STUDIES OF RELIGION 1 HSC 2020 course notes

Aboriginal Spirituality:

Country: term used to describe ones land which they belong to and their place of dreaming

Elders: Key persons and keepers of knowledge within Aboriginal communities

- ‘Elders’ – kinship and owners

- ‘Elders’ - leaders of large extended family

- ‘Elders’ – knowledge given

-

Kinship: the system of relationships traditionally accepted by a culture and the rights and

obligations they hold

Ritual estate: land which they are responsible for

- Represents the idea of ‘my country’

- Contains sites of spiritual significance (sacred sites)

Dreaming: basis of all aspects of life which is expressed through:

- Network of relationships

- Rights and obligations within a society

The Dreaming stories provide the entire ethical and moral basis b y which Ab. people live on

their land and relate to each other.

Ceremonial life: includes rites of passage such as initiation, death and burial and periodic

ceremonies

Aboriginal ceremonies have 2 major purposes:

- Mark humanities relationship to spiritual world: aboriginal – Dreaming –

ancestors

- Mark the stages in individual human life

- Ceremonies importance as they bring and unite the community together

- Ensure the well being and continuation/balance of a particular species and food

supply

Kinship: complex family system – extended family relationships are the core of Indigenous

Kinship systems which are central to way culture is passed on and society is organized

- Defines where a person fits into the community

- Defines roles and responsibilities for raising and educating children

- Provides moral and financial systems within the community

Kinship systems Are not separated or additional to their spiritualities; They are the expression of Dreaming in a physical sense

Obligations to the land

People that follow from their kinship Their expression in ceremonial life

As part of an Aboriginal community, what is important is the role played within the

community

Obligations to the land and people

● For aboriginal people, ownership of the land means that they have a responsibility to

care for it and nurture it

● A scared bonding of trust within a cycle of a mutual dependence: land needing man,

man needing land

● Land not only provides food and water (physical estate) but is the basis for the secret/

sacred activities of the Dreaming and ancestral beings (where spirits come from, their

dreaming meaning)

● People will be familiar with the rituals of all the land but not responsible for it all

It is the learning of the story of ones country that is a lifelong process that brings it ever

greater rights and responsibilities.

Rules: Sacred sites must not be approached nor can a person talk publicly about the story of

that country.

Each ritual estate has at least one site left there by ancestral beings where the spirits of that

particular site have thought to have lived

Beliefs: Land is the spirit from which Aboriginal existence comes from.

- It is something yet it is not a thing. The land is a living entity; “it belongs to me, I

belong to it” –mutual dependency.

- Land provides for their physical needs as well as for their spiritual needs –

Dreaming and stories begin with land and can be traced back to the land.

The Impact of Europeans on Aboriginal spirituality:

● Systematic destruction of Aboriginal Spirituality

● Europeans invaded Aboriginal lands – denied rights to land and there was a total

disregard of land rights – Europeans used the term terra Nullius

● Impact of disease and conflict over land environmental destruction by livestock

● Loss of life

● Loss of traditional authority structures

● Loss of language

● The stolen generation – government policies

o Protection 1830’s: Europeans forced Aboriginals to abandon culture and live on

reserves, taken from parents and trained as servants, put into missionaries, imposed

Christian values and teachings

o Assimilation 1930’s -50’s: Designed to incorporate Aboriginal’s into white society. As

a result Stolen generation policy

o Integration 1960’s: Bringing Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people together in the

community but allowing Ab. To keep their culture.

o Self Determination: Compensation and justice for Ab.

o Reconciliation 1980’s: Gaining forgiveness and joining together in friendliness

between white and Ab. Australians.

Discuss the continuing effects of dispossession on Aboriginal Spirituality in relation to:

Separation from land

● Deprivation of ‘Dreaming’ beliefs and practices

● Loss of the term ‘My country’

● Denied rights to land use

● Man communicated through land: loss of land loss of spiritual identity

o Without the land there is a loss of spiritual entity as there wont be a land to

provide spiritual basis

Separation from Kin

● The communities and groups become more spread out = faces extinction, isolation

and virtual destruction of clan groups

● Cultural oppression: abuse, loss of language, loss of beliefs/ spirituality

● The control upon an individual means they are derived of independence and lose

sense of belonging.

The stolen generation

● Loss of identity, culture, language and spirituality

● Breaking up of families – spirit of solidarity, children loose their family.

Analyse the importance of the Dreaming for the Land rights movement

Dreaming: is the basis of all aspects of life which is expressed through the Network of

relationships and Rights and obligations within an Aboriginal society

● Land is central to the dreaming, and all relationships within aboriginal communities are

determined through relationships with the land.

● Land must be secure for Aboriginals – spiritual beliefs, traditions, languages and culture

will be preserved. Because their identity, life and spirit are bound up in it, they actively

share and pass on to future generations this deep spiritual relationship with the land

● The connection of the Aboriginal people to the land is fundamental in their link to the

dreaming. In driving the aboriginal people from their land the settlers did more than

deprive the people of their property – they deprived them of their culture and spiritual

world.

● There is the strong desire between Aboriginal communities to gain access to their

traditional lands. Access to these lands is fundamental:

o So that the Dreaming traditions can be renewed and passed on to new

generations of Aboriginal people.

o To the putting into practice of Aboriginal law.

o Protection and access to sacred sites which is critical for the performance of

rituals and ceremonies

o So that the law can be passed on and taught to new generations

● It is important to understand that despite the many different forms of Christianity

adopted by Ab. people, attachment to land and ‘country’ had generally remained an

integral part of their culture and spirituality and has not diminished their yearning for

land rights.

Post 1945:

Changing patterns in religious adherence:

Changes within Christianity:

1945 Australia was very different:

- shown through 1947-2016 census data

- “Total Christian” which is one of the five world traditions.

- No religion” which means that they are admitting that they have no

religion and it does not play a major role in their life.

- “Not stated” means that they may or may not have a religion but have

declined to include that information in the census.

- The total amount of Christians in the 1947 census has decreased from

88% 63.9% in the 2016 census.

- The percent of “no religion” has increased from 0.3% in 1947 to 18.7% in

2016.

- The category of “not stated” was at 11.1% in 1947 then stayed fairly

constant an 9.6% until the 2016 census where the total percent was

11.2% Changing patterns

Changing patterns:

- Religious adherence has been changed dramatically from 1945 to the present

(2016 data).

- Christianity was most prominent in all post WWII lives with over 90% Australia

- Since then, numbers have declined steadily to current 52% of the population.

This trend is due to a number of factors.

o Firstly, the renunciation of the White Australia Policy led to migration from

non-English speaking countries, so that other religious traditions became

evident.

▪ FOR EXAMPLE, Muslims from Middle East now 2.6%, Buddhists

from Indochina 2.4% and Hindus from India/ South Asia ___?

o However, these people account for a small number of Australians after

1977 when the Uniting Church was formed there were no longer any

Protestants, Methodists or congregational denominations in the census.

Current Religious landscape of Australia:

Christianity as a major religious tradition:

- Christianity was the controlling factor in the underlying community ethics,

provision of government services and development of laws.

- After 1945, there was a complete transformation in Australia’s immigration

policy, but Christian adherents still remained dominant (88%).

Immigration:

- Migrants from Europe enhanced the number of Orthodox Christians in Australia.

- Australia unwillingly accepted post-war Jewish refugees number was strictly

limited.

- 1967 – First migration agreement with a non-European country: Turkey –

increased Muslim adherents.

- WAP – abandoned in 1973 – new policy of multiculturalism.

- Vietnam War (ended in 1975) – tens of thousands of refugees fleeing from

Indochina. - Australia accepted about 120,000, many whom arrived by boat.

Buddhists, Catholics + Protestants.

- 2008-09: Large abundance of refugees from Iraq (Iraq war?). Majority of these

refugees can from:

- Middle East/South-west Asia (mainly Muslim/some Christian)

- Africa (Muslim/Christian)

- Asia and the Pacific (Hindu/Buddhist)

Denominational switching:

People are no longer making life long commitments to one Christian church in particular by

are more likely to go wherever they feel comfortable and well catered for. This is in contrast

to previous patters which individuals and families traditionally remaining affiliated with one

denomination for many generations

- Accountability to one church has diminished in proportion to the growing

anonymity and individualisation in our lives.

- Right to choose what is best for the individual over any sense of obligation to the

community is ingrained into modern psyche.

Who switches and why?

NCLS survey data (1991-2001) identifies people under the age of 40 are less likely to view

life loyalty to a particular type of church

- - People with active "strong" Christian faith are more likely to switch

Example: Christian Research Association of Australia found that DS might be explained by

the fact that God is presented as being closely involved in human life as well as appeal to

more dynamic style of services.

- Denominational switching generally refers to the frequent practice of Christians

changing from one denomination to the other.

Reasons:

- Interdenominational marriages

- Changing beliefs as people’s lives change

Rise of new age religions:

The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half

of the 20th century.

- Monism (the belief that there is a single force or being which lies behind all

creation) - Connect with nature, or this life-force, in a spiritual way.

- Belief in the potential of the human being

- Self-improvement + self-fulfilment

- The number of people in the broad category of New Age increased by 70%

between 1996 and 2016. - Difference between new age religions and traditional religions = individual rather

than communal pursuit.

Basic Beliefs:

- Monotheism: all that exists is derived from a single source of divine energy

- Pantheism: all that exits is God; God is to be found within the self and the universe

- Reincarnation: after death we are reborn and live another life as a different human in a

cycle of repetition - Karma: the good and bad deeds we do throughout our lives accumulate so that we are

either rewarded or punished - Aura: an energy field surrounding the body which may be used to diagnose the

individual's state or mental/physical health – - New Age Practices: Meditation, Astrology, Divination, Crystals, Channelling

Secularism:

Secularisation is any movement or concept, which rejects religious belief or adherence.

- Secularism is the belief that religion should be separate from the state.

- 2016 Census:

- 3.7 million (18.7%) answered ‘no religion’,

- 2.2 million (11.2%) did not respond to religion question

Reasons:

- Perception of church as boring/unfulfilling / Disagreeing with the church’s beliefs

- Not having a need to go to church / Not having strong beliefs

- No societal obligation to follow a religion / Increased concept of individuality and

personal ideas ‘The Spirit of Generation Y’ (released in 2016, 3 year study)

- Found that only 48% of those born 1976 – 1990 believed in the existence of a

god

- 20% did not believe and 32% were uncertain.

Religious Dialogue in multi faith Australia:

NCAA (national council of churches Australia):

The NCCA (1994 – official with the inclusion of the Catholic Church) is an umbrella ecumenical organisation bringing many of Australia’s Christian churches together in dialogue and practical

cooperation.

- NCCA consists of 17 member churches, six of them orthodox churches. It is linked to the World Council of Churches as well as the various state ecumenical councils.

- Considerable impact on ecumenism in Australia, and provides opportunities for Christian churches to work and share together in a wide range of theological and practical ways to express and promote their common faith and to address social and political issues

together.

NSW Ecumenical Council:

The NSW Ecumenical Council is a fellowship of 17 churches. Its aims are to maintain the ‘unity of

spirit’, to share a commitment to the Christian gospel and to proclaim it in unity, and to serve the

world in ways implied by the gospel.

- Ecumenism – the aim of promoting unity among Christian churches.

- It aims to further Christian unity by enabling member churches to address causes of division, and to pray and worship together. –

- It promotes theological resources to explore unity and understanding among churches.

It has a strong social justice focus

- The house offers emergency asylum and offers assistance in enrolling in English classes

obtaining tax file numbers, Centrelink support etc.

Interfaith Dialogue:

Interfaith dialogue is the move to greater cooperation and harmony between people of different

religious traditions.

‘No peace between the religions without dialogue between the believers of different religious

traditions’ – Hans Kung – Swiss Catholic Priest (Declaration of World Parliament of Religion 1990s)

- - made it possible for religious authorities to speak with a united voice on issues than

concern them: - - Interfaith dialogue provides opportunity for people of different faiths to

understand each other’s beliefs and cooperate in areas where there is common ground.

- E.g.: Councils of Christians and Jews have been operating in NSW and Victoria

since the 1980s - Interfaith dialogue has enabled religions to work together in times of hardship:

▪ After the Port Arthur Shooting Tragedy in 1996, Christians, Buddhists,

Hindus and Muslims held services and performed rites as part of the

healing process. - The growing importance of interfaith dialogue is evident from the increasing role

that the government is doing in promoting it

Relationship between aboriginal and religious tradition in reconciliation:

Reconciliation – the restoration of friendly relations and striving to make one view/action compatible

with another.

- Christian missionaries were amongst the earliest and strongest supporters of Aboriginal rights. A significant study ‘Land Rights: A Christian Perspective’ by Derek Carne, prepared

for a task force established by the ACC –

- January 1988, Australia’s bicentenary year, the leaders of Australian churches issued a statement ‘Towards reconciliation in Australian Society’. It included a call for healing of division and a just settlement with Aboriginal people.

- In 1986, Pope John Paul II spoke to Aboriginal people in Alice Springs. He urged them to

teach their traditions to their children

- The translation of the bible into Aboriginal languages has done much to encourage Aboriginal leadership and worship, and many Aboriginal Christians are assuming

leadership in Aboriginal Christian communities.

Hassidim

About

Founded by Baal Shem Tov –

- To live a righteous life in a sanctified community of likeminded soul

Mission: Tikkun Olam

- By keeping the commandments to recover the “lost sparks of holiness” and bring the coming of the Messiah

Teachings

Priority of emotions over intellect –

- Gods immanent sparks

- Kabbalistic imagery in all things - Joy – sing, dance, storytelling, whistling, drinking

- Malachi 3 – “the lord harkened and heard” - God desires the heart – Talmud o

- Whole world is full of his glory – Isiah ▪ Ties with sparks

Looked to Baal Shem Tov to;

- Showed them a way of keeping their covenant with god without high priority of Talmudic learning

- Live Hasid and pious lives - Concentrate on emotional connection with god

Prayer

- Develcus – unceasing consciousness of god’s presence

- Hislahavus – ecstatic enthusiasm – soul elevated - Prayer time no longer fixed - Crowding together at rabbi’s table “tish” to feel the presence of flesh to

celebrate

▪ Humanities advisor (rabbi)

Psalm 35

- All my limbs shall say O lord who is like you - 1.92% of world’s population of Jews = Hassidic

- Highly visible lifestyle = extensive impact

- Once revolutionary

▪ Now keepers of the tradition

Way of life

- Dress Men – black coats / hats / long beards

- women – wigs to cover hair – - Location

- Live within walking distance of synagogue / yeshivah / mikvah + rabbi for advice

Reject modern secular movements – TV

- Attempt to get fellow Jews to wear teffelin as part of mitzvah campaign on street of NY

and St Kilda

Lubacitch Jews

- Combine Hassid and Talmud study - Kosher foods - Yiddish language

- Sexual rules - Shabbat rituals

Today

- Respect for Hassidic Jews as custodians of the tradition - Mitnagdim oppose Hassidism - Last rabbi – Shneerson dead 19

Environmental ethics:

Marriage:

Marriage ceremony: • Marriage is an important rite of passage and a covenantal relationship • In Judaism, marriage is expected to take place • A person who does not marry is considered and incomplete person (Lev 34a) • It is a Kiddushin or sanctification where one partner is consecrated to the other • Spiritual bond between two people and as fulfilment of God’s commandment to populate

the world • Ideal human state established by God at the time of creation • Idealised relationship between God and his chosen people • Woman and man are seen as an equal part of the same entity • Marriage is very significant to Judaism as it dates back to the Torah, in Genesis where God

said he created man and women for each other • Marriage elevates the ordinary to the supernatural. It is a means of contact with God, who is

present at the ceremony • Being married means being part of God’s plan

Purpose of marriage:

• Companionship and love (Gen 2:18) • Procreation (according to Talmud requirement completed when the couple have produced

at least one son and daughter) (Gen 1:28) • Establish family as the basic social unit and the home as the ‘little sanctuary’ (Ezk 11:16)

Scripture teachings on marriage:

• “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28) • “It is not good for man to be alone” (Gen 2:18) • “A man will leave his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh” (Gen 2:24) • “A man who does not marry is not a complete person” (Lev 34a) • “Any man who has no wife lives without joy, without blessing and without goodness”

(B. Yev. 62b)

Elements of the ceremony: • For Jews there once were two separate ceremonies (Kiddushin and Nissuin) now completed

as one whole ceremony • Kiddushin (sanctification) is betrothal. It is more binding then the concept of engagement. In

old times, there was a long period from the Kiddushin to Nissuin (marriage)

Mikvah

• Ritual bath for women to cleanse herself to allow renewal in marriage • Marriage is governed by strict laws relating to purity (niddah)

Wedding day fast (usually Orthodox)

• Couple fast before wedding • Opportunity for the kallah (bride) and chatan (groom) to atone for their sins and enter into

marriage in a state of ritual purity, sinlessness and absolution • Reminds that they are on threshold of a new life

Signing of the Ketubah before the ceremony

• Legal transaction made by the chatan to the kallah • Written in original language of Aramaic • Signed by two qualified witnesses who attest to promises made by the chatan • Ketubah spells out responsibilities of the chatan to the kallah e.g. provide clothing, food,

sexual relations, shelter and financial security (in case of divorce)

Badeken (veiling)

• Chatan covers kallah’s face with veil • It originates the Judaism’s matriarch Rebecca who covered her face when meeting her

groom Isaac • Also from biblical story of deceiving of Jacob who expected to marry Rachael but married

Leah • Veil symbolise the idea of modesty and that however attractive appearances may be, the

soul and character are paramount

Chuppah

• Marriage canopy where ceremony takes place • The couple is escorted to the chuppah or marriage canopy where the kallah circles the

chatan seven times • It represents the couples commitment to establish a home which is open to guests, as was

the tent of Abraham and Sarah • Many have it under open sky, to signify God blessing Abraham to have descendants as

numerous as the stars • It also symbolises that God will always be over their household. White clothes are worn to

symbolise Gods perfect purity

Kiddushin – Birkat erusin (betrothal blessing)

• Blessings of betrothal over wine signifies the uniqueness of Jewish marriage where God dwells in their homes

• Wine is held by the rabbi and recites thanks to God with two blessings, for sanctifying them with mitzvah of betrothal before consummating marriage. The couple sip from it

• Blessing praises God who permits a proper marriage and sanctifies the Jewish people by means of marriage

• Wine is a symbol of joy

Giving of the ring

• The chatan groom puts a plain ring over the kallah • Marriage is official once the chatan has given the kallah the ring • Simple and plain ring shows that anyone get can married, regardless of wealth • Chatan says,“Behold you are consecrated to me with this ring, according to the law of Moses

and Israel” • In Progressive and Conservative often a reciprocal ring is given

Nissuin

• Latter part of marriage • Seven blessings (Sheva Brachot) are said over second cup of wine • Blessings are for the wine, couple and the community as well as blessing God himself

• This is the point where the couples souls become one • Recited by rabbi or chosen people • Symbolise the story of creation, history of Israel and future hopes to which the newly

married couple will be expected to contribute • Orthodox Jews celebrate by feasting with family and friends for seven nights after the

wedding and the seven blessings are recited at each gathering

Breaking glass

• Chatan breaks glass placed on the floor in a cloth to signify the end of marriage • It reminds them of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, and their imminent return • Congregation shouts “Mazal tov” (good luck) to the couple

Yichud

• Couple retreat to a private room • They break their fast and it signifies their new status as husband and wife • They are reminded that they must always find time for their private life

Reception and Seudah (Festive meal)

• Guests celebrate couple in singing and dancing • Seven cups of wine are drunk throughout the ceremony and afterwards, because God

created the world in seven days, and the couples are building the walls of their home

Grace after meals (Birkat Hamazon)

• Grace is said with the seven blessings again • During the week following, friends and relatives celebrate with the kallah and chatan

Demonstrate how this practice expresses the beliefs of Judaism One God:

• Jewish adherents believe that God created humans in God’s image as male and female and it is only together that they fully reflect the image of God

• When the Kallah circles chatan 7 times under the chuppah it is a reminder of the fundamental Jewish belief in the One God who created the world in seven days

• Ideal state established by God at the time of creation • Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot) recited, includes a blessing from God who has created

everything (the symbol of creation e.g. fifth blessing) • Birkat erusin (betrothal blessing) blessing praises God who permits a proper marriage and

sanctifies the Jewish people by means of marriage • Breaking of the glass, links couple to the story of creation • Giving of a ring from chatan to kallah shows never ending presence of God

Divinely inspired moral law prescribed by God: • Jewish adherents believe that one can only be whole and reach divine fulfilment when

married as the love shared between the couple parallels their love of God • Fulfilment of God’s commandment to populate the world “be fruitful and multiply” • The idea of a ‘bashert’ or ideal partner makes marriage especially important as it creates a

bond between two souls, fulfilling God’s will of unity

• The chatan places ring on finger and says “Behold you are consecrated to me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel”

• Candles reminder of fire at Mt Sinai (giving of the Torah) • Sometimes the chuppah is under open skies to represent that this future family should be

governed by heavenly values of God • Sometimes the chuppah is made using the prayer shawl which has 613 threads symbolising

the mitzvah • Expected by God to marry • Responsibility to procreate • Joining of couple under chuppah symbolises the home the couple will make together • Mitzvot for community to join in celebration

Covenant:

• Marriage is a commitment to complete oneself and fulfil the Covenant made with God • Marriage is therefore seen as the ideal state of existence. Chatan says, “through the

sanctification of marriage is faith realised” • Successful marriage is the most perfect symbol of a meaningful relationship and is the

closest approximation of the idealised relationship between God and the Jewish people • Marriage has parallels with God’s covenant with Israel, to which it is often likened by the

prophets (Hosea 2:21) • Seven blessings: one of the blessings is to remind the couple and the community that

everything is done for God in remembrance of the covenant, the grounding of the Jewish faith

• Breaking of the glass is to remember the sorrow of the destruction of the temple. It is a broken world which needs to be repaired by followin God

• Ketubah expresses obligation and responsibilities in marriage showing covenant and contractual relationship between God and his people

Analyse the significance of this practice for both the individual and the Jewish community Individual:

• Marriage is a holy covenant and religious obligation, seen in the Ketubah. Men and women were created for each other

• Sense of commitment to each other, to God, and to their faith • Marriage is seen as the fulfilment of the mitzvah – all Jewish men and women are expected

to marry • According to Talmudic law their obligation is fulfilled when they have at least one son and

daughter • Companionship • Transformation of the individual • Marriage unites these two people together in love, forming a new family unit in which

husband and wife are responsible for one another and their children • Together the couple are now responsible for continuing the Jewish nation by starting a

family, keeping the mitzvah and bringing up children in the Jewish tradition (e.g. teaching scripture, going to the synagogue)

• Structures the lives of the couple and assigns clear roles to each partner (e.g. women are responsible for Kosher, education, Shabbat)

• A way of holiness for the couple. It is through their relationship and the following of the mitzvah that the couple builds their relationship with God

• It not only represents their soul redemption, it is also their legal and spiritual change in status in the eyes of God, their rite of passage

• It helps the couple more clearly understand the central beliefs of Judaism Community:

• Reaffirms beliefs of the group, encourages group cohesion and teaches moral lessons • Marriage focuses on the centrality of the home and family and thus the continuation of the

Jewish community • The ceremony strengthens the community of believers by putting the couple on equal

footing with other married couple and making them responsible for ensuring their lifestyle is keeping with Jewish teaching and tradition

• Witnesses of marriage are reminded of their own commitments if they are married, or they can aspire to be married

• Example to younger couples to continue the tradition • The marriage is one of their public expressions of faith and is a renewal of Jewish faith • This maintains and builds Jewish membership and partnership, securing Jewish future and

solidarity and reminding its followers of their own previously made commitments to their culture

• An affirmation of God’s recognition of Israel as his people • Congregation shouts “Mazal tov” (good luck) to the couple after breaking of the glass • Betrothal brings two families together • Marriage is a public rite which reaffirms the beliefs and rituals to the entire community • Members of the community will invite the couple to their homes for a week of festive meals

where the Sheva Brachot is recited again • Community has a responsibility to encourage and support new family unit

Paul of Tarsus:

Background of St Paul

● Paul was a Pharisee who was born in Tarsus, which is north of Israel

● He was roughly 10 years younger than Jesus

● Could speak all known languages (Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic)

● Became a follower of Jesus after having an extraordinary experience of Jesus which

changed his life

● Spent 3 years after his conversion in Arabia to understand what occurred

● First Christian theologian (someone who studies the word of God), interpreter and

writer

● Executed in Rome between 62 and 67 CE

The contribution of Paul to the development and expression of Christianity

● Established Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean area

● Wrote 14 letters and takes up over 50% of the New Testament

● Opened Christianity to Gentiles

● Fashioned foundational Christian beliefs

● Went on missions to spread Christianity

The effect/impact of Paul on Christianity

Immediate impact

● Established many churches very quickly because of his belief that the end of the world

was imminent. This energized and consolidated the churches

● Relied on his knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures to answer any questions that people

had at the time

● He laid down foundational beliefs of Christianity such as: Gods grace is for all, the church

is the body of Christ and justification of faith

Long term impact

● Letters attributed to him are included in the bible

● Teachings influenced future generations on how to behave and live

● Teachings have infused every aspect of Christian teachings

● Letters are used in catholic liturgies and other prayer services

● Paul continued Jesus’ view that women are important and is to be respected because

they are part of God’s kingdom.

Baptism:

What is it?

● Admits candidate into Christian Church Community ● Brings new life door way to other sacraments ● Frees us from all original and future sin reborn as a son of God

Baptism is a Christian rite in which new members are initiated into the Christian community. Baptism

has been used since the beginning of Christianity when it was used to initiate adults only, only

becoming open to children in more recent centuries.

Baptism involves profession of the faith by the immersion of the forehead. It is common to all Christian faiths, although there are some minor variations.

“Baptise them in the name of the F, S, HS and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you”

(Mt 28:19-20)

What happens during Baptism?

● Welcome right ● Questioning of parents

o responsibilities ● Signing to Priest with sign of cross ● Celebration of liturgy of the word ● Exorcism, then child is anointed ● Blessing of Baptismal water ● Parents profess faith ● In the name of the F, S, HS, child anointed with oil ● Clothing and candles ● Conclude with lords prayer

What symbols are used during Baptism?

● Water- represents cleansing of all sin for new beginning ● Oil- represents strength for life’s struggles ● White clothing- represents purity and new life ● Candle- represents light of Christ. Jesus represented as ‘light of the world’

How does it demonstrate key Christian key beliefs? ● Welcome: demonstrates a ‘community’ event for significance for individual and community ● Readings from Bible: demonstrate central role of faith in Jesus ● Exorcism: demonstrates deliverance from evil ● Profession of faith: demonstrates key segments of Nicene Creed ● Baptism: water demonstrates cleansing sin, new beginning, faith in triune God ● Candle / White garment: demonstrates light of Christ and new beginning free of sin ● Anointment: demonstrates strengthening of individual for future challenges ● Eucharist: demonstrates full membership and participation in church community

Why is it significant for individuals and communities? ● Individual, Baptism signifies:

o Personal orientation to dedicate on life to believing in Christian faith o Experience of being forgiven of all past faults, now to live according to Jesus o Invitation to participate in worshipping life of Christian Church o Accepting responsibility to live as a Christian through Jesus’ values and be a member

of the Church community o Access to other and further Christian rites

● Community, Baptism signifies:

o Fidelity to Jesus’ command to extent his message to all people ● “Baptise all nations, teach them all my commandments” (Mt

28:19-20) - Vitality within the Church, inclusion of new members - Opportunity to learn from new members, newer ways to spread Jesus message - Reminder of Church identity- community called to existence by God, reliant on God’s

Holy Spirit - Allow participants to play active part in Church activities - Parents and God Parents guide the baptised in future life

What are the variants of Baptism within Christianity? ● Orthodox Church:

o Initiation as infant o Triple immersion o Anointment of forehead AND eyes, nose, mouth, ears, chest, hands, feet o Bread and wine for Eucharist

● Protestant Church: o Initiation as adult o Full body immersion o Only a person who repents can be ‘born again’ o Infants who ‘do not understand enough to hold faith in Jesus’ cannot be baptised

Environmental ethics:

What are ethics?

Ethics are a demonstration of a person’s beliefs in action. A system of moral principles by which

human actions…may be judged as …right or wrong.

Christian ethical teachings are founded on an understanding of who the human person is and the belief that every person is capable of discovering and embracing goodness and truth.

Christian ethical actions are focused on maintaining right relationship with God, one’s neighbour and oneself.

What are environmental ethics?

Environmental Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings and also the value and moral status of the environment and its nonhuman contents

It considers the ethical relationship between humans and the environment

Scripture sources on environmental ethics:

Creation Stories Genesis 1-2 – human stewardship and dominion

Isaiah 11:1-9 ; Joel 2:21-26 – environment in harmony and future Messianic times

Deuteronomy 20:19-20 – correct conduct of war

Leviticus 25:3-5, Deuteronomy 22:6-7, Leviticus 22:28, Exodus 20:11, Exodus 23:12, Deuteronomy 5:14- good agricultural practice and animal husbandry

Psalms- reverence and respect for creation

Job 39-41 – the insignificance of humanity in all creation

Key Teachings:

Teachings are based on love for God, love for others, the example of Jesus and humans’ role as stewards on the Earth

Life is sacred Sustainability: ● God created the world out of love ● God’s beauty in creation is extended to nature, so we must protect nature and sustain it ● Respecting nature = respecting God ● God is revealed in nature ● John 1:3, “Through him all things were made,”

Stewardship:

● Humans are caretakers (role taken to humanity by God)

● Responsibility to take care of God’s creation and to ensure that it is nurtured and cared for in suitable ways

● Guards against selfish or careless exploitation of the world’s resources ● Responsibility to repair and maintain Earth ● Genesis 2:15, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care

of it.” ● Micah 6:8, “Act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God.”

Love your neighbour as yourself Care for environment:

● Based on example of Jesus ● Love, compassion and mercy needs to be extended to creation ● Eco-justice voice for the poor ● Share resources equity

Building the kingdom of God:

● Make God’s kingdom a reality ● God’s creation is a gift from God and so we must take care of it ● Resurrection = re-creation ● Christ is the healer/renewer ● John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he sent his only son” ● Matthew 6:10, “on earth as it is on heaven” build the kingdom of God on Earth