World Religions: Judaism and Christianity

• Overview of beliefs, sacred texts and impact of world religions and indigenous spirituality

Judaism

• Monotheistic religion centered on the covenant between God and the Jewish people
• The covenant outlines mutual promises and obligations
• The Torah (Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses) is the sacred text
• The Torah contains foundational laws, history, and the essence of the covenant
• The Torah guides daily living and emphasizes ethical behavior
• Jewish law is known as halakha
• The Torah molds personal identity
• Synagogues are communal hubs for Torah reading and interpretation
• The Torah is considered the direct word of God
• The Torah connects generations through shared heritage and spiritual path

Christianity

• Monotheistic faith believing in one God in the Trinity: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit
• Jesus Christ is regarded as God's Son
• His crucifixion and resurrection offer salvation through faith
• The Bible (Old and New Testaments) is the sacred text
• The Bible provides moral and spiritual guidance that shapes beliefs, values, and behavior
• The Bible offers a path to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ
• The Bible instructs church teachings, worship practices, and community life
• Churches provide community
• Christianity emphasizes love, forgiveness, and compassion

Islam

• Monotheistic religion worshipping one God, Allah
• The Quran is Islam's holy book containing divine messages revealed to Prophet Muhammad
• Islam emphasizes a covenant between God and believers
• Focus is solely on worship of Allah without the concept of the Trinity
• Key practices revolve around the Five Pillars
• Declaration of belief
• Daily prayers facing Mecca
• Giving to charity
• Fasting during Ramadan
• Pilgrimage to Mecca
• The Quran provides guidance encompassing prayer, charity, and ethical conduct
• Islamic law, Sharia, forms the foundation for communal life, governance, and social interactions

Hinduism

• Recognizes one God represented through various deities embodying different aspects of the divine
• Reincarnation is central (rebirth of the soul based on karma)
• Individuals strive to fulfill their dharma (duty to society)
• Seeks moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death)
• Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata are sacred scriptures
• Practices include yoga and meditation
• Focus on cyclical time rather than a linear timeline
• Practices of yoga and puja are central

Buddhism

• Offers a pathway to self-discovery and spiritual liberation through meditation and mindfulness
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)
• Emphasizes the Four Noble Truths, explaining the nature of suffering and the path to enlightenment
• The Eightfold Path guides individuals on how to live morally and spiritually
• Karma defines actions that have consequences that shape future lives
• The goal is to reach Nirvana (freedom from suffering)
• Sutras and Dharma are sacred texts
• Encourages self-discovery and spiritual liberation

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Spiritualities

• Emphasize deep connection between people, land, and ancestors
• Dreaming stories, passed down through oral traditions, songs, dances, and art, explain the creation of the world and the origins of life
• The land holds spirits and provides essential resources
• Ancestor Spirits guide and protect descendants
• Practices include ceremonies and storytelling connecting people to the Dreaming and maintaining cultural traditions
• Focus on the interconnectedness of all things, promoting harmony and respect for the land