RELIGION AND NON-RELIGION Flashcards
(13 cards)
RELIGIOUS DIMENSION
how humans have explored the forces or powers that could explain why the world is the way it is.
RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION
the way people show a belief in the powers or forces in the religious dimension
ANIMISM
The belief that all-natural object possesses a soul (people, animals + wider environment.)
• All-natural objects need to be treated with respect
• The souls, or spirits of each natural object control the day-to-day activities of the natural world
E.g., the way the trees say in the breeze or the way the tide changes
- Shintoism Kami’s (spirits) inhabit the natural world
- Aboriginal Spirituality
POLYTHEISM
Belief in the existence of multiple gods • Believe that different Gods or goddesses have control of specific aspects of the universe • Gods or deities resemble humans in the sense that they have their own personalities and interact and hold grudges against other gods. E.g., Hellenism (Greek Mythology) - Dionysus God of wine - Aphrodite God of the love - Poseidon God of the sea Hinduism: 330 million deities
MONOTHEISM
Belief in one god
• Omnipresent: All present
• Omniscient: All knowing
• Omnipotent: All powerful
• One God created the universe and gave humans morals
E.g., Judaism, Christianity, Islam (Semitic religions - God revealed himself, human purpose, revealed in sacred texts)
MEANING AND PURPOSE:
the past, present and future
• Where we come from (origins), why we are here (purpose), where we go when we die (destiny)
• Provides meaning in life by answering those big religious questions and giving life a sense of structure and consistency
• Semitic religions: one god, middle east origins
Sacred texts outline creation story
Each religion celebrates important stages – creates cultural identity and sense of belonging
Destiny provides purpose (act morally, obey god) EG. Akhira (heaven) and jannahah (hell)
SOCIAL COHESION
the way society works together and forms communities
• Religion is closely connected to culture and society as it provides a sense of community as it can serve to give their loves to something more stable and constant. E.G., laws, architecture (churches), public holidays, dress codes.
• Social disharmony: when people spread their religious views, it can lead to hostile tension (Sunni v Shia) and the crusades (Christians v Muslims)
SOCIAL TRANSFORMAITON
religion can serve as a force of social change or influence the rate of progress in society
• Social justice: poverty (caritas, Vinnie’s, salvos), environment (Islamic plan for climate change), natural disasters (Jewish coalition for disaster relief), conflict (pacem in terris)
• Education: religion can prevent progress
Science v religion
Religions are becoming supportive of new technologies such as IVF and cures for diseases such as HIV (willing to correct their understanding)
• Religion has acted as a means for change by helping the less fortunate (promoted change)
• Religion has prevented change by maintaining traditional views.
distribution of christianity
31% - 2.2 Billion people
top 4: USA, Brazil, Mexico, China
distribution of islam
23% - 1.6 Billion people
top 4: Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh
distribution of hinduism
15% - 900 Million people
top 4: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
distribution of buddhism
6% - 488 Million people
top 4: China, Thailand, Japan, Myanmar
distribution of judaism
0.22% - 14.9 Million people
top 4: USA, Israel, France, Canada
