SOR II Notes
SOR II Notes
The Dreaming
Dreaming: basis of all aspects of traditional Aboriginal societies. Means our identity as
people. Basis for Aboriginal religion, law, everyday life, and understanding of the world.
Totem: Aboriginal people are spiritually linked to a particular animal (e.g. bird)
Ancestral beings: ancestor beings rose from earth and seas. Created the land’s features,
then returned to the land to be apart of it. (e.g. rocks, waterholes, trees). Ancestors
created land features become sacred sites.
Dispossession
Separation - Inability to practice culture and spirituality on their land
from the severed links to the land
land - Ritual and ceremony is inseparably linked to the land of a
particular clan
- Destroys traditional spirituality
Separation - Denied opportunities to express religion e.g. song and dance
from - Destroyed language preservation
kinship - Lost opportunities to become accepted into Aboriginal
groups communities
- Sense of belonging lost
- Connection with kinship heritage and Native Title claims made
difficult
The Stolen - Children only exposed to white culture
Generation - Lost contact with families, land, culture
- Lost ability to speak their own language
- Further consequences e.g. learning issues, mental health issues,
unemployment, economic disadvantage, drug/alcohol problems,
psychological and emotional problems
Outline the importance of the following for the Land Rights movement: Native Title,
Mabo, Wik
Analyse the importance of the Dreaming for the Land Rights Movement
Census Data
2021 Australian Census Data
Most common - Christianity (43.9%) all variations added together
religions/groupi - No religion (38.9%)
ngs - Islam (3.2%)
- Buddhism (2.4%)
Key findings - Steady decline in affiliations with Christianity (past 50 years)
- Consistent rise in ‘other religions’ and ‘no religion’ (last 20
years)
- Hinduism is the fastest growing (due to immigration)
- Increase in Islamic affiliation (also due to immigration)
- Almost 10 million report having no religion in 2021
2021 compared - Christianity decreased by 1 million people since 2016
to 2016 - Christianity decreased percentage (52.1% - 43.9% almost
10%)
- Increase ‘other religions’ (8.2% - 10%)
- Increase ‘no religion’ (30.1% - 38.9%)
- Attributed to factors e.g. immigration, denominational
switching, the rise of New Age religions, increasing
secularism
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to: Christianity as
the major religious tradition, immigration, denominational switching, rise of New Age
religions, secularism
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to: Christianity as the
major religious tradition, immigration, denominational switching, rise of New Age
religions, secularism
Immigration
Post war Religion Country
World War 2 Catholics Italy
Orthodox Christians Eastern Europe
Vietnam War Buddhists Vietnam, Cambodia,
Hinduists Thailand
India, Sri Lanka, Fiji
N/A (just influx/flood) Muslims Lebanon, Turkey, Indonesia
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to: Christianity as the
major religious tradition, immigration, denominational switching, rise of New Age
religions, secularism
Denominational Switching
Exchange of Church members between different Christian denominations (e.g. Catholic
Orthodox)
Denominational switching?
Yes Catholic Orthodox
Presbyterian Methodist
No Catholic Muslim
Hinduism Presbyterian
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to: Christianity as the
major religious tradition, immigration, denominational switching, rise of New Age
religions, secularism
- Crystals
- Divination
- Astrology
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to: Christianity as the
major religious tradition, immigration, denominational switching, rise of New Age
religions, secularism
Secularism
- In Australia the 2016 census survey observe a decline in interest in religions
(decrease in church attendance, decrease in belief in God 61% to 47%,
Ecumenism
Notes - Promoting unity of churches within
Christianity
- Finding a common respect and
appreciation for other Christian
denominations
Examples - NCCA (National Council of
Churches Australia
Inter-faith dialogue
Notes - Religious traditions working
together out of mutual respect
- Finding solutions (peace, justice,
earth care etc.) for all of humanity
- Speaking in solidarity with other
faiths
Evaluate the place of the religious dimension in human history to provide: meaning and
purpose for the individual, social cohesion, social transformation
Evaluate the place of the religious dimension in human history to provide: meaning and
purpose for the individual, social cohesion, social transformation
Social Cohesion
- Refers to the bonding together of society as a group
- Religious traditions achieve social cohesion (doctrine, stories, ethics, experiences,
rituals, social organisations
- Religious Doctrine bond adherents together in common faith
Evaluate the place of the religious dimension in human history to provide: meaning and
purpose for the individual, social cohesion, social transformation
Social Transformation
- Can achieve range of social and political purposes
Religion Trials Study
- Religion has been used to support structures, ethics, and beliefs of a society to
protect people
- Religion has been used to tear down societies, go to war, and fight people with
different belief systems
- E.g. John XXIII – Vatican 2
Investigate statistical data of the current global distribution of the five major religious
traditions
- Visualisations
- Astrology
- Crystal healing
- Meditation
Recognise the reasons for the rise of new religious expressions as people: search for
personal fulfilment, seek ethical guidelines, seek to clarify their relationship with
society
Religion Trials Study
Recognise the reasons for the rise of new religious expressions as people: search for
personal fulfilment, seek ethical guidelines, seek to clarify their relationship with
society
Explain how the following have influenced the growth of new religious expressions and
spiritualities: the rise of materialism, scientific progress, growth of ecological
awareness, disenchantment with ‘traditional’ religious practice and guidance
Explain how the following have influenced the growth of new religious expressions and
spiritualities: the rise of materialism, scientific progress, growth of ecological
awareness, disenchantment with ‘traditional’ religious practice and guidance
Scientific Progress
- Seek answers in holistic medicine
- E.g. reflexology, acupuncture
Explain how the following have influenced the growth of new religious expressions and
spiritualities: the rise of materialism, scientific progress, growth of ecological awareness,
disenchantment with ‘traditional’ religious practice and guidance
Explain how the following have influenced the growth of new religious expressions and
spiritualities: the rise of materialism, scientific progress, growth of ecological awareness,
disenchantment with ‘traditional’ religious practice and guidance
Non-religious worldviews
Outline the essential features of Atheism and Agnosticism
Discuss how Agnosticism, Atheism, and Humanism determine the aspirations and
behaviour of individuals
- Key events may be celebrated in forms other than those offered by traditional
religions
- No belief in an afterlife
Compare the response of ONE religious (Christianity) and ONE non-religious (Atheism)
belief system to: the concept of the transcendent, the human person, social
responsibility
Compare the response of ONE religious (Christianity) and ONE non-religious (Atheism)
belief system to: the concept of the transcendent, the human person, social
responsibility
Social Responsibility
Christianity - Based on Jeus’ teaching “love your neighbour as you would love
yourself”
- The Good Samaritan
- Organisations (Salvation Army – St Vincent De Paul)
- Be good citizens
- Responsibility to each other (family, friends etc.)
Atheism - Acting morally is very important
- No God to look after people or take care of the planet
(responsibility ultimately lies within humans)
- Donating to charities is a social responsibility (but may choose
to donate to donate to non-religious groups e.g. Oxfam)
Religion Trials Study
Demonstrate how TWO religious traditions guide the individual in achieving inner peace
Gospels
“your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 8:43-48)
- Peace used as a term for salvation
“and if the house deserves it, may your peace come upon it; and if
it does not, may your peace come back to you” (Matthew 10:12-13)
- Apostles sent on a mission to bring peace to those who
would listen to Jesus’ message
Letters of St Paul
“we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans
5:1)
- Peaceful relationship with God by believing in Jesus
Beatitudes
Pax Christi
Pacifism
Forgiveness
Inner peace - Can be achieved through knowing God through Jesus and
the scriptures
- A balance of prayer life and active ministry can achieve
inner peace
- Involvement in the community and communal worship also
achieves
- Can be found by being a disciple of Jesus
Prayer
Meditation
Service of others
World peace - Eirene’ refers to peace occurred throughout the New
examples of how Testament
Christianity
contributes to world
peace through the
work of individuals
and
organisations
Demonstrate how TWO religious traditions guide the individual in achieving inner peace
Inner peace
World peace
Islam
Hajj Rituals
Ritual Meaning mabo
Jamarat - Stoning of the Devil
- Throw their sins away
- Throw stones on the 3 pillars
- Takes place in Mina (a place in Mecca)
Tawaf - Circling of the Ka’aba
- 7 times counterclockwise
- Represents the 7 days of creation
- Represents unity
Ihram - Sacred state
- Pilgrims carry out the requested rituals during Hajj (or Umrah)
Umrah - Pilgrimage outside of Hajj
Miqat - Restrictions during Hajj
- E.g. unstitched clothing wear the white unstitched clothing
Wuquf - Prayer in the plain of Arafat
- Represents the Prophet Muhammad’s sermon
Hajj Beliefs
Belief Meaning and example(s)
Tawhid - Belief in one God
Tawaf
- Recite “I am here Allah I am here”
- Submission to the divine
Jamarat
- Stripping of external pressures
- Solely focusing on Allah
Rusul - Messenger of the God (Prophets)
Wuquf
- Reinforces Muhammad’s pilgrimage
Religion Trials Study
Jamarat
- Abraham resisted the temptation of the Devil
Akhira - Belief in a day of judgement
Wuquf
- Ask for forgiveness
- Cleansing of the sins
Hajj
- Pertaining to the world or things not spiritual or sacred
- A way of life and thinking that rejects religion
- Cultural transition in which religious values are gradually replaced with
nonreligious values
Religion Trials Study
Christianity Essay
Essay structure
Paragraph 1: Pope John XXIII
- Background info
- Example – encyclical (pacem et terris)
- Example – how he has helped adherents – how it has had an ongoing effect
- Background info
- Example – Pope Francis
- Example – organisation
Christianity + Judaism
Christianity
Inner peace - Can be achieved through knowing God through Jesus and
the scriptures
- A balance of prayer life and active ministry can achieve
inner peace
- Involvement in the community and communal worship also
achieves
- Can be found by being a disciple of Jesus
Prayer
Meditation
Service of others
World peace - Eirene’ refers to peace occurred throughout the New
examples of how Testament
Christianity
contributes to world
peace through the
work of individuals
and
organisations
Judaism
Inner peace
World peace
Judaism
Religion Trials Study
Jewish marriage
Quotes “be fruitful and multiply” – Genesis 1:28
“a man without a wife is incomplete” – Talmud
Summary - Some Jews fast on wedding day signifies cleanliness
- Standing under a chuppah signifies couples home
- Bride circles groom 7 times oneness of God
- Glass stomped on signifies that marriage can sometimes be
difficult
Terms Ketubah
- Marriage contract covenant
- Groom signs for special promises to his wife
Tenaim
- Breaking a plate
- Symbolises the joining of the 2 families
- Pre-wedding
Mikveh
- Ritual bath of the Kallah (bride)
- Preparing herself physically and spiritually
- A week before the wedding
Aufruf
- Reading from the Torah (as a privilege)
- Blessing from God to Chassan (groom)
- A week before the wedding
Chuppah
- Structure held over bride and groom during wedding
- Can be permanent structure or not
- Symbol of the home
Yichud
- Symbolic first meal together as a couple (private room)
- Breaking the fast
Abraham Heschel
Quotes “I felt like my legs were praying”
His prayer was taking action and making a difference through
marching
Summary - Wrote 18 books and over 100 essays
- Through writing he spread his love
- Started the Orthodox Jews movement
- Tikkun Olam
- Social justice activist
Contributi - Civil rights movement
ons - Vietnam war
- Impacted adherents through writings
Environmental ethics
Religion Trials Study
https://contrib.pbslearningmedia.org/WGBH/sj14/sj14-int-religmap/index.html