The religious dimension in human history Flashcards
expression of the religious dimension in human history
Animism
- idea that all living things have a soul
- belief that a spirit or life force exists in every animate and inanimate object or in the natural world
- helps explain origins of religion
- e.g. Japanese Shinto: trees, grobes, dieties (kami)
Polytheism
- Is the belief in and worship of multiple gods or deities
- assigned jurisdictional powers = directly linked w/ their particular skill or talent
- e.g. Nordic, Hindu, Atztec (sun, moon gods)
Monotheism
- Belief in and worship of only one God
- God understood as omni: potent, present, scient
- Sophisticated in answering exist questions - afterlife
E.g. Abrahamic faiths - Judaism, Christianity, Islam
significance of the religious dimension in human history - meaning + purpose for indiv
- sense of identity e.g. Baptism in Christianity where an individual is given a name
- provide answers to life’s existential questions, e.g. Buddhist’s concept of rebirth for question of afterlife, creation for Jews + Christ = based Gen 1 - God as creator
- gives sense of purpose + role in society e.g. Christians = taught to live an ethical life following the ethical guidelines of Ten Commandments or actions of JC
- sense of belonging, support + coherence e.g. Catholic Mass, aiding people in their search for personal fulfillment, through support from like-minded indivs
- provides ethical guidelines: order in society e.g. Public Morality - liquor laws pre-1945 Aus
- hope: help achieve inner peace
significance of the religious dimension in human history - social cohesion
- sense of community through practices e.g. mass = create sense of belonging + connection amongst society
- preserves culture + allows for celebration of significant events e.g. marriage = brings people together
- Ethics - provides structure (togetherness) e.g. Aus society Ten Commandments
- Belonging / togetherness / connection
- At times, however, religions in history work against social cohesion e.g. Crusades, Holocaust, terrorism
- can act as a form of social control: can support a social structure that is unjust; based on religious ideals e.g. Christian supremacy, perceived as being divisive e.g. KKK, terrorism
- BUT overall religions strive for cohesion; peacemaking especially through dialogue
- e.g. ecumenism: NCCA, interfaith dialogue: JCMA
significance of the religious dimension in human history - social transformation
- Religions have been at the forefront of change = important in ensuring justice + help for less fortunate
- Social justice initiatives from religious groups e.g. St Vincent de Paul + Salvation Army including advocating for the rights of refugees + protection for domestic abuse victims = important in ensuring justice for all + creating a harmonious world
- Many lobby govt to make ethical changes in society e.g. rights of refugees, Aboriginal reconciliation + peace-building
- Moreover, peace initiatives e.g. Pax Christi + interfaith dialogue b/w religions e.g. JCMA = helped build positive r/s b/w religions, despite division seen in past
- aims to educate + spread peace = each religion can promote harmony and acceptance
- However, some circumstances where religion has been opposed to change, to maintain tradition e.g. for Christianity based on Gen 1:27 “image of God” e.g. opposed to decriminalisation abortion NSW 2019, Catholic refusal to acknowledge same-sex marriages
- Radical change can come when a religion remains true to the roots of their SJP while keeping in touch w/ a modern changing world
- e.g. a Jewish scholar who seeks guidance from sacred text to motivate their decisions regarding a modern social issue such as reproductive techs or asylum seekers
The global distribution of the five major religious traditions - Christianity
Distribution: approx 30%, most even / widespread
Largest pop: USA, Brazil, Russia, Mexico
Largest %: Vatican City, pacific islands (Samoa), Romania, Malta, Greece
Account for: evangelisation approach - “spread the Good News” –> colonisation + migration e.g. from Europe to countries such as the USA, Aus + Philippines = spread across globe + historical centre of Europe as the epicentre of the Christian faith e.g. Rome: Catholic Church, London: Anglican)
- small no. remains at region of origin = spread has been
extensive throughout world = adapt to local cultures, evangelize in many parts of world
The global distribution of the five major religious traditions - Islam
Distribution: approx 25%, widely distributed
Largest pop: Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh
Largest %: Afghanistan, Tunisia, Middle East (Iran, UAE, Jordan etc)
Account for: Middle East (epicentre) - evangelisation → trade routes → land
- small no. remains at region of origin = spread has been
extensive throughout world = figures indicative of increased migration due to economic, political + warfare issues in Middle East
The global distribution of the five major religious traditions - Hinduism
Distribution: approx 15%, least distributed
Largest pop: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia
Largest %: Nepal, India, Mauritius, Fiji
Account for: not an evangelizing faith like Christianity or Islam = small distribution, connected to India’s ancient/ cultural language = predominantly spread in those areas
- despite small spread = fastest-growing in Aus
The global distribution of the five major religious traditions - Buddhism
Distribution: approx 7%, concentrated in Asia
Largest pop: China, Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka
Largest %: Cambodia, Thailand, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Mongolia
Account for: not evangelising, today: in countries like Aus / USA → part of new religious expression
- attracts converts as part of New Age religions
The global distribution of the five major religious traditions - Judaism
Distribution: approx 0.2%, mainly concentrated in Israel - low in other countries
Largest pop: Israel, USA, France, Canada, Argentina
Largest %: Israel, USA, Canada, France, Hungary
Account for: originated in Middle East / Europe → spread post-WWII: USA, S. Africa, S. America, Aus, also large genocide in past e.g. holocaust attributes to small pop.
