Aboriginal Spirituality [Term 1] Question 11 5 Marks he Dreaming provides the framework, explaining the connections that exist between the T land, spirit ancestors and Aboriginal people. With reference to the quote, explain the concept of the Dreaming. he Dreaming is a spiritual concept that refers to a complex belief system encompassing T creation stories, ancestral beings, and spiritual connections to the land that underscores all of the beliefs, identities and practices, which dictate the physical and spiritual aspects of Aboriginal life. The Dreaming is foundational to all Indigenous communities as it defines the relationships and responsibilities between land, spirit ancestors and people. For First Nations people, the Dreaming is not just a set of stories and beliefs, but a way of life that continually shapes their identity and informs their values, beliefs, and behaviours. The Dreaming is a “framework” that creates a connection between the metaphysical world of spirit ancestors and creation through the land which acts as a physical medium. For the Dharawal people, dreaming is expressed in dreamtime stories such as the story of Buri Buri, which answers enduring questions of creation and purpose through the lens of This inextricable relationship between spirit ancestors, land and people found in the dreaming is what shapes the identities of First Nations people and guides them in their daily lives. Aboriginal Spirituality Prelim exam questions Question 11 5 Marks ‘ We cultivate our land, but in a way different from the white man. We endeavour to live with the land, they seemed to live off it.’ Tom Dystra, Aboriginal Elder Using the stimulus above, explain why land is important for Aboriginal people. he inextricable and reciprocal connection to land is fundamental in Aboriginal spirituality as T land is the physical medium that connects Indigenous peoples to spirit ancestors. As evident in the stimulus, First Nations people “endeavour to live with the land” in a reciprocal relationship that calls them to care for and protect that land that nurtures them. This reciprocal relationship is also grounded in the sacredness of the land as is the site of the dreaming and the resting place of ancestor spirits, thus must be treated with respect and not exploited. As furthered in the stimulus “Cultivate our land”, Indigenous people strive to coexist with land, only sourcing what is necessary while acknowledging the limits of ‘country’. By providing Indigenous people with an avenue to interpret their totemic responsibilities and kinship ties through the framework of respect for ‘country’, the land serves as a fundamental element of Aboriginal life. Study of Islam [Term 2] Study Notes Characteristic Notes Muhammed as a role model Worshipping Allah - Although adherents can interpret the Quran’s teachings of worship through the 5 pillars of faith, many turn to the Prophet Muhammad as a model of how to live out their submission to Allah in daily life. The Prophet Muhammed set an example in dictating how the Pillars of Faith should be enacted in daily life as the format of Salat, Ramadan and Hajj are all mirrored in the way the Prophet Muhammed performed these rituals in the Quran. - As a person devoted to prayer and spiritual growth, Muhammad encourages adherents to dedicate themselves to ritualistic observances such as prayer to form a connecting line with Allah and nurture spiritual mindfulness. Importance of Social Justice - The Prophet Muhammad established principles grounded in revelations from the Quran in order to create order in social life. For instance, the Prophet emphasises the brotherhood of all Muslims, consequently encouraging adherents to engage in issues of social justice through charity. The prophet encouraged adherents to treat people with respect regardless of race, religion, faith or tribe. Principle beliefs of Islam Explain,Effect,Quote 1. T awhid:The belief in the existence and unity of Godis a defining doctrine of Islam that declares absolute monotheism. The unity and oneness of God as creator and sustainer of the universe informs a Muslim’s understanding of the purpose of creation, human existence, angels, revelations, prophets and the 5 pillars of Islam.The Tawhid influences a Muslim’s daily lifeas they live to worship Allah and submit to his will, subsequently allowing them to adopt certain values, practices and attitudes that are compatible with Allah’s teachings.“He is God, theone and only; God, the Eternal, Absolute” (Qur’an 112:1-4), “There is no deity but Allah; He is one; He has no pattern” (Prophet Muhammad/Sunnah). 2. Angels:Muslims believe that the operation and maintenanceof the universe are controlled by God through Angels. Angels are a form of spiritual being who was created by God to perform various duties.This belief reminds adherents of thepresence of unseen forces and the divine order underlying the world. The belief in angels guides Muslims to be conscious of their actions, recognizing that their deeds are being witnessed by celestial beings. It encourages them to strive for righteousness and avoid wrongdoing.“... the angels glorify and praise theirlord…” (Qur’an 42:5). 3. B ooks of Allah:Muslims are called to believe in revelations sent by God to all people throughout that are meant to reveal the nature of God via faith and reason. Yet, it is acknowledged that these books were subject to modification through translation. The belief in the divine scriptures guides Muslim adherents to study, understand, and implement the teachings contained within them. The Qur'an serves as a source of guidance, addressing various aspects of life and offering principles for ethical behaviour, justice, and social harmony."We have without doubt,sent down the Qur’an, and We will assuredly guard it." (Qur’an, 15:9). 4. Rusul:Muslims believe in multiple Prophets of God,some of which predate Muhammad. Rusul is defined as the belief in a Prophet/messenger of God with law received/given by God to be translated to the world.Rusul guides adherents inmatters of morality, ethics, and spiritual development, serving as a compass for righteous conduct and personal growth.“Allahchooses for himself, whoever he pleases…” (Sura 42). 5. Akhira:The belief in resurrection for an afterlife/everlastinglife after death in God’s Kingdom. This salvation is received out of the grace of God and sees the judgement of adherents based on faith and good deeds.This belief instils a senseof responsibility and mindfulness in adherents, guiding them to lead righteous lives and adhere to ethical standards and emphasizes the concept of accountability and the ultimate justice of Allah.“They believe … the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and hasten to good deeds. And those are among the righteous.” (3:114 -115) 6. Predestination/divine decree:The belief that God,through his infinite knowledge, knows in detail all beings and events together with their states and attributes, all the powers and abilities they possess and the times and places they all enter into existence. Everything both good and bad occurs by the will of Allah.This belief guides Muslims to accept and submit to the will of Allah, even in times of hardship and adversity. It fosters contentment and resilience, encouraging adherents to make the best of their circumstances while seeking solace and guidance in their faith. “God has created you and what you do.” (Qur’an 37:96) acred Texts and Writings of S Islam ur’an - Untainted, the truest Q source of revelation adith - More practical and H applicable version of Qur’anic teachings The Qur’an as a: ource of Revelation→ As well as being defined bythe physical S revelation from the Angel Gabriel in 610, the Qur’an has universal application and serves as an answer to the problems of the Prophet’s context that translate into contemporary contexts. The Qur’an answers questions about the meaning of human life, the mystery of creation and the nuances of Muslim history. These answers serve as guiding frameworks applicable to any context and invoke Allah to guide them to the straight path, which is true religion. ynamic and evolving text→ During the reign of the3rd Caliph, the D Qur’an was given its standard form which has remained unchanged to this day. Yet, it is still adapting to the world’s evolving context through Muslim adherents and how they interpret the teachings and principles confined within the authoritative text. emonstration of diversity and unity→ The Qur’anunderpins the D diversity and unity of Islam as it is a common source of spirituality for the diverse community of Muslims across the globe. The Qur’an is a fundamental element of worship practices that serve as a unifying force and the principle of unity of the human family is a vital Qur’anic principle. The Hadith: adith is a series of sacred books in which the sunnah (actions and H sayings of Muhammad) have been recorded and serves as a more detailed source of divine revelation. It explains and interprets the teachings of the Qur’an to form Islamic law. he Hadith are among the sources through which adherents come to T understand the practice of Muhammad and his Muslim community by addressing ambiguities. Core ethical teachings of Islam S hariah Law→ Ethical teachings of Islam serve asa source of guidance, ensuring the well-being of Muslim communities and adherents. It encompasses submission to the will of Allah, demonstrated through the Tawhid. Tawhid→ The unity and oneness of Allah (belief inmonotheism) Taqwa→ Becoming God-conscience. Adherents striveto make all actions/decisions based on the needs of Allah. Nafs→ Qualities that hinder one's ability to be God-conscienceand prevent you from submitting to Allah’s will (arrogance, anger) Greater Jihad→ Inner/personal struggle one goes throughin resisting the Nafs. Human life is a gift from Allah, therefore Lived expression hahada (Declaration of Faith)→ It is a simple declaration:“There is S no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.” By reciting the Shahada, Muslims enter the gold of Islam and affirm their belief in the oneness of God and the Prophet Muhammad. It is a witness to the absolute monotheism of Islam and is a means of worship that is completed throughout the day numerous times. “God bears witness that there is no other God besides Him, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge.” (Qur’an 3:18). alat (Ritual prayer)→ Muslims are required to performfive daily S prayers at specific times throughout the day that involve physical movements, recitation of verses in Arabic and supplication. It serves as a means of direct communication with Allah, promoting spiritual connection, humility, community and discipline in the life of a Muslim. “Woe to those who pray, but are mindful of their prayer, or who pray only to be seen by people.” (Qur’an 107:4-6), “Offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times.” (Hadith) akat (Obligatory charity)→ Refers to the requirementof almsgiving Z in which there is a mandatory donation of portions of one’s wealth to those in need. The amount expected is generally 2.5% of a person’s income. It is considered a form of purification of one’s wealth to promote social solidarity and alleviate poverty. Zakat provides Muslims today with eaning and purpose by giving them opportunities to act on social m justice issues while forging a sense of collective identity and upholding the Prophet’s teachings. “And establish prayer and give zakat…” (Qur’an 2:110). awm (Fasting during Ramadan)→ Observed during Ramadan, S Sawm dictates that Muslims must abstain from food, drink, sexual activity and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. Sawm promotes self-discipline in overcoming degrees of selfishness, greed and laziness as there is a heavy spiritual element to fasting to foster reflection. “Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn pity and righteousness.” (Qur’an 2:183). ajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)→ The pilgrimage to Meccais a H requirement at least once in a lifetime for adherents who are physically capable. It is made up of a series of rituals that follow the life of Muhammad, who also completed the Hajj in the 7th century. The pilgrimage serves as a symbol of unity, equality, and devotion to Allah, and it commemorates the experiences of Prophet Abraham and his family. “Hajj shall be observed in specific months. Whoever sets out to observe Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct and arguments. Whatever god you do, God is fully aware thereof.” (Qur’an 2:197) Feedback from previous responses Feedback from the task - Use the wording of the question - Make sure you know your content: - Address the stimulus in the introduction express your knowledge of your content - Use scripture to support claims (at least - DO NOT WAFFLE → Use substantial 3) evidence grounded in content - Unpack stimulus throughout response Paragraphs (5 Markers): How does _____ shape the lives of adherents? rincipal Belief (Tawhid) P → The principal belief of Tawhid shapes the lives of adherents in their understanding of enduring questions of purpose, creation, existence and nature of the divine through a declaration of absolute monotheism. The Tawhid is an article of faith that encompasses the Muslim belief in the oneness and unity of Allah as the single supreme ruler of the universe. As the defining doctrine of Islam, the Tawhid is the most essential article of faith as it establishes the relationship between Allah and adherents, shaping their worldview by answering mysteries of life and dictating moral conduct. This belief is encapsulated in the Quranic quote “He is God, the one and only” (Quran 112:1-4), which demonstrates the common belief in Allah’s absolute sovereignty that instils adherents with a united obligation to submit to his will. An understanding of the nature of God answers the adherent’s question of creation and purpose, shaping their conduct as they strive to express their submission to his will in their daily lives, seeking out his teachings and denouncing polytheism and false idol worship. Furthermore, Tawhid informs the pillar of faith salat, which calls adherents to tailor their conduct to expressing their faith daily, as Allah is the sole object of worship in all forms of Islamic prayer. The core belief of the Tawhid permeates all aspects of Muslim life, informing an adherent's understanding of how to live in accordance with Allah’s will and answering enduring questions of purpose and creation to dictate an adherent's worldview. thical teachings (Shariah Law) E → Shariah Law serves as a source of guidance, shaping how adherents live by dictating the best ways to practically apply the core beliefs revealed in the Quran and Hadith. As a legal system derived from Islam’s sacred scriptures, the Quran and the Hadith, Shariah Law explains how practising Muslims can best lead their daily lives in accordance with Allah’s divine will and encompasses the ethical teachings translated from Allah by the prophet Muhammed and continually interpreted by Muslim theologians to be adapted to contemporary contexts. As dictated in the quote “We have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way” (Quran 5:48), Shariah law is a clear pathway devised under the decree of God which provides adherents with ethical standards to live by, shaping religious practices and counselling morality in the lives of adherents worldwide. Shariah law regulates an adherent's daily conduct in their relationship with God, others and their own conscience, serving as a source of continuity since the death of the Prophet Muhammed and the end of direct communication of the divine will. Shariah law is the guiding framework that allows adherents to navigate daily life in accordance with the will of Allah, adopting values, practices and ideas compatible with his teachings. ived Expression (Sawm) L → Sawm shapes the lives of adherents by prescribing voluntary fasting that promotes self-discipline and humility in the name of submission to Allah. Sawm describes the fasting observed in the month of Ramadan which dictates that Muslims abstain from food, drink and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. Sawn is observed as a demonstration of obedience to and worship of Allah, invoking a personal sacrifice to grow in closeness to Allah and overcome degrees of selfishness, greed and laziness through reflection. This is evident in the Quranic quote, “Fasting is prescribed to you… that you may learn piety and righteousness” (Quran 2:183), which encapsulates the intention behind fasting in its ability to promote spiritual growth and unify communities. An example of this lived expression is the Lakemba night markets, which is a demonstration of the breaking of this day-long fast that includes food and a nightly prayer for the Muslim community. This event is evidence of the unity found in Sawm and the continued spiritual awareness even after fasting has ceased. Sawn shapes the lives of adherents by enforcing abstinence from physical needs to promote self reflection, spiritual growth and devotion to Allah. Study of Christianity [Term 3] Essay Structure → mbed sacred text throughout → “as revealed through sacred text…” E “as derived from sacred text…” “as seen in the Bible…” Introduction Principal Beliefs Ethics ived L expression Conclusion ddress A stimulus, Outline each characteristic briefly and their effect, Synthesise umanity and H Agape divinity of Jesus orks of W Charity - Salvation army 0> words - 5 summarising main arguments and link back to question Question: Christianity (20 marks) ‘Religion can be explained as a set of beliefs, groundedin sacred text, which attempt to explain the cause, nature and purpose of the universe, involve devotional and ritual observances and often contain a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.’ Adapted from BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions ith reference to the given stimulus, explain how the characteristics of Christianity W combine to influence human behaviour and make an impact on individuals. he characteristics of Christianity combine to influence human behavior and make an T impact on individuals by developing a set of guiding moral and ethical frameworks for daily conduct grounded in “a set of beliefs” revealed “in sacred text” and expressed through “devotional and ritual observances”. Christianity’s characteristics of core beliefs, ethical teachings, sacred text and lived expressions are interconnected, as the elements contribute to each to foster a holistic approach to Christian life mirrored in the image of Jesus. The ethical teachings of Christianity are informed by the principal beliefs revealed in the Bible as interpreted by theologians to allow them to stay meaningful and make an impact on adherents. These ethical teachings in turn influence the lived expressions of adherents in the form of “devotional or ritual observances” which serve as fundamental aspects of Christian life. Ethical teachings such as Agape are founded in principle beliefs revealed in sacred texts that mirror the teachings of Jesus and foster the demonstrations of faith observed by adherents in their daily behaviour. The characteristics of Christianity inform each other to shape human conduct through guidance and devotion and create “purpose” for adherents. he belief in the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ as communicated through his T death and resurrection is significant to Christians today as it informs the standard for daily life. This belief describes Jesus’s death at the hands of Roman authorities in order to atone for the sins of humanity as evidence of his humanity and Jesus’s resurrection and ascension as evidence of his divinity. Jesus’s resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian theology as in its absence his teachings wouldn’t have received divine interpretation and endorsement. Jesus’s divinity offers an insight into the nature of God, with Jesus’s teachings, actions and conduct serving as a tangible demonstration of God’s will. This is affirmed in the quote “...Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him" (Romans 8:34), which describes Jesus’s resurrection and his immunity from death, consequently highlighting his divinity. Through his humanity, Jesus is made a model for holiness that is achievable for Christians as he experiences human struggles and discomforts, which make his actions more applicable in daily life. His humanity and divinity are demonstrations of the importance of humility, compassion, selflessness, and obedience to God through an empathetic and authoritative lens as Christians strive to emulate these virtues in their own “daily lives”. he ethical teaching of Agape is informed by the principal belief in the humanity and T divinity of Jesus revealed in the New Testament to contribute to a “moral code governing the conduct of human affairs”. In Christianity, Agape describes the highest form of love that is distinguishable from philia as a form of universal, unconditional love for humanity as mirrored by God through Jesus’s ministry. Jesus embodies agape throughout the New Testament in his teachings of love as a fundamental virtue at the basis for any relationship with God and others. This teaching is encapsulated in the greatest commandment of “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31), which pushes adherents to strive to adopt this way of conduct by their belief in the humanity and divinity of Jesus which establishes him as the ultimate role model for Christian life. This value on Agape is lived out by adherents through engagement with social justice organisations such as the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is an international Christian movement that serves as a united front tackling issues of injustice in a multitude of areas. Their commitment to inclusion ensures that their support services extend to all humans regardless of race, identity and gender, for instance, the Crisis Partners which encompasses monthly donations that allow for resource allocations to impoverished and underprivileged individuals around Australia. The ethical teaching of Agape is a reflection of the humanity and divinity of Jesus which is revealed in the New Testament to foster Christian engagement with social justice issues and adopt a philosophy of unconditional love in their lives. he “devotional…observance” of prayer is a lived expression of Christianity which is a T practical application of the core beliefs revealed in the New Testament and informs communal acts of worship. Prayer is a fundamental aspect of Christian life that is common to all denominations yet varies in nature. It is a daily demonstration of faith that nurtures spiritual growth, strengthens’s individual’s relationship with God and encourages adherents to explore ways to accept enduring questions of “cause, nature a nd purpose of the universe”. This act of personal devotion encompasses seeking guidance and wisdom from God, subsequently fostering a dependence on God and self-reflection as they turn to him in times of adversity. The action of praying is modelled by Jesus throughout the New Testament, including in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he is suffering in prayer before his arrest and resurrection as expressed in “Sit here while I go over there and pray… he began to be sorrowful and troubled” (Matthew 26:36-44). This seeking of guidance in times of suffering modelled by Jesus is encouraged for Christians in daily life as they engage in hymns, communal worship and individual prayer to connect with God to seek guidance, growth and reflection. The devotional ritual of prayer informs the adherent’s understanding of the core belief of salvation and is a reflection of prayer modelled by Jesus in the New Testament that guides them in their daily conduct. hus, the characteristics of Christianity overlap, informing each other to form the T foundations of the religion as ethical teachings informed by beliefs in sacred texts shape the conduct of Christians through their lived expressions. These characteristics at the core of the religious tradition permeate all aspects of Christian life to generate purpose and meaning in faith.
