Nature and Characteristics of Religion

• Religion and beliefs encompass the nature of religion, its characteristics, the Dreaming, and its significance for Aboriginal people.

The Nature of Religion

• Religion is a worldview acknowledging a supernatural dimension and often includes a belief in a divine being or powers beyond the human.
• A worldview is a framework or lens through which people understand the world, with religious worldviews specifically acknowledging the supernatural.
• The supernatural dimension is a belief in a divine being or power exceeding human and physical limits, described as either transcendent or immanent.
• Transcendent refers to being beyond this world, while immanent refers to being within this world.
• Religions acknowledge the supernatural through monotheism (one divine being) or polytheism (many divine beings or powers).

Characteristics of Religion

• Religions have beliefs and believers, sacred texts and writings, ethics, and rituals and ceremonies.
• Pantheism exemplifies both transcendence and immanence simultaneously.
• A transcendent worldview believes in a divine power/powers beyond the human; it has a transcendent dimension.
• An immanent worldview believes supernatural powers or divine beings dwell within humans on earth.
• Every religion has core beliefs and adherents, with all traditions having sacred texts and oral traditions.
• Texts provide guidance for adherents, and sacred texts contain central beliefs and structure.
• Ethics are the practical application of belief and guide adherents' actions toward others and the environment.
• Rituals and ceremonies celebrate and reinforce the central belief system and can be public or private, with ceremonies occurring outside formal contexts.
• Dynamic religions are positive, full of energy and new ideas, and not detached from everyday human existence.
• The interaction between characteristics creates a dynamic, living religion that adapts to the times without losing central ideas.
• A dynamic, living religion is relevant, energizing, and embodies core beliefs while adapting to modern contexts.
• Religion evolves to meet the needs of people while retaining main principles and orthodoxy within a contemporary framework.
• A dynamic religion provides meaning and allows expression of beliefs in ritual to bring the community together.
• In Christianity, the Reformation and the Second Vatican Council show an evolving religion, and the Pope and Vatican writings indicate ways people should live in modern times.
• Sacred texts, stories, and writings formulate responses expressing a belief system and a code of ethics.
• Religions contribute to individuals' discovery of purpose and belonging by addressing existential questions and fostering community.
• Religions provide ethical guidance on social, sexual, bioethical, and environmental concerns and offer paths to inner peace through prayer and meditation.
• Rituals mark important stages, allowing believers to experience the supernatural in a tangible way, providing order and structure.
• Religion is influenced reciprocally by culture, shaped by its cultural context, and acts as a conservative influence by preventing societal movement away from traditional values.
• It can be a progressive influence, advocating for human dignity through refugee advocacy, indigenous rights, and environmental protection.
• Religion seeks to instill justice in social debates to change community views and indicates what constitutes appropriate dress and diet.

Australian Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualities - The Dreaming

• The Dreaming is a whole worldview for Indigenous people with an inextricable connection to land and identity.
• Dreaming is metatemporal, incorporating the past, present, and future into one complete, present reality.
• The language used by each cultural group is unique as the Dreaming encompasses all concepts of knowledge and time, determining responsibilities.
• Aboriginal time is cyclical, with no beginning or end of time.
• Sacred sites have significance for Aboriginal people, emphasising traditions and the Dreaming, and connects to spirit ancestors.
• There is deep awareness of the sacred Dreaming presence and encompasses the nature of what is around them.
• The protection of sacred sites ensures the well-being of the country and the wider community.
• Uluru is a sacred site/landmark formed by ancestral beings during the Dreamtime and the Baiame cave is a heritage-listed site of the Wonnarua people.
• Stories of the Dreaming explain how the land was shaped and contain information needed to live, prosper, and understand these origins.
• Symbolism and art are forms connecting aspects of Aboriginal life, continually teaching and often depicting creation, kinship, and laws.
• An inextricable connection exists between the Dreaming, land, and identity and connectedness between a person and family to land and spirituality is connectedness
• Aboriginal universe - single unit.
• The belief through tjukurrpa that everything is one and connected.
• Importance of three R's: relationship, responsibility, and respect.