What is religion? Adapted from: Merdith & Hickman (2005), World Religions, Usborne: London.

What is culture?

What is an iceberg? Much bigger on the bottom than on the top How is culture like an iceberg? But I thought we were talking about religion? What does religion have to do with culture?

Questions 1. Where did the world come from? 2. Why was the world created? 3. Who are we? Who am I? 4. What is my purpose in life? 5. How should people live? 6. Why is it that there is so much suffering? 7. What happens when a person dies? These are questions that cannot be tested and proven – a person has to trust or have faith in them

The word ‘religion’ Comes from the Latin word RELIGIO (means ‘a duty’) Comes from the Latin word RELIGIO (means ‘a duty’) There is more to life than just the physical world There is more to life than just the physical world Religious people believe that if we live in a certain way, answers can be found Religious people believe that if we live in a certain way, answers can be found Answers are known as the ABSOLUTE or ULTIMATE truth Answers are known as the ABSOLUTE or ULTIMATE truth

What do religions have in common? Religions recognize that the world and people in it are not perfect Religions recognize that the world and people in it are not perfect If people have faith (follow the religion‘s teaching‘s correctly), they believe they will find the answers to some of the big questions and be freed from suffering (salvation/liberation) If people have faith (follow the religion‘s teaching‘s correctly), they believe they will find the answers to some of the big questions and be freed from suffering (salvation/liberation)

Why do we have religions? Past: religion was relied upon to explain seasons, weather etc Past: religion was relied upon to explain seasons, weather etc Past: studies show that religion helped keep communities together – shared rules for living and a shared way of understanding the world Past: studies show that religion helped keep communities together – shared rules for living and a shared way of understanding the world Today: reduces people‘s fears – gives them something beyond themselves to rely on Today: reduces people‘s fears – gives them something beyond themselves to rely on

Religions of the World - an overview Judaism Christianity Islam Baha’i Faith Zoroastrianism Hinduism Buddhism Sikhism Jainism Taoism Confucianism Shinto What are the major religions of the world?

Others Atheists – people who do not believe that a supernatural power exists Atheists – people who do not believe that a supernatural power exists Agnostics – people who say it is impossible to know whether or not God exists because there is no proof either way Agnostics – people who say it is impossible to know whether or not God exists because there is no proof either way Humanists – people have the ability to develop themselves and to build a world that will be a happier place. People should not be judged by a set of religious rules. Humanists – people have the ability to develop themselves and to build a world that will be a happier place. People should not be judged by a set of religious rules.

What common themes run through religions but which we could research to find differences in the way the religions are practised? Worship Worship Prayer and meditation Prayer and meditation Scriptures/books Scriptures/books Sacred objects Sacred objects Festivals Festivals Priests Priests Sacred places Sacred places Rites of passage Rites of passage Monks and nuns Monks and nuns

Decisions, decisions, decisions 1. What questions do we want to answer about the religions we will be looking at? 2. Which religions would you like to study? (5 religions have been chosen, the class needs to pick another 3) 3. Each student needs to pick 2 religions to focus on