion (5 marker term 4)

Question 1

how does the religious dimension provide for meaning and purpose for the individual

Answer 1

Providing an individual with a sense of belonging and identity
Using sacred text to provide answers to those questions about the meaning of life
Providing guidelines for adherents on how to live a good life and achieve the goals of the religious tradition
Belief of a higher being which controls and watches humanity allows a framework of meaning therefore providing role models to assist the adherent in living a good life

Question 2

why would an individual search for meaning and purpose within the religious dimension

Answer 2

humans search for understanding of fundamental questions such as origin, purpose and destiny of humankind, in which religions provide answers for
belief in a higher being which controls and watches humanity allows a framework of meaning

Question 3

what is social cohesion

Answer 3

is how society remains harmonious

Question 4

what is social transformation

Answer 4

how a society changes and develops

Question 5

what is religions role in social cohesion

Answer 5

religious ideas are intended to maintain order in society, maintaining and reinforcing social structures, customers and values

Question 6

what are the positives of social cohesion

Answer 6

religion can provide communities with a sense of continuity and certainty in an uncertain and confusing world

Question 7

what are the negatives of social cohesion

Answer 7

social cohesion can also function as a form of social control as religion has been used as a means of authorising the legitimacy of unjust institutions

Question 8

what is an example of meaning and purpose for the individual in relation to the religious dimension

Answer 8

getting the reward of heaven for acting well or a punishment of hell for living immorally (islam, christianity) or to be reborn into a better life (hinduism, buddhism)

Question 9

how does social transformation happen

Answer 9

Change is brought about through education and instruction

Question 10

why must religions contribute to social transformation

Answer 10

working towards a just and peaceful society is integral to the message of all major religious traditions and as such these groups are regularly seen working in areas leading towards social transformation

Question 11

what is an example of social transformation

Answer 11

The christian bible was used by white american christians to justify slavery in turn Martin Luther King Jr used christian ethics to lead the movement for black rights

Question 12

how does search for personal fulfilment contribute to the rise of new religious expression

Answer 12

Dissatisfaction with traditional forms of religion
Hierarchical structures failing to provide the individual with sufficient say in important matters, wanting a voice
Provide women with inferior roles in administration and decision-making and do not meet the lived experience of the youth in worship and guidance
Appear to offer unachievable goals and unrealistic expectations on the individual

Question 13

what makes new age religions attractive in relation to search for personal fulfilment

Answer 13

more inclusive, adapt to pressing social issues, more inclusive of women

Question 14

what makes traditional religions unattractive in relation to search for personal fulfilment

Answer 14

do not provide a way of contentment or peace, answers appear to be outdated and irrelevant, bound by rules and procedures

Question 15

what is an example of search for personal fulfilment in a new age religion

Answer 15

in theosophy women have leadership positions whereas in christianity men can only be priests

Question 16

how does seeking ethical guidelines contribute to the rise of new religious expression

Answer 16

raditional ethical response can be seen as restrictive with modern ethical issues being complex
Modern scientific and technological advancement - religious traditions may appear not to keep up-to-date with new discoveries and scientific advancement
E.g. embryonic research, IVF

Question 17

what makes new age religions attractive in relation to seeking ethical guidelines

Answer 17

appeal to those who feel the need to find ethical guidance, there is attitude of looking for the right answer to apply to modern situations

Question 18

what makes traditional religions unattractive in relation to seeking ethical guidelines

Answer 18

guidance is often seen as irrelevant and meaningless, rules-based and unable to respond to perceived needs, traditional responses appear irrelevant to modern day developments, do not allow individuals sufficient independence and initiative

Question 19

what is an example of seeking ethical guidelines in a new age religion

Answer 19

Christian god is seen as male, warlike and all-dominating. Pagans gods and goddesses upheld respect for the planet, feminine values and care for other humans

Question 20

how does seeking to clarify their relationship with society contribute to the rise of new religious expression

Answer 20

New sexualities and lifestyles have given many people in the modern world a new understanding of who they are
Opposition to male hierarchies in religious traditions
As scientific revolution and technological advances are beyond one’s understand, new religious expressions integrate and make meaning of these advances
Greater concern by people regarding ecological awareness

Question 21

what makes new age religions attractive in relation to seeking to clarify their relationship with society

Answer 21

offer closer relationships and more meaningful celebrations of the stages in life through rituals and ceremonies, acceptance of a new religion is due to the desire to gain closer and more meaningful personal relationships and more appropriate ways of expressing their individualism, a stronger sense of the unity of nature, offer a person ways to participate in the mystical forces of nature

Question 22

what makes traditional religions unattractive in relation to seeking to clarify their relationship with society

Answer 22

people feel they no longer give them a supportive community, think it is cause oppression, deal less with reality and more with superstition

Question 23

what is an example of seeking to clarify their relationship with society in a new age religion

Answer 23

Hare Krishnas encourage communal living away from the complexities of modern-day life

Question 24

what is the judaism response to the concept of the transcendent

Answer 24

the afterlife: sinless go to Gan Eden, souls to be cleansed and purified go to sheol, to be punished go to gehinnom
transcendent incorporeal god as creator, all knowing, powerful and present
Messiah, to bring the redemption to the Jews and all the world, bringing salvation from God has granted

Question 25

what is humanist response to the concept of the transcendent

Answer 25

No proof of transcendence beyond the universe
No proof of life after death
Believing creation was a spontaneous event without any motivation or cause

Question 26

what is the judaism response to the human person

Answer 26

celebrate different stages of life such as birth, marriage and death HOWEVER this is a special moment of connection between the participants and god
celebrate the shabbat as gods day of rest after creation to strengthen their relationship with god

Question 27

what is the humanist response to the human person

Answer 27

celebrate different stages of life such as birth, marriage and death, don’t see it is relation to god
regard the human person as being of supreme value

Question 28

what is the judaism response to social responsibility

Answer 28

importance of contributing to making the world a better place and contributing to the overall quality of life of people this is called Tikkun olam in Judaism, the prophetic vision
ecological activism
motivations of having a better afterlife to pursue protection of environment

Question 29

what is the humanist response to social responsibility

Answer 29

Rationalising decisions and human actions through thought process of: reason, experience, empathy, respect for others to then judge morality
As there is no belief in the afterlife, so a greater emphasis on the contributions made in this life

Question 30

how does religion give individuals and societies meaning and purpose

Answer 30

Providing a society with its laws based on the ethical teachings found in sacred texts E.g. Australian laws are founded in Christian principles
Acting as advocates on behalf of disadvantaged grounds in society E.g. St Vincent de Paul
Provides art, architecture and literature based on the belief of the tradition

Question 31

how does religion provided social transformation

Answer 31

Challenging society to reconsider its values and the way it treats people E.g. Religious leaders seeking to address the rights of Indigenous Australians
Supporting public morality
Preventing societies and cultures from receiving the benefit of advances in medicine, technology and science, because these new ideas are seen as opposing significant central belief E.g. when Darwin’s Theory of Evolution was discovered, it was opposed by churches