1. Characteristics of Religion If Religion is a human response to the sense that there is something beyond the ordinary and that this sense gives meaning and purpose to life, it follows that we have to have some organised way of responding to and explaining the sense of mystery, the holy, the sacred, the transcendent or the ultimate reality. If Religion is a human response to the sense that there is something beyond the ordinary and that this sense gives meaning and purpose to life, it follows that we have to have some organised way of responding to and explaining the sense of mystery, the holy, the sacred, the transcendent or the ultimate reality.

2. Beliefs and Believers Ideas that are considered true and express the self-understanding of the tradition. Ideas that are considered true and express the self-understanding of the tradition. Sacred stories and myths convey deep insights. Putting beliefs into words. Sacred stories and myths convey deep insights. Putting beliefs into words. Doctrines and creeds express belief clearly. Doctrines and creeds express belief clearly. Sophisticated traditions offer study of theology Sophisticated traditions offer study of theology All organised religions offer a comprehensive picture of reality. How ‘best’ to live. All organised religions offer a comprehensive picture of reality. How ‘best’ to live. In accepting a particular religious worldview, one makes sense of life through the ideas and values of that religion. In accepting a particular religious worldview, one makes sense of life through the ideas and values of that religion.

3. Sacred Texts and Writings All religions have oral or written sacred texts, writings or stories at their centre. All religions have oral or written sacred texts, writings or stories at their centre. Buddhism: Tripitaka or Pali Canon Buddhism: Tripitaka or Pali Canon Islam: Quran, the central sacred text Islam: Quran, the central sacred text Hadith, life of the Prophet Hadith, life of the Prophet Sunna, reference for Islamic belief Sunna, reference for Islamic belief Aust Aboriginals: Traditional stories, paintings and ground sculptures. Aust Aboriginals: Traditional stories, paintings and ground sculptures. Not all religious texts are considered ‘sacred’, ie not containing revelation, or having direct relation to the transcendent. Not all religious texts are considered ‘sacred’, ie not containing revelation, or having direct relation to the transcendent.

4. Ethics Ideas about worthy human conduct. Ideas about worthy human conduct. Clarifying what is right and wrong. Clarifying what is right and wrong. Many Religions set codes of standards and give direction for behaviour. Many Religions set codes of standards and give direction for behaviour. Judaism – The Torah (or Law) Judaism – The Torah (or Law) Aboriginal Spirituality – Dreaming Aboriginal Spirituality – Dreaming Hinduism - Dharma and Moksha Hinduism - Dharma and Moksha

5. Rituals and Ceremonies Enactments or actions that involve deliberate and repeatable patterns of behaviour. Enactments or actions that involve deliberate and repeatable patterns of behaviour. Enact beliefs and commemorate important past events. Enact beliefs and commemorate important past events. Includes worship, meditations, pilgrimage, sacrifice, sacramental and healing rites. Includes worship, meditations, pilgrimage, sacrifice, sacramental and healing rites. Through repetitive formality of rituals, practitioners are able to feel the spiritual presence within the ordinary world. Through repetitive formality of rituals, practitioners are able to feel the spiritual presence within the ordinary world.

6. Other Characteristics Myths and Stories: historical narratives and instructive or symbolic myths. Myths and Stories: historical narratives and instructive or symbolic myths. Symbols: Represent realities beyond themselves, enliven faith experience. Symbols: Represent realities beyond themselves, enliven faith experience. Religious Experience: of some greater power or transcendent spiritual reality. Religious Experience: of some greater power or transcendent spiritual reality. Social Structures: The way the society is organised. eg Institutions, castes, leadership groups. Social Structures: The way the society is organised. eg Institutions, castes, leadership groups.