RELIGION AND NON-RELIGION Flashcards
RELIGIOUS DIMENSION
how humans have explored the forces or powers that could explain why the world is the way it is.
RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION
the way people show a belief in the powers or forces in the religious dimension
ANIMISM
The belief that all-natural object possesses a soul (people, animals + wider environment.)
• All-natural objects need to 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 say in the breeze or the way the tide changes
- Shintoism Kami’s (spirits) inhabit the natural world
- Aboriginal Spirituality
POLYTHEISM
Belief in the existence of multiple gods • 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 and interact and hold grudges against other gods. E.g., Hellenism (Greek Mythology) - Dionysus God of wine - Aphrodite God of the love - Poseidon God of the sea Hinduism: 330 million deities
MONOTHEISM
Belief in one god
• Omnipresent: All present
• Omniscient: All knowing
• Omnipotent: All powerful
• One God created the universe and gave humans morals
E.g., Judaism, Christianity, Islam (Semitic religions - God revealed himself, human purpose, revealed in sacred texts)
MEANING AND PURPOSE:
the past, present and future
• Where we come from (origins), why we are here (purpose), where we go when we die (destiny)
• Provides meaning in life by answering those big religious questions and giving life a sense of structure and consistency
• Semitic religions: one god, middle east origins
Sacred texts outline creation story
Each religion celebrates important stages – creates cultural identity and sense of belonging
Destiny provides purpose (act morally, obey god) EG. Akhira (heaven) and jannahah (hell)
SOCIAL COHESION
the way society works together and forms communities
• Religion is closely connected to culture and society as it provides a sense of community as it can serve to give their loves to something more stable and constant. E.G., laws, architecture (churches), public holidays, dress codes.
• Social disharmony: when people spread their religious views, it can lead to hostile tension (Sunni v Shia) and the crusades (Christians v Muslims)
SOCIAL TRANSFORMAITON
religion can serve as a force of social change or influence the rate of progress in society
• Social justice: poverty (caritas, Vinnie’s, salvos), environment (Islamic plan for climate change), natural disasters (Jewish coalition for disaster relief), conflict (pacem in terris)
• Education: religion can prevent progress
Science v religion
Religions are becoming supportive of new technologies such as IVF and cures for diseases such as HIV (willing to correct their understanding)
• Religion has acted as a means for change by helping the less fortunate (promoted change)
• Religion has prevented change by maintaining traditional views.
distribution of christianity
31% - 2.2 Billion people
top 4: USA, Brazil, Mexico, China
distribution of islam
23% - 1.6 Billion people
top 4: Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh
distribution of hinduism
15% - 900 Million people
top 4: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
distribution of buddhism
6% - 488 Million people
top 4: China, Thailand, Japan, Myanmar
distribution of judaism
0.22% - 14.9 Million people
top 4: USA, Israel, France, Canada
