The nature of religion and beliefs review prelim sor
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Transcript of The nature of religion and beliefs review prelim sor
S
The Nature of Beliefs
Define the Supernatural Dimension
The Supernatural dimension is: Aspects of the human experience that is beyond its
comprehension or ability to explain. An element that is attributed to the creation or
formation of the current realm of existence
Transcendent Worldview
A belief in a divine power and/or powers beyond the human
Immanent Worldview
Belief in a divine power and/or powers dwelling within the individual
Characteristics of Religion
Beliefs and Believers
Sacred Texts and Writings
Ethics
Rituals and Ceremonies
Define the Chrateristics of Religion
Beliefs and Believers Beliefs – an acceptance of something as real or true. Believers – The adherence to a particular religion.
Sacred Text and Writings Written, visual or oral texts that contain the truths of a
particular religion and provide guidance
Ethics Moral principles that govern a person or group behaviour
providing guidelines to proper and improper behaviours.
Rituals and Ceremonies A set or series of actions performed in a proscribed order for
religious meaning. The practice and practical application of beliefs.
Examples of the Characteristics of Religion
Dynamic Living Religion
Dynamic A force that stimulates change or progress within a
system or process
Living Alive, relevant and meaningful to the adherent
Characteristics Interact to Create a dynamic living
religion Believers form meaning Formalize their
understanding and record through Sacred Texts. The Sacred Texts inform Ethical Teachings and Rituals and Ceremonies. Believers abide by Ethical Teachings and Perform Rituals and Ceremonies.
Sacred Texts maintain the integrity of the Principle Beliefs.
As the adherents develop over time, their interpretation of Sacred Texts can cause changes in its expression. (i.e. Ethical Teachings and Rituals and Ceremonies)
Contribution of Religion to Society - Individual
Helps construct meaning
Gives ethical guidance
Gives a sense of belonging
Contribution of Religion to Society - Community
Social Cohesion
Conservative force (sexual morality)
Progressive force (social justice/reforms)
S
Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualities
The Dreaming
The Nature of the Dreaming – Definition of
Dreaming A belief system of the Aboriginal People
A complex concept of fundamental importance to Aboriginal culture that embraces the creative era in which Ancestral beings instituted Aboriginal society as well as the present and future.
The Nature of the Dreaming – Origins
Refers to the ‘Dreamtime’
The ancestral spirits interacted with the physical world, shaping the landscape and instituting indigenous culture/law/rituals.
Eg, Rainbow Serpent
The Nature of the Dreaming – Stories of the
Dreaming
Relate the stories of the ‘Dreamtime’
Contain sacred knowledge (secret sacred) of the origins of the universe, rituals and law as well as practical geographical instruction (i.e. hunting sites, ceremonial sites) which establishes connection to ‘their’ country (land)
Two primary styles of story Origin Etiological
The Nature of the Dreaming – Sacred Sites
The places where ancestral beings became a part of ‘their’ land.
Can refer to communal, gender specific or sites restricted to elders, initiates or non-initiates (eg, Karlu Karlu)
Gives responsibility of the person/tribe to specific sites linked to ‘their’ ancestor spirits (ritual estate)
The Nature of the Dreaming – Art
A visual expression of the spiritual reality.
Art communicates the dreaming, enables passage of knowledge and represents religious and social relationships (kinship)
The Inextricable Connection of the
Dreaming, the Land and Identity
Dreaming Land Time of creating and bestowing the land to the
Aboriginal people by ‘their’ Ancestral spirits Sacred sites represent the resting place of ‘their’
Ancestral spirits Specific sense of responsibility to ‘their’
geographical centre (ritual estate)
The Inextricable Connection of the
Dreaming, the Land and Identity
Dreaming Land Identity Expressed through the use of Totemic representation
Identifies with an animal, plant or particular landmark through which a person is linked to the Ancestral spirit responsible for their existence.
Celebrated through rituals and ceremonies Acknowledge the role of the Ancestral spirit in their past,
present and future Concreted through their place in a social structure or
‘kinship’ group and their obligations/responsibilities to that group.