Topic 1: Nature of Religion

Religious Worldview
- Refers to a system of beliefs, ethics and practices, that provide meaning and purpose for an individual or group
- Dependent on culture, morals and upbringing

Supernatural Dimension
Of or relating to things that cannot be explained according to natural laws; caused by God or Gods; exceeding the
ordinary.

Polytheistic Religions Monotheistic Religions

Multiple Gods – Gods that control of particular Only one God which has a relationship with the
happenings in Nature humans. God has neither form nor gender
- Ancient Greece and Hinduism - Judaism, Christianity, Islam

- Different religions have their own unique responses to the exact nature of the supernatural dimension

Polytheistic/Monotheistic

Transcendent Religious Worldview

Transcendent religions: Religions that believe in a divine being or entity beyond the limitations or comprehensions of
humans.

- One which has a belief in a divine power or powers beyond the human existence
- Belief that the divine beings can move between the supernatural world and the human world
- May be necessary for afterlife

Example: Christianity, Islam, Judaism

Immanent Religious Worldview
Immanent Religions: Beliefs that the divine beings live within and is a part of every individual within the known
universe.

- Belief that the universe was created by these spirits

- Gods, Goddesses or divine spirits live within nature or dwell in sacred spaces, and can be felt in forces they
control.
Sacred places: Mountains, streams, forests
Forces: Wind, fire, water
Example: Buddhism, Hinduism
Difference between immanent and transcendent: transcendent religions believe nature and humans are a reflection of
God’s creation whereas immanent religions believe they are god (every living thing is God)

Characteristics of religion

Ethical Teaching Beliefs and Believers Sacred Text Rituals

Concerns the justification
for accepted norms of
behaviour within that
tradition.
Sources of ethical codes:
- Sacred writings
and stories
- Beliefs
- Life, experience
Based on the life and Beliefs are written down Patterned ways of acting.
teachings of a founder, and and interpreted in:
are sourced through sacred They reflect the beliefs of
writing and stories of the 1. Creeds the community they
religious tradition. Set of beliefs reflect/serve
2. Doctrines 1. Reinforce beliefs
1. Beliefs about Teaching 2. Remember key
God/s or a sense 3. Dogmas events in the
of transcendence More than a history of religious
2. Beliefs about the teaching tradition
 and teachings of
significant
individuals within
the Tradition
Rituals
Buddhism
Ethical Teaching
The Five Precepts
1. Refrain from taking life
(killing)
2. Refrain from taking
what is not given freely
(stealing)
3. Refrain from misuses of
the sense or sexual
misconduct
4. Refrain from wrong
speech (lying, gossip)
Christianity
Ethical Teaching
- 10 commandments
- Cardinal Theological
Values
- Beatitudes
- guidance and
inspiration from the
Christian scriptures and
traditions
Hinduism
Ethical Teaching
- The Dharma
‘right way of living’
- Karma
world and how it 4. Catechisms 3. Mark significant
came to be Set of questions stages in life (rites
3. Beliefs about life, and answers of passage)
its meaning and 4. Deepen one’s
purpose and how They may first start as oral personal
it should be lived teachings, and their relationship with
4. Beliefs about the purpose is to make explicit the sacred (rites of
afterlife and what the truths considered to be personal devotion)
happens when we the community’s beliefs. 5. Develop and
die strengthen
community
identity (rites of
public worship)
Words, Actions, Gestures
Beliefs and Believers Sacred Text Rituals
- Nothing is fixed or - Tripitaka (Pali Canon) - Meditation: Mental
permanent, change is - Mahayana Sutras concentration and
always possible - The Tibetan Book of the mindfulness
- The path of Dead - Mantras: Sacred sounds
enlightenment is - Mudras: Symbolic hand
through the practice and gestures
development of - Prayer Wheels: Reciting
morality, meditation mantras with the turn of
and wisdom a wheel
- The life is both endless - Monasticism
and subject to - Pilgrimage: Visiting
impermanence, sacred sites
suffering and Veneration of Buddha’s and
uncertainty Deities
Beliefs and Believers Sacred Text Rituals
- Belief in God the Father, The Bible Sacraments:
Jesus Christ as the son of 1. Baptism
God and the Holy Spirit 2. Eucharist
- The death, descent into 3. Confirmation
hell, resurrection and 4. Reconciliation
ascension of Christ 5. Anointing of the sick
- The holiness of the 6. Marriage
Church and the 7. Holy Orders
Communion of Saints
Beliefs and Believers Sacred Text Rituals
- Truth is eternal The Vedas 1. Marriage
- Braham is Truth and 2. Prayer for children
Reality 3. Prayer for the fetes
- The Vedas are the 4. Baby shower
 ultimate authority 5. Celebrating Birth
- Everyone should strive 6. Giving name
to achieve dharma 7. Piercing earlobes
- Individual souls are Beginning of education
immortal
- The goal of the
individual soul is
moksha
- Reincarnation

Islam

Ethical Teaching Beliefs and Believers Sacred Text Rituals

The Five Pillars of Islam 1. Belief in the The Quaran - The Five Pillars of
1. Shahada – Oneness of God The Word of God Faith
Profession of faith 2. Belief in the - Ritual purity in Islam
2. Salat – Prater Angels of God - Khitan (circumcision)
3. Zakat –Alms 3. Belief in the
4. Sawm – Fasting Revelations
5. Hajj – Pilgrimage (Books) of God
4. Belief in the
Prophets of God
5. Belief in the Day
of Judgment
6. Belief in
Premeasurement
7. Belief in
Resurrection after
Death

Contribution of Religion
Religion has contributed to individuals and society throughout human history through attempting to answer the
fundamental questions of human existence, such as:

- Why am I here
- Is there a supreme being?
- Why do evil and suffering exist?
- Is there life after death?

Religion provides humans with an understanding to these questions, and helps to construct meaning, provides ethical
guidance, and provides a sense of belonging.
Individuals
Religion gives individuals guidance in life through complex ethical systems and sacred texts which they can draw on
for wisdom. Religious beliefs contribute to an individual’s sense of self, and understanding and belonging. .
Example: Martin Luther King Junior – A man who’s religion guided him ethically to make changes.
Society and Culture
Throughout human history, religion has led to violence when adherents of a particular tradition believed their world
view was being challenged.

- Religion changes, shapes and develops human culture to sustain a diverse society.
- Different religions and interfaith dialogue builds for a diverse society
- Furthermore, religion creates social cohesion by establishing rites of passage within a culture through rituals
and ceremonies
 - Legal and judicial systems are based off religions
- Contributes to society and culture as it helps individuals to understand the meaning of existence, and to help
sustain the knowledge of a deeper meaning of life
- Social justice initiatives demonstrated religions contribution to society, and address issues to society
- Inspiration of music, poetry, architecture, sculpture, literature and painting

Example 2: Prayer in Islam

The magnitude of people praying in Egypt during Ramadan, whilst buses and trains frequently go past, show how
religion is integrated into society and everyday life in Egypt.
Australian Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualties – The Dreaming
Nature of the Dreaming

- The Dreaming is a term used to describe a central concept, which underpins all beliefs, relationships,
responsibilities and practices in aboriginal communities.
- The dreaming can be defined as the past, the present and the future.
- In the time of the dreaming, the environment was shaped and humanized by mythic beings, who took animal
or human form, which are eternal.
- The dreaming explains why things are the way they are – why the landscape looks as it does, why certain
animals cannot be eaten, how people should behave and what rituals should occur

Origins of the Universe

- Not regarded as myth by the Aboriginal people
- According to the dreaming, the world came into existence through the actions of ancestral beings who moved
throughout the land, creating land forms, animals, plants and people. After they created the world, they changed
and became a part of the landscape (in trees, rocks, etc)
- Metatemporal concept: which incorporates the past, present and future reality
- Each group has a particular ancestor spirit associated with them which is called their totem
 Bunji: an eagle hawk that Victorian aboriginal tribes consider the supreme creator.
 Ungar: a supreme mythological snake-like creator spirit believed to have created the billabongs, rivers
creaks and lagoons
Sacred Sites
- Inextricably connected to the land, as the land is the physical medium through which the dreaming is present,
lived and communicated.
- They may be sacred because: they are the direct embodiment of the ancestral spirits, they were created or formed
during the dreaming, they are an imprint or physical proof of the actions of ancestral beings.
- Sacred sites are places for particular ceremonies and rituals – perpetuating the dreaming, making it present to
those involved.
- Correct relationships with sacred sites suggest responsibility to care for the site, engage the power of the site and
protect the site from inappropriate use and conduct.
  Uluru – evidence of the actions of the Ancestral Spirits Mititujulu and Tjukurpa
 Burial sites – aboriginal people believe that a person’s spirit originated in the Dreaming and must return there
and to its own country or totemic site to be reborn
 Darling river, Blue Mountains, Uluru
Stories of the Dreaming
- Sacred stories have different purposes including:
 Explaining the origin of creation and various phenomena such as the seasons
 Addressing moral issues such as good and evil
 Explaining the nature of humans
 Setting out laws
 Teaching children about survival
 Entertainment
- Stories vary from tribe to tribe
Example: Rainbow Serpent  creator being  rainbow represents snake moving from one waterhole to another
Symbolism and Art
- Stories, dance, song and symbolism and art were all used to express the dreaming because Aboriginal tribes had
no written language. They were used as a way of recording and communicating:
 When and where to find food
 Location of waterholes
 Borders between the land of different tribes
 The locations of sacred sites and areas to avoid because of evil spirits
- Art was rich in symbolism
- It was considered a supernatural power given to all people
- Used in various rituals and ceremonies
- Artworks were typically engravings, carvings and paintings, imprints and stencils, sculptures and body art in
totemic designs
- Materials: rock, bark, wood, sand, humans
Example: Red Hands Cave, Blue Mountains , Corroboree (ritual involving costume, painting, dancing, music)
The Diversity of the Dreaming for Aboriginal People
- Changes in dialect affect interpretation, teaching, expression and understanding of the dreaming. There are
over nine hundred language groups across Australia and no two-language groups are entirely identical in
belief.
- Impacted by boundaries of nations: tribes who are further apart tend to have different understandings
- Significant commonalities exist between groups especially those, which are geographically close to each other
- Each Aboriginal nation has its own boundaries. Different Dreaming stories are applicable to those boundaries.
- Shared belief about:
 The bond of the land
 The place of the dreaming in their belief structures
Importance of the Dreaming for the life of Aboriginal People
- Natural and supernatural realms are closely linked
- Faith is lived through everyday actions. Life, death, totems and the land are all highly respected and must not
be exploited
- Explains origins of the universe, the workings of nature, the nature of humanity and the cycle of death and life
- Shapes and structures Aboriginal life by regulating kinship, ceremonial life and the relationship between male
and female. Network of people, land and spirits
Ceremonies/rituals: Corroboree (ritual involving costume, painting, dancing, music)
- The Dreaming stories give responsibility to members of the community, to continue educating others about
the beliefs
- Each aboriginal is intimately related to the spirit ancestor and to the totemic animals or plants associated with
that spirit  spiritual relationship with a particular area of land and with defined sites within that land
 - The dreaming offers Aboriginal communities with detailed structures of rights and responsibilities and
Aboriginal Law

Kinship Totemism
- The system of classes traditionally accepted by a -
A totem is any object through which a person is
particular culture and the rights, roles and connected to the creative spiritual force responsible
responsibilities involved for their existence
- Governs relationships bewteen members of - Totems are the embodiment of each individual in
language groups their primordial state
- Must be strictly followed - Totemism: a system of beliefs that gives rise to the
- Linked to dreaming stories through totems and connection between human beings and creation
passed on by elders to each generation - Totems are a natural part of the clan’s region
- Represent the ongoing life force of the Dreaming
Example of an Elder: Bob Randell - Totemism dictates a relationship with nature, eating
habits, social, groupings, marriage structure and
tribal behaviour, these add a spiritual dimension to
one’s life
Example: Birpai Totems, shark, kangaroo, crab
Inextricable connection to the Dreaming, the land and identity
Dreaming is the central belief which inextricably connects the land and identity
- The land contains the dreaming, the land gives Aboriginal people their identity
- Land and Dreaming sustains Aboriginal lives in every aspect – spiritually, physically, socially and culturally
- Through stories of the Dreaming, land, rivers, mountains, hills, rock formations etc. have great significance to
the Aboriginal people and are regarded as Sacred  This connection with the land cannot be broken, it is part
of their faith
- Dreaming teaches that such places are the work or resting places of the Creator Beings, who during the
creation period, bought life in the form of people, materials and plants
- The land is the medium through which the dreaming is lived and communicated – is the resting place for their
ancestral spirit beings
- These sites carry responsibilities for the Aboriginal community  Responsibilities include protecting the
land, and the Aboriginal practice of only taking what a tribe needs before moving on, letting the land
regenerate
- Without the land, dreaming would merely be stories that carry the hopes and values of a people
- Rituals such as corroboree are dedicated to the land in the hope of granting a supply of food, animals, plants
- S. Knight: “we don’t own the land, the land owns us. The land is my mother, my mother is the land.”

In Summary:
The dreaming: - meaning to life, past present future, stories of creations
The land is the basis and connects – it is the expression of the dreaming through ethics, spirituality, responsibilities
and family and social connections
Topic 2: Judaism
Abraham and the Covenant; Outline the life of Abraham

- Original known as Abram

- Born in the City of Ur in Southern Mesopotamia around 1800BCE
- Son of Terah, married to Sarah with no children
- First man to acknowledge monopolistic beliefs and practices
- God told Abram to leave his family for Canaan and promised protection and blessings and that his
descendants would become a great nation
- Founding father of the Jewish faith

“I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you…” - (Genesis 17:4-7)
Describe the Covenant with the Patriarchs; People and a Land
 Covenant (B’rit) : A chosen relationship in which two parties make binding promises to each other.

Abrahamic - God instructed Abraham to leave his country and follow God
Covenant - God promised land, people and blessings
(The land of Israel to his descendants, a great nation, becoming the Blessed people)
- Abraham had to walk in God’s ways and live a righteous life; he agreed
- Covenant was sealed when Abraham build an altar after God appeared to him
- God tested Abraham’s faith and fulfillment to the Covenant; commanded him to sacrifice his son Isaac
upon the altar and when he proceeded, God sent an angel saying he had passed
- The Covenant was renewed with Isaac and Jacob
- Sign of the covenant - Brit milah (circumcision)

The covenant - Isaac was the subject of the tenth test of Abraham’s faith – God commanded Abraham to sacrifice
with Isaac Isaac as a burnt offering, but sent an angel to stop the sacrifice
- God appeared to Isaac and reaffirmed His promise of land, descendants, and a blessing to all the
nations of the earth. (Gen. 26:4) He encouraged Isaac to be faithful like Abraham.

The covenant -Tricked his brother and father into giving him the blessing as the first-born son
with Jacob -Married Rachel, and three other women, and fathered twelve sons
-Wanted to reconcile with Esau and wrestled with a man who revealed himself as an angel
-The angel blessed him and gave him the name “Israel”
-Jacob’s twelve sons are the ancestors of the tribes of Israel and the ones after which the tribes are
named
Moses, the Exodus and the giving of the Torah

Life - The Israelites were enslaved by Pharaoh in Egypt (Ex 1:8-22)

- Moses spared from execution as his mother placed him - “every Hebrew boy that is born you must
in a concealed ark in the Nile river throw into the Nile, but let every girl live”
- He was discovered and adopted by the Pharaoh’s
daughter to be raised as an Egyptian

Exile - He killed an Egyptian who was beating one of the
Hebrews
- He had to flee to save his life, taking refuge in Midian
Revelation - Burning Bush  revelation with God
- God wanted Moses to liberate the Hebrew people from
their captivity in Egypt and take them to the ‘land of
milk and honey’
- God made Moses turn his staff into a snake – so that
the people would believe he was sent by God
Exodus 2:11-25
- 12 – ‘looking this way and that and seeing
no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in
the sand’
Exodus 3:1-22
- Exodus 3:8 “I have come down to rescue
them from the hand of the Egyptians and to
bring them up out of that land into a good
and spacious land, a land flowing with milk
and honey”

Request - Moses and Aaron (brother) went to Pharaoh and
and Denial requested for the people to be set free
- The Pharaoh denied the Israelites their freedom and
punished them; he didn’t believe in their God
Exodus 5:1-23
- Exodus 5:1 , “This is what the Lord, the God
of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that
they may hold a festival to me in the
wilderness.’”

Plagues - Pharaoh was unmoved by Moses’ demand that the Exodus 7-12
Hebrews be set free, so God inflicted a succession of 1. Aaron’s staff is changed into a snake before
10 plagues upon Egypt the Pharaoh
2. Moses turns Nile water into blood
3. Plague of frogs onto Egypt
4. God made the dust on the ground into Gnats
through Aaron’s staff
5. Plague of flies
6. Plague on livestock
7. Plague of boils
8. Plague of hail
9. Plague of locusts
10. Plague of darkness
 Exodus
Passover - Final plague: Every Israelite was instructed to take
the blood of a sacrificed lamb and paint the
doorframe
- During the night, the angel of the Lord passed
through the land, killing the first born Egyptian in
every house not marked with blood
- Passover ritual takes its name from the passing over
of Hebrew households
Exodus - After Pharaoh’s son died, he allowed the Israelites to
leave his land with all their animals and possessions
- Pharaoh changed his mind and sent an army to
recapture the chosen people.
- God miraculously parted the Red Sea so that Moses
and the Israelites could cross and the waters flowed
back over the soldiers to drown them
Wandering - The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years in
search of the Promised Land
- They continued journeying in the desert until they
reached Mount Sinai
- Sustained by quail
Mt Sinai - The Covenant first made between God and Abraham
was reaffirmed
- Moses transcribed the Commandments as a result of
direct communication with God and established the
covenant relationship between God and the Israelites
- The commandments are the beginning of the Torah
- The other 613 Mitzvot were also highlighted
Promised Land - God’s promise of land to Abraham reaffirmed;
deliver the Israelites into a land ‘flowing with milk
and honey’
- After 40 years, the promised Land of Canaan was
found
Ten - Transcribed by Moses on Mt Sinai as a result of
Commandment direct communication with God
s
Unique Features of Streams of Judaism
Orthodox Conservative
Adheres faithfully to the principles, Conserve essential elements of
customs and practices of traditional Judaism but allow
traditional Judaism modernization of religious practices
- Falls half way between Orthodox
and Reform Judaism
- Daily synagogue attendance if - Mixed seating
possible - Female rabbis
- Strict observance of the Sabbath, - Women do not have to wear head
religious festivals and holy days coverings to synagogue
- Strict Kosher dietary laws. - More lenient halachah determined
- Separate seating by modern rabbis who have
- Only men rabbis studied and interpreted the texts
- Follows a defined set of Halachah and laws for the present day.
determined by the rabbis, which are
incumbent upon each individual Jew
to observe
- Exodus 11:5 “Every firstborn son in
Egypt will die.”
- Exodus 14:16 “Raise your staff and stretch
out your hand over the sea to divide the
water so that the Israelites can go through
the sea on dry ground.”
- Exodus 16:13-14 “That evening
quail came and covered the camp, and in
the morning there was a layer of
dew around the camp.”
- Exodus 19:5-6 “If you listen to my voice
and keep my covenant you shall be my
special possession, dearer to me than all
other people. You shall be to me a
kingdom of priests, a holy nation"
- Deuteronomy 32:49 “Go up into the
Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab,
across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the
land I am giving the Israelites as their own
possession.”
- Exodus 20
Progressive
Embraces tradition and works to make it
meaningful in contemporary life.
- Practices suit needs in current
society
- Mixed seating
- Female rabbis
- Kosher expectations meet individual
and contemporary laws
- Views halachah as a guideline rather
than Divine Law, thus observance of
halachah is a choice rather than an
obligation
 Principal Beliefs

One God Monotheistic belief; there is a single creator God God is Omnipresent
- Intimately involved with human history
Implications of this belief: - God’s intervention most evident through the
- Only one God account of the Exodus
- God is indivisible
- God is unique God is Omnipotent
- Al powerful and hence all knowing; can change
The centrality of this belief is reflected in the future events
prayer, the Shema, "Hear O Israel: The Lord our - Human knowledge is finite, God’s is infinite
God, the Lord is One”.
God is Pure Spirit
Provides adherents with an immanent worldview - Anthropomorphic depictions unsound
- Humans are unable to comprehend the full
nature of God
- Understand His nature by witnessing His
intervention, creation and scared texts

Divinely inspired - ‘Ethical monotheism’; a single God who constitutes a moral law for all humanity
Moral Law - God gave Jews a code of ethics to guide ethical decision making in keeping with their dignity as
God’s creation (Mitzvot as revealed through the Torah)

Orthodox: Moral code laid down by God is complete and non-evolving in its application to all situations
for the past, present and future. (is not changed)

Conservative: Maintain essential elements of traditional moral code but place greater emphasis on broad
moral principles which guide ethical decision making in new situations.

Progressive: Draws guidance from fundamental moral code and interpret these teachings to suit
contemporary life

“obey his voice with all your heart” “Love your neighbour as yourself”  ethical
teachings/commandments

Covenant - Series of agreements found in the Hebrew Bible between God and the people of Israel.
- The Covenant lies at the heart of the Jewish religion and is the cornerstone of Judaism.

Abrahamic Covenant
- God’s Promise: Abraham's people will be given the Promise land of Canaan
- Obligation: Abraham must walk in God's way, by living in a righteous and just way.
- Sign of the covenant : Brit milah (circumcision)

Sinai Covenant
- God’s Promise: Liberate the Hebrew’s from slavery in Egypt
- Obligation: Hebrews were obliged to accept the Ten Commandments
- Sign of the Covenant: Animal (lamb’s blood) sacrifices to God
Observance of the mitzvot fulfills requirements of the Sinai Covenant

Covenant with David

- God’s promise: Shepherd David will become a powerful and victorious King
- Obligation: David has to walk in God’s ay by being a fair ruler

“I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you…” - (Genesis 17:4-7)

Sacred Texts and Writings

Sacred Texts Description Importance

The Hebrew Bible - Collection of writings that was first - Aims at maintaining the traditional customs and
(Tanakh) compiled and preserved as the sacred books practices of the Jewish religion
 of the Jewish people - Provides adherents with examples of how to live
- Consists of three main sections; the in accordance to the will of God, such as Abraham
Torah/‘Teachings’, Nevi’im/‘Prophets’ and and the Patriarchs
Ketuvim/‘Writings’ - Enables adherents to fulfil the Sinai Covenant
- Includes the Torah and significant stories through observance of the Mitzvot
such as the Creation Story, Story of Noah
and the Ark, the Covenant and Exodus
- Also includes 613 Commandments: govern
every aspect of Jewish life, rituals to be
practiced in regard to worship and sacrifice:
Shabbat and circumcision, actions to abstain
from: kosher dietary requirements

The Talmud - Comprehensive written version of the - Provides a clearer understanding of the beliefs and
Jewish oral law rituals in the Jewish tradition
- Consists of two sections; the Mishnah and - Central text used by Jewish rabbis and the primary
the Gemara source of religious law and theology from which
- Mishnah: the original written version of the Halakha is derived
oral law - Provides Jew’s with fundamental ethical codes
- Gemara: details rabbinic discussions and laws, which guide practices and day-to-day
regarding the writing of the oral law, life
inclusive of their differences in view.
- The Talmud must accompany written laws
(Torah) in order to gain a deeper
understanding of these expectations.
“People die without law and order”  reinforces
importance of Jewish laws and teachings

Core Ethical Teachings

The Commandments of the
Torah
The Commandments guide
ideals for human life, and
morals and guidance for daily
activates.
- 613 Mitzvot including the Ten Commandments – dictates principals of behavior and
expressions of God’s will
- Halachah refers to living out the Torah in daily life and dictates how a Jew should
act and behave
- They teach about the value of human life, reinforcing the Abrahamic Covenant
- The purpose of these commandments is to provide adherents with guidance
regarding their behaviour towards the universe, creation and each other, inclusive of
political, criminal and religious law.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy,”  4th Commandment from Torah
The Prophetic Vision,
including social justice and
Tikkun Olam-the repair of
the world
- Prophetic Visions supports the world in engaging with acts of service to God.
- Prophets aim to reveal God’s word to the Hebrews with particular emphasis on
social justice intended to return the world to the harmonious state in which it was
created
- Remind people of Covenant and importance of social justice
- Repairing the world: righting the wrongs of the world – Jews being the chosen
people, partnership with God to bring the world back into order
- Living out covenant through observance of the Mitzvot
- Blessed for living according to God, whereas consequences for breaking God’s Law
- Prophets fought for social Justice: poverty, protection of the poor
- Today tikkun olam takes the form of volunteering for the community and taking
social responsibility

“All that God created, He made to be improved.”  Tikkun Olam as repair of the world
The Book of the Proverbs-
wisdom, righteousness,
purity and generosity of
spirit
Framework for practical life
and gives examples of proper
conduct in relation to
truthfulness, being a good
family member and being
generous to the poor.
- Written by King Solomon and contains ethical and moral instruction
- Collection of moral and philosophical sayings represented in poetic form
- This writing is extremely important and is studied by Jewish adherents in order to
remind them of ethical practices, such as how to live moral, peaceful lives in
harmony with God’s creation
- Framework for practical life and gives examples of proper conduct
- Topics such as truthfulness, being good family members, being generous to the
poor, self-control
Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans,”

Observance

Description Importance
- Shabbat commemorates the day that God rested after - It is first holy day mentioned in the Bible, hence is
creating the world observed with special rituals.
- “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you - Allows for reconnection with both family and faith
shall rest.” (Exodus 34:21)
- Jewish adherents engage in a period of “no work”,
based on the list of Avot Melachah in the Mishna.
- From sundown on Friday until Saturday night, focus
is placed on family bonding, prayer and studying the
Torah.
- Level of adherence with traditional Shabbat services
vary between the streams of Judaism
- Evident through the debate of using electricity;
Orthodox Jews maintain that the kindling of a spark
is prohibited, whilst Conservative Jews tend to
follow a more lenient interpretation., Progressive
Jews observe Mitzvot as a guideline rather than Law,
hence Shabbat is a choice rather than an obligation.
Topic 3: Christianity
Context
Christianity branched off from its parent religion, Judaism in the first century CE

- The sacred books of the first Christians were the scriptures of the Jews
- First Christians went to the Temple to worship and pray –gradually Christian people became a separate movement

Began in Judea; under the power of the Roman’s

- Romans wanted land for power, Jew’s though it was the promised land
- Romans were polytheistic
- Jesus was controversial → Radicle in his anti-authority stance
- The romans killed Jesus, → he was a threat to their authority
Principal Events in the life of Jesus Christ

Event Time Description

Birth Announcement The angel, Gabriel came to Mary and delivered news of Jesus' birth, Mary
agreed to God's will and from there, she embodied the Immaculate
Conception.

Birth Circa 6BCE, as Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem in search for an inn and in a
determined by the stable, Mary gave birth to Jesus. Jesus was visited by shepherds and the
Gospel’s of Matthew three wise men.
and Luke.

Circumcision Circumcised 8 days after When Jesus was circumcised, he was given his name by an angel. After 8
birth (Lk 1:21) days, this practice had occurred.
Bar Mitzvah Aged 12 At age 12, Jesus had his Bart Mitzvah and was heavily involved in his
faith and helping his father in Carpentry.

Baptism Baptised by John the Jesus was baptised at the River Jordan by John the Baptist.
Baptist
Last Supper/betrayal Thursday night Jesus shared a meal with his disciples at Passover. He broke bread and
wine, said the blessings and shared it with his disciples. He also washed
their faith and instructed them to be humble and do the same for others.

Crucifixion/death Good Friday. Died aged Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and was brought before
33. Pontius Pilate, he was then crucified at Golgotha and died.

Resurrection Resurrected 3 days later. Jesus resurrected on the Third Day and appeared to his disciples and urged
them to carry on his legacy by tending to his sheep and proclaiming the
Good News.
Ascension 40 days after death. Jesus ascended into heaven body and soul and vowed to return one day in
the Second Coming.

Explain why Jesus is the model for Christian life

Prayer - Communication with God, maintaining the relationship which God had started with mankind through
Revelation
- Jesus was constantly aware of the need to pray.
- Jesus recognised his need for God and his need to return to God in everything, for God is the source of
love and life
- Matthew 6:10- “Your kingdom come, you will be done”
- In this passage, Jesus teaches people how to truly pray: in the privacy of their household!
Ministry/ - Jesus lived his life in loving service to others
service - Never turned away anyone who needed his help
- The washing of the feet - clear example of servant leadership
- (John 9) Jesus heals a blind man

Love and Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44)
forgiveness - Jesus died for our salvation and the forgiveness of our sins

Advocacy for - In Jesus’ society, many people were treated unfairly and unjustly.
the poor - Jesus showed compassion, loving care and generosity.
John 9: Jesus heals a blind man: Jesus tells his disciples that the blind man wasn’t a sinner, and sin isn’t the
reason for the blindness, so He went to the blind man and healed him

Development of Early Christian Communities

Pentecost - Jesus’ death and resurrection is announced to the Jews and others
(Acts 2:1-15) - Marks the birth of the Christian Church
- The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and able to speak in different tongues, whilst the people
listening were given the ability to hear them in their own tongues.

Phillip and - Those who left Jerusalem took with them the message of Christ
Stephen - Philip took it to Samaria (Acts 6:5)
- Stephen (first martyr) spread Christianity to the entire world (Acts 6:8)

Peter - Peter was the main leader and teacher emulating Jesus’ request
Matthew 16:18 “ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church”
- Peter was forced to leave Jerusalem and went to Rome, becoming the first Bishop of the Roman Church
- Peter opposed the Law of Moses (circumcision)
- To settle this issue, the Council of Jerusalem was called. They decided:
 No one could deny that God had accepted Gentiles
  Gentiles could become Christians without first becoming Jews (didn’t need to circumcison)

Paul/Saul - Saul of Damascus was a scholar and persecuted Christians in Damascus.

- After receiving a vision from God, he was baptised and became Paul.
- Faced persecution from the Jews because he converted, and they wanted to kill him.
- Embarked on 3 missionary journeys to found and convert people to Christianity
- He set up structure of the religion and confirmed its status
- Paul recognised that Jesus’ message was not intended solely for Jewish people.
- His letter writing properly established Christianity (13 letters/epistles of Paul)

Christian denominations  unique features

Anglicanism - 16th century schism
- Henry Vlll formalized the split  main motive was that the Pope denied his divorce from his wife
- Importance of scripture, reason and tradition in determining matters related to beliefs and practices
- Does not have Pope as central authority

Catholicism - Largest and most wide spread.

- God’s teachings preserved through guidance of the Holy Spirit and the teaching authority of the church.
- Seven sacraments
- Transubstantiation: conversion of the bread and wine into the body and blood of consecration
- Divided into different rites: Armenian, Coptic, Maronite, Roman
- Increased focus on Mary and the Saints, Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
- Structured under authority of the Pope (Papal authority)

Orthodoxy - Great Schism (1054) and split between the Eastern and Western Church
- Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Church
- Beliefs derived from scripture and traditions that are sacred to the church’s teachings.
- Regarding scripture and tradition to be of equal value.
- Decisions of seven ecumenical councils are highly respected

Pentecostalism - Emphasises direct personal experience of God through Baptism with the Holy Spirit
- Emphasis on the ‘encounter’ with God, a direct experience of God’s presence; driven by the power of
God moving within them
- Evangelist faith
- Base their theology on the Bible which they believe to be the word of God without error.
- Pastors have authority

Protestantism Movement of religious groups in Europe that opposed the doctrine of the Catholic Church and the Papal
authority
- 16th century Reformation: movement against perceived errors of the Catholic Church
Began with Martin Luther’s 95 theses protesting the political, social and theological changes in Europe.
Didn’t like the corruptions which existed in the Catholic Church (indulgences) and supremacy of the Pope
- Recognition of two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion – symbolic rituals of the Gospels
- Consubstantiation: The host is just a symbol of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection

Principal Beliefs
The Divinity - Trinity: Jesus was both fully human and fully divine  Shows how God and humans are interrelated
and - The incarnation of Jesus as a human was an act of love from God for humanity
Humanity of - Jesus is God and has the power to defeat evil  archetype (model) for human behaviour
Jesus Christ - Jesus’ suffering and death were real and experienced by him.
- John 1: 14 ‘the word became flesh and made his dwelling amongst us, We have seen his glory of the One
and Only who came from the father’
- Luke 1:35 ‘So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
- John 5:17-23 – he is spoken of as equal to God. “Whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

The Death - Was crucified for being a political threat to the Roman Empire, died and resurrected 3 days later
and - Jesus died as a sacrifice to atone for sin and reconcile humankind with God  example of eternal love
Resurrection - Believers will one day be reunited with God and transformed beyond death – provides hope for afterlife
of Jesus - Luke 24: 6-8 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third
Christ day be raised again.’
- Luke 9:22 – “he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:12 – “ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.”
The nature of - Christianity is a monotheistic religion
God and the - The Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Trinity) are unique, equal and eternal; not 3 separate gods
Trinity - There are three persons but only one divine being, they dwell in each other
- The trinity is a mystery beyond human comprehension
- God is one and the creator of all things – known as creator of all, Jesus the son of God and Holy Spirit
- Related to three key functions: creating, sanctifying and redeeming
- Expressed in the sign of the cross and clarified in the Nicene Creed
Nicene Creed: “We believe in One God”…“We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ”…”We believe in the Holy
Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life”
- Matthew 28:19 ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit’
- 1 John 5:1-12 ‘Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the
father loves his child as well.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with all of you’
- John 5:17-23 – he is spoken of as equal to God. “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what
he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

Revelation - Knowledge given by God to humans which were previously hidden or unknown; focused on Jesus
- God’s self-communication to human beings; a loving and free invitation to join in friendship with God
- God revealed his will, law and moral principles to humanity; preserved for us through the Bible
- Bible is a source of absolute truth about God
- Can be seen as a call to engage in action, belief and faith
- Christians see Christ’s life, death, resurrection and sending of the Holy Spirit as part of the process of
divine self-disclosure  God revealing himself to mankind
- 2 Peter 1:21 ‘ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke
from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.’
- John 20:31 ‘These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by
believing you may have life in his name’
- John 3:34 ‘For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the spirit without
limit’

Salvation - The belief that humans require deliverance from sin and can only attain it through relationship with God
- Jesus’ death was salvific  atoned for the sinfulness of humanity
- Salvation is seen as delayed until the afterlife
- God has the intention to save however obstacles in present life (sin) interrupt this – instead it is achieved
through the Grace of God
- Deliverance from sin, afterlife, being healed through the power of the divinity and uniting with God.
- Matthew 1:21 – “…he will save his people from their sins.”
- John 3:18 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him
may not perish, but may have everlasting life”
- John 3:16-17 ‘For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world
through him’

Sacred Texts and Writings

Bible A collection of writings that Christians believe are of divine and human origin  source of absolute Truth
- Accepted by Christians as authoritative for belief and practice
- Inspired word of God aimed at guiding adherents to live in commitment with God’s will

The Old Testament

- The original Hebrew Bible and sacred scriptures of the Jewish faith. Includes the five books of the Torah,
 containing the Ten Commandments.
The New Testament
- The Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The first three are known as the synoptic Gospels.
- Acts of the Apostles – recorded events that occurred to Jesus’ followers after his death
- The Epistles – Letters by Paul or other early followers of Jesus
- Revelations – interpretations of the end of the world.

Importance All variants of Christianity view the Bible as the fundamental source of belief, practice and ethical
of the Bible teaching
- It is the central sacred text for and provide guidelines for the everyday behaviour of Christians
- Contains key ethical teachings (10 Commandments, Beatitudes) and principal 5 beliefs
- Shows how Jesus is the fulfilment of the Hebrew Bible
- Used for individual spiritual development, devotion and understanding of God.
- Underpins their practices of prayer and liturgy– used in domestic rituals such as grace before meals,
prayers and blessings.

Core Ethical Teachings

Christian ethics refers to the moral norms and guidelines that are seen to be distinctive of Christianity
- Based on God’s revelation about how a person can achieve salvation through love of God, neighbour and self
- Belief that the human person is an image of God with intellect, choice and power of self-determination
- Based on a range of sources including the Bible, the Church Councils, Conferences and the Pope – main source is
the New Testament containing the Gospels
- Christian Churches stress the importance of both faith and works (good moral actions) along with community,
prayer and sacraments.

The Ten Decalogue transcribed by Moses from God in Exodus 20:2-17

Commandment
s - As a result of direct communication with God  "Written with the finger of God" (Exodus 31:18).
- Christians see the ten commandments as rules to be practiced out of Love of God, not for fear of
damnation
- Instructions on how to live in accordance to the will of God
- Beyond and outside the Ten Commandments is a life of sin, alienation and unhappiness

1&2  importance of worshipping ONE God “No other God’s before me” “Make no idols”
3&4  importance of respecting God and sacred Sabbath
Last 6  guidelines for human interaction/how to treat others “you shall not murder, steal, covet”
The Beatitudes - The foundational passage of Christian ethics
- Given by Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:2-12)
- Encourages humans to aspire to certain virtues or to celebrate the potential of future rewards.
- Provide warning against an approach to life which values only material strength and power

The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus’ preaching. They demonstrate the actions and attitudes needed to live
a Christian life and offer individuals hope in the midst of suffering. Jesus gave us simple statements that guide
adherents to God's kingdom, and by following them, individuals can emulate the love and actions of God.

Some examples:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”
- "Poor in spirit" signifies to be humble. Humility is the understanding that all your blessings originate from
the love of God. Those who are humble are able to admit their fragile nature, repent, and permit the love
of God to guide them to reformation. This encourages adherents to be gentle, kind and accepting of others
and themselves.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

- "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36). God is defined by his Mercy towards mankind
and by showing Mercy to others, individuals emulate the loving nature of God. This supports adherents in
 living in accordance to the Bible as guided through the word of God.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
- To be “pure in heart” means to be free of all selfish purposes and self-seeking motives. Jesus was the
ultimate example of this as He sacrificed his own life for the redemption and salvation of mankind.

Commandment John 15:12  “This is my Commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
of Love - Requires offering one’s whole self to God through unconditional love and respect for all people
- It is a call to adopt the principles of the Decalogue and Beatitudes
Importance - Provides a guide for adherents, highlighting what they must and must not do in order to obtain salvation
- Enables adherents to make informed moral choices according to the principles
- Uses the example of the life and ministry of Jesus so adherents are able to model their lives on his
- Helps them in relation to current ethical issues – drawing on the Bible, conscience, tradition and authority
e.g. sexual morality and bioethics

Personal Devotion – Prayer

"You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you,
"Pray without ceasing for this is the will of God."
Blessing and Acknowledges Christian’s dependence on God and the need for his presence in their lives
adoration - Act of Contrition

Petition Asks God for spiritual and physical blessing and opportunities
- Good health, promotions

Intercession Prayers that are mad on behalf of others

- Praying for a sick relative, mother who wants kids

Thanksgiving Thanks God for what he has done, his gifts and blessings

Praise Expresses a Christian’s love for God

- Songs, psalms, dances, scripture
Personal Vocal Spoken or sung; often in a family/communal setting
- St Augustine states “To sing is to pray twice”
Mental Meditation or contemplation in one’s mind; often done in private

Topic 5: Islam
Pre –Islamic Arabia and cultural/historical context for the development

- Many polytheistic religions (multiple gods)  worshipping aspects of nature

- Many small cults with temples  adherents participated in rituals such as human/animal sacrifices
- Selling of false idols at the Ka’bah
- Pilgrims would travel to Mecca and purchase idols from local merchants  thriving and successful business
- These idols were known as the Hubal
- Minority of Jewish and Christian adherents
- The most powerful tribe were the Quraysh  controlling most of the economy in Mecca
- The Quraysh made profits from pilgrims  they were disliked by other tribes due to their sexploitation of the
pilgrims and control over society
- Mecca and Madina were the two main cities associated with the development of Islam

The Prophet Muhammad

Early Life as an - Born into the Quraysh tribe in the Arabian city of Mecca in 570 CE  became an orphan
ordinary person - Influenced by Bedouin culture
(571-610) - Adopted by his Uncle Abu Talib
- At 25, he married his employer Khadijah, a wealthy widow and businesswoman
 - He had seven children with her – three sons who died during their childhood and four daughters
which lasted into adulthood
- As a young man, Muhammad associated with the hanif, who favoured monotheism
- Muhammad started to meditate about his views on the hanif and became a regular nightly ritual on
Mount Hira

Mission in Mecca as First Revelation –

a religious minority - In 610 CE while praying in a cave on Mount Hira, Muhammad claimed he saw a vision
(610-622) commanding him to ‘recite’
- It is believed that this message was delivered by the angle Jibrael (Gabriel)

- It was confirmed that he was the prophet chosen by god to carry out his messages and further out
his teachings
- Muhammad wrote the revelations into a book known as the Qur’an

Opposition and Revelation –

- Muhammad began to attract some followers and to preach against Polytheism
- Came across a threat to the wealthy Meccans as Islam had the potential to put down the trade
which was an important source of income for the country
- Therefore, he was chased out of Mecca
Hijra –
- In 622 CE, Muhammad had quite a few followers and decided to move 320km away from Mecca
to another town Medina
- Medina became the first Muslim city
- In 624 CE, Muhammad rallied his troops again to head back to Mecca in hope they would be able
to change the minds of many other traders and fortunately were successful

Independent Muhammad’s final years –

community and - In 632 CE, Muhammad accompanied by multiple followers, performed his large pilgrimage to
polity in Medina Mecca
(622-632) - He then returned to Medina briefly but due to sickness he died on the 8th of June 632 CE
- Islam continued to spread after his passing as a way of continuing his legacy

Muhammad as the Last of the prophets –

final messenger and - The Qur’an reveals that Muhammad is the seal and or last of the prophets therefore had a more
model for Muslim’s lasting impact on Muslim adherents
- “Muhammad…is the messenger of Allah” – Qur’an 33:40
- "Verily in the messenger of Allah you have a good example for him who looks unto Allah and the
Last Day, and remembers Allah much." (Surah al-Azhab, 21)  reinforces that Muhammad was
Allah’s final guidance intended to assist adherents in living a life committed in faith.

Exemplary Wayfarer –
- Known as the spiritual exemplar for lives; Muhammad ‘The walking Qur’an’
- Muhammad’s own journeys became a metaphor for the requirements for following the straight path
- A social and political reformer  caring for the poor, eliminating slavery and seeking improved
conditions for women.
- Submitted to the will of Allah
- Introduced Zadak; a practice of obligatory charity focused on giving to the poor  became a part
of the 5 Pillars of Faith common to both Sunni and Shia variants

The Four Caliphs

- The first four leaders of Islam that succeeded the Prophet Muhammad.
- Called "Rightly Guided" Caliphs because each of them learned about Islam directly from Muhammad
- Served as Muhammad's closest friends and advisors during the early years of Islam.
 Abu Bakr (632- - Accompanied Muhammad on the Hijra (moving from Mecca to Medina)
634) - Suppressed the tribal, political and religious uprisings (riddah)  restored Mecca under Muslim control
- Began conquests against the Byzantines
- The first written compilation of the Qur’an is said to have taken place during his caliphate
- Died from illness

Umar (634-644) - His Arab armies conquered Mesopotamia and Syria; began conquests of Iran and Egypt
- Removal of Christians and Jews from Arabia
- Assassinated
- Six-man council he had appointed selected his successor

Uthman (644- - Muhammad’s son in law

656) - Unassuming, wealthy and generous business man
- Muslim forces moved into Egypt and North Africa
Formed a committee of professional reciters to establish the correct recitation of the Qur’an  known
as the ‘Uthmanic text
- Assassinated; death left the Islamic state fragmented and in turmoil

Ali (656-661) - Fought in the early battles of Islam

- Highly regarded by Muhammad's companions because of his extensive knowledge of the Qur'an and
scholarly endeavours.
- The question of his right to the resulted in the only major split in Islam, into the Sunni and Shiʿi
branches

Acceptance of - Shi’a wasn’t happy with Abu Bakr, Umar and ‘Uthman but they were the minority and it was the start
Caliphs of Islam  Therefore both groups acknowledged them as Caliph at that time.
- Ali was a cousin of Muhammad’s, therefore came from his bloodline  Shi’a considered him to be the
true appointed Caliph.

Emergence of the Sunni and Shia

The divide originate with a dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad as a leader of the Islamic faith.

- The choice of Muawiya after Ali’s assassination triggered the schism

Sunni Shia
Leader should be chosen from descendants of a tribe of Leader MUST be a direct descendant of Muhamad
Muhammad; NOT NECESSARILY his family - Imam – rightful leader (part of bloodline)
- Believe final Imam vanished without dying and will
- 90% of Muslims appear to Muslims in times of need

- 10% of Muslims

Principal Beliefs

1. Tawhid – Belief in Centre of Islamic Theology

One Allah - Oneness of God; creator of everything
- Shirk; sin of idolatry and worshipping more than One God/Allah  worst sin
- One in being and in person; nothing can happen that is not His will
- Transcendent  unknowable, unfathomable
- 99 attributes of Allah; the compassionate, the giver of all things
- Forbidden to represent him in visual or symbolic form

“It is only revealed to me that your Allah is one Allah.”(Chapter 21, Al Anbiya;)
“He is Allah, the One, Allah is Eternal and Absolute…” (Sura 112)

2. Mala’ika - Angels - Central to Islam  Qur’an was given to Muhammad by Angel Gabriel
 - Pure and spiritual beings created from light; no gender
- Chosen messenger of Allah; communication with humankind
- Right  records good deeds, left  records bad deeds and are presented on the day of
judgement

“Praise be to Allah…who made the angels, messengers with wings”. (Fatir 35:1)
“Every man has two angels appointed over him who are recording whatever he does and says” (Qaf
50:17-18)
3. Rusul - Prophets - God was revealed to humans through prophets; teachings were made into Allah’s books
- Muhammad is the seal of the prophets  chief, best, last
- 25 prophets in the Quran
- Chosen messengers of God

"Verily in the messenger of Allah you have a good example for him who looks unto Allah and the Last
Day, and remembers Allah much." (Surah al-Azhab, 21)  Muhammad as the Prophet

4. Kutubu’llah - Books - Revealed scripture sent to Earth

of the Prophets - Allah’s revelation and His intentions
- 4 most important: Torah of Moses, Psalms of David, Gospels of Jesus, Qur’an
- Belief that all revealed books have been changed/corrupted  Quran is the only text preserved
in its original form; serves as a complete, perfect and eternal word of Allah which is capable of
guiding mankind in all ages
- Quran serves as the final revelation  complete guide for life of mankind
- Qur’an left in Arabic because it is read in the truest form
- As Allah is one, his revelation is also one

‘Believe in what has been sent down to thee Muhammad and what has been sent down before thee”
(Surah 2:4)

5. Akhira - Judgement - Muslims believe that this world is only temporary; merely passing through it
Day - Final destination lies in the hereafter or the afterlife
- Given this life as a test to do good, worship Allah and live in accordance with the teachings of
Islam
- Everyone is endowed with their own free will, thus have the freedom to choose what they do
 Everyone is held accountable for their good/bad deeds at the end of time
- Allah omits bad deeds and multiplies their good deeds  form of Grace

“To God we belong and to Him we shall return” (Quran 2:156).

On that Day, people will come forward in separate groups to be shown their deeds (99:6-8)

6. Al-Qadr – - People will be held accountable at the end of time

Predestination - Allah is sovereign and decides peoples fate and lives
- Allah is in control of the fortune of Muslims (whether they live or die)
- Heaven/paradise  Jannah
- Idea of predestination and Allah’s Decree

‘Inshallah’ which means ‘if god wills’  used whenever a statement about the future is made
‘Mashallah’ which means ‘what god has willed’  acceptance/ thanks for what has happened

Note: Some Muslims may not believe in the 6th article

Sacred Texts and Writings

Qur’an 1. Belief in one God

- Most important Holy Book/ Scripture; basis for Islam
- Believed to be the literal word of Allah
- Revealed in stages to the Prophet Muhammad over 23
years
- Qur’anic revelations regarded as the sacred word of God,
intended to correct any errors in previous Holy Books such
- “It is only revealed to me that your Allah is one
Allah.”(Chapter 21, Al Anbiya; The Prophets)
- “He is God the One, God the Eternal.” (Qur’an, 112: 1-4)
2. Angels
- “Praise be to Allah…who made the angels, messengers
 as the Old and New Testaments
Importance
- Central religious text used by most Muslims to guide their
prayer rituals, worship services, and family traditions
- Provides principle beliefs and ethical teachings intended in
guiding adherent to live in submission to the will of Allah
with wings” (Fatir 35:1)
- “Every man has two angels appointed over him, who are
recording whatever he does and say,” (Qaf 50:17-18)
3. Prophets
- "Verily in the messenger of Allah you have a good
example for him who looks unto Allah and the Last Day,
and remembers Allah much." (Surah al-Azhab, 21)

4. Books of the Prophets

- ‘Believe in what has been sent down to thee Muhammad
and what has been sent down before thee” (Surah 2:4)

5. Judgement Day
- “To God we belong and to Him we shall return (Quran
2:156)
- “On that day, people will come forward in separate groups
to be shown their deeds.” (99:6-8)
Hadiths 1. Belief in one God
- Various collections of texts which record the words and - “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah” (Prophet
teachings of Prophets Muhammad Muhammad)

Importance 2. Angels
- Revered and received as a major source of religious law - “The angels stand at the gate of the mosque…writing the
and moral guidance, second only to the authority of the names of the persons coming to the mosque…” (Sahih al-
Qur’an bukhari 929)
- Provide interpretation of the Qur’an and Muslim issues not
even details in the Qur’an 3. Prophets
“Every prophet was given miracles because of which
people believed.” (Muhammad)

4. Book of Prophets
- Bestow on him the knowledge of the Book (Qur’an)”;
Muhammad

5. Judgement Day
“When the people of Paradise will enter Paradise.”
(Muhamad)

Core Ethical Teachings

Why are ethics needed?  Human Nature, Good and Evil
- Human being has a nafs  Egotistical soul that acts as the interface between the spirit and the physical body. All
human evil is a product of the un-purified nafs
- Choices are negatively influenced by the emotions, desires and the selfish impulses of the ego.
 “Honoured with goodness” (Qur’an, 17:70)  Created with innate capability to recognise goodness and virtue
 “Caretaker on earth” (Qur’an, 2:31-33)  charged with the duty of upholding goodness and righteousness.
 Given “the trust” (Qur’an, 33:72)  interpreted self-awareness and freedom of choice

Sharia Law Islamic religious law understood as God’s guidance for happiness in this world and the next. Governs religious
rituals, as well as aspects of daily Muslim life.
- Sharia  ‘the way’ and ‘source of water’

Sources of 1. The Qur’an As the primary source of God’s revelation, the Qur’an is the sourcebook of Islamic
Sharia Law (4) principles and values.
- Only about 300 verses can be considered strictly legal

E.g “do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” (Qur’an 17:23)
 - Do not say a word of disrespect to parents

“Do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just.” (Qur’an 5:8)
- Be just regardless

1. Sunnah of the Words, actions and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad as the messenger of God.
Prophet An individual report narrated is called a hadith.
- Thousands of hadith report collectively make up the body of Sunnah.

“Do not kill any child, any woman, any elder or sick person.” (Prophet Muhammad)
- Taken from Islamic rules of war declared by Muhammad
3. Analogical Extending established legal precedence to new matters by identifying a common
Reasoning cause and comparing with the teachings of the Qur’an or Hadith
(Qiyas)
Ban of trading after the last call for Friday Prayers (Qur’an, 62:9)  extended to
other transactions and activities such as agricultural work and administration

Drug abuse; contemporary  wine drinking is haram and since both have the same
effects (loss of consciousness), which is forbidden, drug abuse is banned as well

4. Consensus Consensus of the community of scholars over a solution to a legal and practical
(Ljma) issue.
- Test of time: After a while more and more jurists as well as people accept the
ruling achieving a consensus over that matter

Some scholars believe smoking is Makruh (not haram but not recommended),
others believe it is completely prohibited (haram)
Categories of Summarized under four broad categories
Sharia Law 1. Creed (Aquidah)
2. Religious Worship and Practice (Ibadah)
3. Morality and ethics (Anklaq)
4. Social relations (Muamalah)

Further broken down as:

Islamic Definition Example

Fard – Compulsory Commandments of God which are based on - Fasting during Ramadan
evidence from the sources of Islam

Sunnah - Verbal advice and acts approved by Prophet - Fasting on Monday and
Recommended Muhammad Thursday

Makruh – Disliked Acts that are disliked in Islam and technically - Smoking (Prohibited by
contradict the practice of Prophet Muhammad some scholars)

Haram – Forbidden Acts decisively forbidden by Islam - Murder/theft

Halal – Permissible Any action which is allowed - Anything not Haram

Aim of Sharia Provides moral and legal codes based off teachings of the Qur’an, Prophets and other sources
Law - To achieve justice, beauty and mercy whilst protecting 5 basic human rights:
1. Life Right to live in safety and earn a livelihood

2. Property Right to own and preserve one’s personal property

3. Human Mind No one, including the self, society and state, should coerce or remove the
ability to think freely
 Individual Conscience “Actions are judged according to intentions. Whatever someone intends to do,
he gets its reward...” (Prophet Muhammad)

Public Morality “And from among you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoin
what is right and forbid the wrong.” (Qur’an, 3:104)

Attempts to seek a balance between Islamic Law, Public Morality and Individual conscience
- Everything is fundamentally allowed unless stated otherwise

Islamic Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh): Scholarly interpretation and human understanding of Sharia through
Jurisprudence examination of the Qur’an and hadith.
(Figh) - Process of applying these principles is known as qiyas

Ijtihad: When there is no direction mention of a major issue in the Qur’an or hadiths (society has evolved),
Muslim scholars must make a religious judgement through collecting evidence, analysis, interpretations and
conclusions
- A major scholar who carries out ijtihad  mujtahid

Fatwa’s: Non-binding religious opinions made by the judgement of religious leaders

- Religious scholar who makes a fatwa  mufti

Expression of Faith: 5 pillars of faith

Religious obligations that all Muslim’s must satisfy to live in accordance to the core beliefs and practices of Islam.

1/ Shahada – The belief that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" is central to
Profession of Islam.
Faith - One becomes a Muslim by reciting this phrase with conviction
- Underpins the monotheistic nature of Islam
- Extremely popular phrase; appears in Arabic calligraphy on buildings, manuscripts, books, etc.
- Freedom from fear and incentive based earthly masters

“He is God the One, God the Eternal.” (Qur’an, 112: 1-4)
2/ Salat - Daily Expected to pray 5 times a day.
Prayers - At dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and after dark
- Muslims can pray anywhere; not just in Mosque  must face Mecca (qibla)
- Counters distractive effects of daily and affairs and brings focus back to Allah

“Do not rebel against your Lord; establish 5 daily prayers…” [Tirmidhi, Jumiah, 80]
3/ Zakat – Alms Muslims must donate a portion of their income to community members in need
- Obligatory charity aims at easing the suffering of others
- Many rulers and wealth Muslim’s build mosques, drinking fountains, hospitals and schools as a
religious duty and to secure blessings associated with charity
- Removes materialism and attachment to possessions and money

“My Mercy encompasses all things, but I will specify it for the righteous who give Zakat.” (Qur’an 7:156).
4/ Sawn - Fasting Obligatory Fasting during Ramadan (9th month in Islamic calendar)
- All healthy Muslims are required to abstain from good and drink
- Temporary deprivation aims at renewing awareness/gratitude of what God has provided them with
- Qur’an was first revealed during this month
- Share the hunger and thirst of the needy; reminder of religious duty to help less fortunate (zakat)
- Encourages self-restraint against limiting and destructive inner impulses

“Allah is with those who restrain themselves,” (Qur’an 16:128)

5/ Hajj - Every able Muslim must visit Mecca at least once in their lives
Pilgrimage - Ka’ba (cubical structure) is at the centre of the Haram Mosque in Mecca
- Muslims beliefs that it was the house of Abraham built for God and pray in its direction
- Believers gather at the Ka’ba on the 8th and 12th day of the final month in the Islamic Calendar
- Removal of racism and tribal attitude to religion

“Allah has prescribed Hajj upon you, so perform it.” (Prophet Muhammad)