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The Nature of Beliefs

Define the Supernatural Dimension

The Supernatural dimension is: Aspects of the human experience that is beyond its

comprehension or ability to explain. An element that is attributed to the creation or

formation of the current realm of existence

Transcendent Worldview

A belief in a divine power and/or powers beyond the human

Immanent Worldview

Belief in a divine power and/or powers dwelling within the individual

Characteristics of Religion

Beliefs and Believers

Sacred Texts and Writings

Ethics

Rituals and Ceremonies

Define the Chrateristics of Religion

Beliefs and Believers Beliefs – an acceptance of something as real or true. Believers – The adherence to a particular religion.

Sacred Text and Writings Written, visual or oral texts that contain the truths of a

particular religion and provide guidance

Ethics Moral principles that govern a person or group behaviour

providing guidelines to proper and improper behaviours.

Rituals and Ceremonies A set or series of actions performed in a proscribed order for

religious meaning. The practice and practical application of beliefs.

Examples of the Characteristics of Religion

Dynamic Living Religion

Dynamic A force that stimulates change or progress within a

system or process

Living Alive, relevant and meaningful to the adherent

Characteristics Interact to Create a dynamic living

religion Believers form meaning Formalize their

understanding and record through Sacred Texts. The Sacred Texts inform Ethical Teachings and Rituals and Ceremonies. Believers abide by Ethical Teachings and Perform Rituals and Ceremonies.

Sacred Texts maintain the integrity of the Principle Beliefs.

As the adherents develop over time, their interpretation of Sacred Texts can cause changes in its expression. (i.e. Ethical Teachings and Rituals and Ceremonies)

Contribution of Religion to Society - Individual

Helps construct meaning

Gives ethical guidance

Gives a sense of belonging

Contribution of Religion to Society - Community

Social Cohesion

Conservative force (sexual morality)

Progressive force (social justice/reforms)

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Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualities

The Dreaming

The Nature of the Dreaming – Definition of

Dreaming A belief system of the Aboriginal People

A complex concept of fundamental importance to Aboriginal culture that embraces the creative era in which Ancestral beings instituted Aboriginal society as well as the present and future.

The Nature of the Dreaming – Origins

Refers to the ‘Dreamtime’

The ancestral spirits interacted with the physical world, shaping the landscape and instituting indigenous culture/law/rituals.

Eg, Rainbow Serpent

The Nature of the Dreaming – Stories of the

Dreaming

Relate the stories of the ‘Dreamtime’

Contain sacred knowledge (secret sacred) of the origins of the universe, rituals and law as well as practical geographical instruction (i.e. hunting sites, ceremonial sites) which establishes connection to ‘their’ country (land)

Two primary styles of story Origin Etiological

The Nature of the Dreaming – Sacred Sites

The places where ancestral beings became a part of ‘their’ land.

Can refer to communal, gender specific or sites restricted to elders, initiates or non-initiates (eg, Karlu Karlu)

Gives responsibility of the person/tribe to specific sites linked to ‘their’ ancestor spirits (ritual estate)

The Nature of the Dreaming – Art

A visual expression of the spiritual reality.

Art communicates the dreaming, enables passage of knowledge and represents religious and social relationships (kinship)

The Inextricable Connection of the

Dreaming, the Land and Identity

Dreaming Land Time of creating and bestowing the land to the

Aboriginal people by ‘their’ Ancestral spirits Sacred sites represent the resting place of ‘their’

Ancestral spirits Specific sense of responsibility to ‘their’

geographical centre (ritual estate)

The Inextricable Connection of the

Dreaming, the Land and Identity

Dreaming Land Identity Expressed through the use of Totemic representation

Identifies with an animal, plant or particular landmark through which a person is linked to the Ancestral spirit responsible for their existence.

Celebrated through rituals and ceremonies Acknowledge the role of the Ancestral spirit in their past,

present and future Concreted through their place in a social structure or

‘kinship’ group and their obligations/responsibilities to that group.