Ch.1 The nature of Religion and beliefs

GLOSSARY Ethics- a set of practices based on moral beliefs clarifying what is right and wrong. Adherent- follower of a religion Monotheism- the belief in a single god. (eg. Christianity, Judaism, Islam) Polytheism- the belief in many gods and goddesses (eg. Hinduism) Transcendent religion- the belief that there are beings that exist beyond the known universe that are not subject to the laws of nature; polytheism and monotheism are the two principal types of transcendent religion. Immanent religion- a religion that holds that gods, goddesses or divine spirits live within nature and that the universe was created by these spirits and is maintained by their power. Pantheism- the belief that god and the universe are one. There is no divine power outside of the universe, but everything that makes up the universe is god. (universe=god) Totemism- the belief that everyone has a totem (plant, animal, or natural object) which cannot be gathered, hunted or painted by those who have it as their totem since it is believed to link them to the spiritual force responsible for their existence. Kinship- highly sophisticated networks of relationships governing interactions between members of Aboriginal language groups. Mimis- Aboriginal spirits or spirit figures Paradigm- the core belief of a particular religious tradition that is the basis for all other beliefs held by believers of that tradition. ( Paradigm means a certain way of thinking about something that is generally accepted) Rrark- an Aboriginal artistic style characteristic of Arnhem Land. Secret-sacred- certain aspects of Aboriginal religion and spirituality that are reserved for initiated Aboriginal persons. Bullroarer - a flat piece of stone or wood that is swung around a thong. Used in Australian Aboriginal communities to call people to ceremonies or to intimate the voice of an Ancestral Being. Dreaming- a European tern tat refers to the essence of truth in Aboriginal religious beliefs. Egalitarian-relating to the principal of equality inextricable - impossible to separate metatemporal - incorporating the past, present and future into a complete and present reality.    

CHARACTERISTICS OF RELIGION In order for a phenomenon to be classified as a religion, it must have all of the following characteristics. Beliefs and believers Beliefs are Ideas considered true and express the self understanding of the tradition.Core belief (Paradigm) - basis of all other beliefs in that religion Buddhism: three refugees (Lord Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)Christianity: Jesus died and rose from death in order to save us from sin, he died for us.Islam: Submission to Allah- submission to the will of Allah is essential for understanding life. Judaism:?? God has entered history and formed a relationship with his people. (relationships are important in Judaism) Hinduism: the ultimate union with Brahman is the only purpose of life. There are some beliefs that are only held by some adherents of a religion and that aren't seen as essential. This creates further divisions within a religion (eg. catholic-protestant) Believers, (followers of a particular belief), accept the worldview of that religion and make sense of life in terms of the ideas and values of that religion. Sacred texts and writings often images are used instead of words so less educated people can also learn understand the important beliefs.  Qur'an (Islam), Bible (Christianity), Torah (Judaism)- are all believed to be direct revelations (Offenbarungen) from god. contain stories (aid to understand the teachings of a religion),  rules and directions on how to live life, prayers. Ethicsethics put into practice the beliefs of an adherent (eg. love your neighbor) how people live out their ethical lives, will determine what happens to them after death trough sacred texts and writings we learn how we should live our livesoften it is said that the teachings in the sacred texts are too old and not relevant anymore.  Rituals and ceremoniesRituas and ceremonies are ways to celebrate and reinforca a religious tradition's central belief systemthere are two types of ritual: Public rituals: formal activity with clearly defined structures, timing and content (e.g: set order of prayers, set times for mass etc) often based on rituals found in sacred texts (may reflect actions or words of an important event or person in history) Private rituals:informal activity where everyone is free to express themselfs in whatever mannerthey find comfortable There are rituals for special occasions  welcoming a newborn into the religious community (e.g:Baptism, ) celebrating a person moving into another stage of life (e.g: marriage, communion, Bar Mitzwa) to support someone who's experiencing sadness or need (e.g: funeral) Rituals can have many different forms (e.g: dance, prayer, story telling, art, music) THE CONTRIBUTION OF RELIGION Contribution to individuals Religion offers answers to life's profound questions (explains the creation of the universe, human nature and life's purpose) it gives an Individual an identity as a believer within a religious tradition (feeling of belonging) Religion offers a system of ethics that will guide a person in behaving appropriately (helps decided what's right and wrong) gives an individual ways to celebrate significant events and times Religion instructs individuals on what is required to become more true to themselfs (how to become better people, find inner peace) Religion may help individuals define their attitudes and ideas (know what they want) Contribution to society and culture in order for a community to properly "function", there has to be some kind of peace, order, meaning and organisation in life. (--> religion): safety and security (feeling of "family and home", comfort, hope, joy) ability to feed and house people (charity, orphanages,  social welfare (=helping those less fortunate than others) etc.) ability to hand on knowledge ans skills through Ethics, religion teaches people how to live peacefuly with eachother (e.g: love thy neighbour) Many laws are based on the ethical systems of a religious tradition  Religions have seen the importance of education and have developed many schools and universities. (--> developed or preserved knowledge (science, pilosophy, theology, cosmology...) Religions have been responsible for many great pieces of art and architecture (churches and cathedrals, temples, synogogues etc., religious paintings..) Religions influence the way people eat and dress  Religions define or influence the yearly calendar

Australian Aboriginal beliefs and spirituality- the Dreaming THE NATURE OF THE DREAMING The Dreaming does not refer to a dream that one would have during the night. Rather, the Dreaming holds the Aboriginal view of creation. (creation through the actions of ancestral spirits)It explains the origin of universe, the workings of nature, the nature of humanity and the cycle of live and death.The Deaming beliefs, hat the Creator, through the actions and interactions of ancestral Spirits shaped the land, flora and fauna. (Therefore the whole creation (meaning the land and environment) is of great spiritual significance. → sacred sitesDreaming is timeless. There is no such thing as the past and the future. Much more it is all one time. (The past, present and future reality is seen as a complete present reality): metatemporalThe Dreaming is inextricably connected to the land. (Land is the medium through which the Dreaming is lived and communicated. It is where the stories take place and where the ancestral spirit beings rest)The Dreaming represents all knowledge and understanding in Aboriginal societies and determines all relationships and responsibilities for Aboriginal people.Telling and learning about the Dreaming is a life long process. It is executed through song, dance, art, ritual and story telling.There are hundreds of Aboriginal nations which all have their own dialect (language is very importnat as it is used to communicate the Dreaming)  and a different understanding of the Dreaming. They all have their own stories they tell. Groups which are geographicaly close together will generaly have  similar understanding of the Dreamtime.THE IMPORTANCE OF TRADITIONAL BELIEFS AND THE DREAMING Ritual performances are believed to influence and ensure the reproduction of the natural and human sphere, as well as the natural cycle of seasons. (e.g Rain dances)  Aboriginal people see themselfs as part of nature and don't try to manipulate or dominate it. They rather live in harmony with their environment. (e.g. they don't build huge, impressive churches but their sacred sites are often land formations)STORIES OF THE DREAMINGMany Aboriginal stories refer to the beginning of creation and of live.They hold the truths about birth of humanity and the essence of Aboriginal beliefs such as laws, ceremonies and rituals.They have been past on from generation to generation over many years.It is not written in books but the environment contains the markings and narratives of the Ancestral Beings. (sacred "literature" is contained in paintings, sacred objects, sacred places, dances and songs) ABORIGINAL SYMBOLISM AND ARTAboriginal symbolism and art tell stories that have many layers of meaningFist layers are relatively obvious. (colour, texture etc.)Second layers arent: One needs a lot of experience and knowledge of the Aboriginal culture and relationships, to understand these layers.Third layers are secret-sacred are are only available to certain Aboriginal persons (leaders)strong oral tradition (words, music and dancevisual arts gave visual expression to spiritual reality (art has a very important religious and spiritual meaning). (--> art shows traditions, worldviews, knowledge,morals,  "lifestyle",etc.)Paintings and symbols give expression to religious traditions, customs and practices WOMEN AND THE DREAMING 

Glossary

Nature of Religion

The Dreaming