The Search for Meaning

Question 1

Ultimate Reality (General)

Answer 1

• In the cosmology of many religions, there is a god figure, spirit or force that is supreme and wise
• Religion affects the way people think and behave, and therefore have an impact on the way people live their lives.
• Many religions consider the ultimate reality as a supreme being such as god. Not all religions view their ultimate reality as god or deity

Question 2

Ultimate Reality (Specific)

Answer 2

• God is the alpha and the omega
• Christians believe in the Trinity - that is, in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a mystery of the faith
• God is eternal
• Catholics believe God is the alpha the omega, the beginning and the end
• God is the creator if the world, revealed in the scriptures (Genesis 1 and 2)
• God is the source of all power and beauty
• God is both transcendent and immanent

Question 3

The nature and purpose of human life (General)

Answer 3

• Religions may credit human existence to be purposeful and especially designed while other religions view human existence as part of a chance event, or as part of an ongoing transformation process
• Religions may offer beliefs about origins, beliefs about the importance of human nature and purpose and values.
• By looking to these religious beliefs, answers to existential questions about human existence may be found.

Question 4

The nature and purpose of human life (Specific)

Answer 4

• Christianity has developed its own understanding of the nature and purpose of human life.
• Nature of Life: Humans are created in the image of God (Imago dei), therefore, have a nature of the divine or ‘divine spark.’
• Nature of Life: Humans have been bestowed with ‘reason’ and ‘free will’ and are therefore responsible for their actions.
• Purpose of Life: The purpose of life is understood by Catholics to emulate Jesus

Question 5

The meaning of suffering (General)

Answer 5

• The terms ‘good’ and ‘evil’ are central to many religions’ understanding of human character
• Good can be seen as the essence of divine nature of those actions carry out the virtuous, worthy and beneficial
• Evil can be described as something profoundly negative, immoral and wrong

Question 6

The meaning of suffering (Specific)

Answer 6

• Suffering is a mystery - Catholics struggle to understand random suffering, but understand it is part of Gods plan and trust him
• Suffering can be a source of growth in faith and growth in the relationship with God.
• Christians believe in heaven, The pain and suffering we experience in this life will seem unimportant when compared to the joys of the afterlife

Question 7

Death and the afterlife (General)

Answer 7

• Just as meaning can be found in life, it can also be found in death
• Religious traditions have constructed beliefs, rituals, codes of behaviour and prayers to mark the death of a human being
• Most tradition have developed and eschatology to explain death and the afterlife to adherents

Question 8

Death and the afterlife (Specific)

Answer 8

• Catholics believe death is not the end, but a new stage of life entered
• Catholics understand death by looking at the example of Jesus Christ, death and resurrection
• The Catholic Church views death is a mystery, but understand that there is a promise of eternal life
• Catholics believe eternal life has 2 final destinations - Heaven and Hell

Question 9

The relationship between ultimate reality and humanity (General)

Answer 9

• The ultimate reality is often seen as being in a relationship with humans, though usually not on equal footing
• This relationship may be immanent and person, or distant and transcendent
• Metaphors can be used to describe the relationship in various ways, such as parent-child, master-servant.

Question 10

The relationship between ultimate reality and humanity (Specific)

Answer 10

• Christianity strongly believes in a covenantal relationship between God and humanity
• Covenantal theology is the basis for understanding the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the history of human salvation.
• The Eucharist symbolises the new covenant given by God to his followers. The sacrament symbolises freedom from the slavery of sin and the promise of eternal life.

Question 11

The relationship between humans (General)

Answer 11

• Religion traditions serves as a guide to correct relationships between human beings and the responsibility they have to their fellow humans
• The relationships between humans can be described as a vertical relationship
• All Religions have a Golden Rule about treating others the way that you would like to be treated

Question 12

The relationship between humans (Specific)

Answer 12

• Christianity rests on the teaching and actions of Jesus Christ to understand the relationship between humans should be one of love and forgiveness
• It is through this relationship that humans can establish the Kingdom of God

Question 13

The relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world (General)

Answer 13

• Religions offer a variety of views on the relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world
• The human relationship with the natural world is found to be interpreted through sacred texts

Question 14

The relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world (Specific

Answer 14

• The views on the natural world it to appreciate its gifts
• As Catholic adherents, they must
• Christians identify environmental degradation with selfishness and harm, which ignore the future generation

Question 15

Purpose of Religion (Individual)

Answer 15

• Respond to an individual’s existential questions about their place in the world and universe
• Answers and individual’s search for meaning
• Forms and identity, individually, communally and globally
• Marks life’s significant stages
• Makes meaning out of intense emotions at various stages of life

Question 16

Purpose of Religion (Society)

Answer 16

• For a society, religion responds to the needs of people in forming a collective group identity - communally and globally
• generates emotions that are not felt in any other context
• Acts as a metanarrative, or truth narrative, that provides a way of making sense of ‘the world’ including its origins and end
• Groups that assist to help the vulnerable - St Vincent De Paul
• Fills the gaps of the shortfalls of society - for example where society may lack resources for the vulnerable, religion can supplement these resources

Question 17

Role of beliefs

Answer 17

• Essential to a religion is beliefs. Without beliefs, there would be no religion. It would disintegrate, adherents would not know what to follow or what differentiated it from other beliefs.
• Beliefs provide a framework for living a ‘good life’. Beliefs offer a relationship with the divine, humans and nature.
• People may hold religious beliefs to help them answer the important existential questions of life
• Religious beliefs could help make sense of the world
• Religious beliefs may provide hope or security in the turmoil of the world