1. EXPRESSING MEANING CHRISTINE VALLADARES RASNET CONFERENCE 2017
OUTCOME 3.2
EXPRESSING MEANING
CHRISTINE VALLADARES
RASNET CONFERENCE 2017

2. Therefore there is a greater emphasis on the aspects.
Examine how beliefs and their expression in other aspects of religion is intended to respond to the search for meaning - the Big Questions that come from the categories.
Therefore there is a greater emphasis on the aspects.

3. WHAT’S NEW Beliefs Sacred stories Spaces, places, times and artefacts
there are now nine aspects:
Beliefs
Sacred stories
Spaces, places, times and artefacts
Texts
Rituals
Symbols
Social Structures
Ethics
Spiritual experiences

4. Connections between beliefs emphasised
Religious beliefs related to the meaning of suffering are now studied
Connections between beliefs emphasised
At least two specific beliefs must be examined through ALL of the aspects.
How the aspects engender and nurture meaning
Overall an expectation of a deeper discussion of the expression of beliefs and their role in the search for meaning than in the past

5. An approach for Outcome 3.2
Produce a booklet on two categories / or on each category / with at least one significant belief that is fundamental to the tradition, covered in each.

6. An approach for the Roman Catholic Tradition
Category: The relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world
Belief: The belief in a Creator God
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
Nicene Creed

7. Watch a documentary to provide background information for students who have not studied any environmental science.(Perhaps Before the Flood)
This will allow discussion of the shift in the theology of Creator God over time, examining the early Church, the Medieval period, the Enlightenment and post Vatican II

8. The expression of the belief in a Creator God in Sacred Stories
In this section explore Genesis 1 and 2
Use biblical scholars and a range of exegetical studies on this section of the Bible.
Key Questions:
* What does this expression of the belief say about the relationship between humankind and the rest of creation?
How is this belief expressed through the sacred stories?
How does this expression of the belief in a Creator God engender and nurture meaning?

9. The expression of the belief in a Creator God in texts
In this section analyse Pope John Paul II World Peace Day address 1990 and Laudato Si
Key Questions:
* What does this expression of the belief say about the relationship between humankind and the rest of creation?
How is this belief expressed through these texts?
How does this expression of the belief in a Creator God engender and nurture meaning?

10. The expression of the belief in a Creator God in ethics
In this section provide a background on ethics using chapters 4, 5 and sections of 6 of the textbook, material on Catholic Social Teaching ( Caritas website) and then analyse Laudato Si and its links to the ethic of life.
Key Questions:
* What does this expression of the belief say about the relationship between humankind and the rest of creation?
How is this belief expressed ethically?
How does this expression of the belief in a Creator God engender and nurture meaning?

11. The expression of the belief in a Creator God in symbols
In this section look at shifts in church architecture that reflect the shift to ecotheology:
- The Las Piñas Nature Church, also known as the Mary Immaculate Parish Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Moonwalk Village, Talon V in Las Piñas, Metro Manila, Philippines,
- Sagrada Familia Barcelona
- Cathedral of Christ the Light (Oakland,California)
Key Questions

12. The expression of the belief in a Creator God in spaces, places, times and artifacts
Spaces: forecourt of St Patrick’s Cathedral
Places: Assisi …. St Francis
Times: Feast of St Francis, the blessing of the animals
Artefacts: Giotto’s painting, Legend of St Francis, Sermon to the Birds
Key Questions

13. The expression of the belief in a Creator God in
rituals
Eucharist as the ritual based in ecotheology -
fruit of the earth and work of human hands.
Sean Mc Donagh
Key Questions

14. The expression of the belief in a Creator God in social structure
*Australian Catholic Bishops and the Environment
A New Earth - The Environmental Challenge
The Social Justice Sunday Statement for 2002 was prepared by the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC), the national social justice and human rights agency of the Catholic Church in Australia Catholic
Earthcare
catholicearthcare.org.au
Key Questions

15. The expression of the belief in a Creator God in spiritual experience
Hildegard of Bingen: Veriditas
Key questions

16. Finally, after considering these expressions
students should be able to analyse:
the role of each of the aspects in responding to the search for meaning
the connection between these expressions
of the belief in a Creator God
the relationship between the aspects generally
how the belief and its expression are intended to engender and nurture meaning
(Chapters 7 & 8 of the textbook may be of use.)