SUGGESTED LEARNING CONTEXTS

Transcription

1 SUGGESTED LEARNING CONTEXTS Within the broad area of the place of religion in society teachers may choose from one or more o the suggested contexts (this list is not exhaustive): Religion in history e.g. Christianity during the Middle-Ages Christianity, in the form of the Catholic religion was the only religion recognized during the Middle Ages in Europe. Religion in contemporary society e.g. a case-study of a tele-evangelist An evangelical preacher who appears regularly on television, preaching the gospel and appealing for donations from viewers. This shows the modern technology moving with religion as it grows. Social Justice e.g. wealth and poverty in Australia Example are social justice organisations; Caritas Australia Their values are to explore the principles that shape our work to help end poverty and promote justice. St. Vincent de Paul Society The St Vincent de Paul Society is committed to actively and passionately speaking out against the causes of poverty and inequality on behalf of the people we serve. Mercy Care To achieve wellbeing, dignity and justice for all. Australian attitudes to refugees Refugees are among the most vulnerable people on the globe, and Australia will be judged as a world citizen by the way it treats them, said Australian Catholic Social Justice Council Chairman, Bishop Christopher Saunders. Religion and the Media e.g. religious messages in film and television A prime example would be Mary Mackillop Story, this was made into a documentary about her life and how he had served God. Over a long period time she had become a Saint, it had also explain the situations she had gone through during the time. Religion and Technology e.g. constructing websites for a religious community Due to the advantages of the internet this allows the communication of having mass at home and not having to go to church. This provides advanced information and changing the way society practice religion.

2 Religion and the Environment e.g. global warming and the nuclear debate The Catholic Church believe that it is a high priority to keep the environment in top condition as it is what God has created. Because the nuclear issue is not simply political, but also a profoundly moral and religious question, the Church must be a participant in the process of protecting the world and its people from the specter of nuclear destruction. - Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Australia as a multi-faith society e.g. stories of fitting-in as migrants - Conversion - Diversity within Society - Influences UNIT CONTENT This unit includes knowledge, understandings and skills to the degree of complexity described below. This is the examinable content of the course. The Nature of Religion The search for meaning The relationship between spirituality and religion - It is to seek, sense and think. - Sensing the presence of a greater being (divine being). When in religion you would; - Celebrate certain experience of the divine being. - Being able to recognize sacred places and characters - Encouragement to seek God The relationship between important life events e.g. marriage, death and the questions people ask about meaning and purpose in their lives Birth is the mystery experience. - Unborn life - Parenthood - The wonder of the new born child

3 Development into Adulthood is being a full adult, mature and responsible of their own life. - Responsible (desire to accept/become) - How to influence and make a difference - Career Marriage is the commitment between two people to enter into marriage is important and not to be treated lightly. - The path to future life - Parenthood (God blessed them and said, Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth. Genesis 1:22) - Trust and sharing Death is not a topic that people may handle very well, many may avoid people who may be dying. *Issue of Euthanasia: Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons Hebrews 12:7 - What happens after death? - How to find forgiveness for past guilt? - Illness - Suffering Impact social attitude have on the way people respond to the meaning and purpose offered by religion In one sense, the religions of the world are gatherings of people who share common beliefs about their experiences of a God or gods. As a result religions; - Develop particular ideas about their God or gods. - Share common understandings about basic human questions, such as the purpose of life, life after death and what it means to be a human being. - Worship, using common rituals and prayers. - Develop codes of behavior based upon their understanding of how the divine expect them to behave Religious belief systems Place of religious and secular values in society - Church, Chapels and Mosque Different perspectives and traditions within religious faith traditions - Worship rituals - God - Christmas Day - Lunar New Year

4 Historical development of religious beliefs and practices Religions were founded upon people s experiences of the divine. From these experiences their religion developed, not the other way around. The Influence of Religion The place of religion in society Influence of religion on society One of the purposes of the Catholic religion is to promote, support and develop within each person their ability to listen, be in touch with and respond to their questions of the human heart. As people seek, sense and think about God they are provided with opportunities to develop their experience of God. Such opportunities can occur for people when they; - Join groups to find spiritual experiences - Try to discover what the Creator reveals about the purpose and meaning of life, reason for personal existence, life after death and right and wrong. Expression of religion in society e.g. religious advertising Adverts upon; - Missionary Work - Christian Organisations - Operation Christmas Child Reactions and attitude towards religion People find it difficult to relate with God, this is due to the various reasons; - Failure to think about the continuing existence of creation Admiring the beauties of creation and what is noble in humanity, many people fail to think about these any further. - Failure to look for the unseen The more powerful influences in creation cannot be seen. People cannot see gravity, for examples, or magnetic attraction. People know about these forces only by studying their effects. Reason for and against the involvement of religion society Many today fail to relate with God because they fail to look beyond what they can see to the God who cannot be seen. Religion in historical and cultural contexts The changing role of religion in society Religion as part of the fabric of Australia society The impact societal changes have had on aspects of religion e.g. the practice of cremation, marriage customs

5 Contemporary issues for religion Contemporary challenges facing religion - Same sex marriage - Euthanasia - Abortion Contemporary issues in society to which religions seek to respond As above. Response of religion to issues in contemporary society Example used; Euthanasia - BBC: Euthanasia and assisted dying (General Christian View) - Roman Catholic View: Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God, since it is deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person. (Pope John Paul II, 1995) - Scripture/Bible: Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. (Hebrew 12:7) This purpose of suffering for the Christian is sanctification (a religious celebrations in which something is made holy)