WORLDVIEW
APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING
• SCV.01: examine the literary characteristics, origin and
development of the sacred writings and oral traditions of
the various religious traditions;
• PFV.02: describe the worldview of various religions and
their precepts;
• CMV.04: explain the influence of culture on the
interpretation of moral codes and practices within
various religions;
• FLV.04: critically assess how contemporary culture
impacts on religious anthropology.
We will describe how various worldviews
impact a community’s response to the world?
• The manner in which a community or individual
responds to existential questions is described as a
worldview.
• Anything that we know to be true but cannot explain is
called a mystery; how we respond to mystery suggests
the worldview from which we operate.
• We can describe three basic worldviews:
• Theocentric
• Cosmocentric
• Anthropocentric
What is a worldview?
The Divine:
monotheistic
Theocentric
worldviews tend to
dominate western
religions. They
presuppose a central,
divine figure.
Morals
Protection/
Provision
The Imago Dei:
relationship
Ethics
The People:
community
What is a theocentric wolrdview?
The individual consciousness incarnates, as do divine
beings.
Cosmocentric
worldviews tend to
dominate eastern
religions. They
presuppose a
universal experience.
The Divine:
Polytheistic; forms
individual
consciousness.
The individual is trapped in the world until they find
release through liberation.
What is a cosmocentric wolrdview?
Cosmocentric
worldviews tend to
dominate eastern
religions. They
presuppose a
universal experience.
Humanity exists, without
the divine, interdependently
with creation. Life is
confined to consciousness in
this world.
What is an anthropocentric wolrdview?
THE SIX TRAIT MODEL OF RELIGION (Ninian Smart)
When examining religion, we find six general categories regularly appear…
•
•
•
•
•
•
Experience…
• …with the divine, human, and demonic
Sacred stories…
• …myths are oral stories
• …scriptures are written stories
• …both explain mystery and relate history
Sacred rituals and symbols…
• …worship, objects (totems), rites of passage
• …describes where, when, who, and why
Community of faith…
• …organises believers as leaders and laity
Teaching and doctrine…
• …creates creeds, laws, and codes of conduct
Ethical and moral…
• …places the values, virtues, and vice established by doctrine in the context of one’s life
What do the worldviews have in common?
THE SIX TRAIT MODEL OF RELIGION (Ninian Smart)
When examining religion, we find six general categories regularly appear…
•
•
•
•
•
•
Experience…
Sacred stories…
Sacred rituals and symbols…
Community of faith…
Teaching and doctrine…
Ethical and moral…
• Create a chart and brainstorm what you know already about the five
religions that we will study…Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,
Buddhism.
What do the worldviews have in common?