ave
Studies of Religion Year 11 Content
Studies of
religion
1
NATURE
OF RELIGION
BELIEFS
2
CHRISTIANITY
3
ISLAM
AND
01 : Nature of Religion and Beliefs
1
NATURE
OF
RELIGION
AND
BELIEFS
OUTLINE:
1a) N A T U R E O F R E L I G I O N
● Religion as a worldview
● Transcendence vs immanence
1b) C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S O F R E L I G I O N
● 5 main religions
○ Beliefs and believers
○ Sacred texts and writings
○ Ethics
○ Rituals and ceremonies
1c) C O N T R I B U T I O N O F R E L I G I O N S
● Individual
● Society and culture
..............................................
​2a) A U S T R A L I A N A B O R I G I N A L
SPIRITUALITIES
● Origins
● Sacred sites
● Stories of the Dreaming
● Symbolism and Art
BELIEFS AND
2b) T H E I N E X T R I C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N O F :
● The Dreaming
● The Land
● Identity
1a) Nature of Religions
1a)
​NATURE OF RELIGION
.
DEFINITION-NESA
Religion is generally characterised by a worldview that
recognises a supernatural dimension belief in divinity and
powers beyond human and/or dwelling within the human
RELIGION IS...
● Rational reasoning which sensibly justifies the
metaphysics of existence
● Religion is likely to stagnate if it does not revitalise its
characteristics and changing with the world.
● A system of concepts from a general order of
existence
● The belief in a supernatural dimension
SUPERNATURAL DIMENSION
- Belief in the existence of entities which manifest
divinity
- Explores ​transcendence ​to the extent in which they
exceed law and the capacity of immanent phenomena.
- Response can either be:
DIVINITY
DWELLING
BEYOND
INSIDE
TRANSCENDEN
T
IMMANENT
1b) Characteristics of Religions
TRANSCENDENT
WORLDVIEW
It is the religious idea that nature and existence of an
impalpable deity can not be in affiliation with physical law
and the material world. But instead, exceeds human
limitations as it’s divinity is beyond what is known to
humanity
EXAMPLE
HOW
casts immanence as a
characteristic of a
transcendent​ God
Christianity
Judaism
1b)
​ C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S ​ ​ O F ​.
​ RELIGION ​.
When these characteristics interact creatively, they help
nurture a religion that is alive, dynamic and active in the
lives of its followers and in the culture and society in which
they exist. It is a religion that is lived.
●
Beliefs
This element of religion is the rationalisation of the
religion theological ideals to serves a supreme validation
Islam
○
subsumes immanent
personal gods in a greater
transcendent​ being
Hinduism
IMMANENT
W O R L D V I E W​ .
It is an ideology which recognises religion as a presence
which constantly engages with known reality, as it is
compelled to pervade permanently in order to sustain the
material world- spirit pervading world
○
●
○
○
●
​FIVE
MAJOR RELIGIONS
❏ Christianity
❏ Islam
❏ Hinduism
●
Paradigm
❏ Buddhism
❏ Judaism
Sacred
texts
theoretical scriptures shares theories and visions of
creation, nature, meaning and construct of the universe and
humanity’s involvement
○
1b)
This is done via the manifestation of a supreme
transcendent beings; a God
This religious construct is the way of affirming
relations between religion and adherents
Religion reveals the coming of existence within a
meaningful structure
This enables the endowment with human existence
and meaning
Texts reveal how adherents can celebrate teachings,
ethics and beliefs
Rituals
and ceremonies
symbolic behavior for the means of religion to be publicly
embodied)
○ Ritual acts are sacred and are the necessary steps of
salvation
○ Religious acts may include
■ Symbol
■ Gestures, speech and movement
■ Art and architecture
● Ethics
(institutionalised as informal norms, or formal codes of
conduct)
○ Religion defines appropriate form of conduct
between people
○ Ethical functions of religion contribute to the basis
of society
○
One essential aspect seems to be the link between
religion and morality is a paradigm; this being the
organisation of each system and their central belief
Demonstration of faith can be exerted through
ethical actions
1c) Contributions of Religions
CHRISTIANITY
○ 2000 years old, began in Judea and started as a
Jewish sect
○ Jesus is seen as the Messiah and completes the
Holy Trinity of Christ which is the beliefs in the
Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
○ It is the beliefs in One God, The creator of Heaven
and Earth, the Son, the Saviour and Messiah and
the Holy Spirit
ISLAM
○ Islam is the complete and universal version of a
primordial faith that was revealed by prophets
including Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
○ Muslims consider the ​Quran​ in its original Arabic
to be the unaltered and final revelation of God
HINDUISM
○ The prevailing religion in India
○ Hindus believe in one god, Brahma, who is
manifested in thousands of other gods. It's up to
each Hindu which god they worship.
○ Hinduism salvation is called Moksha or Nirvana.
○ Sanskrit, the language used in ancient Hindu texts,
is the oldest language in the world. In Hinduism,
wasting food is considered very bad​.
BUDDHISM
○ Buddhism is an extensive and internally diverse
tradition with two main branches.
○ The basic doctrines of early Buddhism, which
remain common to all Buddhism, include the four
noble truths
○ The Tripitaka (Pali Canon), Mahayana Sutras and
the Tibetan Book of the Dead are three major
non-canonical Buddhist texts.
JUDAISM
○ Was founded over 3500 years ago in the Middle
East.
○ Jews believe that God appointed the Jews to be his
chosen people in order to set an example of
holiness and ethical behaviour to the world.
○ The Torah is part of the larger text known as the
Tanakh and supplemental oral tradition represented
by later texts such as the Midrash and the Talmud.
1c)
​CONTRIBUTION OF ​.
RELIGIONS​.
INDIVIDUALS
P R O V I D E S P U R P O S E:
Understanding of metaphysics of life (where do we come
from? Why are we here? What happens when we die?) alleviates trauma and confusion
E T H I C A L G U I D A N C E:
Reasoning behind moral decision, encourage individuals to
act in a morally correct manner.
B I O E T H I C S:
Involves moral implications of new biological discoveries
in field of genetics.
S O C I A L C O N C E R N S:
Relates to matters such as the unequal distribution of
wealth and resources and the impact of pollution on the
environment
○ S E N S E O F B E L O N G I N G:
Provides sources of personal identity in pluralistic societies
for social affiliation and belonging.
SOCIETY
○
○
○
○
○
○
AND CULTURE
Religion may cause conflict with the prevailing order
of society, the ethics in which people ascertained
from religious practices allows them to contribute to
a social change which calls for the betterment of
conflicting sides
Radicalises ethnicities and identity
Encourages virtue as a social necessity
Enhances social stability through projecting
sacredness upon social norms and the creation of
authoritative sources regarding moral matters
Rationalize social, political and economic equality
Instigates guilt and repression in order to initiate
deep reflection and change
2a) Australian Aboriginal Beliefs and spirituality
2a)
​ A U S T R A L I A N A B O R I G I N A L​ .
BELIEFS AND SPIRITUALIT
Y​.
STORIES
The Dreaming
The Dreaming is the worldview which structures many
indigenous cultures, provides Indigenous Australians with an
ordered sense of reality. It is a framework of understanding
and comprehending the material world and existence.
● The Dreaming is metatemporal, it is not constraint
within the measure of time
The Nature of the Dreaming
The dreaming is diverse in location, dialects,rituals and
ceremonies yet they have the commonality of the dreaming
being continuous (past present future) no matter where you are
from
O R I G I N S ​.
Dreaming mythologies of the many different Aboriginal tribes
are variations on a common theme. According to traditional
Aboriginal beliefs, The Universe, or the Earth and sky, has
always existed along with the supernatural ancestral beings.
●
●
●
●
●
Beginning of time the world was dark and cold
Ancestral beings existed along with this time.
Ancestral beings behaved like humans but have various
forms that they choose to take.
At some point in time, these supernatural beings awoke
from their deep sleep and emerged from beneath the
surface of the earth. This was to mark the beginning of
creation, the Dreaming.
The Dreaming is not a chronological recollection but it
shows the intricate connection of how everything is
connected of the land.
SACRED
OF
THE
D R E A M I N G ​.
The Creation Story
The foundation of Aboriginal religion is in the Dreaming
stories of creation;
Before time began, there was onlt a formless mass of dark
and featureless matter. There was nothing but bare plain
without any physical features at all. Then came the
Dreaming, when the first beings​ - the spirit of the ancestors -​
arose from their eternal sleep in the earth, creating sacred
sites. From there the spirits took form of living beings and
existence.
Uluru markings.
The Kuniya was a snake woman who came to lay eggs at
Uluru, however her nephew was killed by the warriors of the
Liru tribes (brown snake) who live on the opposite side of
Uluru. Kuniya got angry and went to confront them and she
rubbed dirt on herself in preparation for the fight. A Liru
warrior came to fight her but she summoned her power and
strike him down killing him and making markings on the
surface of Uluru. The Liru warrior’s lay where it fell as a
large boulder. This story is from the Anagu people who live
in the area surrounding Uluru.
SYMBOLISM
AND
A R T ​.
S I T E S .​
Most Australians are familiar with such important landmarks as
the:
○ Three Sisters
○ Uluru (Ayers Rock)
○ Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
○ Kakadu National Parks.
These are sacred to Aboriginal people because their unique
features are believed to be: created and shaped into their
Different areas produced different forms of art. These were
linked by their strong designs and religious significance.
Many from the desert regions tend to be more abstract while
other regions were seen to be more symbolic. Examples of
these forms may be:
○ Body art and painting
○ Carved trees
○ Rock art
○ Bark painting
○ Funerary poles
○ Cave drawings
particular forms during the Dreaming imprints and physical
proof of the actions of ancestral beings.
The sacred sites are places where religious ceremonies can be
performed because the remnants of the Ancestral spirits/powers
remain.
2b) The Inextricable connection in The Dreaming
2b)
​T H E I N E X T R I C A B L E ​.
C O N N E C T I O N I N T H E ​.
D R E A M I N G​ .
The Dreaming cannot exist without stories, since the
Aboriginal culture was not recorded in written text it relies
on the passing down of stories from one generation to the
next. When the stolen generation were separated from their
families, this connections from past to present are broken and
because of this Dreaming can be lost since no new custodians
are present to pass on the story to the next generation.
LAND TO DREAMING
● Residency of the Ancestors, a continuous connection to
the dreaming.
● Sacred sites are an important aspect as they carry the
stories that will be passed onto proceeding custodians.
● An area and spiritual space to perform rituals
The Dreaming relies on the people whose spirit continues to
carry the story of the land through time and ages.
monality of the dreaming being continuous (past present
future) no matter where you are from
D R E A M I N G​ ​T O L A N D
● Justifies geographical forms and landscapes
● Through stories and oral traditions
● They have a responsibility to nurture the land
​
LAND
TO IDENTITY /
● Land determines totem-ship for Aboriginal place of
ritual ceremonial life- Initiation rituals
● where people are given their totem was it shows their
original place of belonging. (Kinship, tribal life)
I D E N T I T Y T O L A N D /​
● Totemship = Connection to ancestral spirit that resides
in the land: need to care in the land
I D E N T I T Y T O D R E A M I N G .​
● Different tribes have various interpretations that
contribute to the meaningfulness of the Dreaming.
● The diversity of stories and languages keeps the
Dreaming dynamic,
● Totem ship an Aboriginal person LIVES the Dreaming
through storytelling.
DREAMING
JUSTIFICATION
●
●
●
●
METAPHYSICS
Contain information needed to live a proper life
Explains why they are here ; purpose
Explains creation and origins of the world
Understand stories of the land
ETHICAL
●
OF
BEHAVIOUR
Shapes identity of the person
○ Totems
○ Kinship
T O I D E N T I T Y .​
● Shapes the beliefs of Aboriginal Spirituality:
● Informs og origins through stories, art and symbolism as
well as sacred sites
● Guide of how they must live - Code of Ethics
● Informs of gender roles and other roles and
responsibilities
● Informs of Ancestral connection
IDENTITY OF THE PERSON AND
COMMUNITY
● Allows belonging/ connection
● Shapes identity of people:
02 : Depth Study: Christianity
2
RELIGIOUS
TRADITION DEPTH STUDY:
CHRISTIANITY
OUTLINE:
Origins
1a) H I S T O R I C A L
AND
CULTURAL
1b) J E S U S C H R I S T
● Jesus’ Life
● How he models for Christians
1c) C H R I S T I A N D E N O M I N A T I O N S
● Anglicanism
● Catholicism
● Orthodoxy
● Pentecostalism
● Protestantism
..............................................
​2a) P R I N C I P L E B E L I E F S
● Divinity and humanity of Christ
● Death and resurrection of Jesus
● The Holy Trinity
● Revelation
● Salvation
..............................................
3a) S A C R E D T E X T S
● Bible
& WRITINGS
..............................................
CONTEXT
1a) Historical and Cultural context
1a)
HISTORICAL AND
C O N T E X T ​.
​
CULTURAL ​.
Greek and Roman Culture
○
○
○
○
○
The​ Roman Empire held great power​, controlling
land surrounding the Mediterranean including Judea
Lack of Judtih authority and the overpowering
authority of the Romans which ​lead to instability
within the Jewish religion
The Greeks learnt Christianity after the death of
Christ's disciples
Romans did not favour Christianity
Early church priest where Greek speaking (St Paul)
Jewish Influence
● Jesus was born at a time where Judaism was at the
forefront of religious tradition
● At the beginning ​Judaism was a sect of Christianity​ but
by the end of the ​first century CE it had become to be a
separate religion known as Christinaity
○
○
○
They did this by breaking away
Jews organising themselves into several
groups; The Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes
and Zealots
This created tensions and a sense of disunity
within the Jewish tradition that Jesus was
born into the world
● Jewish governing system included:
The Pharisees -​ (the People’s party)
Conformed to Jewish law, Didn’t believe Jesus was the
Messiah
Sadducees
Wealthy leaders who rejected traditions in favor of
cooperation with the Romans,Wanted to preserve ancient
Jewish traditions
Early Development of the Christianity
Early Christians ​ .
○
They were allowed to preach in synagogues and
lived like Jews
○ The difference was the were baptised in the name
of Jesus, they broke bread and hear preachings
from the Apostles
There are 2 major periods within the history of the early
Church:
New Testament Period
○
○
○
Lasted 45-110 CE
Early Chrisitian churches had an absence of precedent
and centralised leadership due to the infancy of the
Christian movement
There are 2 divisions within:
1. Proto Pauline Letters
2. Deutero Pauline Letters
Jesus Movement
○ The first 40 years after Jesus’ death the Churches
were scattered in different areas and existed without
centralise code of Chrisiian behaviour and practice
○ Jesus’ death marked the beginning of the Jesus
movement which lasted from 30-60CE
○ Characterised by their gender inclusive nature and
Echtological vision ​(ultimate destiny of the individual
soul and the entire created order)
Saint Paul .
Who is he?
○ Along with Peter he was the most significant
leader of the early Church
Messianic Age: ​ .
○ Diaspora Hellentic Jews and Gentile Chrisitians
followed Jesus through the preachings of Paul
○ A time when Israel would be renewed
Making him known as the ​Apostles for the
○ Messiah: ‘Anointed One’ Messengers of Christ
Gentiles
○ Jews did not respect Jesus as they do not believe God
can be human
What did he do?
○ Chrisitans believe that the prophecies in the Bible
○ Paul helped to set up the structure of the new
refer to Jesus
Divisions from Judaism
● One of the main sources of disagreement was the
conversion of Gentiles
● This controversy caused the formation of the Council
of Jerusalem 49 CE, this amounted to a great
difference within the Church.
● Paul’s argument was that gentiles should not be forced
to become a Jew to be Chrisitan, this resulted in a split
○
○
religion and hence confirm the status of
Chrisitianity
Before he though the religion was blasphemous
but on the road to Damascus he saw a vision of the
risen Lord and then become a follower
For 35 years he travelled through the Roman
Empire to set up Chrisitan communities making
him the pinnacle to the establishment of the Early
Church
1b) Jesus’ life
PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN JESUS’ LIFE ​.
-
Jesus lived for only 35 years which are illustrated by the 4 Gospels by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Jesus’ Birth and
Childhood
●
●
●
●
●
Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem about 4 BC
Angels announce the birth of the Lord to Shepherds
King Herod plans to kill baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph take him to Egypt
After Herod’s death, they return to Nazareth where Jesus goes up
At the age of 12, he goes to Jerusalem for Passover and talks to the teachers
Beginning of
Jesus’ Ministry
●
When he has 30, Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist and the Holy Spirit descends
on him like a dove
Before teaching, Jesus goes to the desert for forty days and is tempted by the devil
He then returns to Judea and preaches: “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near!”
●
●
The Next 3 Years
●
●
●
Throughout Galilee, Samaria and Judea, Jesus preaches and heals the sick
He chooses a special group of 12 disciples to carry on his work after death
Jesus performs miracles:
○ Feeding the 5 thousand
○ Water into Wine
○ Walking on water
Jesus’ Last Week
●
●
●
●
Jesus arrives to Jerusalem on a donkey and people cheer
Jesus turn his last Passover supper into a memorial
Jesus prayed in agony of the Garden of Gethsemane
He is arrested and tried by Annas, Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate
Death and
Resurrection
●
●
●
He is crucified by the Romans
Jesus’ mother and other female disciples stand by the cross as he dies
On the third day he rose from the dead
1c) Christian Denominations
CHRISTIAN
Denominations
Anglicanism
DENOMINATIONS
Overview
● Anglican refers to the Church of
England
● Was a result of the 16th century
division when the Church of England
took middle course between papal
authority and Lutheran due to ​Henry
the VIII for his rejection of papal
authority
Focus core
Extra information
● highlighting the importance
● Some Anglican
of personal conversion, the
priests are
authority of scripture and
allowed to marry
faith in atonement through
● The Church of
the death
England does not
● Anglicanism does not have
recognise a
much emphasis on Mary and
hierarchy
more to do with the setting of ● they refuse the
the church in England
authority of the
● Evolved as a distinctive practice of
● ritual-oriented churches in
Christianity through reaction and
Anglicanism are referred to
adaptation to changing circumstances.
as ​‘Anglo-catholic’,​
Catholicism
●
●
●
originally founded by Jesus Christ
and anointed by the Holy Spirit at
Pentecost
Is presided over by the Pope, the
Bishop of Rome.
The Catholic church claims it
represents the true legacy of Jesus’
life
●
●
●
●
Acknowledges Pope as
the head of the Church
on earth.
Holds the doctrine of the
Real Presence of Christ
in the bread and wine
after the consecration at
Mass
Catholic Church
considers Confirmation,
Reconciliation,
Anointing of the Sick,
Holy Orders and
Matrimony are
sacraments.
Believes in the Gospel
pope the ‘high
church’
●
●
●
●
The term
Catholic
means
universal.
All of these
under the
authority of
the pope.
Established
in 1854
Says that
Mary was
born without
sin
Orthodoxy
● In 1054, the Great Schism split
Christianity into western roman and the
Eastern Orthodox Church
● The Orthodox tradition developed
from the Christianity of the Eastern
Roman Empire and was shaped by
the pressures, politics and peoples
of that geographical area.
● They stress a life that is
expressed particularly
through worship
● The bibles old testament is
based on the ancient Jewish
translation into greek called
the Septuagint rather than the
Hebrew translation
● Is classified as
one of the 3 main
Christian groups.
Around 200
million people
follow the
orthodox religion.
Pentecostalism
● Origins go back to Kansas and
California in the early years of the 20th
century
● The movement reached Australia in
1909 and further denominations arose in
the 1930s.
● The churches like Hillsong church grew
rapidly during the later decades of the
20th century.
● The pentecostal name comes from the
Book of Acts.
● Aim to perpetuate the
teachings, spiritual
experiences and communal
practices of the 21st
century.
● They emphasise Baptism in
the spirit, and powerfully
express the effective and
charismatic side of
christianity.
● Central to church worship
are the gifts of the Holy
Spirit, speaking in tongues,
prophecy, healing and
ecstatic experience.
● Hillsong Bobbie and
Brian Houston
established the
Hillsong
Church.
● Pentecostal
churches are
especially strong
in Latin
America and
black Africa.
Protestantism
● On the 31st of October 1517, Martin
Luther published his objections to the
church in the form of ‘Ninety Five
theses’.
● He believed that there were errors in
Rome’s teachings about penance,
indulgences and salvation.
● Martin Luther dramatically changed his
life around as he was caught in the
middle of a terrible storm and told God
that if he survived he would become a
monk and devoted his whole life to the
following and teachings of his word.
● The core belief was
‘justification by faith
alone’.
● Within a Lutheran church
there are no worship of
icons of God or Jesus or the
saints.
● Penances, pardons,
pilgrimages and masses
do not justify the
Christian soul to God
● Began during
the Renaissance
as a protest
against the
established
Roman Catholic
2a) Principal Beliefs
PRINCIPAL BELIEFS .
Divinity
●
When Jesus performs an unprecedented and physically impracticable miracle in
front of his disciples.
Example:
○
The Divinity and
Humanity of Christ
○
This is evident when Jesus calms the storm ​Mark 4:35-41​. “He
got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”
Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
Jesus has the physical immensity and authoritative divinity to
control an intangible and unpredictable source of natre - this
emphasises and evaluates his divinity and his capacity as a
Messiah and Son of God.
Humanity
●
Strengthens and reaffirms his ministry and teachings​, it also displays that it is
humanly possible to embody and model sincere divinity from God.
●
Through the humanisation of Jesus we get to see a God of compassion and
tenderness instead of a figure of whom we fear.
Example:
○
Jesus lived as a carpenter in Nazareth before travelling to Galilee
to begin his teachings. Crucified at the decree of Pontius Pilate
His humanity were real as his death and sufferings were
experienced so that the salvation of humans can be fulfilled.
Jesus died for our sins
○
○
○
○
Jesus’ death was the result of the fear of political overturn by the Romans
Crucifixion was a common form of execution
Jesus was a ​clear example model of discipleship and unconditional love for God
More adequate reflections on the idea of Jesus' death include a belief that death
itself is an integral part of the human condition and one which is shared by
Jesus.
The Death and
Resurrection of Jesus
Christ
Belief in the resurrection is a fundamental to Christianity
●
●
●
●
Depictions within the Bible differs especially between Luke and John
Jesus’ resurrection carries the meaning of eternal life and his divinity of human
morality
This belief is exemplified in the Nicene Creed which testifies not only to the
resurrection of Jesus but also to the resurrection of the dead as a fundamental
Christian belief.
The resurrection carries the meaning of eternal life which overcomes the
limitations of human mortality.
The Nature of his Death and Resurrection:
● It is difficult to depict his death as providing information that portrays his divinity
however incorporating rational physical sense is intricate to draw
The Nature of God
and the Trinity
Thy Trinity
● Christians believe that God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. God is
all-knowing, all powerful and always present.
● Christian practice indicates a liturgical use of this Trinitarian formula, "In the
name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" this states that there are three co-eternal,
equal persons in one God.
- this is circumincession
● Distinguishing characteristics: Fatherhood for the Father, sonship for the Son and
sanctifying power for the Holy Spirit.
● Order does not imply "greater than" or "before" in a temporal sense. In fact, all
three beings are co-equal and co-eternal.
‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 28:19).
●
●
God is involved with all aspects of human life, through divine revelation which
occurs continuously
Revelation is understood to be an ongoing process and Christians believe that
revelation is still unfolding in human experience.
1st Vehicle: Holy Spirit
●
●
Revelation
God's own Spirit dwells within human beings. The Spirit enlivens the faith of
Christians and brings to them a knowledge of God.
The Holy Spirit has inspired the writing of the Christian sacred text, the Bible and
continually inspires the Christian Church to teach in fidelity to the truth of the
Bible.
2nd Vehicle:​ sacred text-​ The Bible
●
●
The Bible is inspired by God and as such is the normative text for Christian life.
All Christian groups believe that the Bible is the fundamental and normative text.
3rd Vehicle:​ Teaching traditions from the Church
●
In the course of history the Church has continually taught in the name of God,
this teaching tradition is also inspired by the Holy Spirit.
● Across the various denominations of Christianity there is considerable difference
in the understanding of the importance of this tradition.
Example:
- At the start of Jesus’ ministry, at his baptism in the Jordan River, God the
Father’s voice is heard:
‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased ` (Matthew 3:17)
○
○
Salvation
●
Salvation is offered as a gift from God through the death and resurrection of
Jesus. This gift comes with faith.
Jesus identifies closely with the Hebrew prophetic tradition. In fact in announcing
the time of salvation he emphatically identifies himself as the fulfilment of the
promise of salvation.
Christians recognise the central elements of their understanding of salvation this
being that:
1. God is the one who saves.
2. God's saving action is liberating and has a particular concern
for those who are the most vulnerable in society.
3. Jesus in his life and ministry embodies the saving action of
God. Finally, Christians are called to accept the gift of God's
saving action through their faith in Jesus and their own
actions on behalf of those in need.
3a) Sacred texts and writings
3a)
Sacred texts and writings ​.
●
The importance of the Bible in Christianity
○ Sets out the teachings from God
​ Core ethical teachings ​.
●
●
●
●
Christian ‘ethics’ refer to moral norms that are
unique to Christianity
The guidelines that are set out by the faith outline
the actions that should be taken by Christians in
certain situations are known as ‘moral norms.’
‘Ethical teachings’ are based on the belief that the
human person is an image of God.
The core ethical teachings in Christian churches
reveal the ​importance of faith, good moral actions,
community, prayer and sacraments.
○ Morality is based on sources of revelation,
but also in key passages from Scriptures.
These Scriptures include:
○ The Decalogue/Ten Commandments (Ex 20:1-17 + Deut
5:6-21)
○ The Golden Rule (Mt 22:37-39)
○ The Beatitudes (Mt 5-7)
○ Actions based on love (1 Cor 13:1)
○ Love one another as I have loved you (Jn 13:34)
​ The Ten Commandments .
●
●
●
●
Ten words from God
Based on God’s direct revelation to Moses on Mount
Sinai in Israel (Ex 20:2-17 and Deut 6-21)
First 3 relate to the worship of God, whilst the rest are
obligations one has to their neighbour and society
○ Decalogue is based on love not fear
Important for structuring and living the Christian life
​The
●
●
●
●
Beatitudes:
Nine sayings of Jesus, “Blessed are..”
Have origins in Jewish Scriptures, understood as
declarations of praise or congratulations for an exercise of
virtue
The Beatitudes are words of praise for virtues
Beatitudes in Scriptures
○ Mt 5:3-12
○ Lk 6:20-23
Jesus’ Commandment of Love
●
●
Three factors are needed in order to understand
Jesus’ ethics
○ Repentance
○ God’s ethical demand on humanity
○ Centrality of love commandment
■ All are connected
The COL should be understood in a two-part context
○ 1: Christian awareness of the Mystery of the
hidden God of love is revealed in the person
of Jesus who was ministered, crucified, died
+ rose from the dead
○ Christians understand God as the Holy
Trinity
03 : Depth Study: Islam
3
RELIGIOUS
D E P T H S T U DY O N
ISLAM
OUTLINE:
Origins
1a) H I S T O R I C A L
AND
DEVELOPMENT
1b) P R O P H E T M U H A M M A D
● Principal events
● Model for Muslim Life
1c) D E V E L O P M E N T U N D E R T H E 4 Rightly Guided Caliphs
1. Abu Bakr
2. Umar Ibn al-Khattab
3. Uthman ibn Affan
4. Ali ibn Abi Talib
..............................................
​2a) P R I N C I P L E B E L I E F S
● Tawhid
● Angel
● Books of Allah
● Rusul
● Akhira
● Fate/predestination
..............................................
3a) S A C R E D T E X T S & W R I T I N G S
● The Qur’an and Hadith
..............................................
4a) C O R E E T H I C A L T E A C H I N G S
● Islamic Jurisprudence
○ The Quran
○ The Sunnah and Hadith
○ Iijma
○ Qiyas
●
Significance of halal and haram
..............................................
5a) C O R E E T H I C A L
● 5 Pillars of faith
TEACHINGS
1a) Historical context
1a) ​Historical Context and Development of Islam
Parts
Context
Cultural and
Historical
context
Cultural
- Before Islam, the Arabian Peninsula was occupied by nomadic tribes/communities
- This lead to a wide range in religious faiths
Historical
- Islam began in the Arbaian Peninsula about 1400 years ago
- Prophet Muhammend instigated the religion, he lived in Mecca then in Medina
- Settlement that existed in the peninsula were engaged in pastoral, agricultural and
trading activities.
Social and
religious
conditions of 7th
century
a) Conflict and warfare between tribes
b) Different roles of women - Khadijah, first wife and first follower of Islam.
Bedouin
○
A grouping of nomadic indigenous Arab-speaking people who have historically
inhabited the desert regions in the Arabian Peninsula
Zoroastrianism
○
○
○
○
One of the world’s oldest religions
Monotheistic faith, centered in a dualistic cosmology of good and evil
Existence of angels and demons are preached
one day the forces of good will defeat the forces of evil and restore the world to the state
of perfection it was originally.
Structure of
tribes
○
Arabian polytheism, the dominant form of religion in pre-Islamic Arabia, was based on
the veneration of deities and spirits. Worship was directed to various gods and goddesses,
including Hubal and the goddesses al-Lāt, Al-'Uzzá and Manāt, at local shrines and
temples such as the Kaaba in Mecca.
A polytheistic
nation
○
Most people within the Arabian Peninsula were either pagan or had faith in indigenous
polytheistic beliefs, as well as Christianity, Judaism, Mandaeism and Iranian religions of
Zoroastrianism, Mithraism and Manichaeism.
Arab polytheism, the dominant belief system, was based on the belief in deities and other
supernatural beings
There were no certain ways to distinguish what the many tribes believe in collectively due
to the diversity.
○
○
Expression of
faith by tribal
members
○
They would convey it through travelling to Mecca and deeming specific areas, sacred
spaces and making it compulsory to visit them during their journey of faith
Kaaba
○
○
The mecca was surrounded by 360 idols/statues to worship.
It occurs around the Ka’ab, which is also a hub for trading. There is evidence of 360
statues of idols that are commonly worshipped in the area.
○
The Kaaba was a sanctuary in pre-Islamic times. Muslims believe that Abraha known as
Ibrahim in the Islamic tradition and his son, Ismail, constructed the Kaaba.
rebuilt the pre-Islamic Kaaba in c. 608 CE with alternating courses of masonry and wood.
A door was raised above ground level to protect the shrine from intruders and flood
waters.
○
1b) The Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet Muhammad .
Muhammad: Model for Muslim Life
○ Known as this for his faith in Allah and the way he lived his life both in relationship
with Allah and in relationship with those in his community
Muammad: ‘Final Messenger’
○ The idea of Muhammad as the final messenger relfects that he stands in the lonf
tradition of the propgets proclaiming the one true God
○ Other exteemed among Muhammad is Ibrahim, Musa and Isa
○ With him the process of revelation had culminated and accordingly is regarded as the
Final messenger of Allah
Significant moments
Events
Surrendering to the
will of Allah
It is important to acknowledge that Muhammad was ​human
Worship is for Allah ​only​ and ​not to be done towards prophets such as Muhammad
- This Caution is expressed within the Qur’an:
“Muhammas is but a messenger; there have been many prophets before him,and they all
died.” (Q.3.144)
Hadith and Sunna
Helpful sources for muslims that appreciate the significance of Muhammads life and actions
are the:
Sunna-​ Records of the traditions of his actions
Hadith-​ Shows the traditions of his teachings
Leadership
Who was he?
-
-
Muhammad was a wise and capable leader who demonstarted prudence and justice
in his dealings with others
All those within his life including his​ Uncle Abu​ and his ​wife Khadija​ found him to
be trustworthy, reliable and capable.
What did he do?
Faith, trust and
patience
-
Preaching
-
As a leader in Madinah; He was known for: ​Practical Wisdom; encouraging the
importance of forgiveness and overcoming anger.
Integrity and fair dealing within secular communities.
Introducing codes for sexual morality​ and reforming a social agenda that defended
women.
Faith; he was prepared to ​place his trust in the word of Allah
Trust; Despite feeling uncertain and anxious ​he surrendered his will to Allah​ and
waited
Patience; ​He waited for his time​ to begin preaching
He preached ​tirelessly and fearlessly
During preaching, he ​encountered great opposition among the people​ of Makkah,
for this he was ridiculed and persecuted for his words
Trust in Allah
-
Requirement of the message created great hostility towards him
-
Muhammad was asked to travel to Madinah, which was a perilous undertaking,
putting his life at risk
However in doing so, Muhammad ​reconginsed to importance of the commitment ​of
people of Yathrib
Caring for the poor
-
Muhammads leadership ​was for the care for its most vulnerable members
Through the offerings of all Muslims those who were in a state of destitution, were
supported through the acts of Muhammad.
Timeline of Muhammad's Life
C. 569
Death of his father, Abdullah
c. 570
Possible ​date of birth​: 12 or 17 Rabi al Awal: in Mecca Arabia
c. 577
Death of his mother, Amina
c. 583
His grandfather ​transfers him to Syria
c. 595
Meets and marries Khadijah
597
Birth of ​Zainab​, his first daughter, followed by: R
​ uqayyah​, ​Umm Kulthum,​
and ​Fatima Zahra
610
Qur'anic revelation begins​ in the ​Cave of Hira​ on the Jabaal an Nur the
"Mountain of Light" near Mecca
610
At age 40, Angel Jebreel (Gabriel) was said to appear to Muhammad on the
mountain and call him "the Prophet of Allah"
610
Begins in secret to gather followers in ​Mecca
c. 613
Begins spreading message of Islam publicly to all Meccans
c. 614
Heavy persecution of Muslims begins
c. 615
Emigration of a group of Muslims to ​Ethiopia
619
The year of sorrows: Khadija (his wife) and ​Abu Talib​ (his uncle) die
c. 620
Isra and Mi'raj​ (reported ascension to heaven to meet God)
622
Hijra​, emigration to ​Medina​ (called Yathrib)
628
The Meccan tribe of Quraysh and the Muslim community in Medina signed a
10-year truce called the ​Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
629
Conquest of Mecca
632
Farewell pilgrimage, event of Ghadir Khumm, and ​death​, in what is now
Saudi Arabia
1c) Four Rightly Guided Caliphs
Four Rightly Guided Caliphs
●
●
●
The four rightly guided Caliphs are They are sometimes called the "Rightly Guided" Caliphs
because ​each of them learned about Islam directly from Muhammad.
Served as closest advisor and friends of the prophet in the early years of Islam.
The Caliphs​ attempted to expand the community
Caliphs
Features under their administration
Abu Bakr
The first caliph- ruled
from 632-634 CE.
●
Umar ibn al-Khattab
Umar (634- 44CE)
●
●
●
●
●
●
Abu Bakr was the father-in-law of Muhammad and was an early convert to
Islam.
He was known as "The Truthful." During his short reign as caliph, Abu Bakr
put down rebellions by various Arab tribes after Muhammad died and
established the Caliphate as the ruling force in the region.
He took control of the Middle East including conquering the Sassanids of Iraq.
He then took control of many surrounding areas including Egypt, Syria, and
North Africa.
He supervised the expulsions of Christians and Jews from Arabia.
He was an exceptional administrator, battling in the war of Qadisiyya.
He burnt the fake surahs.
Umar's reign came to an end when he was murdered by a Persian slave.
Uthman (644- 56CE)
Ali (656-61CE)
●
●
●
●
Criticism arose because he appointed friends and family to important positions.
Ali increased the opposition during his caliphate.
He collated and published the Qur’an in its final form.
Most known for having an official version of the Quran established from one
originally put together by Abu Bakr. This version was then copied and used as
the standard version moving forward. Uthman was killed by by Egyptians in
656 CE in his hoe
●
He was married to Muhammad's youngest daughter Fatimah. He is considered
by many to be the first male convert to Islam. Many Muslims were enraged that
he refused to punish those who killed Uthman leading Aisha’s failed rebellion.
The Kharijites went against Ali because he did not prove to be a true follower
of Islam.
Muawiya refused Ali as caliph, he claimed caliphate himself and Ali later was
killed by the Kharijites.
●
●
Sunni
○
Claim to follow the right path based on Quran and Sunnah, it believes nothing is divine
○
Shia
○
○
○
about their leaders except that they are educated in religious law and practice.
All revelations from Allah were completed with Muhammad’s death and the word imam is
simply a prayer leader.
claim Ali has spiritual insight, said to have Islamic authority with the Quran and his
household.
They believe in the ‘five of the cloak’ Muhammad, Fatima, Ali, Hasan, Hussain.
Believe the leaders are descendants of Muhammad called imam who reveal inner meaning
of Quran, with belief that the 12th imam will return.
2a) Principal Beliefs
2a)
Principal Beliefs
Features
Tawhid
Belief that there ​is no God but Allah,​ no one else worthy of worship, and
cannot be associated with any partners. Tawheed al ibadah (maintaining
the Unity of Worship) - ​The act of Worship is directed toward Allah alone
and not toward any people or objects.
“Allah is He, other than Whom there is no other god, Who knows all
things both open and secret, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Allah is He,
other than Whom there is no other god.” (59:22)
Rusula
Muhammad is the most important as he is the last to redirect Islam.
A Prophet is someone through whom Allah speaks.
● He communicates his commands and guidance to humankind
through the prophet. Muslims believe that Allah sent the Prophets
in order to guide people to the right path.
● The Qur’an names 25 Prophets, but tradition says that there have
been 124000 in all.
● Nabi- is the term used to describe most prophets Rasul- describes
the Prophet who has delivered a Holy Book.
Mala’ika –Angels
Each person has ​two Guardian Angels​ who ​record his or her good and
bad deeds​; these are acknowledged during daily prayer. fulfil Allah’s
requests and carry messages to humans, Angel Jibril being the one to carry
the Quran to Muhammad. ​They’re made of light, have no gender and
express absolute praise and obedience to God​, also commonly known are
the 2 angels that are acknowledged during Salah who record the good and
bad deeds of every individual.
al- Qadr –Belief in Destiny
and Divine decree
Fate/predestination (Qadar) – nothing happens without the will of Allah.
Islamic scholars have attempted to reconcile two notions: that humans are
responsibility for their final happiness or suffering, and that Allah knows,
wills and creates everything. ​Ultimately Allah is considered the creator of
all phenomena, it is however important that individual adherents make
‘free’ choices.
al- Akhira - Belief in the Day
of Judgment
– the real ​universe continues after death​, and to deny this is the same as
denying Allah. The Quran mentions that souls are suspended between
death and resurrection, with ​every human being brought to judgement
before Allah, and punished for their sins and rewarded for their goodness.
3a) Sacred texts and writings
Books of Allah
The Books of Allah are the written revelations of God’s intentions as received by the
Prophets. The five divine books are:
●
●
●
●
●
Scrolls-​ Revealed to Abraham
Tawrat- ​The torah of Moses
Zabur- ​The Psalms of David
Injeel- ​The Gospels of Jesus
The Qur’an- ​Revealed to Mohammed
-
These books are all named in the Qur’an. Followers of Islam believe that the Torah, Psalms
and Gospels had much in common with Islam but over time the teachings were lost or
distorted. So Allah sent one final message to set the record straight.
Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the most complete teaching of Allah and that it supersedes
all other revelations.
A true believer accepts its teaching unconditionally. Muslims practice this belief in their daily
lives particularly through prayer.
-
Sacred text and writings
Quran
●
●
●
●
●
●
Hadith
B​ased on the revelations of Allah to Muhammad
and is the central Muslim text that was received
over a 23-year period.
Caliph Uthman put it together and arranged 114
surahs.
Being the words of Allah, it is treated respect and
kept in a place of honour.
Muslims see the Quran as a miracle and the proof
that Muhammad was a prophet.
It is understood to be not the work of a human,
considering that Muhammad was illiterate.
The Quran includes elements of family, religious
and criminal law and cover obligations (5 pillars
of Islam) as well as lessons from Muhammad’s
experiences but its common key focuses are
●
●
●
●
It is the second contribution text of Islam and
serves as a basis of the Islamic jurisprudence.
It shows the life of the prophet and elaboration
of the ethical values taught by the Quran.
By the early 700s CE devoted individuals
began to collect the hadith.
A hadith is consisted of 2 parts the text and
the Sanad (the witness of what the prophet
did) and usually gives more details of what is
mentioned in the Quran Two collections that
carry the most authority is Bukhari (810-70
CE) and Muslim (817-74CE).
promise of heaven for those who obey and
punishment for the disobedient.
4a) Core Ethical Teachings
Core Ethical Teachings
●
●
Ethical teachings show the influence of human
behaviour through beliefs and teachings with
the view of extreme importance of right action.
It is usually split into 2 categories:
1. the body of law that governs behaviour
towards God e.g. the five pillars.
2. The other category is the way we treat one
another, sacred and secular.
●
Shariah law;​ ​regulates all aspects of a
Muslim’s life from hygiene to inheritance laws.
It reflects Allah’s guidance for Muslims.
●
Some guidelines include:
○
You should promote unity and harmony
○ No one truly believes until what is
wished for his brother is what is wished
for himself
Ethical principles can include​ faithfulness to
one’s words, honesty in trade and to guard
yourself against impurity in body and mind​.
●
In surah 2:177 - Godliness is described to be one who gives
of his property, frees slaves, performs daily prayer, pays
zakat and is patient in times of difficulty. The ethical rules
in Quran and hadith establish a basic code of honesty, a
work ethic and loyalty. It also shows to respect yourself
and others e.g. modest dress and being courteous in
relationships and taking care of one’s neighbour.
Jurisprudence ; process .
Islam is an ethical as well as legal system, with the
discovery of laws from the scriptures of Islam being
put together by scholars to form the shariah law
codes, in which it covers life in a traditional society
and ethical teachings for modern developments.
(changing world, new problems)
1. Quran​ – holds the first authority, however it
may not show solutions to modern problems
2. Hadith​ – containing the sayings and actions
of Muhammad (SAW), it’s a source of Muslim
authority when the Quran is not direct.
3. Ijma​ – consensus of Islamic scholars when
there is a significant debate, usually by Islamic
strongholds e.g. royal family in Saudi Arabia
4. Qiyas​ –logic, deductions that can be drawn
from the Quran and Hadith. E.g. cocaine is
haram because alcohol is already haram, has
drug abuse banned because of similar
consequences.
H
​ alal and Haram - Ethical teachings​ .
Muslims live their lives submitting to Allah (SWT)
for happiness in this world and the next, therefore
they must know what is obligatory and what actions
are halal or haram.
Halal – everything that is allowed under Islamic law,
can be applied to aspects of life a behaviour.
Haram – everything that is forbidden, anything that
goes against Islamic law code.
5a) ​Expressions of Faith; 5 Pillars
Expression of Faith - Five Pillars
Pillar
Features
Shahadah
Is the confession of faith, said aloud in public to testify you are a Muslim. “there I no God but
Allah” and that “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”
Salah
5 daily prayers that must be done in its due time, in a state of purity (water ablution), wearing
the right dress, facing the right direction as well as in the right place (clean area). Salah
reaffirms that life is a gift from Allah and to keep Him on your mind throughout the day. Salah
is determined by the position of the sun.
1. Fajr
2. Thuhr
3. Asr
4. Maghrib
5. Isha
Zakat
2.5% of a Muslims savings must be given to the poor each year. Meaning to purify, it
emphasises letting go of earthly possessions and focus on Allah.
Sawm
The fast of Ramadan,​ one month each year Muslims ​must not eat, drink, smoke​ between
dawn and sunset. In Surah 2:185 Muslims must resolve to turn away from sin and seek
forgiveness. ​In the hunger of fasting they share in the suffering of the poor.
Iftar,​ is the break of the fast. The appearance of the new moon is the signal of Eid (celebration,
day starts with mass public prayer)​ where everyone resolves their quarrels and makes fresh
starts.
Hajj
A pilgrimage that is recommended to all Muslims at least once in their lifetime if they are
capable to do so, walking the same path as Muhammad in Makkah (centre of everyday Muslim
religious life, considered the city of Allah with the Kabah at its heart)
Kabah’s significance is traced back to Adam and Hawwa being reunited in Makkah, and he is
building the first place of worship of Allah on earth.
Studies of Religion HSC Content
Studies of
religion
​ ​1
RELIGION IN AUSTRALIA
post - 1945
2
CHRISTIANITY
3
ISLAM
01 : Religion in Australia post-1945
​ ​1
RELIGION IN AUSTRALIA
post - 1945
OUTLINE:
Contemporary Aboriginal Spirituality
1a) T h e
Dreaming
1b) I S S U E S for A B O R I G I N A L
● Effects of despossion
● The Land Rights Movement
1c) I M P O R T A N T
● Native Title
● Mabo
● Wik
LAND
SPIRITUALITY
R I G H Ts
MOVEMENTS
..............................................
Religious Expression in Australia from 1945 onwards
2a) R E L I G I O U S L A N D S C A P E from 1945
● Changing patterns to religious adherence
● Current religious landscape
..............................................
3a) Religious dialogue in multi-faith Australia
● Ecumneical Movements within Christianity
● Interfaith Dialogue
● Relationships between Aboriginal spirituality and religious traditions in
the process of Reconciliation
..............................................
1a) Aboriginal Spirituality
1a)
.
​ ​A B O R I G I N A L
SPIRITUALITY
The Dreaming
The Dreaming is based on the interrelation of all people and
all things; The Dreaming is a term used to label all knowledge
and understanding in Aboriginal societies
​ boriginal Spirituality
A
Defined as the core of Aboriginal being, their very identity,
Aboriginal Spirituality does not think about the ‘Dreaming’ as
a time, in fact it is a metatemporal conceit which is within the
past, present and future.
D
​ ETERMINED BY THE ​.
.​ DREAMING​ .
There are three aspects in which The Dreaming is determined by
Aborignal Spirituality
Kinship
●
A complex system of belonging and responsibilities within a
clan.
A person’s position in the kinship system establishes their
relationship to others and to the universe, prescribing their
responsibilities towards other people, the land and natural
resources.
○ Totems
●
●
Each person has 4 totems to represent their nation,
clan, family and a personal totem to recognise their
strengths and weaknesses.
They do not own their totems, rather, they are
accountable for them.
○ Skin Names
●
●
Their roles and responsibilities to one another, their
land and for ceremonies.
It determines how each family lineage is linked to
particular dreaming stories and sites.
Ceremonial Life
●
○ Stories
●
●
Provide the foundation for Aboriginal existence
by explaining creation and sharing how
dreaming shapes daily life.
Describe aboriginal law and lifestyle
Obligations to the land and people
●
The reciprocal relationship between people and the land
underpinned all other aspects of life for Indigenous
people. This relationship with the land remains
fundamental to the identity and way of life of many
Indigenous people.
○ Sacred Spaces
●
Particular events in the Dreaming are connected
to sacred sites (ritual estates) - Uluru
○ Identity
●
●
The land is the mother of the people, hence the
identity of an Aboriginal individual
Land is the generation point of existence. It is
the maintenance of existence, the spirit from
which Aboriginal existence comes
1b) Issues for Aboriginal Spiritualities
I​ S S U E S
FOR
ABORIGINA
L .
SPIRITUALITES​ .
THE
E F F E C T of
DISPOSSESSION
Loss of Land .
● consequences to loss of cultural heritage
●
Ceremonial Life
●
●
●
Ceremonies are a communication of Aboriginal Spirituality;
the complex and spiritual core of The Dreaming for each
group is recognised and revered in ceremonial life.
Loss of Kinship .
● Effects Dispossession for the Indigenous
community
○ Loss of Aboriginal life and spirituality
○ Social problems; (depression, demolition
due to loss of identity- turning to drugs,
alcohol and violence)
Marginalised to society, prejudice, inequality in the
workplace, discrimination.
○ Art
●
●
Illustrates the actions of the astral spirit in the land
Used to pass sacred knowledge and provide maps of
the land
Stolen Generation .
● Many Aboriginal children suffer maltreatment,
secual exploitation, inhumane working conditions
and degrading form of humiliation
○ In the late 1800’s and 1972, the
Government assimilate Indigenous
children into European society to wash
away their knowledge of culture and
identity
● Effects of the Stolen Generation:
○ Maltreatment, sexual exploitation,
inhumane working conditions and
degrading forms of humiliation.
1c) The Land Right Movements
●
●
●
●
●
●
T
​ H E L A N D R I G H T s ​.
M O V E M E N T S ​ ​.
Claimed by the ATSI people to repossess and compensate
for European exploitation of their land and sacred sites.
○ Acknowledges the inextricable bond between the
Indigenous peoples and their land. The land is
central within their lives physically,
economically, socially and ultimately, in a
spiritual sense.
●
Native Title Act 1993 .
● Later on, the Mabo decision ​prompted a
legislative response. ​By the end of 1993 the
Native Title Act 1993
● The common law doctrine of Aboriginal Ttile is
referred to as native title, which is the recognition
by Australian law that Indigenous people have
rights and interests to their land that come from
their traditional laws and custom
○ To provide a national system for the
recognition and protection of native title
Amounts to loss of identity and the burden of not
being able to fulfill ritual responsibilities
Destroys totemic responsibilities
They loose economic use of Land
●
●
Mabo .
A significant Legal case in Australia that recognized
the land rights of the ​Meriam people,​ traditional
owners of the​ ​Murray Islands in the Torres Strait
Islands.
Legal proceedings for the case began on 20 May 1982
The Mabo case challenge the existing Australian legal
system on the:
○ The assumption of Terra Nullius; that ATSI
people has no concept of land ownership
before the arrival of British colonists
This case not only granted the Meriam people access
to land, it acknowledged their connection to Murray
Island.
The case also paved the way for other First Nations'
people to begin formally reclaiming land through the
court system.
○ In particular, the Mabo case acknowledged
that the "Terra Nullius" lie.
The Wik Decision .
Wik people's native title was extinguished by pastoral
leases over their land. As well as this, any native title
rights the Wik had to minerals or petroleum in their
country had been extinguished by state legislation
which transferred ownership of those resources to the
Crown.
○ Was a decision of the High Court of Australia
delivered on 23 December 1996 on whether
statutory leases extinguish native title rights.
○ However, during conflict the pastoral lease
has the upper hand.
and for its co-existence with the national
land management system
2a) Religious Landscape Aus.
2a)
​ ​R E L I G I O U S
​ from 1945​ ​.
Immigration →
LANDSCAPE
​.
Early Religion in Australia
The arrival of the first fleet on Australian shores in 1788,
introducing Chrisitanity. This basis of Chrisitan society would
remain for hundreds of years, and remain the dominant
religion today.
● 52% adherence as of 2016
● Majority of convicts were from the Anglican faith
​Changing Landscape
Australia's religious landscape has been evolving as a result of
multiple factors:
○ Immigration “Populate or perish”
○ Denominational switching
○ Secularism
○ New Age Religion
○ Ecumenism
There are more concerns of religion interfering with the
political and social development of Australia since we are a
very ‘multicultural country’. Religious differences would
serve to create conflicts more than resolve them.
These lead to :
○ Decrease in Christianity (Ratio to population, but
amount of doesn’t change so dramatically)
○ Rise in other religions from the Middle East and Asia
○ Definite increase in No Religion
​ ontemporary
C
Christianity →
❏ came on first fleet (colonisation) - Irish Catholics
(convicts), English Anglicans (governing people and
soldiers), 16 Jews
❏ Christianity remained dominant as not many people
arrived before World War 2, and those who did arrive
were Christian, e.g. German Lutheran, Catholic
Maltese, Greek Orthodox.
❏ Migrants have stronger attachment to traditional
churches.
❏ After the end of the ​White Australia Policy​ in 1972,
many Christians came from the Middle East and Asia.
Christians contributed to society through laws, calendar,
education and social welfare.
●
●
Most immigration has been due to upheavals
caused by war in other countries.
14 Orthodox denominations in Australia and many
more Christian denominations (post WW2).
After the end of the White Australia Policy in 1972, many
Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists​ came from the
Middle East and Asia.
Denominational switching →
●
●
●
●
29% of Protestants (e.g. Anglican, Baptist,
Lutheran, Methodist, Calvinist, Pentecostal) have
switched in the last 20 years (most common
switchers). ​Pentecostal was the fastest growing
Christian denomination
Pentecostalism (7% are switchers in and out,
tripled since 1970s, still only 1.1%, stable for last
10 years, involves evangelising, clapping, singing,
etc.).
People search for churches that suit one’s needs;
reflecting the changing attitudes towards what a
church should offer to its congregation, e.g.
Anglicans move to Protestant churches for singing
and dancing.
Switchers place a high priority on personal and
spiritual fulfilment and low priority on
denominational loyalty. ​Denominational loyalty
is high amongst Orthodox and Catholics.​
Catholics outnumber Anglicans due to catholic
immigration and Anglican denominational
switching.
Secularism →
New Age Religion →
Ecumenism →
3a) Religious Dialogue in Aus.
3a)
​ ​R E L I G I O U S
DIALOGUE .
○ Nature of NCCA
●
●
Interfaith Dialogue
A meeting of people of differing religions
Nature and Manner of Dialogue
Of an atmosphere of freedom and openness and ​a nature of
Reciprocity​. Dialogue implies both receptivity and active
communication in order to​ ​obtain collaboration between
religions
Multi-Faith Australia
Australia’s religious, cultural and ethnic diversity is
constantly increasing. Interfaith dialogue is a necessary step
towards peace within communities as it fosters respect and
mutual understanding. While also embracing the universal
paradigm in most religions which is holding respect and the
dignity of others.
.
E
​ CUMENICAL
MOVEMENT
Tendency toward worldwide Chritian unity and cooperation,
empathising the universality of the Chritian faith and unity
among churches
The National Council of Churches
●
A National Organisation that works in partnership with
state Ecumenical Councils around Australia.
The NCAA gathers together in
pilgrimage those churches and
christian communities to deepen
their relationship with each other in
order to express a more visible unity
willed by Christ for his Church
○ History
●
●
●
The National Council of Churches
●
Was formed on the 3rd of July 1994
The modern eucumenical movement began to
take shape as the 19th C. drew close
The movement for Christian unity in this country
was, ​initially, an Anglican and Protestant
affair. ​Later Eastern and Orthodox churches
came in during the 1960s-70s. Following the
Catholic church which sparked the birth of the
NCCA known today
●
18 member Churches
As shown in the logo, The cross and the boat,
symbols of faith and unity
Receptive Ecumenism is so helpful. Hence too,
our encouragement that we all pray around noon
each day for a change of heart in the human
family.
NSW Ecumenical Council
●
Composed of 16 churches and is based
on the acknowledgment of the Lord
Jesus Christ as God and Saviour
according to the scriptures.
○ Purpose
●
●
●
To bear witness to the unity
of the Church as both gift and
calling and, in the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Address together causes of division in the faith
and order of the Church
To encourage understanding of, and participation
in, the world-wide mission of God
R E L A T I O N S H I P B E T W E E N ​.
ABORIGINAL SPIRITUALITES &​.
RELIGIOUS TRADITION​ .
Reconciliation
- The restoration and rekindling of a relationship
form of agreement that deals with the legacies of our
history, provides justice for all, and takes us forward as a
nation.
“A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and
provides justice and equity for all” T
​ he Council for
Aboriginal Reconciliation
- Reconciliation should be realized by bridging the
gaps that occurred because of disputes and
conflicts over worldly affairs and by removing
their bad effects.
Interfaith Support for Reconciliation
● Support of issues such as land rights, native title
and a formal apology to the stolen generation.
● Many Christian denominations have designated
committees to maintain a close working
relationship with Aboriginal people
● 1967 - Referendum to grant Aboriginals Australian
Citizenships
3a) Religious Dialogue in Aus.
3a)
​ ​R E L I G I O U S
DIALOGUE .
Christianity
●
●
​ R E L I G I O U S T R A D I T I O N S I N​ ​ T
H E​ . ​ .​ ​P R O C E S S ​of​ ​ R E C O N C I L I A T
I O N​ .
Religious bodies,especially those churches that were
instrumental in helping to facilitate the government's destructive
policies, have succumbed to embracing the Aborginal traditions.
Christianity
●
○ Nature of early relationship
The Primary external religious influence upon
Indegineous communities, upholding a paternalism
towards the Aborginal youth.
No acknowledgement of the deep and long-held
spirituality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people.
●
●
○
The Process of Reconciliation
○ History
●
From the 1970s, attitudes changed. The Catholic
Church and other Christian churches changed
from working 'for' Aboriginal people to working
'with' them
● In a 2001 discussion paper titled​,​ 'Indigenous
Ministry and Aboriginal Reconciliation',​ the
NSWCC identified a number of issues that
Christian leaders needed to resolve in order for
the churches to be reconciled with the Aboriginal
people this being:
1. Need for autonomy:​ Traditional
denominational structures place
some restrictions on Abrogingnal
identity and suppress the indignoues
ideologies
2. Cultural conflict​: Many traditional
Christian symbols and objects have
little or no association with
Aboriginal culture.
3. Lack of confidence in Aboriginal
pastors:​ Aboriginal pastors are
often scrutinised usually because
they are less well-educated
● Christianity
○
The Process of Reconciliation
Christian churches work together to collectively
assist the Aboriginal community to reclaim its
spirituality. For example, the NSWCC
acknowledges that:
○ where there is knowledge of the history of
injustice, rather than mere ignorance, there is a
general reluctance amongst the denominations to
admit any institutional culpability, despite moral
and social decline and alienation spanning
generations.
○ The following describes how Christian
communities were hesitant in acknowledging
their contribution to the defamation and
dispossession of the Indigenous despite the
engraved in history
● In ​Queensland​, the​ ​Churches Together
Indigenous Peoples' Partnership​ promotes
Aboriginal reconciliation within the Christian
churches of Queensland. It is funded by the
Catholic, Anglican, Uniting and Lutheran churches.
● “We need you; you need us,”​ Aunty Jean Phillips
told a crowded​ ​#ChangetheHeart service a​ t St
Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral in Sydney; The
respected Aboriginal Christian leader invited the
congregation in the city centre to​ ​“come on a
journey with Aboriginal people … we’re going to
change this nation.”
○ The service was one of 23 services around
the country to call on Christians to gather,
pray, lament and hear the truth about past
injustices and discrimination still faced by
Aboriginal people.
● Judaism
●
●
●
○ The Process of Reconciliation
Jewish groups​ hold a week of prayer for
reconciliation every year
In 1998 the AUS & NZ Union for​ progressive
Judaism encouraged the support for the Wik
decision ​and opposed the Ten Point Plan
The Executive Council of the Australian Jewry in
2000 promoted the Australian Government to
include recommendations made the National
Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Children and Their Families
●
The National Congress of Australia’s First
Peoples and the ​Islamic Council of Victoria have
signed a joint commitment to increasing religious
and racial tolerance in Australia and announced
they will co-fund a scholarship for refugees at La
Trobe University
● The hadith urges reconciling people​ and avoiding
corrupting relations between them, because
reconciliation is a reason for holding firm to the
rope of Allah Almighty and avoiding disunity
between the Muslims, whereas disputes are a
crack in the religion.
○ The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam (
may Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Should I
not tell you what is better in degree than
prayer, fasting, and charity." They (the
companions) said: "Yes." He said:
"Reconciling people, for grudges and disputes
are the razor (that shaves faith)." [Ahmad, Abu
Dawood, and At-Tirmithi: good-authentic]
● Indigenous Australian convert to Islam, in order
to reconnect. Islamic countries welcome and
promote their entering of their community.
○ Indigenous Australian Muslims (in
common with black Britons and
African-Americans), understand conversion
to Islam as a means of repairing the deep
psychological scars they suffer as a people.
STATISTICS
●
●
●
The White Australia policy from 1966 was abolished in 1972
○ As a result for needing more workers as a result of the deaths from
WWII
1947 Census data found that
○ 87.3% of people were Christian
○ 10.9 % of people did not state their religion
2016 Census data:
○ 52% of people were Christian
○ 30.1% of people identified with no religion
○ Sikhism is the fastest growing religion