Nature of Religion

Unit 1
 Outcomes needing to be addressed this unit:
1. Define ‘supernatural’ and ‘natural’ dimension

2. Discuss ‘transcendent’ and ‘immanent’ religious worldviews

3. Define the ‘4 characteristics of religion’

4. Explore how these characteristics interact to create a ‘dynamic and living

religion’

5. Appreciate the contribution of religion to individuals and society/ culture

6. Outline the nature of ‘Dreaming’ for Aboriginal peoples and recognise

their importance for them

7. Investigate the connection of Dreaming to the ‘land’ and ‘identity’

 What is Religion?
• Provides a ready-made world view or system of
beliefs
• Structured practices aim to connect followers
with for the sacred or divine
• Creates a closer relationship with the origin of
existence known as God, Truth or the Ultimate
Reality
• Religion is like a recipe that provides directions to
have a good, happy and eternal life
 Dimensions
Natural Supernatural
• Revealed dimension of • Implication of foundation
religious thought and of revealed faith from
practice divine origin
• No reference to divinities • Exceeds the power of
or to divine revelation of humans and created
God or gods reality
• Measurable world • Natural laws do not apply
(tactile: can be touched) miracles are accepted
• Predictable elements can • Gives meaning to
be understood or proven ordinary human life
 World Views
Transcendent
• Beyond the ordinary
• Belief in a divine being or
powers existing beyond
human limitations
• Reality or state of being
deeper than human
experience
• Affirmed by religious
beliefs and practices
Immanent
• Recognising a divine
being as a constant
reality
• Active or continuing
presence existing among
believers in this world
• A world within us
 4 Characteristics of Religion
• Sacred Texts and writings
• Ethics
• Beliefs and Believers
• Rituals and Ceremonies
 Sacred Texts and Writings
• More than just written material: includes oral
traditions and artistic representations
– Eg. Stories, paintings and sculptures
• Sacred is the sense of revelation of having a
direct relationship with the transcendent
• Other writings include commentaries and
explanations by theology or religious leaders
 Beliefs and Believers
• Beliefs are ideas considered to be true and
express the self-understanding of the tradition
(religion)
• Formal study of beliefs is called “theology”
• Doctrines and creeds offer a system of beliefs
offers a comprehensive picture of reality
• Make sense of life by explaining how best to
live and achieve “eternal happiness”
 Ethics
• Ideas about human conduct and behaviour
• Explain consequences and offer guidelines
about how we should live
• Creates codes “laws” that set the standard for
life by giving directions
 Rituals and Ceremonies
• Established ceremonies and customary acts that
involve special, deliberate and repeatable
patterns of behaviour
• Commemorates events of past (solemn or joyous)
• Enacts beliefs allowing believers to feel the
spiritual presence within the ordinary world
• Affirms values, meanings and purposes shared by
the community of believers
– Eg. Worship, meditation, pilgrimage, sacrifice,
sacramental and healing rites and festivals
 Religion: Dynamic & Living System
• Believers have a sense of the sacred (of something beyond
the ordinary)

• They respond by actions (participating in rituals and

ceremonies)

• They formulate this response into sacred texts and writings

• This response is expressed through a system of beliefs and

a code of conduct (ethics)

• This is supported by social and communal structures where

the believers are part of a community