Studies of Religion 1 Unit - Prelim notes.

7/21/2019 Studies of Religion 1 Unit - Prelim notes.

1/28

Studies of Religion 1 Unit

Preliminary Notes


2/28

The Nature of Religion

religion as a worldview that:

acknowledges the supernatural dimension

has a belief in a divine being or powers beyond the human and/or dwelling within theindividual

Divine - Pertaining (Relating) to a god, especially the supreme being.

A particular worldview that contriutes to the lives of individuals!

- Religion is a source of meaning that both transcends and contains our life and

our world.

- Religion experiences, images, beliefs, texts, symbols and institutions by which

communities, identify, express and live out most fundamental relationships.

- Religion binds or connects human beings back to what is most central, essential

and meaningful in their relationship which transcends human existence.

- Religion oers believers speci!c beliefs and practices.

- Religion uses sacred texts, ethical systems and rituals to guide believers in

living their lives.

- Religion binds believers to their "od#gods, their beliefs and to their religious

community.

"mmanent dimension #Ultimate $oal% - $ world view that recognises a divinebeing or powers as a constant reality - an active and continuing process

presence among believers and in this world.

%he &mmanent dimension is the emphasis of the presence of "od or gods within

human existence, in the day-to-day, concrete, ordinary concerns of life.

'orresponds to the world view held by induism and uddhism.

"ods, goddesses or divine spirits live within nature and that the universe was

created by these spirits and is maintained by their power.

Transcendent dimension #&ne $od% -%he belief in a divine being or powers

whose existence *goes beyond* human limitations. &t is often opposed to the term

*&mmanent*.

%he transcendent dimension of religion enables humans to surpass the limits of

their creaturely existence and earthly concerns to focus on heavenly or spiritual

concerns.

'orresponds to the world view held by +udaism, 'hristianity and &slam.


3/28

%he followers of these religious traditions believe in the ne "od (onotheism)

who exists beyond the human and yet guides humanity throughout its everyday

existence.

Polytheism and onotheism are the two principal types.

define the supernatural dimension

Supernatural Dimension -

%he dimension implies a foundation on some sort of divine revelation or revealed

faith.

%his revelation exceeds the power and capacity of human nature and any

created natural reality.

%he supernatural dimension of religion cannot be explained according to natural

laws or occurrences.

%his dimension exceeds the ordinary limits of human existence and is sometimes

described as abnormal, even miraculous.

Natural Dimension -

%his dimension is usually contrasted to the supernatural or revealed dimension.

%he natural dimension refers to religious thought and practice that emerges from

unaided human reason.

&t is *natural* in the sense that it makes no reference to divinities or to divine

revelation from a god or gods.

discuss a transcendent religious worldview which has a belief in a divine power and/or powers

beyond the human

'hristianity is a transcendent religious tradition that has a belief in one,

omnipotent "od.

discuss an immanent religious worldview which has a belief in a divine being or powers

dwelling within the individual

uddhism is an example of a religion that inherits the immanent worldview. &t is

important to not look for a uddhist euivalent or *"od* but for an ultimate goal

or principle, such as nirvana or dhamma that gives uddhist lives a sense of

ultimate meaning.

define the characteristics of religion

%he 'haracteristics of Religion is the way an individual has to respond to and

explain the sense of mystery, the holy, the sacred, the transcendent, or theultimate reality.


4/28

characteristics of religion:

beliefs and believers sacred texts and writings ethics rituals and ceremonies

A '"("N$ R)'"$"&N

- /ynamic (0iving, 1nergy, $ctive)

- 2ew &deas - &nterpretation of 3acred 3criptures.

- Practical achievement - 1stablishment of new programs for the poor.

- Powerful force

- Renew itself constantly

- $void ruts (Predictable, 'onservative)

- 4500 4 0&41

Ninian Smart; founder of the 8 Characteristics of Religions.

eliefs, 3acred 3tories, 3acred %exts, Rituals, 3acred 3ymbols, 3ocial 3tructures,

Religious 1thics and 1xperience.

*eliefs + *elievers, $ll religions are sustained by beliefs and believers.

4or example, central beliefs in 'hristianity include that +esus of 2a6areth was the

3on of "od.

%he notion of believers varies from tradition (religion) to tradition.

&t includes the living adherents of each tradition.

Sacred Tets.Stories and /ritings, $ll religions have a centre oral and#or

written sacred texts, writings or other types of stories.

%he notion of text has a wide meaning that takes in more than 7ust written

material, texts are taken to be artistic representations.

'ontains the stories and historical narratives of a tradition as well as symbolicand instructive myths.

4or example, in uddhism they have %ripitaka or Pali 'anon as well as a large

collection of sutras (threads of teachings).

'haracteristics of Religion are all interconnected.

)thics,1thics can be understood as the explicit, philosophical and#or religion

re8ection on moral beliefs within a tradition.

'entral to any religion.


5/28

%heir purpose is to clarify what is right and wrong, and what the followers of a

religion should freely do, or refrain from doing.

4or example, signi!cant ethical teachings in induism include the individual life

duty of dharma. /harma is determined by the caste into which one is born. %he

ultimate goal of life is moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth ofsouls (samsara).

Rituals and 0eremonies, 1nactments or system of actions#beliefs that each

have a beginning, middle and end.

%hey are directly linked to superhuman beings or forces.

4or example, rituals and ceremonies in +udaism include male circumcision and

ar it6vah, as well as signi!cant rituals for marriage, divorce and death.

Sacred Symols -

3ymbols that are used to represent the beliefs of a faith or to portray a dierent

way of worshipping a higher power.

5sed as a visual image to portray an image with a deep spiritual meaning. %hat

is linked to a Religion*s customs#beliefs#ethics#experiences.

aterial oerings symbolise the basic oering of the believers themselves - their

lives9 their words9 thoughts and actions - to the source of their devotion.

Social Structures -

%he division of citi6ens of a society due to wealth, power, land etc.

'alendar for important events, places that are associated with the religion.

%he hierarchy or powers in dierent classes#levels for a religion.

)perience -

$n encounter or event that shapes one*s ethics, values, morals or beliefs.

$n event, action or procedure to live an experience that grants the believer the

spiritual connection to the /ivine power.

explore the ways in which these characteristics interact to create a dynamic, living religion

%he : key characteristics in a Religion creates a dynamic, living religion.

$ dynamic religion is one characterised by energy, ambition, new ideas and

practical achievements.

&t develops into a powerful force that refreshes itself constantly.

$ living religion is one that is full of life not dead or decaying.


6/28

&t is practical, real and immersed in-not removed from or afraid of-everyday

human existence.

4or example, 'hristianity, &slam, uddhism and induism9 any religion is likely to

fall apart if they do not constantly refresh the : key characteristics.

;hen these characteristics of religion interact creatively, they help nurture a

religion that is alive, dynamic and active in the lives of its adherents, society and

culture.

$ good example of this creative interaction is the interpretation of sacred texts

and writings in all traditions.

%he way in which the religious community reads and understands a text aects

their beliefs, lives understanding of other texts, ethics and morality.

verall, the creative interaction the interpretation of sacred texts aect every

other characteristic of religion, and helps in turn to create a dynamic, living

religion.


7/28

- 'lothing, +udeo-'hristian 1thics 0aws, $rt, 4ood, $rchitecture, edia, Religion

based 4estivals and 0iterature are all aspects of culture which have been

in8uenced by the presence of Religion.

0ontriution of religion to the individual,

- $wareness of inner dimension is the spirit.

- 3pirit is creative in us and in its search for meaning, soars above the ordinary to

a power greater than ourselves or to a wisdom through ourselves in religions.

- Religion acts to remember the presence of spiritual life that underpins and

empowers the material world.

- Practice of religions provides guidelines and rules through which one can live

one*s life to the spiritual betterment of oneself and to the cultural bene!t of

others.

- =uest for meaning that motivates religion.

Aoriginal Spirituality

nature of the Dreaming

Dreaming is the centre of $boriginal religion and life9 it is the closest translation

of the $boriginal concept of how the world works.

/reaming is the past, present and future.

/reaming is the beginning of all things. &t is when all the things we know in the

world today were formed.

/reaming refers to the events and places, rather than what ;esterners would

call time. %he $boriginal sacred stories are stories about events of the /reaming

and how $ncestral (3pirit) eings formed the land, and founded life on the land.

/reaming is the unseen spirit world. %his spirit world is not obscure and in the

past. &t is what gives life and reality to the visible world.

/reaming aects all of life. %he performance of ceremonies that were !rst

performed by $ncestors in the /reaming brings to life the power of the

/reaming.

/reaming is experienced in the songs, stories, rituals and symbols.

/reaming is both personal and communal.

/reaming may include a story about a form of life with which *&* am connected.

/reaming would be depicted in the sacred art and ob7ects used in the rituals

about it.


8/28

/reaming is re8ected in a special way to the land. %he whole environment is

related and linked by the /reaming.

/reaming is ongoing.


9/28

outline the nature of the Dreaming in relation to:

origins of the universe sacred sites stories of the Dreaming

symbolism and art

&rigins of the Universe,

- $boriginal tradition states that the world order comes from all those events in

which the $ncestral eings travel from and transform themselves into sites.

- 2o sense of creation or of a !rst creator.

Sacred Sites,

- 3acred 3ites are a fundamental part of the $boriginal relationship to the land.

- %hey may be natural or modi!ed features of the landscape such as outcropping

rocks, trees, waterholes or salt-pans and so on.

- %heir sacredness may be associated with an ob7ect or feature itself or as a

function of its position relative to other ob7ects or within the landscape as a

whole.

Stories of the Dreaming,

- %he $boriginal sacred stories are stories about events of the /reaming and how

$ncestral eings formed the land and founded life on the land.

Symolism and art,

- $boriginal art and its symbolism communicate the intimate relationship

between the $ncestral eings and the 0aw, values, customs, ceremonies and

obligations of aboriginal people.

- %hey enable the passage of ?@@ $boriginal nations within $ustralia and subseuently there is an

enormous diversity in the way the /reaming is expressed.

1ach $boriginal group has their own spiritual beliefs, laws and explanations for

how their environment was created and these were passed down through

storytelling and ceremony in what is generally referred to as the /reaming.

1ach $boriginal nation has its own dialect, since language is esoteric9 each

nation*s understanding of $boriginal spirituality will vary.

0anguage is critical for the /reaming to be learnt and understood authentically.


10/28

1ach $boriginal nation has its own boundaries, thus dierent /reaming stories,

which are applicable to those boundaries.

"roups which are geographically close to each other will share some common

elements.

%he belief in notion of the /reaming is the overriding commonality, which binds

dierent $boriginal nations together.

recognise the importance of the Dreaming for the life of Aboriginal peoples

%he /reaming has dierent meanings for dierent $boriginal people.

&t is a complex network of knowledge, faith and practices that derive from stories

of creation, which dominates all physical and spiritual aspects of $boriginal 0ife.

%he /reaming sets out the structures of society, the rules for social behaviour

and the ceremonies performed in order to maintain the life of the land.

"overns the way people live and how they should behave.

%he core of $boriginal 0aw has to do with the knowledge and ritual pertaining to

sacred sites.

%hese places underpin $boriginal life are best cared for and preserved by the

ceremony for them.

/reaming underlies every aspect of the universe, it de!nes the framework of

human action and links people and place.

$boriginal spirituality, the natural and the supernatural are extremely closely

linked.

%heir spirituality is lived in their day to day lives and their supernatural deities

are active in their activities.

%%1 $2'13%R3A

- %otems are respected but they are not worshipped.

- 'eremony places the people in direct contact with their ancestor spirit.

0&41A

- $boriginal spirituality is celebrated through devotional practices (signs,

symbols etc.)

- 0ife was initiated in the /reaming and so life is very much connected

with eternity.

- 0ife is taken as 3acred9 it is a miracle.

/1$%A

- /eath is seen as a necessary part of life.


11/28

- $ll beings participate in this cycle of life.

- Rituals for the dead ensure the departed spirit returns to the spirit world.

R13P23&&0&%BA

- $boriginal 0aw is based on the belief that everything that exists is

connected and part of a living system.

- 4or all of life to be preserved9 relationships between all living things must

be preserved.

- 2one are superior or inferior.

- $boriginal people live ;&% the land based on this understanding. %hey

do not exploit the land.

investigate the inextricable connection of the Dreaming, the land and identity

%he land contains the /reaming and is the medium through which the /reaming

is lived and communicated.

%he land is where the /reaming and its stories take place and subseuently,

forms the resting place for their ancestral spirit beings.

%hese sites are regarded as being of sacred signi!cance and carry with them

ritual responsibilities.

%he identity of an $boriginal person can be said to be inextricably linked to the

land.

'and and Dreaming,

- 4or $boriginals, the 0$2/ is extremely important.

- &t is the physical link to the invisible, eternal, spiritual world.

- %he /reaming sets the moral and social bonds, and also the unbreakable linkbetween humans, ancestral beings and the spiritual world.

- %he land is a sacred place9 %he /reaming occurs on the 0and.

- %he land has a story to tell. 0and features are the result of the /reaming.

- $boriginal people follow *songlines*, or the paths of their $ncestors. ecause of

this, they know the land well and it is sacred to them.

People,

- People must cooperate with the natural cycle of life so that the land willcontinue its own life cycle.


12/28

- $boriginal people must care for the land in order to live in it.

"dentity,

- $boriginal speaks of the land as part of their &dentityA C& am the landC.

- %hey are a part of the living environment, not superior to it.

- $ formal kinship exists between $boriginal people and their area of land,

including non-human inhabitants. %his is because they all came from the same

ancestral spirit.

- %he human body is made up of the physical body and some spiritual elements.

- $boriginal 0aw states that people must show each other respect because they

are all bonded in body, soul and spirit.

- $ll physical action must take into consideration the spiritual eects.

- %he people must conform to the spiritual patterns of their clan.

- 4or $boriginals, all aspects of life are celebrated, the bad with the good.

Totem.ism -%hey are the embodiment of each individual in his#her primordial

state and hence represents an individual*s contact with the /reaming.


13/28

0hristianity

describe the early development of Christian communities after the death of Jesus

- %he death of +esus marks the beginning of the +esus movement#2ew %estament

Period. ( D@ - E@ '1).

- *+esus ovement* describes a period where the infant 'hristian community saw

itself as a sect which existed within the +ewish tradition.

- %hese earlier communities were characterised by their gender inclusive nature

and eschatological vision (elief that the end of the world and the day of

7udgement is near) FParousiaG.

- %he !rst :@ years after +esus* death the 'hurches were scattered in dierent

areas and existed without a centralised doctrine or order of 'hristian behaviour

and practice.

Paul!

- 'hristians followed +esus through the preaching*s of Paul.

- ;hen +esus set down the foundational message of 'hristianity concerning the

Reign of "od, Paul helped to set up the structure and con!rm the status of

'hristianity.

- Paul recognised that +esus* message was not intended solely for people of the

+ewish faith and conseuently he utilised the ellenistic philosophy to helpcommunicate many of +esus* ideas.

- &ntroduction of the Pauline theology of salvation, 7usti!cation and law into

'hristian life and belief.

- 0etters of Paul.

- Paul was a Roman 'iti6en, well educated +ew.

- 4irst opposed the 'hristians.

- %he letters of Paul and the teachings of the early apostles have been the basis

of 'hristian theology and practice.

- %he 'hurch had to meet secretly !rst, but became an in8uential movement in

the three centuries following the times of +esus, eventually becoming the oHcial

religion of the Roman 1mpire.

Divisions in the early 0hurch!

- %he existence of a varied community which contained +ewish 'hristians of

Palestinian background, +ewish 'hristians of ellenistic background and "entile

'hristians.

- Period of the early 'hurch was a source of disagreement and con8ict.


14/28

- 'ontroversies in the early 'hurch arose because the original +ewish nature of

the 'hristian 'hurch was challenged by the conversion of the "entiles.

- 'ouncil of +erusalem in :? '1.

Reasons for the formalisation

- 'hristian 'hurches became more formalised from I@ '1 onwards.

- Result of unforseen events which signi!cantly changed the character of early

'hurch communities.

- %he delay of the Parousia (3econd coming of 'hrist) and the death of the

$postles meant there was a need to introduce regulated practices.

- 4ormalisation of the 'hristian identity meant that 'hristianity was increasinglyseen as a distinct and separate religion from +udaism.

- /uring this period the 'hristian 'hurches came into great con8ict with +udaism.

0onict with 2udaism

- +ews persecuted 'hristians they were seen as a threat to the purity of +udaism.

%R11 $&2 R1$323A

- 'hristians spoke of and emulated +esus as "od, which made the

'hristians sound like they were polytheistic.

- 'hristians and +ews could not interact as 'hristians were not seen asritually pure due to their association with the "entiles.

- 'hristians had refused to support the +ews in their attempts to overthrow

the Roman occupation.

Roman Persecution

- Persecution of 'hristians by the Romans during the Jnd and Drd centuries

meant that secret signs and meeting places had to be devised for the protection

of 'hristians.

- Romans persecuted the 'hristians because they appeared to be neglectful

citi6ens in that they were paci!sts who refused to 7oin the army and refused to

serve on the 7udiciary.

- %he 'hristian monotheistic practice also oended Roman beliefs as Romans

worshipped many gods.

- 3ecretive nature of the 1ucharistic celebrations derived from rumours that

'hristians were cannibalistic (1at human 8esh).

0onstantine


15/28

- Prior to Drd '1, 'hristians occupied a small, insigni!cant part of society.

- %he eorts of 'onstantine in the :th '1 meant that 'hristianity became a

powerful and dominant religion.

- 'onstantine who is commonly known as the founder of 'hristendom helped the

religion to gain the privileges, wealth and in8uence that was not given to

'hristians during the time of persecution.

outline the uniue features of:

Anglicanism Catholicism !rthodoxy "entecostalism "rotestantism

/enomination

rigins ead of 'hurch

Principalbeliefs#3acra

ment

Role of;ome

n

3tyle of;orship

Role ofible

Anglicanism 3tems fromthe KEth '1schismknown as theReformation.

%he1nglishonarch,=ueen1li6abeth&&.$rchbishopof'anterbury.

aptism,1ucharist are theJ centralsacraments.aptismA'ovenantbetween "od L'andidate.1ucharistA RealPresence,

%ransubstantiation.

;omencan beordained(&nternational).

5niueandsigni!cant way.ergebothtraditional andmodernways.

ibleholdssupremeauthorityin theformingofdoctrines and isthe basisfor$nglicanworship.

0atholicism 'ontinuity ofthe !rstdisciples of

+esus.

/irect andunbrokenlink fromthe $postlePeter asthe !rstishop ofRome.

"od*s teachingshave beenpreserved andsafeguardedthrough theguidance of theoly 3pirit.

-------------

----------------

Regardthe ibleas thenormative text.

&rthodoy 3chism91astern#;esternrthodox'hurches.

4ound by+esus'hrist# %heclergy holdoHce in aline ofdescent.

Coly ysteriesC.%he I3acraments.

3till agrowingconcept.

&nheritsfrom Kst'1. asedto a greatextent onpassagesfromscripture.

oly3cripturemust beenlightenedwithintradition.

Pentecostalism#'utheran%

K?@E -3ynodscombined toform the0utheran'hurch.

2o setpattern oforganisation. aveishopsand$rchbishops. 3omeelect apresident.

oly 'ommunionAReceive the body(bread) and blood(wine) of 'hristas a blessing.Real Presence.'onsubstantiation.oly aptismA/elivers gift ofnew life, birthand salvation.

;omenareallowedto be apart oftheministryanddecisionmakingprocesses.

1vangelical;orship,;orshipin 5nison,;orshipregardedastreasure,usic L0iturgyheavily

'onsiderold#newtestament to bethe onlydivinelyinspiredbook. $llteachings areonly tobe taken


16/28

%he spirit isinseparable fromthe water.

focused. from theibleonly.

Protestantis

m #3illsong%

4ounded in

$ustralia byrian andobbieouston.

'ongregati

on ingovernance, led byPastorswho areseen asteachers.

'eremonies L

rdinances./riven by thepower of "od./irect experienceof "od isrevealed throughthe gifts of the3pirit.

$cceptin

gwomenaspastoralministers LPreachers.

'harisma

tic. "iftsof theoly3piritbeingmanifested duringtimes ofpraiseandworship.

'orrelat

es with"od*swordsand howthey are*alive*./ependent on theible toshowguidance in therightdirection.

Principal *eliefs

the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ

-


17/28

%he resurrection proves to believers that there is life after death.

+esus* conuering of death shows his mystical power to bring all his followers to

life after death.

+ohn KKAJM C+esus said unto her, & am the resurrection, and the lifeA he that

believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.C

K Peter KAJK C;ho by him do believe in "od, that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory9 that your faith and hope might be in "od.

the nature of #od and the $rinity

%he creeds (3tatements of faith) developed as part of ritual and worship, or

simply to sum up the beliefs of the religion. akes strong connections between

"od and +esus.

$postle*s 'reed L 2icene*s 'reed.

$t the 'ouncil of 2icea in DJM '1, formulated the doctrine of the oly %rinity.

1nabled them to understand that "od is understood as one "od, yet within the

"odhead there are three distinct persons- "od the 4ather#"od the 3on#"od the

oly 3pirit or "od the 4ather#'reator#+esus 'hrist.

'hristians believe that "od is ne and the 'reator of all things.

%he oly %rinity is the central dogma or mystery of the 'hristian faith.

*ystery* - /eepest reality.

%he %rinity traditionally has been described in relation to three key functions -

creating9 sanctifying9 redeeming.

%he %rinity has been expressed in terms that state "od is one.

%evelation

$ revelation is the disclosure of something which could not have been revealed

without the will of "od.

%he main 'hristian revelation is that which "od revealed through +esus, which

later took the form of the "ospels.

ne can distinguish between general and special revelation.

$eneral - 'omes to 'hristians through the work of "od they see evident in

creation and in their conscience.

Special - 5nderstanding that "od provided of himself through +esus and the

sacred writings of 'hristianity.

%ransmission of knowledge from the divine to human.

&ncludes not only biblical revelation but revelation evident throughout the whole

of humans history.

Revelation is knowledge given by "od to human beings about persons, events

and things previously hidden or only partially known.

'hristians believe that Revelation is not only "od*s self-communication to humanbeings, but it is also a loving and utterly free invitation to 7oin in friendship with


18/28

"od.

"od calls human beings to respond in faith and action today.

"od*s fullest revelation takes place through the words, deeds and events

associated with the person of 'hrist.

Revelation is not simply a past event or a proclamation of "od.Revelation continues to happen as "od continues to speak through human

history.

&alvation

3igni!cant meaning behind +esus* death is that was a ritual sacri!ce.

%he %estaments make it clear that +esus knew what was coming. &t was his fate to

die.

3alvation in 'hristianity can mean three dierent thingsA

- /eliverance from sin.

- eing resurrected to an afterlife.

- eing healed through the power of the divine and united with "od.

er individuals the opportunity to repent, therefore be saved from punishment

of their sins.

'hristian belief in 'hrist*s resurrection is central to the belief that after death,

resurrection to heaven is possible for those who are forgiven.

3alvation occurs even today9 1xampleA ;ater obtained from the 'hurch of ur

0ady of 0ourdes is believed to have healing properties for 'hristians.

+esus* sacri!ce promises the same salvation for 'hristians.

3alvation has a past aspect (forgiveness of sins), a present aspect (living as a

saved person) and a future aspect (looking forward to a life in heaven). $ present

reality as much as future deliverance.

'ible

"mportance of the *ile

$ll variants of 'hristianity view the ible as the basic source of belief andpractice.

%he ible has an important role in the everyday life of believers.

%he ible teaches 'hristians about the nature of "od and the ministry and

teachings of +esus.

'hristianity is the only religion that reads from the 2ew %estament.

3hows how +esus is the ful!lment of the ebrew ible.

%he 2ew %estament retains a strong focus on the last three years of +esus.

/emonstrates to believers that he was not only a religious revolutionary, which

included political dimensions, but also the incarnation of "od on 1arth.

any 'hristian beliefs are introduced or developed, in the ible.'hristians use the ible in their own spiritual development, for their devotional


19/28

lives and their understanding of "od.

%he ible has a role in guiding 'hristian behaviour and in the practices of

'hristians, such as personal prayer and liturgical worship.

the $en Commandments

$lso known as /ecalogue. (%en words from "od).%he /ecalogue is the only text understood as being spoken directly by "od to the

people of &srael and then written directly by "od*s hand on two stone tablets.

4or 'hristians observance the /ecalogue is based on love not fear.

3hould be viewed as life principles to be internalised by the human heart.

Practice of virtue is understood as more important than the listing of sins.

$n important basis for structuring and living the 'hristian life.

%hese ten short commandments from living are based on "od*s direct revelation

to oses on ount 3inai in &srael.

%he !rst three commandments of the /ecalogue refer to the worship of "od,

while the rest refer to obligations to one*s neighbour and society.Relates to "od and 'ommunity.

%he /ecalogue is introduced by "od*s own words of freedom.

%he /ecalogue is an important basis for structuring and living the 'hristian life.

&t calls 'hristians back to loving "od alone and loving their neighbour as

themselves.

%he %en 'ommandments can be divided into demands about how one should

worship and demands about ethical behaviour.

(ew $estament ethics

the 'eatitudes Jesus) commandment of love

The *eatitudes

eatitudes is the name in 'hristianity given to the nine sayings of +esus.

e delivers nine eatitudes that praise people.

eatitudes also appear in other parts of the 'hristian 3criptures mainly as words

of praise virtues.&n 0uck*s version +esus congratulate his listeners.

ne of the foundations of 'hristian ethics.

+esus* eatitudes suggest that one needs meekness, patience and mercy to turn

around the problems of the world.

%hese ideals are not satisfying in themselves, but lead on towards the kingdom

of heaven.

%he eatitudes are considered as a summary of +esus* teachings in the 3ermon

of the ount (t MAD-KJ).

%hese sentiments re8ect others in ebrew scripture which oer hope and

comfort to those who have little.

3uggest that if one is guided by mercy, driven to be pure and works for peace9


20/28

then one will attain both happiness in this life and the chance to enter the


21/28

- Praises "od and asks for the remission of sins and hopes that the one

praying will be delivered from evil.

%he Pater 2oster (ur 4ather) is found in (t EA?-KD).

Prayers can be said using a written form or extemporary (3poken without

preparation).

)temporary -%hose that are said without being written down or memorised.Prayers from the heart.

Prayer may be spoken or silent.

Prayer may be in the form of meditation, contemplative prayer or simply a

prayer from the heart or mind.

Prayer can include love and devotion to "od, thanks for "od*s care or speci!c

answers to prayer.

'onfession of sin is a common feature, as are reuests for things to be d-one.

"ntercession - Prayers for others and makes up part of the formal liturgical

worship of many 'hristian churches.

Prayer brings believers into contact with the mysteries of their faith.

Prayer provides them with tangible ways in which these mysteries can be

brought to life to provide individual and communal meaning.

1ach of these prayers strengthens and directs the 'hristian so that they can

interact in a more 'hrist-like way with others in the world.

Prayer infuses the life of the 'hristian because it is understood as an important

way of experiencing life with "od.

(ocal - Prayers which uses words that are recited, spoken or sung.

6ental - $ process of re8ection that involves the mind, the imagination and the

will. &maging, creative visualisation, 7ournaling and other narrative techniues.0ontemplative - Prayer that is often experienced as a simple prayer of uiet,

where the heart is held still in passive recollection of "od, but the mind and the

imagination are free. 4ocused on a perception of "od*s living presence.

6editation - "enerally understood as the exercising of one*s spiritual memory

based on repetition of words and phrases.

1ach of these dierent prayer practices and styles in8uences the everyday life of

believers by bringing them into contact with the mysteries of their faith.

Providing them with ways in which these mysteries can be brought to life to

provide individual and communal meaning.

"slam

the articles of faith explained in the Aida as:

$awhid Angels 'ooks of Allah %usul Akhirah *ate/predestination

Tawhid

- %he !rst article of faith - belief in the oneness and unity of $llah.- &mplicationsA


22/28

- uslims should worship $llah alone9 no one else is worthy of worshiping.

- 2o other being should be associated with $llah.

- &dolatry is worshipping something less than "od, is strictly forbidden.

- %he sin of &dolatry (3hirk) Fattributing $llah*s ualities to someone elseG,

regarded as the worst of all sins.

- %hose who believe in the oneness of "od should be united together.

- 1mphasises the unity of 5mma

- %here are ?? names attributed to $llah in the =ur*an.

- any of these names re8ect his superlative characteristics.

- $bsoluteness of $llah.

- 3urrendering to the will of $llah.

Angles #6ala4i7a%

- $cceptance of angels and 7inn (0ocal folk spirits of the $rab world).

- 1xist and in8uences believers.

- 3ubmit to is will in everything.- $llah condemns +inn as leading humanity astray in 3ura :, verse KJN.

- +inn can be seen as forces that work to make humans impure into evil.

- $ngels are created from light to give absolute praise, service and obedience to

"od.

- 3erve as "od*s messengers as $ngel +ibril ("abriel) did.

- $ngel +ibril is the greatest of all the &slamic $ngels as he was the vehicle for

revelation of the =ur*an

- $ngel &6ra*il ($6real) ($ngel of /eath) separate a person*s soul from his#her

body at death, $ngel ikai*il (ichael) instructed uhammad, sound the trumpet

on the /ay of Resurrection.- 1ach person has two recording or guardian angels who record his#her good and

bad deeds and these angels are acknowledged during daily salat (prayer).

*oo7s of Allah #8utuu4llah%

- oly books.

- elief in the scriptures of prophecy passed down from $llah.

- &slam believes $llah has revealed his truth through the 3crolls of $braham, the

0aw of oses, the Psalms of /avid, the "ospel of +esus and the Reading of

uhammad (the =ur*an).

- %he =ur*an is the only reliable book of $llah, and only in the $rabic text.

- %he =ur*an is the last of the revealed books and is the most reliable and

complete source of the revelation of $llah.

Rusula - *elief in prophethood

- $ prophet is someone through whom $llah speaks.

- %he =ur*an names JM prophets, tradition says there have been KJ: @@@.

- Rusul describes a prophet who has delivered a holy book.

- %hese are known as the messengers of $llah.

- elief in prophethood is closely linked to the ooks of $llah.

- 3ix prophets ($dam, 2oah, $braham, oses, +esus and uhammad) areconsidered to be the most important as they received special revelations and


23/28

introduced new teachings.

- uhammad is $llah*s last prophet, known as the *3eal of the Prophets*. -O 3urat

DDA:@.

- rought the !nal message that has been preserved intact in the =ur*an.

- 3een as the !nal and complete message from $llah to humanity.

- Prophecy is regarded as an essential element of uslim belief.

- $llah becomes revealed to human kind.

al-A7hirah- 'ife after death!

- &slam sees the real universe in three tiers.

%ier K. $llah inhabits a eaven, which is the domain where all believers

will !nd their eternal happiness. +annah.

%ier J. %he Present ;orld, which is passing and will eventually come to a

dramatic end.

%ier D. $ place of suering, the hell called +ahannam. %he resting place for

the wicked. Ruled by &lbis (3atan) and the evil spirits.- nly those who submit to the will of $llah will !nd eternal 7oy in heaven.

- thers will be thrown into hell, the realm of the wicked.

- %he only sin that will not eventually be forgiven by $llah is shirk.

- /eath marks the beginning of eternal life in &slam, the funeral is highly

signi!cant =ur*an KD.

- $fter life, is mention in the =ur*an for each soul an intermediate period. (3ura

JDA??-K@@).

- 3ouls wait suspended between death and resurrection (=iyamah).

- +annah - Paradise.

al-9adr - :ate and Predestination!

- Predetermined or set course for everything in the 5niverse.

- 2othing happens unless it is the will of $llah.

- &ndividuals have the free will to act for good or evil9 $llah does not force them

to do anything-they have control over their fate.

- umansare fully responsible for their !nal happiness or suering and that

humans are predestined to either heaven or hell.

- /eclared as a divine mystery.

- 1verything that happens on 1arth is believed to be preordained by $llah*s will.

- 3ura KIAKNN, akes the totality of $llah*s will complete.


24/28

the +ur)an and adith

identify the importance of:

the +ur)an the adith examine extracts from the +ur)an and adith which demonstrate the principal beliefs of

-slam

The 9ur4an!- 'entral sacred reality of &slam.

- ;ords of the =ur*an are the !rst and last sounds that a uslim hears in this life.

- /irect ;ord of "od and the embodiment of "od*s ;ill, the =ur*an is considered

the essential guide for the life of uslims.

- %he 5niversal source of all &slamic doctrines and ethics.

- oth the intellectual aspects of &slam and &slamic 0aw have their source in the

=ur*an.

- %he =ur*an consists of KK: sura (chapters) subdivided into E@@@ ayat (general

verses), originally revealed to uhammad over a period of JD years.

- %he sure are arranged according to length and date of revelation.- %he longer sura, representing the later adinan revelations, precede (come

before) the shorter earlier akkan ones.

- uslims do not speak of uhammad writing the =ur*an, but of his receiving it

and reciting it.

- uhammad employed scribes to record the words of revelation placed on his

lips.

- %here is only one text of the =ur*an accepted by all schools of &slamic thought

and there are no variants.

- 3ince uslims believe that the =ur*an*s $rabic language is revealed, all uslims

regardless of their national language, memorise and recite the =ur*an in $rabic.- $rabic is the sacred language of &slam because, in a very real sense it is the

language of "od.

- %he =ur*an is treated with the greatest respect.

- elieved to be the sole miracle of the religion.

- 'aliph 5thman !nally had the book put together.

- %he greatest of the revelation of $llah.

The 3adith! - The sunna of the prophet!

3unnaA $ll the traditions and practices of uhammad that have become models

to be followed by uslims.- %he sunna of uhammad are recorded as hadith.

- %here are two kinds of hadithA

K. Reports of the actions and words of the Prophet

J. ;ords of "od, uttered by uhammad but are not part of the =ur*an and

are relatively few in number.

- ost uslims accept E collections of hadith as being the most trustworthy. *%he

$ccurate 3ix*.

- 'ollected within the !rst three centuries of &slam.

- %he two most authoritative books are called sahih (sound).

- Recording of the doings and sayings of the Prophet.


25/28

)tracts from the 9ur4an and the 3adith which demonstrate the

principal eliefs of "slam!

- 3ura :? (=ur*an) - 0ists ethical and moral 7udgements.

- adith K@N - 1ncouragement against alcohol and for moderation- adith K@? - 'ontains in7unctions against anti-social behaviour

- 3ura MA?K - $mong other stresses the need to keep oaths.

Tawhid

- 3ura KKJ - elief in %awhid is the belief in the absolute oneness of $llah.

- 3urah EAK@D - Re8ects $llah is beyond human comprehension yet at the same

time $llah has complete knowledge of all things.

- 3urah M@AKE - Relates to the immanence of $llah and identi!es $llah as the

creator of human kind.

Angels (Mala'ika)

- 3urah KMAJN-DK - Rebellion of &lbis, &lbis ob7ects to $llah*s command to worshipthe human beings.

- 3urah M@AKI-KN - %wo angels record good and bad deeds and thoughts.

- 3urah EAEK - &denti!es the role of &6ra*il ($ngel of /eath) one who receives the

soul of a person at the point of their death.

Books of Allah (Kutubu'llah)

- 3urah EA?K - 1xample of the =ur*ans testimony to the books of $llah.

- 3urah JA: - elieve the revelation that came before him.

Prophethood (Rusula)

- 3urah :JAKD - $llah is revealed through prophets who are given a message to

proclaim.- 3urah :AKJM - istory of Prophecy, speci!cally &brahim.

- 3urah JANI - usa and &sa who are mentioned as recipients of the revelation of

$llah.

al-Akhirah (Afterlife)

- 3urah DMAKN - &ndicates a person will have to bear their own burden at this time

and can neither give help to or receive help from another.

- 3urah :KA:E - $ctions of a person*s life will ultimately aect only themselves.

al-Qadr (ate!Predestination)

- 3urah DMAJ - $llah is all knowing and has full and complete knowledge of the

future.

- 3urah K@AK@I - $ll things happen according to the will of $llah.


26/28

-slamic .urisprudence

the +ur)an the &unna and adith i.ma) consensus among religious leaders

iyas comparison with teachings of the +ur)an or adith

outline the principal ethical teachings within -slam

outline the process of -slamic .urisprudence

describe the importance of ethical teachings in determining that which is:

halal

haram

- %he ethical teachings of &slam re8ect the beliefs and teachings of &slam.

- Places very strong emphasis on right and wrong.

- %here is the body of law that governs the behaviour of uslims towards "od.

- 0aws about prayers, fasting, almsgiving and pilgrimages.

- %he most important of these laws are described in the !ve pillars of faith.

- /irectly regulates the way in which human beings treat one another.

- 4or uslims there is no distinction between the sacred and the secular.

- $ uslim*s whole life is governed by the 3hari*a (&slamic law based on the

=ur*an and the sunna of the Prophet).

- Regulates all aspects of uslim life.

- 4or uslims, their whole life must be one of submission to $llah#

- uslims should know what is obligatory (religious duties - !ve pillars of faith),

what actions are halal (permitted or lawful), what actions are haram (4orbidden,unlawful, sinful).

- %he 3hari*a encompasses both public and private life.

- %eaches uslims how $llah wants them to live the whole of their lives.

"slamic 2urisprudence #9uest to discover the est way to live as a

6uslim%


27/28

Niyah - 0ook at intention

0ategory De;nition )ample )planationalal - 4ard $ctions that have

to be donePrayer (salat) Prayer reminds

every uslim oftheir relationshipto $llah.

alal - andub $ctions that arerecommended

elping others 2il.

alal - ubah $ctions that maybe done

;atching a wildlifeprogram on %

/oesn*t do anyharm9 notparticularbene!cial

(spiritually)alal - akruh $ctions which are

disapproved, butnot forbidden.

/ivorce Pragmatic.Recognises notevery marriagewill succeed.

aram $ctions that areforbidden.

$lcohol 0osing control9lead to manyharmfulconseuences.

outline each of the *ive "illarsShahada - /eclaration of 4aith.

- %he !rst duty of a uslim is to declare his#her faith.

- %his declaration is called


28/28

- %he =ur*an encourages uslims to make voluntary contributions to help the

poor.

- $t the end of Ramadan, uslims are asked to make a small donation to allow

the poor to celebrate the end of fasting.

- %he term Qakat means to purify.

- 1mphasis on letting go of earthly possessions to focus on $llah.

- oral aspect as well as a literal signi!cance.

Sawm - 4asting

- uslim adults are reuired to fast from dawn to sunset during the month of

Ramadan, the ninth month of the &slamic calendar.

- %he month of Ramadan is signi!cant as it is the revelation of the =ur*an.

-

Studies of Religion 1 Unit - Prelim notes.

Documents

Transcript of Studies of Religion 1 Unit - Prelim notes.