Nature of Religious Beliefs Preliminary 2 Unit 2007

Nature of Religion Fundamental Life Questions What are they? What are some of the issues associated with ‘Life Questions?’

Atheist – no belief Theist – belief in a God Agnostic – needs proof Nature of Religion Atheist – no belief Theist – belief in a God Agnostic – needs proof

Nature of Religion Belief in many gods is……….. Polytheism Eg; Roman, Greek, Egyptian Sometimes we see Hinduism as ‘poly theistic’

Nature of Religion Belief in one god is……….. Monotheism Eg; Christianity, Judaism, Islam These are known as Semitic (Western) Religious Tradition

Nature of Religion Belief that God is everything and everything is God……….. Panthesism Eg; Cosmic religions of the past believed that something beyond our control was responsible for creation. Babylonians worshipped Shamash, Greeks Apollo, Indians the sun

Nature of Religion The assignment of a plant, animal object to link the believer to a spiritual force……….. Totemism Eg; Aboriginal people, it is a social phenomenon BUT has religious over tones – Totem merges with the sacred reality

Nature of Religion The belief that all natural objects have a spirit or soul independent of their physical being………… Animism Eg; Primitive religions where the spirit exists alongside the bodies of human & animals. After DEATH the spirit still lives on. Their world is full or fear and fascination

Characteristics of Religion Nature of Religion Characteristics of Religion Sacred Sites Sacred stories and writings Sacred Symbols Ethics Rituals Sacred Times

Comparative Religions Nature of Religion Comparative Religions Judaism Christianity Islam

Comparative Religions What is similar in the 3 Semitic Religions? Nature of Religion Comparative Religions What is similar in the 3 Semitic Religions?

Nature of Religion Comparative Religions Creation Story Prophets – Abraham, David, Moses, Noah

Nature of Religion Comparative Religions Monotheistic Western Religion Understanding of Heaven

Nature of Religion Comparative Religions Angels Middle East – foundations Sacred Text

Nature of Religion Science & Religion How does science explain the beginning of life? How does science explain death? To the scientist death is………

Nature of Religion Science & Religion How does religion explain the beginning of life? How does religion explain death? To the believer death is………

Nature of Religion Reference Material The Search for Meaning Responses to the Super-natural Science & Religion

Nature of Religion Reference Material Essential Elements of Religion Religious Responses to Fundamental Life Questions