Year 11 SOR Sem 1 Ultimate Questions

Religion 5 W’s and 1 H: How Did the Concept of Religion Begin –When –What –Who –Where –Why –How Sheet

What do we mean by Culture In groups decide on the following 1.What is Culture? 2.What things make up a Culture? 3.Does religion play any role in culture Justify your reasons (detail these)? 4.Do they change or evolve? If so how and is this important/necessary? Does this create tensions explore this concept. 5.Brainstorm if / how you think culture contributed to the development of religion in the beginning Religion Definition from Web Analysis of Article.doc re.html

Reading 1: Ultimate Universe - Bede Griffiths 1.On the map of the world place the religions mentioned in the text and map there spread. (use a key and maps provided) 2.Compile a list of unfamiliar terms 3.Complete from the introduction the RAPS exercise 4.What else do I need to research /find out about to make this article more meaningful. Maps of the bible.ppt Map of world.doc Class Activities Introduction Universal Wisdom B Griffiths.doc

What is Religion Read the sheet definitions of religion and complete the work sheet. Compare your definition to number 12 what are the similarities and differences Why do you think there are so many opinions on the definition of religion?

All definitions have the following in common. Religion has a transcendent dimension a belief in a divine being or powers whose existence goes beyond human limitations. Religion helps in some way to map a course through life's obstacles and limitations of human existence. Further reading see: Morrisey.J, Mudge.P, Taylor. A, Bailey.G, Rule. P (2007). Living Religion, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Sydney.

2 types of Religious World Views It is possible to distinguish 2 types of religious world views: 1.Believe in a divine power and /or powers beyond human dimension e.g. Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Followers believe in the One God who exists beyond the human and yet guides humanity through everyday existence. 2.Believe in a divine being or powers dwelling in the individual e.g. Buddhism and Hinduism (grasped by an ultimate concern). Read chapters 1 and 2 of text

Questions Religion Attempts to Answer & Why Religion attempts to answer the following questions for their believers: 1.Is there a supreme being? 2.Who am I? 3.Why is there evil pain and suffering? 4.Is there life after death? Morrisey.J, Mudge.P, Taylor. A, Bailey.G, Rule. P (2007). Living Religion, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Sydney.

1.Is there a supreme being? –God or deity is the name given to a god/goddess depending on the religion being studied –In Christianity, Jewish and Islamic traditions the “Deity” refers to the monotheistic God (one god alone see further readings). –It is the understood source and creator of the universe, the source of all that exists, the ultimate ruler of all time and space. Morrisey.J, Mudge.P, Taylor. A, Bailey.G, Rule. P (2007). Living Religion, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Sydney.

2.Who am I? –Takes the individual to the heart of human existence –For Christianity it is understood in relation to what is human nature and what is the ultimate purpose –For other religions the human person gains their identity by relating to their God/s guided by their beliefs and the practices of their faith Morrisey.J, Mudge.P, Taylor. A, Bailey.G, Rule. P (2007). Living Religion, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Sydney.

3.Why is there evil pain and suffering? –This question challenges believers of all faiths. –Evil is the opposite of good and the beneficial. –It can be understood as a cosmic power or a human way of behaving or deciding. –Evil, pain and suffering are interrelated. –Suffering can be understood as the experience of pain that could be caused by evil, ignorance or neglect. –Therefore this 3 part issue raises crucial questions for religion about the nature of God, of the universe and of human existence itself. Morrisey.J, Mudge.P, Taylor. A, Bailey.G, Rule. P (2007). Living Religion, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Sydney.

4.Is there life after death? –Death normally means the ending of the ordinary human existence. –Issues and questions about origin of death, the destiny of the dead, and rituals for the dead are part of religious traditions. –The attitudes of death of the traditions do not relate to a scientific explanation rather an attempt to make sense of life to understand death as a pattern of life e.g. resurrection, reincarnation. Morrisey.J, Mudge.P, Taylor. A, Bailey.G, Rule. P (2007). Living Religion, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Sydney.

Reflection Why are these questions important to humans Why & How have they continued over time Are these questions being challenged today. Why, how, what are the traditions response – explain your thoughts

Characteristics of Religion If religion is the human response to the sense that there is something beyond the ordinary and gives a meaning and also a purpose to life; therefore we have some organised way of responding to or explaining the sense of mystery/sacred/ the transcendent /ultimate reality. These Responses are called characteristics: 1.Beliefs and believers 2.Sacred texts and writings 3.Ethics 4.Rituals and ceremonies 5.Others may also include structures and institutions, sacred sites and times, sacred symbols and others Complete activities through out chapter 1 and 2 of text.

1.Beliefs and Believers –All religions are sustained by these e.g. Christianity's beliefs include Jesus was the Son of God, resurrection, forgiveness of sins and the divine inspiration from the bible. –Notion of believers differ from religion to religion includes the living adherents of each tradition but may also include saints, holy people, gurus, mystics and inspirational figures living and dead. Morrisey.J, Mudge.P, Taylor. A, Bailey.G, Rule. P (2007). Living Religion, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Sydney

2.Sacred Texts and Writings –All religions have at their centre oral and/or written sacred texts, writings or stories. 3.Ethics –Is understood as the explicit, philosophical and/or religious reflection on moral beliefs within a tradition. –Purpose to clarify what is right and wrong, what followers can freely do and what they should refrain from. Morrisey.J, Mudge.P, Taylor. A, Bailey.G, Rule. P (2007). Living Religion, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Sydney

4.Rituals and Ceremonies –Are enactments or are systems of actions and beliefs that each have a beginning a middle and an end. –Directly linked to superhuman beings or forces What Rituals or Ceremonies exist in your faith tradition? How do these meet this definition? Morrisey.J, Mudge.P, Taylor. A, Bailey.G, Rule. P (2007). Living Religion, 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Sydney

Models that help us to analyse religions Ninian Smart Aspects of Religious Traditions

The Religions Evaluate how and if each religion meets an analysis model? How do they address the 4 characteristics? How do they answer “the” questions? What were their origins / how did they develop Task: In allocated groups research one world religion and post your findings on the wiki space for all to see. Religions- Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism.

The Catholic Church and World Religions Read the article provided and answer the question provided