TOPIC 1

Religion and belief systems post 1945

 Contemporary Aboriginal Spiritualties

 Religious expression in Australia 1945- Present

Aboriginal spiritualties

Dreaming  Heart of aboriginal spirituality/ fundamental

Overall effect   Enormous
Inextricably and to
linked overwhelmingly
land detrimental
  Loss of land
Provides answers to life and creation
 Loss of identity
Communicated through:
 ART, No ritual
SONG, responsibilities
DANCE, STORY, RITUAL, KINSHIP
 Destruction
 Metatemporal concept of totemic responsibilities Effects
of Kinship  Loss of language
 Identify complex system of belonging/relationships/responsibilities within a clan
 Impossible for beliefs to be passed on authentically
 Determines:
 Separation
Family from families
relationships
 Persons position of
 Destruction in kinship system
community
 Persons totems
Impact of Protection:
 Connection with ancestral spirits, land, dreaming
Protection+
Ceremonial Life  Intent
 Rights to isolate aboriginal people from community on missions/reserves in order to eventually die
of passage
Assimilation out
 Initiation
Policies  Death
Assimilation:
 Burial

 TOTEMS Aim was
link toto integrate half caste children
animal/ represents ancestralinto white
spirit society
being
 Children
 TOTEMS CARRY were abused and treated
CEREMONIAL RITUALpoorly in foster homes
RESPONSIBILITES
Balance rights and obligations to land and people
Stolen  Suffered Detrimental effects
 LAND
Generation  Maltreatment
Physical medium through which the dreaming is lived/communicated and is the resting place for ancestral spirit beings
 Sexual
 SACRED SITE island exploitation
where event in dreaming took place
Obligations to Land  Inhumane working conditions,
 Ownership of the land means that they have a responsibility to care for it and nurture it
and people  Humiliation
 The land and was
TALKS all the forms of life it contains regarded as a sacred trust
effected
To be preserved
Bringing them home report
 Passed on in a timeless cycle of mutual dependence
 Provides physical and spiritual needs

dispossession
Land rights movement:

Importance for  Land hold critical importance for Abo spirituality,

aboriginal spirituality  Dreaming is inextricably linked to land
 TALKS is expressed through land
 Identity is linked to land
 Land is like mother

Native Title  Whitlam Gov. passed first land rights legislation in 1975
 Tried to remove Aboriginal rights to land
 Denied them ownership

Mabo 1992: Overruled Terra Nullius

1993: Native Title was recognized
 Recognized ownership of land
 Could only be claimed on small % of land
 Continuous links with land must be proven
 Not extinguished as with freehold title

Wik+  1996: Wik established Native title could co-exist with other rights on land under pastoral lease
Native Title Amendment  Leasehold title could co-exist with native title
Act  1997 Native title Amendment Act
 In dispute, leasehold would win
 Howard Gov. legislation= Ten Point Plan
Religious expression in Australia, 1945- Present:

Changing Patterns of Religious Adherents:

Major religious affiliations, 1947-2006

Christianity Other No Not Total

Anglican Catholic Other Total religions religion stated/inadequately
described
Census
year % % % % % % % '000
1947 39.0 20.9 28.1 88.0 0.5 0.3 11.1 7579.4
1954 37.9 22.9 28.5 89.4 0.6 0.3 9.7 8986.5
1961 34.9 24.9 28.4 88.3 0.7 0.4 10.7 10508.2
1966 33.5 26.2 28.5 88.2 0.7 0.8 10.3 11599.5
1971 31.0 27.0 28.2 86.2 0.8 6.7 6.2 12755.6
1976 27.7 25.7 25.2 78.6 1.0 8.3 11.4 13548.4
1981 26.1 26.0 24.3 76.4 1.4 10.8 11.4 14576.3
1986 23.9 26.0 23.0 73.0 2.0 12.7 12.4 15602.2
1991 23.8 27.3 22.9 74.0 2.6 12.9 10.5 16850.3
1996 22.0 27.0 21.9 70.9 3.5 16.6 9.0 17752.8
2001 20.7 26.6 20.7 68.0 4.9 15.5 11.7 18769.2
2006 18.7 25.8 19.3 63.9 5.6 18.7 11.9 19855.3

 Significant declines in no. Of Christians attending church (Anglican, Presbyterian, Uniting)

 Orthodox increased after WW2 0.2-2.6%
 Roman Catholics increase 21-25%
 Pentecostal strong growth since 1960’s, but plateaued now
 Religions other than Christianity increasing
 Peoples stating no religion increased greatly 0.4- 22. %
Current religious landscape

Major Tradition  Largest tradition 68%

(Christianity)  Decline in Christianity
 Increasing secularism
 Dissatisfaction with traditional religious movements
 Aging population
 Lack of migrant intake
 Decline in church attendance
 Pentecostalism increase
 Charismatic nature (music, community, spiritual support, Clear Answers, evangelical)


Immigration  Immigration after WW2= refugees

 Increasing population
 Decline of white Australia policy
 Overseas wars (Lebanon, Vietnam)

 Turned Australia into MULTIFAITH SOCIETY

 Islamic population- 2/3 born overseas: Middle East, Turkey, Asia
 Buddhism- Indo-China
 Jews- Europe
 Hinduism- India/Fiji

Denominational  More common in protestant denominations

Switching  Many factors of the 21st century are influencing denominational switching
 Catholic/ Orthodox: higher level of loyalty

Rise of  Dissatisfaction with traditional religions and rejection of westernized views

New Age Religions  E.g: Feng Shui, Yoga, Tai Chi, Astrology, and Tarot Cards etc.

Secularism  Reasons for increasing secularism include:

 Increasing pluralism
 Materialism,
 Religion lost moral authority and respect
 Skepticism towards supernatural (atheists and agnostics)
  Increase in people writing “no religion” 0.4-22%

Ecumenical  Movement towards religious unity amongst Christian denominations Religious

Movements Dialogue in
Multi- Faith Austr

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AUSTRALIA (NCCA)

 Aims to unite different denominations together

 15 member Christian churches
 Christian World Service: helps injustice and poverty
 Has youth network, social justice network, supports gender equality

NSW ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

 1982, 16 churches
 Supports Christian churches working together with respect
 Reflects upon theology, local initiatives, social justice issues,
Educational initiatives

Interfaith  The development of greater mutual understanding between all the different religious traditions
Dialogue
 Examples of Interfaith Dialogue initiatives:
 WATAC Interfaith Symposium, November 2012
 Australian council for Christians and Jews, 1989
 Centre for Christian and Muslim Relations
Relationship between Aboriginal spiritualties and religious traditions in the process of reconciliation

Christian Role
- One of the first advocates
- Catholic Church lead campaign for
referndum to grant Citizenship
- 2008 "sorry speech" by Kevin Rudd
- Supported Land Rights Legislation, Mabo,
Wik
- opposed 10 point plan
Jewish Role
- opposed Wik Buddhist/Islamic role
- Each year a week of prayer for - Made statements supporting
reconciliation is held Indigenous rights and
reconciliation

Aboriginal
Spiritualties
 TOPIC 2
Religion and non-religion

 Religious dimension in human history

 New religious expression
 Non-religious world views
 Difference between religion and non-religious worldviews
Religion and human history

Animism  Idea that all living things have a soul

 Is the belief that that all natural objects are endowed with a spirit or soul, known as “animae”
 In some animistic societies, it is believed that soul can survive physical death
 Animistic cultures had priests known as shamans
 Animism is still a key feature of some communities today

Polytheism  The belief in and worship of multiple Gods or deities

 Deities resemble human beings in the sense that they have their own personalities
 God of the polytheistic faith are generally immortal
 Today some tribal cultures and religions have remained polytheistic

Monotheism  Belief in one God

 Examples are Christians, Islam and Judaism
 The God of monotheistic religious systems are usually depicted as an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent being
 They are generally credited with the creation of the universe and is responsible for giving humankind its moral code
 Deism and pantheism are two varying forms of monotheism
 Meaning and purpose  Human experience is characterized by a search for answers to enduring questions
Christianity
for the individual Paulof Tarsus assisted
The answers areChristianity to movereligious
provided through out of itsunderstandings
Judaic-Palestinian confines
– giving meaningby formalizing
and coherencethe religion
to life and
providing Christianity with an infrastructure
 A significant role of religion is to provide life with meaning, therefore a sense of overall consistency and
 Christianity
directionbecame the dominant religion in Europe during the Middle Ages as a result of missionaries who were sent
Search for personal  Traditional religious beliefs are often regarded as irrelevant, there is a strong need to find meaning and
out to convert local European tribes
fulfillment  purpose
During times of journey
in life's crises, religion is particularly uplifting because it provides life with a sense of purpose
 The reformation of the 16th century, split Western Christianity into the Catholic Church and the Protestant Churches
 The most significant attraction of new age religions is that they offer personal fulfillment
 Christianity is the largest religion in the world
 Given the diverse nature of new age religions, they are well suited to offer personal fulfillment in a
 The 10 largest national populations of Christianity are: USA, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, China, Russia, India, Nigeria,
variety of ways
Germany and Zaire/Congo
Islam
Social cohesion  Founded by the Prophet
 Religion Muhammad
has an important roleinin622 CE in Madinah
affirming traditional beliefs and practices
Seeking ethical  Islam  isThea growing
worldwide secularity
religion of
and society,
is the traditional
fastest growing religious guidance is often seen as meaningless and
 Religion provides communities with a sense of continuity as it serves to link the rapidly changing, complex
guidelines irrelevant
 Second modern
largest religion
society andwithreaming strong in its
a more traditional andtraditional
stable pastareas such as Asia, Africa and the middle east
 The
 The 10 largest postmodern nature
nationalofpopulations of society means that Pakistan,aisIndia,
there is lack of moral certainty, and in its place is the
The downside religion as aofforce
Muslims are: cohesion
of social that Bangladesh, Indonesia,
religion can also used toTurkey, Iran,
reinforce andEgypt,
legitimize
Nigeria,notion
Algeria ofand
moral relativism
Morocco
values and institutions which may be unjust
Judaism  Because
 Judaism scattered many people
across find and
Europe it difficult to formulate
the Middle east andtheirin theown
20 thethical
centuryguidelines, they turn
Jews migrated to US
to the new age
 Duringreligions
WW1 the Jewish population was destroyed
 It is difficult to obtain specific figures about the numbers of Jews living in any area
Seek to clarify their
Hinduism  Began inHuman beingsregion
the Punjab are essentially
4000 years social
ago creatures, and few people will live happily without meaningful
relationship
Social with
transformation
 The vastcontact with
majority
Paradoxically, ofothers
the Hindu’s
whilst are found
religion in India
is a force and surrounding
of social cohesion it can areas
also serve as a force of social transformation
society  The10Thelargestfailure
Religion canofbe
national religious
used ascommunities
populations
a tooloffor to provide
Hinduism
criticizingare: meaningful
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India,
and cultof
Nepal,
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its in
Indonesia,
own societies Sri
Lanka, Western
Pakistan, societies
Malaysia, has
USA,left some
South individuals
Africa and feeling
Burma isolated
(Myanmar) from the rest
 The importance of working towards a just and peaceful society is integral to the message of all major of the community
Buddhism  For
 Buddhism some,
was
religious this void
founded
traditionsbymay be filledGautama
Siddhartha by becoming involved with500
in approximately a new
BCEage religion
rd th
 From  3 Religious
-5 century Buddhism
groups became
have always firmly
been knownrooted in China and
in advocating from the
positive 4 th-8
ways inthrelation
centurytospread
issuesrapidly
such as poverty,
global conflict
 Today Buddhism etc. located in Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet, Vietnam and in some parts of India and Russia
is mainly
 Buddhism is steadily growing from a small base in western countries
 The 10 largest national populations of Buddhism are: China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia,
India, South Korea and Taiwan
New religious expression
The rise of  Some new age religions attest to being a means of gaining wealth
materialism  New age religions which favour individual spirituality and personal fulfillment, thrive in a materialistic society
 In this consumerist environment, new age philosophies which purport to provide personal fulfillment and well being
are represented as commodities which can be bought and sold

Scientific  Rapid growth in scientific knowledge have raised serious questions for some religious perspectives
progress  Many believe that scientific discoveries have discredited religious beliefs
 When scientific progress has the effect of undermining the authority of religious traditions, some people will go in
search of new age religious expressions to meet their needs
 Many new age religions have a scientific basis which appeals to many, as science is often seen as validating the new age
philosophy

Growth of  The growth of ecological awareness in recent generations has made a significant contribution to the awareness of the
ecological beauty and power of creation
awareness  A few new age religions seek to recapture the traditional wisdom of the environment
 Many individuals are attracted to new age religions because they feel that closeness to the environment is a healing
thing

Disenchantment  Many feel that traditional religious practices do not provide a relevant and meaningful support for them in the
with traditional challenges they face in the modern world
religious  Increasing disillusionment with traditional religions for hypocrisy, abuse of power and irrelevance means that religions
practice and have lost moral authority and respect
guidance  The decline in religious affiliation is a clear sign of growing secularization
 new age religions are popular because there is still a longing for spiritual dimension to life
Non-religious worldviews

Agnosticism  Agnostics believe that there is not sufficient evidence to make a judgment on the existence of
transcendental beings
 If there is sufficient evidence to prove the existence of God or gods, then their views will change

Atheism  Atheists believe that there is no God or divine being and no life after death
 The universe and its life evolved by a natural scientific process

Humanism  Humanists thing this world and this life are all we have
 All situations and people deserve to be judged on their merits by standards of reason and humanity
 Human experience is the foundation for all moral values
 Humanist believe in the intrinsic goodness of humanity
 Individuality and social cooperation are equally important
 There are many types of humanists: e.g. Christian humanist, scientific humanists etc.

Rational  Philosophy which proclaims that the use of compassion, equality, morality, ethics and most
humanism importantly reason can be used to build a better world for human kind
(secular  Rational humanism is the product of an 18th century intellectual movement known as the Age of
humanism) Enlightenment

Scientific  Philosophy which places a significant emphasis upon science and technology to address global
humanism problems such as poverty, environmental degradation and social inequalities
 Began in the 20th century with an emphasis on achieving equality and peace on a global scale

Religion and non-religion

The concept  Christianity is based on the believe in a God whom is transcendent and exists outside and beyond humanity
of the  Christians believe that God created all things living and gives meaning and purpose to life
transcendent  Humanists believe this world and this life are all we have and hence reject the notion of the transcendent
 Secular humanists believe that once a person has die their life has ended and there is no other life
 Some groups within Christianity do not accept scientific views of the origin of the universe

The human  Humanists believe that human beings have thrived through their intelligent adaptation to the environment and
person their problem solving capabilities
 They regard the human person as being of supreme value, though with communal or social responsibilities
 Similar to humanists, Christians regard the human person as being of supreme value and that people also have
certain responsibilities to one another
 Humanists believe that the value of the human person and the accompanying responsibilities are derived purely
from human experience – whereas Christians believe they derived from God

Social  Both Christians and humanists hold strong views on social responsibility and community involvement and
responsibility believe it is important to make the world a better place
 Both groups believe that material possessions are an acceptable adjunct to human life
 They also regard the accumulation of excess as harmful, particularly in the face of the deprivation of others
 There are distinct similarities between humanism and Christianity in their practical attitude towards ecological
concerns
 Both regard the protection of the environment as critical
 Humanists and Christians are significant contributors to ecological activism
 For Christians, the primary concern for environmental action is the relationship between the creator and
creation
 TOPIC 3
Christianity

 Significant person = Paul Of Tarsus

 Ethics = Environmental ethics
 Significant practice = Baptism
Paul Of Tarsus

Contribution  Originally called Saul and born to a prominent Jewish family. Was born a Roman “I fell to the ground and
citizen and instructed in the Jewish faith. Underwent a conversion on the road to heard a voice say, “Saul,
Damascus after a personal encounter with Christ Saul, why do you
persecute me…I am Jesus
 Early missionary work was in Antioch, which became the base for his gentile mission. of Nazareth” (Acts 22:6) –
He began to speak in synagogues, attempting to convert the existing Jewish Paul’s conversion
population, who refused to accept his teachings. When this occurred he turned his
attention to the gentile population

 Founded many churches including at Corinth, Ephesus, and Thessalonica.

 Wrote majority of the epistles which comprised the New Testament

Impact  He wrote a large proportion of the works in the New Testament and its stamped with “The Church was open to
his ideas and interpretations of Christ’s teachings. It provided a comprehensive all” – “There is neither
outline of Christian thought and became the cornerstone for Christian theology Jew nor Greek, slave nor
free, male nor female, for
 Paul’s letters form the basis or guide for Christian faith and practice since the beginning. you are all one in Christ
His life remains a personal example and inspiration for Christians. Paul’s life and teaching Jesus” (Galatians 3:28) –
continue to challenge Christians today Paul’s letter to the church
in Galatia
 He preached that the concept of ‘grace’ was an underserved gift from God that relieved
human beings from sin. He introduced the idea of ‘justification by faith’ whereby those
who have sinned are offered salvation if they demonstrate trust in God.

 Paul’s concept of justification has been interpreted differently by the range of

denominations in Christianity

 He wrote extensively about the concept of ‘predestination’ whereby believers can be

called and chosen by God even prior to their conception
Environmental ethics

God is  God is creator of all things living “Peace with God the
creator Creator, Peace with all
 Made all things perfect creation” (Pope John
Paul II)
 All things were created in the image of God

 Created things (living and non-living) are created to praise God and enrich human life. All
things are valued in their own right (Psalm 104)

 Highlighted in biblical teachings

Stewards  Human beings are entrusted as stewards of his creation and must take care of his creation “Our contribution, as
and act in an ethical manner Jesus’ disciples is never,
to walk, our talk by
 Stewardship of the earth implies caring for it, not abusing it healing, preserving the
and protecting the
 Although the human race has domination over the earth, it does not own it – the earth is ‘on climate entrusted to
loan’ to the human race by the creator us” (Echlin, 2008,
p726)
 Francis of Assisi celebrated nature as a vision of God and had practical concern for all God’s
creation “Till and tend” (Genesis
2:15)
 Task of humans is to reflect God’s creative love and their covenant relationship with God by
caring for the earth as good stewards

 Depicted in scriptural sources

Kingdom of  Make earth like heaven “Thy will be done on
God earth as it is in
 Through Jesus Christians must work to build things and make them anew Heaven” Lord’s prayer
Baptism

Baptism is the ritual of used in most Christian denominations to signify the person's initiation into the beliefs and practices of the Christian
community. For most Christian denominations it also has significance as a statement of a person's beliefs in the Christian tradition and as a necessary
element for salvation. Baptism also allows Christians to share in the death and resurrection of Christ and cleanses people from their sins, highlighting
the church is the body of Christ.

Significance to  Christians are receiving the Holy Spirit

the individual
Salvation  Baptism is signifies the washing away of sin and “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,
 Christians ritually express and show their new way of life every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
receiving God’s forgiveness
for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will
 Paul taught that the Christian is supposed to go through a similarreceive
experience to of
the gift what
the Jesus went through
Holy Spirit.” in His
(Acts 2:38-
 Symbolism of the water – washing away the sins
death, burial, and resurrection. The difference is that Jesus died physically and actually 39)came back to life;
Christians are to die to their sin, self, and old ways, and then rise again to live a holy life through the power of
 White garment symbolizing purity and being reborn
Jesus.
“garments of salvation”
Death and  Baptism declares the adherents death to sin and “Having been buried with him in baptism, in
 Freedom to live as Christ
resurrection rising to new life in Christ through identification with which you were also raised with him through
the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus your faith in the working of God, who raised
 Member of the body of Christ and welcomed into the Christian church
him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12, 20)
 The symbol of the candle – “Jesus is the light of the
 Helps the individual’s faith to grow
world – follow him from birth to death
After baptism Christians can enter into any other sacraments
 This is shown when the priest performs baptism on
Significance to  Those who theare baptized
infant. Goingare welcomed
in the into the
water (dying Christian
with community and the community can renew their
Christ and
the community baptismal promises
cleanse at the ceremony
of sins) coming out of water (new life with
Christ, free from sin)
 Because
Church is the body the community
 Through baptism reaffirms and re-express
we are united their Christ
in union with beliefs and “For
commitments to Christianity
by one Spirit, – to theinto
we are all baptized whole
of Christ project of Christianity
and the Church one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

 For the
 community, the process
Brings adherents closeroftosupporting a person
the Christian through their preparation and welcoming them into the
community
community through baptism is highly significant

 The community is strengthened when it is engaged in the task of the gospel and enriched by the presence of a
new member of the community

 In terms of the Christian community it marks the transition of a person from being outside of this community to
becoming a fully initiated
 TOPIC 4
Islam

 Significant person = Aisha Bint Abu Bakir

 Ethics = Environmental ethics
 Significant practice = Hajj
Aisha Bint Abu Bakr

Contribution  Second leader of Muslim community after Muhammad “I saw you in my dreams
to the  Known as “The Mother of the Believers” three times. The angel
development  Regarded as the model for women in the Islamic faith. brought you to me and you
and  A leader were clad in white silk.”
expression of  A wife (3rd, favorite wife of Muhammad) (Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2, p285).
Islam  A theologian
 A model for Zakat in her distribution of riches to the poor
 A political activist

 Model for Figure, Islamic jurisprudence due to her ethical mind

 Divinely revealed to Muhammad
Close relationship with the Prophet Muhammad
 Allowed her to make a powerful impact on the development and expression of Islam that
through her astounding memory Aisha:
 Retained and transmitted over 2000 hadiths
 Included priceless sayings of the Prophet and divine revelations of Muhammad witnessed.
 These teachings were passed on in written form to future generations of Islamic adherents,
Providing them with a source of material to assist them in the submission to Allah

Significant events in her life were inked to:

A revelation to Muhammad about judging others (Quran 24:11 Surah Al Nur)
 Which set the standard of evidence set for adultery in Islamic Law after allegations were
made against her
The way Muslims perform ablutions (wudu) before prayers when there is no water

Shia Muslims Controversy:

The Battle of The Camel”
 Division in the Muslim community emerged between the Sunni and Shia perspectives
Environmental ethics

Belief Definition Quote Environmental concern

Halal That which is permitted or lawful. Water should be freely available to all
for sustenance and ritual cleansing

Haram That which is forbidden and unlawful, also It is prohibited to use and waste
sinful. water excessively and
disrespectfully

Tahwid  The declaration of the unity of God.  Disrespecting what Allah created
 Allah is the one true God “You alone do we worship”- Sura 1 and what he gave to humanity
 Sole Creator and Lord of the universe. you are rejecting the principle of
 All divine attributes belong to Allah and all Tahwid.
human worship is to be directed to Allah.  Disrespecting the oneness of Allah,
by extension encompasses the
greater world.
Khilafa A steward who is left to look after creation while "It is He that has made you
Allah is in heaven custodians, inheritors of the earth",
Quran Surah 6: 165

“The world is green and beautiful,

and Allah has appointed you his
guardian over it" (Hadith)

Akhira  The world to come. “Follow Allah’s intentions for the Disobeying Tahwid will threaten
 Muslims believe in an afterlife and that when world” Sura 30:30 one’s acceptance into Akhira
they die their lives on earth will be assessed.

While they believe that nothing can happen

without the power of God that does not stop
human beings making free choices.
Hajj

Principle Expressed through Hajj Scripture reference

Belief
Salat Allows the pilgrim to develop their spirituality through worship and “You alone do we worship”. - Sura 1
Salah

Surrender to Allah  Pilgrimage captures desire and commitment to surrender fully to Guide us on the straight path, the path of
Allah and express their loyalty and love those whom you have favored.” (Sura 1:1-7)
 Requires sacrifice and commitment, which assists in attaining
appropriate inner disposition of surrender
 Emulate the Paths of the profit and other significant figures

Submission  Undertaking hajj allows Muslims to emulate the extent of submission

displayed by their ancestors

Akhira  By undertaking the Hajj, Muslims are expressing their beliefs and “Praise be to God, Lord of the universe, the
preparing their souls for the day of judgment, in which they hope to compassionate, the merciful, sovereign of
enter into heaven with Allah the day of judgment. - Sura 1

Tahwid  Encompasses their love, devotion and submission to Allah, their one “Praise be to God, Lord of the universe, -
true God Sura 1
Significance to the  Strengthens relationship with Allah through rituals that express beliefs of Islam and reaffirms belief
individual
in One God
 Renews their meaning, direction and purpose
 Answers spiritual questions
 Allows them to express submission to Allah
 Provides way to emulate paths of significant figures
 Reinforces personal commitment
Significance to the
community  Gathers Muslims around the world
 Strengthens spirit of unity, equality and brotherhood
 Makes public statement about submission to Allah
 Raises public awareness
 Inspires others to participate
 Encourages tolerance and respect among adherents
 TOPIC 5
Judaism

 Significant person = Moses Maimonides

 Ethics = Environmental ethics
 Significant practice = synagogue services
Moses Maimonides

Contribution to the
The Mishnah Torah “ From Moses to Moses
development and  Established the first code of Jewish Law: there has been no one like
expression of Moses”
 Made the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures more accessible and easier to understand for the
Judaism
Jewish adherents of the time who otherwise would not have.
 Meant that all Jews could abide by the Jewish law and writings without lengthy study,
 Hence contributing to the development and continuation of the Jewish Fait
 Gathering of the 613 mitzvoth into one book of commandments  Provided the Jewish people
with an easily accessible and understandable resources

Guide for the Perplexed

 In the Guide for the Perplexed Maimonides puts forward the position that religious belief
should be logical and open to intellectual debate.
 In the Guide for the Perplexed Maimonides concludes that it is possible to acquire knowledge
of God through the mind.

His 13 principles of Faith (WITHIN COMMENTARY ON THE MISHNAH)

 Considered the most definite statement of Jewish orthodox Beliefs
 Clearly outline requirements, expectations and obligations for Jewish adherents,
 Therefore presenting Judaism with a revised and new way of expressing their faith
 His works were controversial and created some debate between Jews
 Some Jewish scholars of his time thought he was providing a type of “Judaism Lite”, for
people to become dependent on:
 Reducing the obligation for Jews to study and maintain familiarity with both the written and
Oral Torah.
 Therefore, impacting the expression of Judaism as it separated the believers and refocused
the center of the religious beliefs.
Environmental ethics

Belief Definition Quote Environmental concern

Tikkum Olam  Repair of the World “Tend well to the earth, for there  Energy conservation
 Commitment to social justice and social order will be no one to make it right  Recycling
 Humans are responsible to bring God’s work after you”. Midrash.
to completion
 Responsible as part of God’s creation to fix the
world and make it better
 Performing the correct Mitzvot allows one to
contribute

Ba’al Tashchit  Do not destroy wantonly If you besiege a town for along  Waste – e.g. water
 Underpins much of modern, Jewish time, making war against it in conservation
environmental concerns order to take it, you must not  Excessive use of recourses
 Prohibits unnecessary waste, greed, reckless destroy its trees by wielding an
use of resources axe against them. Although you
may take food from them, you
must not cut them down. Deut
20:19

Tsa’ar Ba’alel  The suffering/ pain of animals "You shall not boil a kid in its  Kosher
chayim  Teaches animals are just as worthy as mother's milk".
humankind Exodus 23:19
 Responsibility to treat animals equally
 Torah shows sensitivity to feelings of animals
Synagogue services

Features of Symbolism/ Expression of Belief in Judaism Scripture reference

Synagogue
Service
Reading of  God is present in the Torah
Torah  Word of God is spread and absorbed by community
 Provides guidelines to live faithfully and ethically in accordance to God’s
will, upholding the covenant

The Declaration  Affirms the strict, monotheistic belief in One God “Hear O Israel, The Lord our God,
of the Shema  Allows Jews to express faith/ worship towards God as instructed in the The Lord is One”
Prayer Covenant - Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

The Garments  Community is upholding commitment to abide by laws in the Mitvot,

worn: Kippah therefore following God’s word
and Tallit  Sign of Respect and obedience to God

Shabbat  The only ritual observance constituted in the 10 commandments

Services  Allows Jews to imitate God and rest
 Reminds of Greatness of God
 Strengthens Covenant
 Shows obedience and loyalty to God
Significance to  Facilitate the occurrence of transitional rites of passage for individuals to be accepted into community
the Individual
 E.g. Bar Mitzvah
 Provide a sense of Belonging and Support for others by brining them into the community
 Allows an adherent to communicate and reflect upon their relationship with God
 Provides adherent with way to fulfill their covenant relationship with God
 Provides a place to Study allowing an adherent to learn more about God and enhance their relationship
 Beit Tefillah House of Prayer
 Beit Midrash House of Learning

Significance to the  Beit Knesset House of Meeting/ Assembly

community  Brings individuals in community together In a meeting place

 Strengthens community bonds as they share in a common goal of worship

 Provide community opportunities to commemorate and participate in holy days and festivals
 House of study
 Allows community to strengthen their understanding of God
 TOPIC 6
Religion and peace

 Peace & sacred texts

 Principle teachings on peace within Christianity &
Islam
 Contribution of Christianity & Islam to inner & world
peace
Investigate the understanding of Peace and how it is informed through Sacred Texts:

Christianity  New testament

 Recordings and words of Jesus
 Jesus is the revelation of God’s will
 Jesus sets moral and ethical standards of peace through his actions and teachings
 “In me you have Peace”- John 16:33
 Jesus dying freed humankind from sin allowing god to extend his forgiveness and peace to all
Islam  Quran, Hadith, Shariah Law
 Peace is contained within Allah Himself
 Peace is something that can only be found in submission to the will of God
 Dutiful obedience to Allah’s will expressed through Muhammad and the Quran would allow for Peace
 Shariah Law contains potential for Peace on Earth
Principle beliefs on peace within Christianity

Belief Quote Explanation/ Link

All Christians “Blessed are the peacemakers, for  Encourages Christians to strive for peace in order to be accepted into heaven
must live in Peace theirs is the kingdom of God  God will reward those who live peacefully and love their neighbors
with each other (Beatitudes)  Peace is beyond our human World and will be achieved in heave

Jesus’ Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have  One must act peacefully to receive the same peaceful treatment in return
done unto you”

Beatitude of Love “ Love one another as I have loved you”  Encourages love for all, ultimately allowing peace to spread and create
acceptance and respect in the world
Belief in “One Lord, one faith, one baptism”  Creator of Peace,
One God, Ephesians 4:5  Has authority to command humanity to live in Peace.
Reconciliation and  Atoning for sins allows one to free themselves of guilt and achieve inner peace
Forgiveness  Forgiving others, releases a burden and creates mutual acceptance and peace
within society
Prayer “Whenever you pray, go into your  Personal prayer allows one to be alone with God
room…and pry to your Father who is  Provides comfort and guidance
in secret”- Matthew 6  Allows one to gain clarity

Just War  Established guidelines under which it was morally acceptable to engage in
Theory warfare
 Morally justifies war
 Must safeguard human rights
 Must be authorized by legitimate authority
Pacifism Quakers,  Reject all violence no matter circumstances
Amish People, Pax Christi  Consider all other non-violent options
Principle beliefs on peace within Islam

Belief Quote Explanation/ Link

“ In the name of Allah, the most  Allah himself is the instigator of Peace
Tahwid merciful, the most compassionate”-  Believing in Allah, means accepting to live peacefully as he intended
- Sura 1

Akhira- “ Follow Allah’s intentions for the  Allah intended for the world to live peacefully
world” Sura 30:30  Living peaceful lives on earth will guarantee acceptance into heaven with Allah in the afterlife

Salat  Submitting to Allah’s will through Salat allows one to connect with themselves and god, and
achieve peace

Hajj “So whoever intends to perform Hajj  Submitting to Allah through Hajj
therein, then he should not have sexual  The pilgrimage experience provides spiritual and emotional journey in which adherent comes
relations, nor commit sin, nor dispute to peace within themselves and with community
unjustly during the Hajj” [Surah Al-
Baqarah 2:197]  Fosters peaceful relationships among adherents

Zakat  Charity
 Giving to those less fortunate encourages love and understanding and support
 Establishes peace between people
 Helps the world

Greater  Personal peace

Jihad  Struggle against desires and passions of individual
 Avoidance of selfishness
 Obedience to Allah
Lesser  Fighting for the religion
Jihad  Striving for world peace
Inner Peace

Christianity  New testament

 Trusting God
 Prayer
 Forgiveness
 Following Jesus
 Giving Charity
Islam  Surrendering to Allah
 Tahwid
 Akhira
 Zakaat
 Hajj
 Salat

World Peace

Christianity  Just War Theory

 St Vincent de Paul Society
 Red Cross
 World Peace Day
Islam  In Australia, Muslims striving to change view of Islamic population
 Encouraging acceptance and peace

 Jihad (lesser and Greater)

 World Council for Muslim Interfaith Relations
Works at international and local level
 Implements programs to encourage peace
E.g. eradicating poverty, social and economic justice, health and welfare support