1

Which one is which? ‘Oi! Listen to this!’ Nick was catching the

attention of Juan and Amy, who were sitting

eating lunch next to him. ‘I’ve just been

doing some research on the Beatles. How’s

this for a lyric, “Imagine there’s no heaven;

it’s easy if you try”. It’s one of Lennon’s

songs.’

This was like an open invitation to Juan, who

was still making up his mind about such

things. ‘Of course – Lennon was brilliant. He

knew that if all the religions either just gave

up or all worked together, the world would

be a much better place!’

Nick wasn’t so sure. ‘Do you really think so? I thought all the religions of the world actually

helped over time – apart from the really silly wars and the really extreme nutters.’

Juan enjoyed any debate, and particularly this one. ‘No way. I reckon that without religion,

we’d be one step closer to real world peace. Let them all give up or come together.’

‘Hmm, sounds like another Beatles song.’ Nick was running out of steam on this one.

‘Yeah, well maybe people who sell so many records actually do know a thing or two.’ Juan had

a satisfied smile on his dial – until Amy said, in her quiet way, ‘Yeah, but there’s been more

Bibles sold than anything else. And besides, if you say Jesus wasn’t about helping people, then

you don’t know Jesus.’

Amy gracefully picked up her things to move to class, and the boys just stared at each other …

2

3

4

Questions Responses 1. With what religion do you

affiliate?

2. Religion is about …

3. Religion is made up of…

4. What is the place of worship called that you attend?

5. How do you express your religious beliefs?

6. How does religion affect your:

• family life • working life

• social life?

7. What role does religion play in Australian society?

5

Complete the following by circling one of the following which best applies to the statement:

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

1 2 3 4 5

1. Religion is good for people and society. 1 2 3 4 5

2. Religion does more good than harm. 1 2 3 4 5

3. There is often no link between what people believe based on a religion and what they do. 1 2 3 4 5

4. Religion affects the way people think and live. 1 2 3 4 5

5. Religion is a response to the mystery of life. 1 2 3 4 5

Design you own statements on Religion

6. 1 2 3 4 5

7. 1 2 3 4 5

8. 1 2 3 4 5

9. 1 2 3 4 5

6

The big five!

Getting started in knowing which religion is which …

There are five major religions around the world. In the order of when they started, they are: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Each one has a distinctive history of how and where they started, and by whom. Each one has key beliefs about life and how to live it. Each one demonstrates these beliefs in the way its members express their spirituality together, and in the ways they celebrate together.

In what follows, it will be seen that Hinduism and Buddhism are closely linked (they are called the Eastern religions), and that Judaism, Christianity and Islam also have strong historical links (they are called the Semitic truth-revealed religions).

Activities

Look at the pictures on this page. Describe what you think is happening in each one.

How old do you think each of the religions represented in these pictures is?

Who do you think started each one of these religions?

OR

Name one thing that believers in each religion do that is not done in the other religions.

Look in different dictionaries for definitions of the word religion. As you study this unit prepare a definition of your own.

Religion: 1 A quest for the values of the ideal life 2 The system that embodies this quest. From the Latin word ligare meaning to bind together. (Dictionaries vary in their definitions of this word)

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Hinduism – ‘We are all divine’ Thinkers (like Plato, Socrates and Aristotle) in what is called the Western world, have tended to see a universe with a plan and a purpose. This early Greek idea is shared by Judaism and Christianity, whose Scriptures unfold that plan and purpose.

However, thinkers in what is called the Eastern world place more emphasis on the temporary, changing, ephemeral (short-lived) and ‘unreal’ aspects of the world. Such a view recognises that our perceptions of the physical world can often by misleading and illusory.

Where did Hinduism come from? About 3000 years before Christ came, there was a great civilisation in the Indus valley, in what is now called India. The people believed in many different gods and worshipped the forces of nature. In about 2000 BC the warlike Aryans took over the Indus Valley. The religion now called Hinduism developed from the religious ideas of both groups. (The word Hindu was introduced by the British around 1830. It comes from their name for the people of the Indus river valley.)

The Hindu people came to understand that beneath the ever-changing aspects of life in this world there is one unchanging reality. They call this ultimate reality Brahma. They believe that each living being has a soul (called atman). Some see atman as part of Brahma, while others see them as distinct. Hindus worship thousands of gods and goddesses who represent different aspects of the supreme Brahma.

Questions

1. Do you think that everything in the world has a purpose? Why?

2. Have you ever wondered whether the world is an illusion or dream? What was that like?

3. What has been the best experience that you have had? What made it so good?

Activities

Find an image of an optical illusion.

Stare at the illusion. Wait until you can see the effect.

What do you think makes us see what isn’t there?

What is real in the visual illusion and what is not?

For Eastern religions, the physical universe can be seen as a hindrance to experiencing ‘ultimate reality’. For them, it is the spiritual things that are really real.

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What was written down? Nobody knows exactly how old the ancient Hindu writings are. The Vedas were passed down by word of mouth for centuries before being written down in the Sanskrit language. The writings include hymns, prayers, mythic stories and chants. The Vedic literature is believed to be supernaturally inspired and sacred.

So what is life all about?

The Hindu belief is that the Ultimate Reality is realisable within each individual who acknowledges within themselves a ‘self’ that is divine, or at least a part of the divine. However, this divine force is seen as impersonal (not being like a person in any way), a being that unifies everything across the universe, rather than ‘taking an interest’ in individuals.

How was Hindu society organised? Hindu scriptures contain guidelines about how the four ancient social groups (called Varnas) should work in harmony. The first Varna was the Brahmins, who were priests and teachers. The next level was the rulers and soldiers, the Kshatriyas. The third were the Vaishyas (Merchants and craftsmen); and them the Shudras, or manual workers. Later these groups developed into castes, which are still an important defining factor in Indian society.

What are the core beliefs of Hinduism? The highest goal in life is union with the Brahma (the great life force). Today there are many forms of Hinduism and no single statement of faith.

From the unreal, led me to the real. From darkness lead me to the light. From death lead me to life. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)

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The endless cycle of life and death The Hindus believe that people do not just have one life but keep going from life to death, and back to life again. This is called samsara, or ‘the great wheel of thousands of reincarnations’. People come back into the world as something better if their actions have been good. If someone has not lived well, they will come back to a lower level of human life, or to an animal life. Then one finds peace with the eternal force, then there is liberation from suffering and one can become one with this force.

How does one know what is right and wrong? For the Hindu, the role of karma (or action) has to do with how behaviour turns into the law of cause and effect. Hindu karma means that merit or demerit attaches to the atman (soul), according to how one lives one’s life. Karma from past lives affects a person’s present life and can determine the level of society he or she will attain to.

The karma from this life will then determine a person’s station in the next life. The atman us uncreated and eternal, perfect, free and unlimited, and eventually realises its divine nature.

What are some religious practices? There are three main ways in which Hindus seek to improve their chances of getting closer to perfection.

Dharma This is a set of specific social and religious obligations that must be fulfilled: caste occupation, marrying in caste, eating or not eating certain foods, and producing a son who will offer sacrifice to his ancestors and perform other rituals.

Inana This is more difficult than dharma. It revolves around meditation on the supreme reality of Hinduism, together with self-renunciation. Inana is only available to those in the highest caste. The world as we know it becomes a mere maya (or illusion). Brahma is the only thing that is real.

Bhakti This is the most popular of the three paths, characterised by worship of any of the millions of gods. Vishnu is the most popular god because his worship does not require the strict disciplines of yoga, and it is available to all the castes (except the modern underclass of Dalits or ‘Untouchables’).

Earth has enough for everyone’s need; but not for everyone’s greed. (Mahatma Gandhi)

Questions

4. What questions would you like to ask a Hindu about the circle of life and death?

Questions

5. What do you think Christians and Hindus have in common?

Activities

Research the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Suggest connections between his Hindu beliefs and his way of life. Why do you think his life has had such an impact across the whole world?

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Compass program on Hindu Religion.

Hindu Olympics and Games

Large community near Byron Bay

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Elements Significance Deity statue or picture

Washing of the statue

Lamp or candle

Incense

Fruit, sweets, cooked food

Prayers

How are these elements linked to produce a simple household puja? Give an example.

What is the significance of the bell?

Is it used in a home Puja?

If so, when is it used?

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The prayer below if an example of the type of mantra that may be used in a simple household puja.

Find another example of a prayer or mantra that can be used in a simple household puja.

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.

“We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Siva) who is fragrant and who nourishes well all beings; may He liberate us from death for the sake of Immortality even

as the cucumber is severed from its bondage (to the creeper).”

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The Distinct parts in performing a Puja

arati ritual − clockwise moving of a flame or lamp in front

of the image which may occur at the beginning or end of a puja.

prasada − sharing of the food received by the gods.

darsana − viewing of the deity.

prasad − eating of part of the offering by the worshipper.

How are these distinct parts linked together to produce a simple household Puja?

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NOTE: For Hindus, nearly every day of the year will find a Hindu Festival which is celebrated by different group of devotees.

Use the internet to help complete the table for this year.

Hindu Month Main Festival Why is this

festival celebrated?

Gods/goddesses associated with

this festival

No. of

days

Equivalent Gregorian

months

Chaitra

Vaisakh

Jyaistha

Ashadh

Shravan

Bhadrapad

Ashvin

Karttik

Margashirsha

Pousha

Magh

Phalgun

Useful Website: http://www.hindunet.org/hindu_calendar/ http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/extra/bl-alm.htm

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Buddhism – ‘You yourself must make the effort’

So where did Buddhism come from?Buddhism comes from the word Buddha, which means the awakened one, the wise one. This title (Buddha) was given, after his enlightenment, to the Prince Siddhartha Gautama. The prince was born a Hindu in 560 BC at Lumbini near the border of India and Nepal.

The legend is that at his birth a seer had predicted that if he was protected from seeing suffering he would be a great ruler. So his father kept him safe in the palace, until one day Siddhartha went outside and saw sickness, old age and death. The young prince gave up his privileges, his wife and his young son, and went in search of the meaning of suffering and the mystery of life.

Activities

Have you ever been really upset for someone else because of some unfortunate and unforeseen thing that happened to them? Describe the event.

What do you think could be done to stop something similar happening again?

Have you ever known someone who has made a difference by helping a lot of other people? Describe who they were and what they did.

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In order to try to help people deal with the suffering they felt in life, Siddhartha shaved his head, wore a yellow robe, became a beggar monk and studied under the finest Hindu teacher, but he could not find satisfaction in their writings. He then tried to find salvation from suffering through self-denial and starvation, but this nearly killed him.

He realised that the truth must be in a Middle Way, between luxury and extreme hardship. Finally, Gautama sat under a tree and meditated for 40 days and 40 nights. It is reported that he was tempted by the evil one (Mara). At the end of the 40 days he experiences nirvana, a state of mind that ‘blew out the flame of desire’ and negated his suffering. He believed that he had found salvation. He became known as Buddha, ‘the enlightened one’. He continued preaching and teaching for a further 45 years until his death.

What was different about Buddhism?

Buddha did not think that the Hindu scriptures, the Veda and Upanishads, were divine writings; they were not a way to nirvana. Buddha likewise rejected the Hindu priesthood and sacrificial system. He believed that ethics (living the right way) were more important than ritual (doing religious things).

For the Buddha, enlightenment was open to anyone, and gods and goddesses were unimportant in the quest for enlightenment. However, he did accept reincarnation and the Hindu teaching about karma (that the soul gains merits and demerits according to how one lives one’s life) and dharma (one has to do one’s duty according to one’s lot in life).

The spread of Buddhism

The Buddha’s teachings spread first across northern India and then into central Asia. Later Buddhism spread across India and Sri Lanka and into China, Japan and south-east Asia. Around AD 1200, Muslim invaders destroyed Buddhist shrines and monasteries. There are two main types of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana. There are also variations, as Buddhist adapted to different cultures.

Activities

Research the different types of Buddhism. Find out about Zen Buddhism in Japan or Tibetan Buddhism, whose leader is the Dalai Lama.

Activities

What is the most amazing life experiment that you have heard about? Describe it.

If you wanted to experiment with something that could change the lives of many others for good, what would you do and why?

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Buddhist sacred writings At first the Buddha’s teachings were passed on by word of mouth. After three centuries they began to be written down. The sayings are collected in the Tipitaka, which means ‘three baskets’ because they were first written on palm leaves.

What are the core beliefs of Buddhism today? Buddha taught that there are Four Noble Truths.

This is the Middle Way followed by the Buddha himself in his search for enlightenment. It has become a code for living as a Buddhist.

These eight steps of the Nobel Eightfold Path are:

If you are afraid, you are in error. If you know how to calm your spirit and keep it still in all circumstances, you are in truth. (Bodhidharma)

A state that is not pleasing to or delighted to me, how could I inflict it on another? (Samdyutta Nikaya)

1. Suffering is universal. Salvation (nirtvana) is when one is released from this unending suffering.

2. The cause of suffering is selfish desire, which comes from being too attached to health, wealth, status and physical comfort. People stay in this state if they are ignorant of the nature of reality and they fall victim to what Buddha called tanhaI (attachment, desire).

3. The cure for suffering is to overcome ignorance and eliminate cravings (desires). Since suffering is caused by craving, if a person could remove craving from his or her life, their suffering would end.

4. The way to overcome desires if by following the Nobel Eightfold Path.

Questions

6. What would you like to ask a Buddhist if you met one today?

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1. Right viewpoint (understanding the Nobel Truths) 2. Right intention (trying to act considerately) 3. Right speech (avoiding anger, lies, gossip) 4. Right behaviour (living honestly, doing no harm) 5. Right occupation (avoiding jobs which harm anyone) 6. Right effort (trying to overcome desire) 7. Right mindfulness (thinking before you act) 8. Right meditation (freeing the mind of distractions)

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What was written down? Many believe that the Jews learned the importance of reading and writing while living with the Egyptians (who were among the earliest inventors of written language). What was unique was their conviction that the one Creator God inspired people to write down the critical stories. These stories told people what God was like and how to get into a right relationship with him. Today, much of the Jewish sacred writings has also been gathered into the Christian Bible. These writing (which Christians call the Old Testament) are made up of three sections.

The Law or Torah The Jews believe that this discloses why God made people, and his intentions about how they should live. The Torah comprises the first five books of the Old Testament.

The Prophets The theme of these writings is love in action through compassionate justice. The prophets were often very passionate. They saw themselves as sent by God to disrupt any tendency of the Jews to focus on knowing what was right – rather than on helping people to do what was right.

The Wisdom writings These writing focus on making sense of life each day by doing what is right, and helping others. This is called discerning the balance between Torah and mercy.

The Jews were a new thing help together by nothing but the power of the written word … (HG Wells)

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What does the Lord require? (Micah 6:6-8)

Do not limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time. (Talmud)

The more wealth, the more worry. (Rabbi Hillel)

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Activities

Read the passage from Micah. Discuss or write what you think the prophet Micah was mainly concerned about.

Describe someone you know who seems to have found a good balance between knowing what is the right thing to do, and being really helpful to others.

Other Jewish writings are collections of sayings of the rabbis (or teachers). These are known as the Talmud and the Midrash.

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How did the Jews organise themselves? The centre of the Jewish religion in ancient times was the temple in Jerusalem. Here, priests offered sacrifices to God and the people came on pilgrimage. At the heart of the temple was the holy of holies, revered as the dwelling place of God’s Spirit. However, after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70, the Jews scattered throughout the Western world. They established communities and built synagogues – buildings for prayer and teaching that kept their faith alive. Since 1947, the homeland of the Jews is once more in the land of Israel, an independent nation state.

There are different forms of Judaism today, but they all share certain beliefs and rituals that have been followed for thousands of years. (Remember, Europeans have only been in Australia for 200 years!)

Jewish festivals

The Sabbath is Jewish holy day when they do not work. Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday night and continues until sundown on Saturday. It is seen as the last day of the week, recalling the story in Genesis that describes God working for six days to create the world, and resting on the seventh. The Jews rest on the seventh day to remind themselves that Yahweh is Creator.

At the festival of Hanukkah, held in November or December, candles are lit in memory of the rededication of the temple in 164 BC.

Passover is the most holy time, celebrating the escape of the Jews from Egypt. People clean their houses and prepare a special meal the Seder, in which special foods symbolise aspects of the last meal before leaving Egypt.

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Religious practices today

There are three main groups of Jews today with different emphases of belief and practices.

Orthodox Jews These try to follow the letter of the law as in the Torah. They have developed extra rules to interpret the basic teachings of the Hebrew Bible and the rabbinical teachings of the Mishnah and Talmud. These teachings rule every facet of an orthodox Jew’s life, including what to eat and what not to eat. Pro habited foods include pork and shellfish, meat and dairy foods taken together, and meats not slaughtered in a certain way.

Conservative Jews These have a more lenient view of the Torah but they do believe that keeping the Law is vital to keeping alive the Hebrew language and traditions.

Reformed Jews This group is much more relaxed about fitting in with other (non-Jewish) ways of living. They believe that the principles behind the main teachings of Judaism are more important than the detailed practices. Hence they do not observe strict dietary laws.

All Jews believe that what God wants them to do is more important than what any person – whether that person is important in family, or government – asks them to do. They can be credited with introducing this priority into the history of humankind and they have suffered for it.

Questions

9. What would you like to ask a Jew if you met one today?

Tallit (prayer shawl)

Menorah Kippah or Yarmulke

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Clickview -

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Islam – ‘Submit’

Where did Islam come from?

How Muhammad became a prophet of Allah

Muhammad began as a sincere person who was concerned about social problems amongst his people. By the end of this life he had designed rules and regulations to improve how his people lived. His life and teachings became the foundation of a great world religion. Muhammad was born in Arabia, at Mecca, in the year AD 570. Until the age of nine he lived with his uncle, Abu Talid, herding flocks. After this he travelled with his uncle and the caravan traders to Syria and Persia.

When he was 25 years of age, he married a wealthy widow. Although he did not learn to read and write well himself, he came into contact with a number of different religions and philosophies during his travels. These were often inaccurate versions of Christianity and Judaism. During this time Muhammad became very concerned at seeing the worship of many gods (polytheistic idolatry) and the greediness (immorality) of his fellow Arabs. Traders in Mecca displayed greed and selfishness; the Bedouin desert nomads practised infanticide. Such things caused Muhammad to speak out. Fortunately, he was protected by his uncle.

During his times of reflection he believed that he met with the angel Gabriel. Muhammad’s wife and her cousin encouraged him to preach about what he heard from the angel. Muhammad never claimed to be god (divine), in any way. He claimed that he was called to be the one (a prophet) to pass on the message of Allah (God). Islam is the name of the religion of the followers of Muhammad. It means ‘submission to God’.

Activities

Share what you know about Islam. Collect photos or video clips that show some aspect of Muslim life. Write or present captions to your pictures.

Questions

10. Image that you are seeing greedy people all around, treating each other badly. How would this make you feel?

11. What could you do about it?

12. Have you seen or read about Muslims reacting to bad behaviour?

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What are the Islamic writings? The sacred book for Muslims (the followers of the prophet Muhammad) is the Qur’an. It is said to record what Gabriel told Muhammad, though it was written down by others who were around the prophet. There were further (less) holy writings about what Muhammad did and said, also compiled by those around him. These are called the hadith.

The sacred writings of Islam have a lot in common with what the Jews believe and with what is in the Christian New Testament. Indeed, Muslims study the four Gospels of Jesus – but because Muhammad came after this Jewish Torah and the Christian Gospels were written, Muslims believe that the words and deeds of Muhammad are more important. That is why they revere Abraham (as do the Jews and Christians). They say that Ishmael was the true first son. (See Genesis 21.)

They also believe that Jesus was a real person sent from God – but as the second greatest prophet rather than as the Son of God. That is why they do not believe that Jesus died on a cross – this would have been too humiliating. God would not allow such defeat. Two possibilities they propose are that Allah took Jesus to paradise before he died; or that he was in a coma, but afterwards revived and lived on for a while, dying later.

What are the Islamic writings? Unlike Jesus, the man of peace, Muhammad was both a religious leader and something of an army general. When the people in Mecca became angry about his teachings, Muhammad went to Medina. Once there, he built up a strong enough group of followers to go back to Mecca in AD 630 and take it over. From there, Muhammad, and the leaders that followed him, used their armies to expand Islam around various parts of the globe (particularly following the trade routes to Africa and Asia).

There are 1.3 billion followers of Islam today. As with Judaism and Christianity, there are different groups of Muslims.

Islam: means submission

Muslim: means one who lives his life according to Allah’s will and the teachings of Muhammad

Interior of the mosque at Sunshine, Victoria

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What are the core beliefs of Islam today? Allah is the name for god. He is described as all powerful, a holy, fearful and righteous judge. In comparison, Christians and Jews may seem to treat their God with familiarity.

The collective name for the words and deeds of Muhammad is the sunnah. These are written down as a developed path of teachings in a work called hadith. From this there are further teachings about how everyday life should be lived. When this is taken most seriously, it is called shariah (or law) – a combhination of legal interpretations of the Qur’an and sunnah. There are prohibitions against eating pork and drinking alcohol, punishments for stealing, adultery and apostasy (denying Islam). Within the law, each person takes responsibility for their own sins. Salvations earned by following the Five Pillars of Faith (see next page).

The six doctrines of Islam

1. God is Allah, all seeing, all knowing, all powerful 2. Angels are real, and the chief angel is Gabriel (jinns are demons). 3. The holy books are the Qur’an, the Torah of Moses, Zabur (the

Psalms), and Injil, the Gospels of Jesus. The Qur’an supersedes all the others.

4. The prophets: The Qur’an teaches that there are some 28 prophets of Allah, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jonah, Jesus and, the greatest of all, Muhammad.

5. The end times: At the end of the world, the dead will be resurrected. Allah is the judge who decides who goes into Paradise, the place of pleasure; and who goes into hell, the place of those who oppose Allah and Muhammad.

6. Predestination: Allah determines what he pleases and no-one can change his will. This is called Kismet (or fate) and is expressed as ‘If it is Allah’s will’.

Activities

Three are a few countries in the world that are run almost completely by shariah law.

Find out if these countries have masterly Shi’ite or Sunni Muslims.

Find out about two of each, and what is might be like living in that country – if you are a Muslim, and if you are not.

There is also one country that is called a ‘secular Muslim democracy’. See if you can find out which country that is.

The prophet Muhammad’s name written in Arabic script is common in Islamic art.

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Beliefs into actions Muslims all around the world carry out five key duties of Islam very conscientiously. These duties are the Five Pillars of Faith. Each one of these pillars has a special Arabic name.

1. The first pillar is called shahada. It involves believing in and saying the words: ‘There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah.’

2. The second pillar is prayer: five times a day – at daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset and at early evening. A good Muslim will kneel to pray and bow facing the direction of Mecca.

3. The third pillar is almsgiving, or giving to the poor. A good Muslim will give 2.5 per cent of profits to widows, orphans, the sick and others in need.

4. The fourth pillar is fasting, which is going without food. Muslims fast for a month, at the time of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. This fast means no food, drink, smoking or sexual pleasures during daylight hours. They eat before sunrise and after sunset.

5. The fifth pillar is pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest of all places for Muslims. This journey, called the hajj, is to be attempted at least once in a lifetime. A person who cannot go may send someone else in their place.

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Use the following Web Site to complete the worksheet:

http://islam101.com/ramadan/ramadan.htm

Ramadan is the _______________ on the Islamic lunar __________ during which

______________ abstain from ______________, ________________ and other sensual

_____________ from break of dawn to ____________. The fast is performed to learn

_________________, _________________ and _______________, while obeying God’s

________________________.

Calendar Commandments Discipline Drink

Food Generosity Month Muslims

Pleasures Self-restraint Sunset

Why do Muslims fast?

Who must fast?

What is involved in fasting?

Term Meaning Action / Prayers

Niyyah

Suhoor

Iftar

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Solutions to Worksheet : Ramadan Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is performed to learn generosity, self-restraint and discipline, while obeying God's commandments.

Term Meaning Action / Prayers

Niyyah Intention of fast “I intend to observe fast for today.”

Suhoor Is a light, predawn meal, recommended before actually fasting

Consumption of food or drink should cease at least five to ten minutes before the onset of dawn

Iftar Breaking the fast immediately after the sunset

“Oh Allah! I fasted for your sake and I am breaking my fast from the sustenance You blessed me with, accept it from me.”

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Use the internet to help complete the table for this year.

Islamic Month Main

Festivals/fasting rituals

Why is this festival celebrated?

No. of days

Equivalent Gregorian

months

Muharram

Safar

Rabi-al-Awwal

Rabi-al-Thani

Jumada-al-oola

Jumada-al-Ukhra

Rajab

Sha’ban

Ramadan

Shawwal

Dhul-Qi’dah

Dhul-Hijjah

• When does the Hajj begin? • What is the significance of the Hajj in the lives of Muslims?

Useful Websites: http://islam.about.com/cs/calendar/a/hijrah_calendar_3.htm http://www.islamicfinder.org/Hcal.index.php http://www.islam101.com/dawah/calendar.htm

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Christianity – ‘Jesus is God’

Where did Christianity come from? Jesus was a Jew who was born at Bethlehem, in the country that is now Israel. He died at Jerusalem at the age of about 33. Because the dating system of the modern world begins with the birth of Jesus, you could say that he died in AD 33. He came at a time in history when the Jews lived under the occupation of the Roman army, as part of the Roman empire. The Jews hated this occupation and were looking for someone to free them from it.

Different groups of Jews had different types of expectations, religious and political:

Pharisees concentrated on making sure that the people knew that they were keeping all the laws of Judaism.

Essenes were found in desert communities living very basic lives in order to focus on the inner experience of God.

Sadducees believed that there was no supernatural life after death.

Zealots wanted an early king (like David, the most famous king in Jewish history) to rescue them from the Romans.

When Jesus came he said that he was a different type of king. He claimed that he was bringing a new way for people to be right with God, a way of love. Jesus promised forgiveness of sins to those who believed. He promised that God would send his Spirit to help people once they declared their faith in Jesus. This was to be foretaste of what it would be like when Jesus came back again, at the end of time, and set things right between people and God – once and for all.

Questions

13. At times Australia has been called a Christian country. What do you think this means?

14. What Christian traditions do you think are a part of Australian life?

15. What is the strangest thing that you have ever seen a Christian do?

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What was written down?

The verse above is one of the most famous of the Christian Scriptures. It is from one of the four Gospels that record what we know of the life and teachings of Jesus. These Gospels – together with other writings by Jesus’ first followers, the apostles – make up the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The first part of that Bible, known as the Old Testament, is made up of the sacred writing of the Jews, writing that Jesus would have known.

Christians believe, as do the Jews, that the Bible is ‘inspired by God’ and that it is the main source of our knowledge about God.

What are the core Christian beliefs? Christian belief is set out in the Nicene Greed, a statement that was agreed upon in the fourth century and is still proclaimed today. The creed sums up three key beliefs:

• The God is one God, but revealed to us as three persons – the Creator Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.

• That Jesus is God; he became man, lived among us and died to save us from our sins. He rose from the dead to come again in glory, as judge of all, at the end of time.

• That the Holy Spirit speaks through the prophets, dwells in those who believe in God, is the source of unity of all believers and their hope of eternal life with God.

The apostle Paul says, ‘For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 3:23-24)

We are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:8-10)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Activities

Describe what you know about what Jesus taught.

If you have grown up belonging to a Christian Church, describe some of the things that show how what your Church does is linked to what Jesus taught.

If you have not grown up in a Christian Church describe what you think Christians do that is different from other people, if anything.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The death of Christ on the cross is a key image. This one was painted by the Renaissance artist, Masaccio.

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How did Christians organise themselves? The first Christians were Jews. They attended their local synagogues and made their prescribed visits to the temple in Jerusalem. Before long the message of Jesus spread beyond the Jews. Gentiles (foreigners) became Christians and were not required to take on all the Jewish beliefs and customs. The first Christian communities net as ‘house churches’, reading their new Scriptures, sharing sacred meals and holding all their possessions in common.

Christianity spread throughout the Roman empire and gradually took on some of the Roman systems of government. Bishops were elected as local leaders and patriarchs were appointed in major cities such as Jerusalem and Rome. In the (nearly) 2000 years since the coming of the Spirit on the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 1) the Christian religion has developed in government, religious practices, and the understanding of the core beliefs.

The Bible has been translated into many languages. In spite of Christ’s prayer for the unity of his followers (john 17:20-21) religious and political disagreements have led to some fragmenting of this unity, although all Christians have more in common than that which divides them. All Christians recognise the importance of the Bible as the key source of God’s revelation, although the way they pray it, study it and interpret it varies.

Questions

16. Do you know who are the current leaders of the Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox Churches?

17. What would you ask Jesus if you met him today?

Activities

Bring together a presentation to show some of the different ways Christians celebrate their beliefs. Compare what the buildings are like, who does what in the services, the style of music, the furniture and art, the clothes people wear, how they celebrate communion, how they baptise, and how and where they meet during the week.

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day … at all times preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words. (Francis of Assisi)

All religions seek to bring meaning to the deep questions of life.

Although they vary in belief and practice, there is much common ground.

Religions can be compared and contrasted by exploring their responses to questions that relate to the past, present and future.

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Select a Christian Denomination from your local area.

Research the following:

What customs, rites and practices does your group have?

What are their beliefs?

What key features make this group different to other Christian groups?

What is their mission as a group?

How is your group governed or administered?

What role music and drama play?

What symbols relate to your group?

Is there any particular religious dress used in the service?

What are the gender roles within your group?

Draw a floor plan of your group’s place of worship and indicate the sacred space within the building.

Make a list of the ecumenical activities your group may be involved in in your local area - for example: dialogue, prayer, social welfare, justice initiatives, and adult faith education.

What relationship does this group have with the local Catholic Church?

Look at ways of presenting your information.

Be creative as well as informative.

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Notes to Worksheet : Christian Denominations

• Divide the class into groups

• Each group to focus on one Christian Denomination that is

represented in their local area.

For example:

1. Anglican

2. Uniting

3. Presbyterian

4. Baptist

5. Lutheran

6. Pentecostals

7. Greek Orthodox

8. Salvation Army

9. Assembly of God

• Each group is to present their information in a creative and

interesting way.

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Complete the sheet as you visit the local churches. Feature

Describe the type of building, comment on the architecture, when it was

built etc.

What are some important historical events which have

been significant for the religious group in Australia?

What are the leaders of the group called and how do

they become leaders?

How often are services held and how long do they

generally last?

What is a special feature of the worship service in this

church?

What are some unique things which you find in this church which you probably wouldn’t find in the others?

What are the sacred spaces within this building?

How many followers does this group have in your

area?

How do they care for members within their church community?

How do they care for others within their community who

are not members?

What do they see as their mission of church?

General comments! Things you found

interesting!!

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Notes to Worksheet : Christian Denominations 2

• Arrange for an excursion to a variety of Christian Churches in your

local area, for example:

Orthodox Church

Anglican

Pentecostal

Catholic

Greek Orthodox

Etc.

• Have someone from the Church speak to the students.

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Classify the various Religious phenomena according to type and Religion. Use the table to help complete the worksheet on the next page.

Hierarchical structure with a

variety of ministries within the church.

prayer

yoga

Salat – pray 5 times daily

Synagogue worship

sangha

Caste system

Muslim family

All equal in sight of God

Ordination into

Sangha The Mass

puja Hajj- Pilgrimage to Mecca

Sabbath Worship

sacred thread

Tripitaka

Bible

Vedas

Qur’an

Hebrew Scriptures

Old Testament

Stories

Story of Buddha’s life

Lives of the saints

Rabinnical stories

Five precepts

Sadharana dharma

Torah

The unity and Trinity

of God

No God but Allah

God is One, Personal,

Saving and Faithful

Everything is part of the one reality, Brahman.

Stories of Vishnu

Ten Commandments Pillar of Zakat –

wealth sharing

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Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Islam Judaism

Religious Experience

Social Structures

Religious Ritual

Sacred Symbols

Sacred Texts

Sacred Stories

Religious Ethics

Beliefs

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Solutions to Worksheet : Five Religious Traditions Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Islam Judaism

Religious Experience Meditation Prayer Yoga

Salat – pray 5 times

daily

Synagogue Worship

Social Structures Sangha

Hierarchical structure with a

variety of ministries within the

church

Caste Muslim Family

All equal in sight of God

Religious Ritual

Ordination into Sangha

Liturgical celebrations Puja

Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca

Sabbath Worship

Sacred Symbols

Buddha Wheel Cross

Cow Sacred Thread shrine

Crescenmt moon

Star of David

Menorah

Sacred Texts Tripitake Bible Vedas Qur’an Hebrew

Scriptures

Sacred Stories

Story of Buddha’s

life

Lives of the Saints

Stories of Vishnu

Old Testament

Stories

Rabinnical Stories

Religious Ethics

Five Precepts

Ten Commandments

Sadharana Dharma

Pillar of Zakat – wealth sharing

Torah

Beliefs Three jewels The unit and trinity of God

Everything is part of the one reality,

Brahman

No God but Allah

God is One, Personal,

Saving and Faithful