Religion Assignment
1) Atheism is the lack of belief in a God. Originating from the Greek language,
‘atheos’ meaning no God. It is also defined more broadly as an absence of belief
in deities1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism). Atheists deny that there is a
world beyond the tangible Atheists often see that religion prevents interaction, the
existence of God restricts human problem solving, it promotes unnecessary guilt
and there is belief that is promotes constant fear of eternal damnation2 (Power
Point presentation, New Religious World Views). Although Atheists do not
necessarily ‘believe’ arguing that religion is a dangerous force they enable
themselves to stay very ‘religious’ to atheism.
2) Agnosticism Originating from ‘Gnosis’ meaning to know; Agnostics are against
the knowing if there is a God, there is an element of lack of being sure in the
existence of God. Whilst Agnostics are open to belief, they await evidence3
(http;//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism). It is a philosophical view that the
truth-value of certain claims concerning theology, afterlife, the existence of
deities, ghosts and even ultimate reality. Agnosticism is often regarded as a mid
ground between theism and atheism4 (Cambridge Studies of Religion Stage 6
Text Book, page 343).
2) Rational Humanism is a term, which is often identified with secular humanism
refers to those who emphasise human reason in providing answers to the questions of
life, it emphasises the importance of rational human though and reasoning throughout
all aspects of life, i.e. belief and behaviour5 (Cambridge Studies of Religion Stage 6
Text Book, page 338). Although rational humanists are not necessarily non-religious
and therefore do not rule out the existence of God, religion is only acceptable if it has
rational human reasoning. Rational Humanism holds a positive position in society due
to the fact that the philosophy of rational humanism is solely concerned with valuing
human life through the betterment of humanity through rational thought. Rational
humanists have the ideology that they can solve the world’s problems whilst having a
positive influence on humanity6 (Classroom Notes, New Religious World Views).
Scientific Humanism is the emphasis that reality can be discovered through
scientific research and experimentation. It is the belief that reality is what can be
touched, measured or numbered and whatever cannot be seen such as emotion, beauty
and though should be rejected, although there may be difficulties with this rejection
of anything that is experimental7 (Cambridge Studies of Religion Stage 6 Text Book,
page 338). Like Rational humanism, scientific humanism has a positive influence on
society due to the fact that whilst the philosophy does not rule out the existence of
1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism
Power Point presentation (New Religious World Views)
3
http;//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism
4
Cambridge Studies of Religion Stage 6 Text Book
5
Cambridge Studies of Religion Stage 6 Text Book
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Classroom Notes, New Religious World Views
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Cambridge Studies of Religion Stage 6 Text Book
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God what can be proven is seen to be real thus there would be no science without
religion and there would be no religion without science8 (Classroom Notes, New
Religious World Views).
3)
8
Name
Characteristics
Agnosticism
Atheism
Humanism
- Believe it is
impossible to know
weather God exists or
not
- Generally open to
belief although they
await evidence
- Lack of belief in God and
deities
- They deny a world beyond the
tangible
- Reject traditional religion and
its purpose
- No religious text (no story)
- Value human life
- No belief in God
- Betterment of
humanity through
rational thought
- Believe they can
solve the worlds
problems
- It is a philosophy
Aspirations (what
are there
aspirations)
Agnostics aspire to
generally be open
minded thus if the
existence of God could
be proven through
research, fact and
significant evidence
there views will
change.
Atheists aspire to reject
traditional religion and its values
as well as the belief in God.
Atheists do however strive to
fulfil human aspirations due to
the fact the lack of belief in God
does not hold any restrictions.
Impact or influence
on behaviour.
In the Cambridge
Studies of Religion
Stage 6 Text Book
suggests that agnostics
behave in accordance
with their personal
goals and morals due
to the fact that they
don’t conduct them
selves in a manner
relevant to the belief in
religion. I.e. TH
Huxley believed that
his knowledge and
behaviour was in
accordance to scientific
progress of his time,
thus he became
Agnostic stating that
being unsure of the
existence of God
doesn’t influence
moral behaviour.
In the YouTube clip
(http://technorati.com/videos/
youtube.com
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suggest that Atheism’s impact on
behaviour is nor negative or
positive due to the fact that they
are not restricted to conduct
themselves in a different way
because of their lack of belief in
God, and therefore carry out a
normal human life in which they
fulfil their aspirations.
Humanism is a
philosophy that affirms
the dignity and worth
of all people based on
the ability to determine
right and wrong, in
saying this Humanists
aspire to focus on
people thus supporting
the human race whilst
trying to solve the
world’s problems.
In the readings from
CD Rom text suggest
that Humanists have a
positive influence on
behaviour due to the
fact that they believe
they can solve the
world’s problems
whilst maintaining the
betterment of society.
Eg, Fred Hollows who
was a famous Humanist
assisted in this
philosophy by helping
blind Aboriginal
Children
Classroom Notes, New Religious World Views
4) The place of the religious dimension in history provides three key elements in
which an individual may adhere to these are, meaning and purpose, social cohesion
and social transformation. Meaning and purpose constitutes philosophical questions
concerning the purpose and significance of human existence, it is more broadly
characterised by the key religious questions, the most significant of these questions
relate to the origin (where did we come from?), purpose (why are we here?) and
destiny (what happens to us when we die?). In relation to the three key questions the
answers to them are provided through religion and due to the fact that understanding
gives meaning as well as coherence to aspects of life. Religion has various roles in
which it has to fulfil, the most significant of these roles however is to provide life
with meaning as well as a sense of overall consistency and direction in a world which
is always changing. In times of need religion often enables individuals to be uplifted
as it provides life itself with a purpose and framework. Religion can also reinforce the
cultural identity of a group, which is essential especially when a group consists of
small ethic minorities, or individuals who have been socially separated by mainstream
society9 (Religion and Non-Religion Summary Notes 2 Unit). Social cohesion is a
term used in social policy to describe the bonds within a society which brings people
together especially in the context of cultural diversity. Social Cohesion is an
important factor due to the fact that it has a very conservative influence on society 10
(Cambridge Studies of Religion Stage 6 Text Book, Page 325). Religion also has an
important role in affirming traditional beliefs and practices, it provides communities
with a sense of continuity due to the fact that it intends to maintain order as well as to
link the rapidly changing modern society with a more traditional stable foundation.
Social Cohesion can be demonstrated through community celebrations for eg,
Christian Christmas. Cohesion can often be demonstrated in attempts to use religion
to stop people from breaking away from society, thus the condemnation of new
religious movements. A force of social cohesion is that religion can be manipulated in
a way as to legitimise values and institutions, which may result in being unjust, eg,
slavery. Whilst religion is a force of social cohesion it can also serve as a force of
social transformation. Social transformation is the process whereby an individual
alters the socially described social status, which there parents have established and try
to achieve a status for them. Religion can be utilised as a tool for criticising
structures, customs and beliefs of its own societies, thus religion being the main
conservative system, which upholds traditions. The central message of all major
religious traditions is the importance of working towards a just and peaceful society11
(Religion and Non-Religion Summary Notes 2 Unit).
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Religion and Non-Religion Summary Notes 2 Unit
Cambridge Studies of Religion Stage 6 Text Book
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Religion and Non-Religion Summary Notes 2 Unit
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