RELIGION and NONRELIGION 1 RELIGION and NONRELIGION Students

RELIGION and NON-RELIGION 1

RELIGION and NON-RELIGION Students learn about: • • The religious dimension of human history New religious expression Non-religious worldviews The difference between religious and nonreligious worldviews 2

1. The Religious Dimension of Human History 1 a Identify the following expressions of the religious dimension in human history ● Animism ● Polytheism ● Monotheism 1 b Evaluate the place of the religious dimension in human history to provide ● meaning and purpose for the individual ● Social cohesion ● Social transformation 1 c Investigate statistical data of the current global distribution of the five major religious traditions 3

1 a Identify the following expressions of the religious dimension in human history ANIMISM There is clear archaeological evidence that prehistoric communities had religious beliefs There are several theories about how prehistoric religion began; i. e. the origin of religion Ø Sir Edward Burnett Tylor Ø Friedrich Max Muller Ø Wilhelm Schmidt Definition (by Tylor 1871): - Prehistoric people believed that all natural objects including living creatures had a soul or a spirit which existed separately and independently from its physical being. It was this force that controlled the activities of the natural 4 world

Animism is the belief that natural events (such as windstorms, cyclones and earthquakes) could be attributed to the actions of these spirits – animae Tylor says that the prehistoric people revered and worshipped these spirits because the natural phenomena (which the spirits produced) were completely beyond normal human capabilities. i. e. nature was completely controlled solely by the spirits. Thus prehistoric people worshipped the spirits because they affected their daily lives – and they had to keep the spirits happy! 5

Tylor’s theories have been rejected by most scholars but have led to the development of alternate theories about the origins of religion Muller: Ø Disagreed with Tylor’s notion that the spirits inhabited the natural world Ø Instead, he had the idea that the spirits possessed human emotions such as anger which led to them having good and bad temper and that it was this that led them to be revered as deities Whilst Animism is associated with pre-historic cultures, it still exists in some of today’s cultures; e. g. Australian Aboriginal people, some African and Polynesian communities. 6

POLYTHEISM …is the belief in – and worship of – multiple deities: gods and goddesses, and is generally believed to have developed from animism and then monotheism is said to have then developed from polytheism as a natural progression ANIMISM POLYTHEIS M MONOTHEISM 7

The deities (gods) of polytheistic cultures have their own… Ø Stories and worshipping needs Ø Individual personalities Ø Specialities (like the god of harvest, the god of fertility etc) and Ø A position in a hierarchy of gods Thus the gods of polytheistic cultures have personalities, disagreements with other gods, personal likes and dislikes and wars The Greek, Egytpian and Roman ancient religions were all polytheistic 8

HARD & SOFT POLYTHEISM Ø Hard polytheists conceive of their gods as being distinct and separate entities; e. g. Ancient Greek gods of Mt Olympus Ø Soft polytheism does not conceive of the gods being distinct or separate. Rather they are understood to be acting as facets of a single god; e. g. Hinduism – has various deities which are understood to be different manifestations of the one power known as Brahman 9

MONOTHEISM- Belief in one God Deism is a form of monotheism that affirms the belief in the oneness of god but rejects the notion that god is an active agent in human history Pantheism acknowledges the intervention of god in human history- god in not seen as separate from nature – but as part of nature Semitic Monotheism- Christianity, Judaism and Islam religions of “ the book” with common ancestors and belief in one creator and loving God 10

1 b Evaluate the place of the religious dimension in human history to provide ● meaning and purpose for the individual ● Social cohesion ● Social transformation MEANING AND PURPOSE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL 1. Religion attempts to provide guidelines which answer the key questions: Ø Where did we come from? (the origin of creation) Ø What are we supposed to de while we are here? (the purpose of human existence) Ø What happens after we die? (what is our destiny) 11

2. RELIGION OFFERS A SENSE OF BELONGING WITHIN A COMMUNITY Human beings – by their nature – need to belong within a community or society Therefore, the rituals and communal worship helps us by providing a sense of belonging to a community 3. THE ROLE OF RITUAL PRACTICE Religion plays a significant role in reinforcing the cultural identity of a group It also renews and strengthens the bonds within a community of believers – especially where those are small, ethnic minorities or marginalized or alienated It does this by ritual practice 12

2, SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION Religion can be used to uphold and preserve traditional values and practices in a society, but also as a tool for social change egsocial justice and equality for marginalized groups by addressing issues like poverty, environmental change, global conflict and indigenous peoples’ rights Some examples are S V d P, Caritas and the Salvation Army 13

3. SOCIAL COHESION 1 b Religion can provide communities with a sense of continuity and certainty in an uncertain and confusing eg in times of war, but has often supported unjust social prctices such as slavery 14

1 c Investigate statistical data of the current global distribution of the five major religious traditions 1 c christianity islam hindu buddhism judaism other 15

2 a Recognize 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 2 a 16

THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & SPIRITUALITIES 2 a INCREASING POPULARITY OF NEW AGE RELIGIONS A wide range of Australians are attracted to new age religions for a variety of reasons When viewed alongside traditional religious practices, they tend to be worldviews which have a nonreligious approach. 17

3 a Outline the essential features of Atheism and Agnosticism 3 b Outline the positions of: ● Rational Humanism ● Scientific Humanism p 24 p 26 3 c discuss how Agnosticism, Atheism and Humanism p 28 determine the aspiration and behaviour of the individual 4 a Compare the response of ONE religious and ONE nonreligious belief system to: ● The concept of the transcendent ● The human person p 30 ● Social responsibility 18

THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & SPIRITUALITIES 2 a NEW AGE RELIGION An term that covers a wide range of spiritual beliefs and practices which aim to foster individual fulfilment in the form of personal happiness, health and meaning in life. The New Age Movement is in a class by itself. Unlike most formal religions, it has no holy text, central organization, membership, formal clergy, geographic centre, dogma, creed, etc. They often use mutually exclusive definitions for some of their terms. 19

THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & SPIRITUALITIES 2 a EXAMPLES OF NEW AGE RELIGIONS ● ● ● Astrology Crystals Feng shui Magnetic field therapy Numerology Palmistry ● ● ● Spiritual healing Tia chi Tarot cards Transcendental meditation Yoga 20

THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & SPIRITUALITIES 2 a DIVERSE NATURE OF NEW AGE RELIGIONS The New Age Religions are very diverse and are often practised by small groups or individuals Some feature philosophies drawn from ancient religions whilst others are based on a framework that seeks to unlock human potential. Others are based on pseudo-scientific approaches to health & wellbeing 21

2 a Recognize the reasons for the rise of new religious expressions as people: p 17 ● Search for personal fulfilment ● Seek ethical guidelines ● Seek to clarify their relationship with society 2 b Explain how the following have influenced the growth of new religious expressions and spiritualties ● The rise of materialism p 19 ● Scientific progress ● Growth of ecological awareness ● Disenchantment with “traditional” religious practice and guidance 22

THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & SPIRITUALITIES 2 a CHARACTERISTICS OF NEW AGE RELIGIONS Often focussed on the needs of the individual Usually no structure or hierarchy No particular commitment required No doctrine of social renewal or service to others The attraction is often: - Ø A search for personal fulfilment Ø A need for ethical guidance and Ø A need to belong to a “society” 23

THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & SPIRITUALITIES i. 2 a SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILMENT Importance of search for personal fulfilment Ø The most significant attraction of new religious expression Ø Secularism has caused an absence of meaning in life where the traditional religious beliefs are seen as irrelevant Ø This results in people looking elsewhere to find answers to the meaning and purpose of life’s journey 24

THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & SPIRITUALITIES i. 2 a SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILMENT Diverse nature of New Age Religions Ø The personal fulfilment is offered in a considerable variety of ways that will appeal to many… q Having a successful career q Being wealthy q Being happy in relationships q Being physically and emotionally well 25

THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & SPIRITUALITIES 2 a ii. SEEKING ETHICAL GUIDELINES Lack of moral certainty in a secular society Ø Moral relativism is the notion that everything is a matter of personal choice which begets the idea that there is an absence of moral truth in a secular society Traditional religious guidance is often seen as irrelevant & meaningless 26

THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & SPIRITUALITIES 2 a iii. SEEK TO CLARIFY THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH SOCIETY 27

2 b Explain how the following have influenced the growth of new religious expressions and spiritualties ● The rise of materialism ● Scientific progress ● Growth of ecological awareness ● Disenchantment with “traditional” religious practice and guidance 2 b 28

3 a Outline the essential features of Atheism and Agnosticism 3 a 29

3 a Outline the essential features of Atheism and Agnosticism 3 a ATHEISM Atheism is the absence of belief that any deities exist Therefore, an atheist does not believe that god exists It is therefore not an active belief system or a philosophy with its own set of doctrines They believe that the universe, the earth and its life evolved by a natural scientific process They believe that because there is no god, humanity has no ultimate goal and that there is no life after life 30

3 a Outline the essential features of Atheism and Agnosticism 3 a ATHEISM Atheism developed via the 17 th century Age of Enlightenment that advocated the use of reason over religion because religion was seen to be irrational and grew from superstitions This era also saw significant scientific advancement which was viewed as being incompatible with traditional religion Thus, with the advent of Darwin’s 19 th century theory of evolution, there grew increasing tension between secularism and religion 31

3 a Outline the essential features of Atheism and Agnosticism 3 a AGNOSTICISM A sceptical world view of a person who awaits more conclusive evidence than currently exists before they commit to a belief in a transcendent entity; i. e. the existence of a god. Therefore, because they do not believe that there is sufficient proof, they do not believe (yet) in a heaven, a hell or judgement. They don’t discount the existence of a god – rather they believe that there is not enough proof (evidence) to support such a belief – a fence-sitter 32

3 a Outline the essential features of Atheism and Agnosticism 3 a DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ATHEISTS & AGNOSTICS Agnostics believe that the existence of god is still a possibility but at this time evidence for the existence of god (or gods) is not conclusive Atheists regard the issue as firmly closed 33

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3 a Outline the essential features of Atheism and Agnosticism 3 a Question from a past paper 2009 HSC EXAMINATION Section I Question 22 (5 marks) “If god does not exist, then everything is permitted. ” With reference to the above quotation, explain how atheism OR agnosticism influences the aspirations and behaviour of individuals. (you are only permitted to write 11 lines) 35

3 b Outline the positions of: ● Rational Humanism ● Scientific Humanism 3 b HUMANISM Humanism is a belief that – since there is no evidence that supports the existence of a supernatural being – this life and this world are all that matters Therefore we should live full, happy lives and make it easier for others to do the same This is based on the belief that – since supernatural intervention has been proven impossible – human beings can and do have control over their own destinies Thus human endeavour, experience, intelligence and 36 compassion are the foundations of all moral values

3 c Discuss how Agnosticism, Atheism and Humanism determine the aspiration and behaviour of the individual 3 c 37

HUMANISM 3 c is a philosophy that believes that this world, the morals, ethics and the experiences gained from this life are all that we have Human beings are therefore able to control their own destiny – and by implication – those of other people And since we can do this, we should try to improve the lives of others Accordingly, humanists have strong ethical and moral doctrines regarding social responsibility, ecological sustainability and the notion that all human beings are born free and equal Many of the beliefs of humanism can also be applied to atheism and Christianity 38

HUMANISM 3 c Amsterdam Declaration 2002 Humanism is the outcome of a long tradition of free thought that has inspired many of the world's great thinkers and creative artists and gave rise to science itself. The fundamentals of modern Humanism are as follows: 1. Humanism is ethical. It affirms the worth, dignity and autonomy of the individual and the right of every human being to the greatest possible freedom compatible with the rights of others. Humanists have a duty of care to all of humanity including future generations. Humanists believe that morality is an intrinsic part of human nature based on understanding and a concern for others, needing no external sanction. 39

HUMANISM 3 c Amsterdam Declaration 2002 2. Humanism is rational. It seeks to use science creatively, not destructively. Humanists believe that the solutions to the world's problems lie in human thought and action rather than divine intervention. Humanism advocates the application of the methods of science and free inquiry to the problems of human welfare. But Humanists also believe that the application of science and technology must be tempered by human values. Science gives us the means but human values must propose the ends. 40

HUMANISM 3 c Amsterdam Declaration 2002 3. Humanism supports democracy and human rights. Humanism aims at the fullest possible development of every human being. It holds that democracy and human development are matters of right. The principles of democracy and human rights can be applied to many human relationships and are not restricted to methods of government. 41

HUMANISM 3 c Amsterdam Declaration 2002 4. Humanism insists that personal liberty must be combined with social responsibility. Humanism ventures to build a world on the idea of the free person responsible to society, and recognises our dependence on and responsibility for the natural world. Humanism is undogmatic, imposing no creed upon its adherents. It is thus committed to education free from indoctrination. 42

HUMANISM 3 c Amsterdam Declaration 2002 5. Humanism is a response to the widespread demand for an alternative to dogmatic religion. The world's major religions claim to be based on revelations fixed for all time, and many seek to impose their world-views on all of humanity. Humanism recognises that reliable knowledge of the world and ourselves arises through a continuing process. Of observation, evaluation and revision. 6. Humanism values artistic creativity and imagination and recognises the transforming power of art. Humanism affirms the importance of literature, music, and the visual and performing arts for personal development and fulfilment. 43

HUMANISM 3 c Amsterdam Declaration 2002 7. Humanism is a life stance aiming at the maximum possible fulfilment through the cultivation of ethical and creative living and offers an ethical and rational means of addressing the challenges of our times. Humanism can be a way of life for everyone everywhere. Our primary task is to make human beings aware in the simplest terms of what Humanism can mean to them and what it commits them to. By utilising free inquiry, the power of science and creative imagination for the furtherance of peace and in the service of compassion, we have confidence that we have the means to solve the problems that confront us all. We call upon all who share this conviction to associate themselves with us in this endeavour. 44

SUMARY OF HUMANISM Humanists think that this world and this life are all we have, hence we should try to live full and happy lives ourselves and, as part of this, make it easier for other people to do the same All situations and people deserve to be judged on their merits by standards of reason and humanity Human experience is the foundation for all moral values Humanists believe in the intrinsic goodness of humanity, but realise that human potential is far greater than current achievement Individuality and social cooperation are equally important Humanists believe that human beings are successful, because of our ability to manipulate and adapt to the natural world by working cooperatively with other human beings 45

SUMARY OF HUMANISM There are many types of humanists e. g. Christian humanists, scientific humanists etc. RATIONAL HUMANISM (ALSO KNOWN AS SECULAR HUMANISM) Philosophy which proclaims that the use compassion, equality, morality, ethics and most importantly reason can be used to build a better world for human kind SCIENTIFIC HUMANISM (ALSO KNOWN AS MODERN HUMANISM) Philosophy which places a significant emphasis upon science and technology to address global problems such as poverty, environmental degradation, and social inequalities Began in the 20 th century, with an emphasis on achieving 46 equality and peace on a global scale

SUMARY OF HUMANISM SCIENTIFIC HUMANISM (ALSO KNOWN AS MODERN HUMANISM) Philosophy which places a significant emphasis upon science and technology to address global problems such as poverty, environmental degradation, and social inequalities Began in the 20 th century, with an emphasis on achieving equality and peace on a global scale Humanists are atheists and therefore atheism and humanism are not mutually exclusive Many beliefs and aspirations of humanism can also be applied to atheism 47

How does agnosticism determine aspirations and behaviour of individuals? • In-decision would result in ‘a dilemma, a complexity • This would require behaviours to be of such a nature that either alternatives (god/no-god) could result in the happiness of the agnostic. • Their aspirations would be to be the best person they are, for I cannot be secured if I am evil

• Further their aspirations may be to achieve the best society so that both possibilities may be realised. • They would need to be open to further analysis and discussion in order to see whether their position as agnostics is still tenable

How does Atheism determine the aspirations and behaviour of individuals? • Atheist, as a position, is difficult for there is no compelling need to aspire to anything or to behave in any one manner. • Though most atheists would see some purpose for their lives, there is again no compelling evidence for this, unless founded in the sciences or intellect. • They would argue that humanity would dictate appropriate aspirations and behaviour

How does Humanism determine the aspirations and behaviours of individuals? • What befits the human is good; what is disclosed as the nature and purpose of the human is good. • ‘Man fully alive’ meaning that in all her characteristics (emotional, aesthetic, spiritual, intellectual, social) the human person strives to achieve fullness of personhood

Use the following description to answer Questions 8 & 9 Carly reads the Qur’an, the Bible, Buddha’s sermons, and Confucius’ Analects, attends a Wiccan coven, has regular tarot card readings and leads a yoga class. She is skeptical about science and is disillusioned with the effects of technology on climate change. 8. 9. What is Carly’s religious outlook or spirituality likely to be? (A) Tibetan Buddhist (B) Rational Humanist (C) Pentecostal Christian (D) New religious expression Carly’s best friend is Scott who describes himself as a Scientific Humanist. Which of the following issues are Carly and Scott most likely to disagree about? (A) The problems caused for society by economic exploitation of natural resources (B) The ability of mainstream religious authorities to provide guidance to society (C) The value of alternative medicine (D) The dangers of global warming 52

4 a Compare the response of ONE religious and ONE non-religious belief system to: ● The concept of the transcendent ● The human person ● Social responsibility 4 a THE RESPONSE OF ONE RELIGIOUS AND ONE NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM TO… Fundamentalist: a member of a religious movement that is characterised by a literal, rigid interpretation of the sacred text Transcendent: belief that divine power(s) or being(s) exists beyond the human Utilitarianism: consequentialist form of ethical theory which asserts the notion that what is good is what brings the greatest happiness for the greatest 53 number

THE RESPONSE OF ONE RELIGIOUS AND ONE NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM TO… i. THE CONCEPT OF THE TRANSCENDENT 4 a God created the world and gave meaning to life Ø All Christians believe in the concept of the transcendent Ø All Christians believe that god is the source of creation and that God gives meaning and purpose to life Humanists reject the notion of the transcendent Ø Humanists do not accept the idea that there is anything that exists beyond the ordinary human experience Life after physical death Ø Humanists believe that this life and this world is all we have and reject any ideas about a life after death Ø Christians – on the other hand – believe in heaven, hell and judgement leading to eternal life 54

THE RESPONSE OF ONE RELIGIOUS AND ONE NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM TO… 4 a i. THE CONCEPT OF THE TRANSCENDENT Source and mechanisms of creation Ø Because humanists do not believe in life after death, they only accept the scientific view of creation Ø Christians have no problem accepting the view that evolution is a mechanism of creation as well as that god is the source of creation Ø The difference is what is behind the process: Secular humanists align themselves with the scientists who claim that creation was a spontaneous event lacking in cause or motivation Christians believe that God is the author of creation 55

THE RESPONSE OF ONE RELIGIOUS AND ONE NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM TO… 4 a ii. THE HUMAN PERSON The human person is of paramount importance Ø This view is held by both Christians and Humanists – that the human person is of supreme value Ø Humanists believe that human beings have thrived through their intelligent adaptation to the environment and their problem-solving ability The needs of the individual are paramount Ø Humanists believe that the needs of the individual should never be compromised except when the greater good of society is involved 56

THE RESPONSE OF ONE RELIGIOUS AND ONE NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM TO… 4 a ii. THE HUMAN PERSON The source of this view: Ø Christians believe that we are made in the image and likeness of God and Ø That social responsibilities are derived from the revelation of God Ø Humanists – on the other hand – believe that the social responsibilities are derived purely from human experiences iii. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY The issues addressed are poverty, ecological concerns, world peace, justice and economic equality 57

THE RESPONSE OF ONE RELIGIOUS AND ONE NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM iii. TO… SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 4 a Belief that people have social responsibilities towards each other Ø Both Christian and Humanists believe that because the human person is of extreme value, people have certain social responsibilities toward each other Ø Both belief systems aim to make the world a better place for all to live in The source of this view Ø The Christians and the Humanists differ in their views of social responsibility Christians have specific doctrines on social responsibility – based on biblical teachings & tradition Humanists have similar doctrines but they are not as 58 clearly defined

THE RESPONSE OF ONE RELIGIOUS AND ONE NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM TO… 4 a iii. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Life after physical death Ø Because Humanists have no belief in an afterlife, they tend to place more emphasis on the contributions people make in this life Ø Christians – because they place too much emphasis on the idea of life after death – have been criticized for placing too much emphasis here and not enough on the needs of people during their earthly lives 59

THE RESPONSE OF ONE RELIGIOUS AND ONE NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM TO… iii. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 4 a Material accumulation of goods Ø Both groups believe that its harmful to acquire possessions to excess because this can take place at the expense of those who are deprived of life’s necessities thus fostering inequality Ecological sustainability Ø Both groups share a similar philosophy for the protection of the environment – but for different reasons: Christians – because of the relationship between god and its creator Humanists – because they believe we are dependant on the environment for survival 60