Religion and Non-Religion Flashcards
what is the religious dimension?
ow humans have explored the forces or powers that could explain why the world is the way it is
What is the religious expression?
the way people show a belief in the powers of forces in the religious dimension
What do animism, polytheism and monotheism all share/
belief in a spiritual dimension and have a relationship with it
What is animism?
The belief that all-natural objects including people, animals and the wider environment possess a soul and are animate
Because everything has a soul, all-natural things should be treated with respect
The souls, or spirits, of each natural object, control the day-to-day activities of the natural world e.g. the way the trees sway in the breeze
Animism examples:
Aboriginal Spirituality (belief in the dreaming) or Shintoism (belief in Kamis)
What is polytheism?
Belief in the existence of a God or Gods
Many polytheistic religions believe that different gods or goddesses have control of specific aspects of the universe
Gods or deities resemble humans in the sense that they have their own personalities, interact and hold grudges against other Gods
Polytheism example:
Hinduism- they believe in 330 million deities
What is monotheism?
One God who is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent
Created the universe and gave humans morals
Monotheism example:
Semitic religions: God revealed itself gave humans the universe, revealed in sacred texts (Christianity, Judaism and Islam)
What does the religious dimension provide to human history?
social cohesion
social transformation
meaning and purpose for the individual
Meaning and Purpose:
Answers: Origins, Purpose + destiny
Provides answers to the big questions
Origins + Purpose: religion provides life with meaning by answering the big religious questions
Origins + Destiny: Religion gives life structure and consistency
Origins- sacred texts outline creation story
Purpose- each religion celebrates important stages e.g. Bar Mitzvah
Creates cultural identity and sense of belonging
Destiny- act morally, obey God e.g. Akhira
How does religion provide purpose? example
Bar Mitzvah marks important stages in life
How goes religion provide answers to destiny?
Akhira tells us to act morally, obey God
Social Cohesion:
The way society works together and forms communities
Religion provides people with a sense of community because it ties life to something more stable and constant e.g. laws, dress codes, architecture (churches) and public holidays
Provides a common purpose
Between religions and sects, there are differences which can result in disharmony
Social Cohesion examples:
Provides laws: e.g. do not commit murder
Provides a common purpose: social justice
Disharmony: Sunni and Shia
Social Transformation:
Change while maintaining traditional views
Religion can transform society: stability, security, rituals, tradition, constancy
Religion can influence the rate of progress in society
What are the two aspects of society social transformation influences the most?
Social justice and education
social transformation: social justice examples
Poverty (Caritas)
Environmental destruction (Islamic plan for climate change)
Natural disasters (Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief)
Conflict (John XXIII’s Pacem in Terris)
social transformation: education examples
Religion can prevent progress: science vs religion
Religion is supportive of new technologies: (IVF)
Willing to correct their understanding: (HIV/AIDS)
Religion has acted as a means for change by helping the less fortunate: e.g. Tikkun Olam repair the world by looking after the environment and taking care of less fortunate
Religion has prevented change by maintaining traditional views: gay marriage
List the five major religious traditions largest to smallest:
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism
Global Distribution of Christianity:
31%- 2.2 Billion People
USA, Brazil, Mexico and China
Declining in the Western world
Countries with the majority: Ireland, Canada, Poland, Philippines, USA, Brazil, Germany, South Africa
The Philippines has the largest Christian population
Global Distribution of Buddhism:
6%- 488 million people
China, Thailand, Japan and Myanmar
Countries with the majority: Thailand, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Burma/Myanmar
Majority of the world Buddhists live in the Asia Pacific region
Global Distribution of Islam:
23%- 1.6 Billion people
Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh
One of the fastest-growing religions in the world
Countries with the majority: Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Dubai
Majority of the world Muslims live in the Asia Pacific region (outside of the middle east)
Global Distribution of Hinduism:
15%- 900 million people
India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
Mostly stayed within India and the surrounding area
Fastest growing religion in Australia
Countries with the majority: India, Nepal, Bangladesh
Global Distribution of Judaism:
0.22%- 14.9 million people
USA, Israel, France and Canada
After WW2 Israel was handed back to them by the United Nations