World Religions and Fundamental Life Questions

Christianity
Introduction Christians number more than 2 billion worldwide of which the largest group Roman Catholic, has around 900 million followers. Other branches and denominations include Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Greek, Russian and Armenian Orthodox and Coptic Christians living in Egypt and Ethiopia. Fundamental to Christian belief is the worship of God, creator of the Universe. The name `Christian` derives from `Christ`, the son of God who was crucified in Jerusalem but whom Christians believe rose from the dead, an event celebrated on Easter Sunday. Jerusalem is Christianity`s most sacred site among hundreds of places of pilgrimage around the world. Other important sites are St Peter`s Basilica in Rome, Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal. Responses to Fundamental Life Questions Question of Life: Christians believe that human persons, along with the whole of creation, are part of Gods creation. Just how this creation occurred is not necessarily stated but Christianity does not exclude scientific thought. Each person is created in Gods image and shares in Gods life, as such each person is intrinsically good. The person is made up of both body and spirit. The purpose of life is to bring creation to fulfillment and to share fully in Gods life. Each person is responsible for the welfare of planet earth and all who inhabit it. Death: In Christianity death is the doorway to another life which is determined by a persons response to God in this life. An open and loving response will merit sharing in Gods kingdom or heaven. Those who consciously reject Gods love will experience the absence of that love- hell. At death body and spirit are separated but on the last day the body will be resurrected and both body and spirit will be reunited. Evil and Suffering: For Christians evil is real in the world but God does not cause any moral evil, nor does God will or permit physical evils for their own sake. God made the world good but free and vulnerable. When evil and suffering entered the world against Gods command God showed himself to be the saving God who would send His Son to bring good out of the evil done. Evil and suffering have entered the world through the work of Satan and the malice of human beings.

Hinduism
Introduction Hinduism encompasses the myriad beliefs originating in India, home to 80 per cent of the world`s Hindu population. The word `Hindu` comes from the Farsi sindhu describing the peoples living east of the river Indus, one of the two great rivers of the subcontinent. A marriage of philosophy and doctrine, interwoven with culture and tradition, Hinduism is directed towards selfless living, a fundamental belief being that the soul or atman survives death. All Hindus aspire to develop a positive karma which will influence a better rebirth. God assumes many forms in Hinduism of which Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer are most central. Sacred Hindu writings are recorded as epic poems and philosophical texts, the oldest scriptures being a collection of hymns known as the Rig Veda. Thousands of temples and shrines all over South Asia reflect Hindu devotion. The most famous pilgrimage centre is Varanasi where every Hindu hopes to have their ashes scattered on the Ganga. Responses to Fundamental Life Questions Question of Life: For the Hindu all living things are part of the only ultimate reality Brahman (the holy or sacred power that is the source and sustainer of the universe). Each living thing possesses its own individual atman (soul) but this atman is part of Brahman and its ultimate goal is to be reunited with Braham in the Paramatman (the absolute atman). Life has no ultimate significance but is only a small part of the unending and essentially meaningless cycle of birth/death/rebirth. The purpose of life is to work towards the release of the atman from bondage. This can be done by the Way of Knowledge, the Way of Action, or the Way of Devotion. Life on earth is transitory but belief in the continuity of life ensures between this world and the next. Death: In Hinduism death is part of the endless samsara (the eternal cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth), it leads to rebirth. The life lived determines the state of the next reincarnation good karma (works or actions) will lead to rebirth to a higher caste, bad karma leads to a lower caste or lower form of life. The highest possible goal is to be released from the bondage of the endless cycle of reincarnation (moksha) and to attain nirvana, which is the loss of personal identity in the brahman. The attainment of this goal is possible and available to all. There is no threat of permanent hell or damnation, just endless reincarnations. Evil and Suffering: For Hindus evil and suffering are brought on by the actions and ignorance of human beings. They are punished by reincarnation in a lower form. The goal of salvation is the negating of evil, grief and decay.

Buddhism
Introduction Buddhists follow the way or truths outlined by Siddiharta Gautama (Buddha), the `Enlightened One` who was born in northern India in the 5-6th century BCE. Buddha devoted his life to seeking a way to end suffering through thought and deed. His philosophy, summarised as The Eightfold Path, provides a guide for disciples striving to perfect the qualities of wisdom and compassion. Buddhists believe in cyclical life, the ultimate goal being the attainment of nirvana, ultimate release and peace. Sacred Buddhist sites include Bodh Gaya in Bihar where Buddha attained enlightenment, Lumbini his birthplace in Nepal and Sarnath, site of his first sermon in Uttar Pradesh. Responses to Fundamental Life Questions Question of Life: Buddhists believe life is a movement towards Nirvana or the transformed mode of human consciousness which is radically other than the material world. Birth into this world is the result of past karma the cycle of death and rebirth continuing while ever a person remains in bondage to the good and evil consequences of their own actions. This vast human existence should be characterised by compassion, charity and non-violence in this way the cycle of reincarnation can be broken. The purpose of life is to reach enlightenment. Death: In Buddism death is part of the endless cycle of reincarnation and transmigration leading to salvation which is reached through good works. Once enlightenment is reached the enlightened one is able to escape the cycle and attain perfect freedom and bliss, the real Truth, supreme Reality, the incomprehensible Peace Nirvana. Evil and Suffering: Buddhists believe that evil and suffering are the effect of past Karma. Suffering is caused by craving or grasping for the wrong things or the right things in the wrong way. The greatest human problem, resulting in suffering, is a misplaced sense of values. To bring an end to suffering it is necessary to follow the Noble Eightfold Path, which is concerned with morality, spiritual discipline and growth in insight.

Judaism
Introduction Jews believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. The Jewish holy texts contained in the Torah relate how God gave Moses, a patriarch who led the children out of slavery in Egypt, two stone tablets inscribed with Laws for righteous conduct throughout life. Written in Hebrew, the Torah contains 613 commandments dictating rites of passage, conduct and dietary principles. A copy is kept in every synagogue, the Jewish place of worship. Jews wait for the coming of the Messiah who will bring peace, security and fruitfulness. They further believe in a time when the dead will be returned to life for Judgment before God. The Western Wall, all that remains of Solomon`s temple destroyed in 70 CE is the most sacred site in Judaism. Also in Jerusalem, the Yad Vashem Memorial to victims of Nazi pogroms is another poignant place of pilgrimage. Responses to Fundamental Life Questions Question of Life: According to Jewish belief and tradition life is a gift from God. Human beings are created in Gods image, each person is equal to the other, all having dignity. The human person is both body and spirit and the body is to be cared for and respected. As well as caring for their own life Jews are also obligated to care for the underprivileged the sick, distressed, captive, and poor. Creation is good, put here for humanitys use and benefit. In living life Jews are urged to live every day to the fullest. Death: In the Jewish religion death is the doorway to the next life. Since life is a gift from God who loves and cared for each person, death is but a continuation of this, a return to the loving Creator who shared his life with his creation. Eventually there will be a resurrection of the body when body and spirit will be reunited. Resurrection is not just an individual reward but a corporate one where all the righteous, all of the ages, will be reunited with their God. The rewards of a good life are open to all Jew and nonJew. The Jews do not claim any exclusive right to heaven. Evil and Suffering: Evil and suffering are the result of the failure to live the covenant fully. Suffering is not useless but is both redemptive and transformative it atones not only for personal sin but for the sins of others. Jews recognise that their role in society allows them to accept suffering for the transformation of the whole society.

Islam
Introduction Muslims believe `there is no God, but God (Allah) and that Muhammad is his prophet. Islam or `submission` is structured on a five `pillar` guide to righteous living: prayer five times a day, fasting during the month of Ramadan, zakat giving to the less fortunate, performing the haj pilgrimage to the holy shrines and belief in the Creator. Allah`s revelations to Muhammad are recorded in the Muslim holy book or Qur`an. Islam`s most sacred sites are Mecca and Medina on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, and Jerusalem from where belief holds the Prophet made his miraculous night journey into Heaven. Responses to Fundamental Life Questions Question of Life: In Islam, life is a gift of Gods (Allah) great creation, each person is unique and has but one life to live on this earth. Each person has free will and the ability to choose and such as is the architect of their own destiny. Life essentially is the preparation of the Day of Judgement when Allah will call all people to hear an account of how they have lived. This will determine their next place of abode heaven or hell. Life should be lived in conscious commitment to thanks and praise of God, there being no real distinction between worship and the wholeness of life. Death: In Islam death is only the end of this earthly existence and the doorway to another life. On the final Judgement Day the body will be resurrected and each person will receive what they deserve as a result of the life they have lived. Those who have done evil will be punished in hell, those who have lived good lives will be rewarded in heaven and each will receive as much as they can handle. This will mean that some will receive more than others but all will be totally satisfied. Salvation comes through complete submission to Allah. Evil and Suffering: Evil and suffering are part of life but they are not created by Allah who is infinitely good and benevolent. Each person, possessing free will, is capable of choosing evil. Evil, such as natural disasters, are not attributed to Allah.

Introductions and Pictures from: http://www.worldreligions.co.uk/ Responses to Fundamental Life Questions from: Lovat, T. & McGrath, J. (1999). New Studies in Religion. Social Science Press: Katoomba, NSW.

World Religions and Fundamental Life Questions

Activity
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Brainstorm the FIVE major world religions. Discuss what students know about each one. Place students into FIVE groups assign each group a world religion. Students are to read information given and make a visual summary of it (mind map).

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Present summarys to the class. Teacher photocopies summary for each member of the class. If time: students use information learnt to make questions for a board game. This can be added to as more is learnt about each religion.

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