10 Religion Exam Study Notes (2024) PDF

10 Religion (2024) Exam Study Guide and Notes Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue Unique Features of Christian Denominations The 5 Principal Beliefs of Christianity 1. The Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ a. Jesus Chris...

10 Religion (2024) Exam Study Guide and Notes Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue Unique Features of Christian Denominations The 5 Principal Beliefs of Christianity 1. The Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ a. Jesus Christ, in his ‘agape’, sacrifices his life for humanity - necessary for humans to reach heaven. b. It is in this same love that he resurrects from the dead - love overcomes death. 2. Jesus is fully human and fully God a. Council of Nicea (325 AD) and Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) 3. The One God exists as Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) a. Three Distinct Persons - all equally One God b. All 3 persons are in a ‘communion of love’ with each other (‘agape’) 4. Revelation - God reveals Himself to humanity a. Scripture - the Bible b. Tradition - passed on from the Apostles and Early Church (depending on denomination) c. Jesus is Revelation at its fullest 5. Salvation - Humanity needs to be saved from sin and suffering a. Only through the grace of God that humans can enter heaven b. Catholics/Orthodox - Faith and Good Works justifies entry to heaven c. Protestant - Faith alone justifies entry to heaven 1  Catholics Origins 1054 AD - Great Schism (Western CATHOLIC Church) Leadership and Structure (3) Papal Authority - the whole church answers to the Pope (The Bishop of Rome) ○ The Pope is considered the successor to St Peter (Apostolic Succession and Petrine Doctrine) ○ Current Pope - Pope Francis (since 2013) Ecclesiastical Hierarchy ○ Bishops lead the dioceses, priests lead the local parishes and deacons serve the community The strong presence of religious orders ○ Largest orders - Jesuits and Franciscans ○ Includes monks (eg. Benedictines), brothers (eg. Marists) and nuns (eg. Loreto, Mercy, Josephites) Unique Beliefs (4) Scripture and Tradition as sources of revelation and authority Salvation is achieved through Faith and Good Works Belief in Purgatory in the afterlife - passing intermediate state after physical death for purifying or purging a soul Transubstantiation in the Eucharist ○ The bread and wine transform into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ Unique Practices (4) 7 Sacraments Latin as the primary liturgical language Devotion to Mary and the saints Unique text - The Catechism of the Catholic Church Tendency to use classical paintings and statues for artwork Roman Catholic priests need to be single, celibate men Use of unleavened bread in the Eucharist Use of a crucifix (a cross with Jesus’ corpus) Sub-groups Western / Latin / Roman Catholic (99%) Eastern Catholic (1%) - includes Coptic, Maronite, Melkite and Syro-Malabar (India) ○ Practices Orthodox traditions but answers to the Pope 2  Orthodox Origins 1054 AD - Great Schism (Eastern ORTHODOX Churches) Leadership and Structure Autocephalous (self-governing) Patriarchates (national Church) - 15-17 total ○ Each patriarchate (Regional Church) is generally led by a Primate or Patriarch ○ The Patriarchs are considered to be successors to the Apostles (Apostolic Succession) ○ The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is the honorary leader - ‘first among equals’ - he's only responsible for his local Church, but everyone looks up to him, yet still independent - doesn't have to follow him ○ Current Patriarch of Constantinople - Bartholomew I (since 1991) Ecclesiastical Structure ○ Each patriarchate has its hierarchy of bishops, priests and deacons ○ Generally, each patriarchate can make decisions on its own ○ option to be independent/ follow patriarchates Unique Beliefs Scripture and Tradition as sources of revelation and authority Salvation is achieved through Faith and Good Works Transubstantiation in the Eucharist Orthodox refer to this as ‘Real Presence’ Rejection of the filioque clause in the Nicene Creed - does not mention ‘and the Son’ section Rejection of Papal Authority Unique Practices 7 Sacraments ○ Infants can receive Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the same time Devotion to Mary (Theotokos - ‘God-bearer’) The use of icons in artwork ○ iconostasis (panel of icons) Married men are allowed to be priests, but not bishops (Greek Orthodox) ○ Russian Orthodox allow married bishops Use of leavened bread in the Eucharist (baked bread) Sub-groups Largest Churches - Russian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox CAUSES: Doctrinal differences between Eastern and Western churches The rejection of universal Papal authority by Eastern patriarchs Growing sociopolitical differences between East and West. 3  Protestants Origins 16th Century AD - Protestant Reformation Began with Martin Luther in Germany, then spread across Europe - selling of indulgences Leadership and Structure Protestant churches are generally independent ○ Some churches will form a communion, federation or fellowship (eg. Anglican Communion, Lutheran World Federation, Assemblies of God) Local congregational leaders are usually called pastors or ministers ○ ‘Priesthood of All Believers’ - no ordained clergy - God doesn’t specifically bless you with a ‘role’ Some denominations may have bishops (eg. Anglicans, Lutherans, Baptists) ○ Generally seen as more historical and administrative, not ordained Unique Beliefs Sola Fide - Faith alone justifies salvation Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone as God’s revelation Rejection of Papal authority Consubstantiation or Symbolic in communion ○ Consubstantiation - the Bread and Wine also become the Body and Blood (ie. the two natures coexist) The difference between Consubstantiation and Transubstantiation is that Consubstantiation coexists as bread and wine, and Transubstantiation refers to the transformation of bread and wine. ○ Symbolic - the Bread and Wine symbolise/represent the Body and Blood. (ie. Jesus is not actually there) Unique Practices Most Protestants celebrate 2 sacraments/rituals ○ Baptism and Communion ○ Quakers and Salvation Army have no sacraments Liturgy - Sermons and Scripture studies are central Protestants can be more traditional (focusing on liturgies) or evangelical (focusing on personal experience) Ministers/Pastors can be married. Many Protestant Churches accept women as leaders. Sub-groups Includes Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Quakers (Friends of Jesus), Salvation Army, Calvinists, Pentecostals In Australia - Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists formed the Uniting Church in 1977 4  Anglican (Protestant) Origins 16th Century AD - Protestant Reformation King Henry VIII of England - took control of the church in England after the Pope refused to grant him a divorce Leadership and Structure Autonomous and independent churches - united under the Anglican Communion ○ Each national church is generally led by an Archbishop ○ Apostolic Succession - The Archbishops are successors to the Apostles ○ The Archbishop of Canterbury (Church of England) is the honorary leader - ‘first among equals’ The reigning monarch of England is the ‘supreme governor’ of the Church of England ○ Current Archbishop of Canterbury - Justin Welby (since 2013) Ecclesiastical Structure (Bishops, Priests and Deacons) ○ Mostly carried over from the Catholic Church Unique Beliefs Sola Fide - Faith alone justifies salvation Sola Scriptura - Scripture as authoritative in God’s revelation ○ They also believe in tradition from the Early Church as a revelation Rejection of Papal and Catholic authority - similar to Orthodox Consubstantiation in the Eucharist Unique Practices 7 Sacraments ○ Baptism and Eucharist are the most important Liturgy - Sermons and Scripture studies are central No restrictions on marriage for clergy Many Anglican churches allow for female priests and bishops 39 Articles of Religion - Basis of Anglican Belief Book of Common Prayer Sub-groups ‘High’ Anglican Churches (Anglo-Catholic) - traditional: more related to the Catholics ‘Low’ Anglican Churches (Evangelical) - liberal Episcopalian Church - Anglican Church in the USA 5  Pentecostal (Protestant) Origins Branched off from Methodists in the USA - 20th Cent. (the 1900s) Most prominent in the USA, South America Leadership and Structure Independent denominations and churches ○ Some Pentecostal denominations will form a fellowship (eg. Assemblies of God) ○ No centralised structure or leader Local congregational leaders are usually called pastors or ministers ○ No ‘ordained’ clergy Unique Beliefs Evangelical Protestants ○ AKA ‘Born Again’ Christians ○ Personal conversion experience of the Holy Spirit like in Pentecost Sola Fidei and Sola Scriptura Unique Practices Liturgy/service is charismatic and spontaneous ○ Letting the Holy Spirit move you (dramatic) ○ ‘God’s Presence’ - focus on Scripture, music and atmosphere When ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’, you receive ‘spiritual gifts’ ○ Glossalia (Speaking in Tongues), Prophecy, Healing, Interpretation ○ Big focus on music Sub-groups Assemblies of God - largest Pentecostal denomination fellowship globally - Castle Hill Australia - Hillsong and C3 (Christian City Church) Origins Disclaimer All Christian denominations will claim their origins back to Jesus Christ, the Apostles and the Early Church. ‘Origins’ - the point where the denominations become distinct 6 Abrahamic Religions Belief in the One God who revealed himself to Abraham ○ Judaism and Christianity descended from Isaac ○ Islam descended from Ishmael/Ismail Judaism Christianity Islam Key Beliefs One God Death and Resurrection of Jesus 6 Articles of Faith - Arkan-al-Islam Christ God and humanity have a Tahwid - Oneness of Allah (God) One Trinitarian God Malaika - Belief in Angels Covenant with each other Father - Creator Rusul - Belief in the Prophets, that Son - Redeemer God speaks through them God speaks through the Holy Spirit - Sanctifier (Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad) Prophets Kutub - Belief in the Books of God, The Divinity and Humanity of Jesus that God has given his message in Messiah/Messianic Age (End of Christ written form (The Hebrew Scriptures, the world - fulfilment of God’s The Christian Gospels and The Quran) promises) Salvation Akhira - Afterlife Al-Qadr - Dilemma of Predestination Revelation and Free Will Moses Maimonides’ God reveals Himself to humanity in 13 Principles of Faith ways we can understand ‘Surrendering to God’ ‘About the relationship between you and God’ Sacred Texts TANAKH The Bible Quran - The Literal Word of God Torah - First 5 books (Pentateuch) (Muhammad memorised the Word of (2) Neviim - Prophets Old Testament (Hebrew God from the Angel Gabriel, and had it Ketuvim - Writings and Poetry Scriptures) written down by scribes) Standardised in Arabic Talmud Tradition of law - how to apply the New Testament (Gospels, Hadith - The Life and Teachings of TANAKH in our lives, about what the Acts, Paul’s Letters, Muhammad the Final Prophet Rabis had to say to the books (How a Muslim can live out the Quran) Revelation) Mishnah - Written Record Gemara - Oral rabbinic tradition Ethics (3) 10 Commandments 10 Commandments Fiqh - Islamic Jurisprudence/Legal Tradition (Applying Islamic Law - sharia to 613 mitzvot Golden Commandments ethical situations) (‘sub-commandments’) (Love God and Love Others like yourself) When approaching an ethical situation you need to consult in this order: Halachah - Jewish Legal 1. The Quran Tradition (applying Scriptures The Beatitudes 2. The Hadith into real life) (Blessed are those…) 3. Ijma - The Consensus among Islamic Scholars 4. Reason by Analogy Tikkun Olam New Commandment (social justice - ‘healing the (Love one another as Jesus Categories of Sharia - approach to world’) loved us) applying the Quran and Hadith Fard - Compulsory (All Muslims must oblige) Halal - Permitted Haram - Forbidden Rituals and Sabbath - Shabbat Baptism Five Pillars of Islam (7th Day for Rest) Shahada - Testament of Ceremonies (3) Faith (‘I Believe that there is Communion/’Eucharist’ no other God but Allah, and Circumcision for males - Brit Muhammad is his final Milah Saturday/Sunday Worship messenger/prophet) Salat - 5 Daily Prayers Passover - Pesach Prayer Sawm - Observing and Fasting in Ramadan Bar/Bat Mitzvah - Coming of Age Easter Zakat - Compulsory ceremony for boys and girls Christmas almsgiving to the poor Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Saints’ Feast Days Ramadan - one month of fasting and Year) (Catholic/Orthodox) reflection to commemorate Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) 7  Judaism Christianity Islam Hanukkah (8-day festival of lights) Muhammad’s reception of the Quran Eid al-Fitr - end of Ramadan Eid al-Adha - Feast of Sacrifice (also end of Hajj) Variants and Orthodox Catholic Sunni (80%) Sects Orthodox Conservative Anglican Shia - descendent of Protestant Muhammad Reform/Liberal Pentecostal 8 Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue Ecumenism Cooperation between Christians (Greek - oikoumene - ‘whole world’) Interfaith Dialogue Cooperation between religions Importance Working towards a shared understanding ○ Finding common values and beliefs - Uniting Church ○ Ending misconceptions, stereotypes and bigotry Collaborating towards common goals ○ Social cohesion - working together in solidarity ○ Social justice - caring for those in need ○ Working towards world peace and ending conflict ○ Caring for the environment 9 Examples of Ecumenism Uniting Church in Australia 3 Protestant denominations became one in 1977 ○ Most of the Methodist and Congregationalist Churches ○ 2/3 of the Presbyterian Church “bear witness to that unity which is both Christ’s gift and will for the Church”. (The Basis of Union) Some Key Works and Initiatives: UnitingCare Australia - Social Services ○ Aged and disability care, homelessness, rehabilitation, family and children’s services ○ Wesley Mission - Crisis services Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (since the 1980s) ○ Reconciliation Member Church of the NCCA and NSW Ecumenical Council National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) Officially began after 1945 as the Australian Council of Churches ○ Initially an Anglican and Protestant initiative ○ Orthodox Churches included in the 1960s-1970s Reorganised in 1994 as the NCCA (Catholics join) 18 member churches Some Key Works and Initiatives: Act for Peace - International Humanitarian Agency ○ Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel Statements of Support for Indigenous Voice to Parliament Ecumenical Prayer (eg. Season of Creation) ○ Awareness and appreciation of the environment Partnered with the The Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews and State Ecumenical Councils NSW Ecumenical Council 18 Member Churches in NSW and ACT to bear witness to the unity of the Church as both gift and calling and, in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to promote a more profound communion… (Statement of Object) Some Key Works and Initiatives: Domestic Violence Project and Family Violence Commission ○ Enabling and resourcing church communities to support victims Taize Pilgrimages (Ecumenical Prayer and Spirituality) ○ Organising tours to the Taize community in France Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 10 Examples of Interfaith Dialogue Nostra Aetate Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions (2nd Vatican Council - 1965) ○ Declared the Catholic stance on interfaith/interreligious dialogue - to be promoted The Church, therefore, urges its sons and daughters to enter with prudence and charity into discussion and collaboration with members of other religions. Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, preserve and encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among non-Christians, together with their social life and culture. (Paragraph 2) Youth PoWR - The Sydney Statement Youth Parliament of World Religions (PoWR) ○ Established by the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations (CCCMR) and supported by Multicultural NSW ○ Held interfaith events for young people to share understanding about their various faiths, since 2015 The Sydney Statement: Building Bridges between Believers from Different Religions (2020) ○ Co-written by Youth PoWR and Western Sydney University (WSU) ○ 21 Commitments relating to: Living and respecting faith in everyday life Acting together to promote cohesion, peace and justice Engaging in critical and open dialogue Respecting spirituality and worship Encouraging interfaith dialogue within communities ISRA Australia - Studies of Religion Conference Islamic Sciences and Research Academy (ISRA) Australia hosts an annual interfaith conference for Studies of Religion (SOR) teachers. From their website The Studies of Religion in Focus Conference is an interfaith initiative to resource teachers in their teaching of Studies of Religion I & II. The Conference aims to broaden teachers’ understanding and experience through interaction with speakers and academics from different faith traditions… 11  Catholic Social Teaching Conscience In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law, which he does not impose upon himself, but which holds him to obedience. Always summoning him to love good and avoid evil, the voice of conscience can when necessary speak to his heart more specifically: do this, shun that. For man has in his heart a law written by God. To obey it is the very dignity of man: according to it he will be judged. Gaudium et Spes: paragraph 16 Conscience: Personal ‘instinct’ of what is right and wrong - a guide towards God It is the responsibility of a person to inform and educate their conscience A mature conscience upholds beliefs and acts on them - on what is good and true A person’s conscience is not perfect as it can fall in the habit of sin and selfishness Catholic Church - An informed conscience is educated by natural law, scripture and Church wisdom Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development Level 1 - Preconventional Morality Stage 1 - Obedience and Punishment (Doing things to avoid trouble) Stage 2 - Individual and Exchange (What will I gain from this?) Level 2 - Conventional Morality Stage 3 - Good interpersonal relationships (Will people like me?) Stage 4 - Maintaining social order (Following rules to maintain order and avoid guilt) Level 3 - Postconventional Morality Stage 5 - Social contract and individual rights (Understanding the principle behind the rules) Stage 6 - Universal Principles (Caring for all humanity - justice) 12 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching Definition of Catholic Social Teaching (ACBC Office for Social Justice, 2020) Catholic Social Teaching is the part of Catholic teaching that addresses matters of social, economic and ecological justice in the world. It is mainly concerned with inter-group or social relationships rather than interpersonal relationships. Like other parts of Church teaching, it is grounded in Scripture, tradition, reason and experience. It develops through time by placing these sources in dialogue with the signs of the times. Principles (6) Definitions Relevant Scripture Preferential Helping the poor and marginalised - Matthew 25:31-46 - ‘Just as you did for Option for the making sure they receive their due care the least of these, you have done to me’ Poor and dignity Every human has a God-given dignity Genesis 1:26-31 - ‘Man is created in Human dignity that should be respected. God’s image’ Care for Our Proper management and care of our Genesis 2:15 - ‘God puts man in the Common Home environment, ensuring a balance with our Garden of Eden to work it and take care (Stewardship) needs, the earth and future generations. of it’ Everyone has a right to participate in Romans 12:4-8 - ‘We are the one body of Subsidiarity and decision-making. Christ, individually members of one Participation No-one should be left out another’ Everyone should strive to take care of Acts 4:32-35 - ‘They shared everything The Common each other as a community - everyone they had… there were no needy persons Good deserves goodness - no such thing as among them’ ‘greater good’ 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 - ‘If one member Working together to promote the rights of Solidarity suffers, all suffer. If one member is all people honoured, all rejoice.’ 13 See-Judge-Act Method Approaching social issues and injustices SEE - Observing the issue What is the issue? Where is the issue happening in the world? How does the issue affect the people involved? How have people responded to the issue? JUDGE - Analysing the issue Why is the issue happening? Who are the people whose actions are causing this issue? Who are the people that can do something about it? What past events are influencing this situation? What is the Church’s teaching on/response to this issue? ACT - Addressing the issue What can be done to solve the issue immediately (ie. short-term solutions) What can be done to solve the underlying causes of the issue? (ie. long-term solutions) Catholic Examples of Addressing Social Issues St Vincent de Paul - Night Patrol (Feeding Sydney’s homeless) Orange Sky (Mobile laundry service for the homeless in Australia) Caritas Australia - Project Compassion (Development and aid for communities around the world) Jesuit Refugee Service (Advocacy for refugees) Marist Solidarity (Supporting education programs across the Asia-Pacific) 14