RELIGION STUDY NOTES

Nature of Religion

Nature of Religion

• Supernatural Dimension: Beyond the natural, measurable world. It

acknowledges the existence of a deeper reality beyond surface appearances.
• Transcendent: A spiritual presence that is not confined by time or space.
Exists in a realm outside human understanding.
• Immanent: Presence of a spiritual being within the individual and in every
aspect of one’s life.
• Characteristics:  Beliefs and believers
 Sacred texts/ writings
 Ethics
 Rituals/ ceremonies
• Contribution:
o Individual- find true meaning/ place in life, discover fulfilment of life,
source of hope/comfort, explain key questions e.g. suffering and evil,
provides an ethical system
o Society- sense of community and belonging from joint purpose, creation
of relationships

Aboriginal Spirituality

• Nature of the Dreaming

o Background:
 The Dreaming is the essence of Aboriginal spirituality. It
encompasses the spiritual and physical reality, establishes a code
of morals and rules, incorporates the spirit ancestors and their
creative activity in forming the world, and is the continuing and
sacred relationship with the land.
 The Dreaming does not exist in the world of ordinary space and
time; instead, it completely surrounds, contains and sustains the
physical world, it is not the past, present or future, but transcends
time.
 The Dreaming integrates all these aspects into one idea; however,
it is not vague or surreal as the name may suggest, it is a reality.
o Origins:
 Before time, the land was believed to be featureless, a mass of
matter like a bare plain. It was then that the Dreaming began; the
spirit ancestors rose from their eternal sleep and assumed a
variety of forms, both human and creature.
 It was these spirit ancestors who created the earth through an
intense burst of creative action. They shaped the physical features
of the land, determined the design of nature and granted life with
order. They are responsible for bringing all living things into
existence and providing them with a system of law and morality.
 Once their activity was complete, the spirit ancestors returned to
their original slumber; however, they still experience a powerful
and aware existence.

o Sacred Sites:
 Sacred sites are a result of important events which occurred during
the Dreaming creation period.
  Dreaming tracks are the trails of the lives and movements of
ancestral spirits, they connect sacred sites and contain the spirit
children who are not yet born as plants, animals or humans.
 Undergoing a pilgrimage along these ritual paths is called going
‘Walkabout’. It is similar to a moving meditation where body, life
and mind are completely committed to aligning oneself with the
powers of the Dreaming. Progressing through the sacred sites in
order of significance develops higher states of consciousness and
experience.
o Stories of the Dreaming:
 Stories of the Dreaming are a vital tool in education particularly to
children. The stories assist in explaining how the universe was
created, how to behave and how to survive. They recount events
during the period of Dreaming creation and compose an integral
aspect of life for Aboriginals.

• Diversity of the Dreaming

o Whilst all Aboriginal people have a core understanding of the Dreaming
as a source of spiritual and temporal identity, it is represented and
celebrated differently between groups and peoples. (Over 900 aboriginal
nations).
o The Dreaming is manifested in songs, sacred sites, traditional paintings
and particularly rituals. The Dreaming is fully re-created in the present
time and space
o Each area has a particular plant/ animal which is a totem for that group of
Aboriginal people. Because of this, the people have a kinship with that
spirit and are the spiritual 'owners' of that area of land. The people are
responsible for that area of land and, along with their kinship with the
ancestral spirit, their identity is formed.
o Therefore, diverse from geographical locations, differing dialects,
interpretations in art, song, ritual, different totems and emphasis on
different spirits or aspects of the Dreaming.
o Example: Kangal people have the barramundi as their totem whilst the
Bangariny have the brown shark.

• Importance of the Dreaming

o In Aboriginal spirituality, the supernatural and the natural are not
separate but integrated in everyday existence. Therefore, the deepest
and highest reality and meaning is already fulfilled in normal life through
an affirmation of the dreaming. It is the dreaming that provides this value
and purpose in life.
o Important in accepting the wholeness of life and creation. The Dreaming
is vital to understanding creation, suffering and life and celebrating this
reality e.g. allows reverence and respect for death. Leads to a reverence
for life.
o The Dreaming is life, in all its aspects. Therefore, the Dreaming is not
separate or distinct from daily living. Its importance lies in its nature in
encompassing every part of reality. There is nothing more or beyond the
Dreaming. Yarralin people of NT use the word yimaruk to describe this
continuous interconnecting nature of life.
o Acknowledging and celebrating the Dreaming provides morals and laws.
This in turn leads to the preservation and enhancement of life. Creates
responsibility.
o Understanding of the Dreaming is vital so that the world/ universe can co-
operate and work effectively together as a single unit.

• Inextricable connection between Dreaming/ land/ identity

 o The formation of an Aboriginal person’s identity is composed of four
fundamental elements; their belief system, spirituality, family and the
land. Without any of these elements, Aboriginal life ceases to exist.
o The dreaming is the central source of all understanding, it is believed to
be the key link in forming an Aboriginal identity. The Dreaming is present
in all aspects of life, and therefore, all living things are connected.
o The land is considered a living entity. It is the physical link between
reality and the spiritual world. As Aboriginal people believe they form part
of the land and the land forms part of them, the relationship between
humans and the environment is inextricable.
o The identity of an Aboriginal person is formed through every aspect of
the dreaming represented through the land.
o The Dreaming establishes the moral, social and psychological bond and
interdependence between humans (identity), ancestral beings
(spirituality) and the natural environment (the land).

o Example: The Kutjunka people see the land as a reflection of humans and
vice versa. The land is described as the human skin; damage to the land
is damage to the people.
o Inherent Issues:
 When European settlers came to Australia, they displaced the
Aboriginal people, separating them from their land, family, and
therefore, spirituality. The effect of this was a complete loss of
identity. This situation demonstrates the inextricable connection
between the Dreaming, land and identity.

Depth Study: Christianity

Historical and cultural context of Christianity

• A religion of Semitic origin. Jesus was a Jew and cannot be understood outside
this context he took part in all the Jewish traditions and practices.
• However, for centuries Jewish lands were dominated by foreign powers. During
Jesus’ time Israel was under Roman occupation. They suffered social and
religious deprivation, there was strong contempt for the roman rule.
• The Jewish religious authority was fractured into a number of sects such as the
zealots, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
• During such difficult times where the covenant was being broken, Jews
expected God to once again intervene. The prophet Isaiah referred to a
‘messiah’ meaning anointed one.
• There were many interpretations as to the role of the messiah e.g. zealots
believed he would be a warrior and political liberator who would free them from
roman rule whilst the Pharisees believed he would be the perfect Jew, upholding
all 613 mitzvoh to the letter.

Jesus Christ as Model for Christian Life

• Intro: Jesus acts as a role model for Christian life as he is the embodiment of his
Christian teachings. Always practiced what he taught. As the ‘perfect human’
Christians model from his attitudes towards God and others, his actions in social
justice and his admirable characteristics and personal qualities.
• Servants of humanity: Treating all people equally despite race, gender or social
standing. Revolutionary for a time when sexism and discrimination was rife
 within society, demonstrates its transcendent nature irrelevant of context, also
raises its significance. E.g. broke social laws of time when he approached
Samaritan woman at well, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman
of Samaria?" (Jn 4:5).
• Faith and love in God: Jesus calls for humans to respond to God with faith and
love, to treat him with reverence and respect. We see this in his teachings and
his own attitudes. His parables often send the message of repenting and
accepting God’s kingdom. E.g. In the parable of the generous vineyard owner he
questions, “do you begrudge my generosity?” (Mt 20:15). Jesus asks for humans
to joyfully and gratefully accept God’s love. This is also demonstrated through
Jesus’ own reverence for God, he is often described praying.
• A strong emphasis of Jesus’ life was his call for social justice. Jesus models being
aware of and acting towards social justice and therefore, asks and encourages
Christians to do the same. He models the teachings of the beatitudes which
state "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will
be filled". Example of this in practice is his association and blessing of the poor,
he eats with the tax collector Zacchaeus. Jesus acts as model by reinforcing the
Christian teachings of helping “the least of Jesus’ brothers and sisters.”
• Jesus also portrays the Christian demeanour through demonstration of his own
qualities which he encourages Christians to adopt. Jesus is often tested
throughout his life and in each situation he displays traits such as selflessness,
forgiveness, mercy, compassion and humility. The ultimate example of this is
the love and selflessness he displays when he gave up his life for the benefit of
humanity. “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live.”
• Christians who model from Jesus strive to live the Christian life and experience
humanity, “to follow Christ, the perfect human, is to become more humans
oneself.”

Development of the early Christian community

• The development of Christianity can be identified in four main stages:

o Jesus’ death and resurrection is announced at Pentecost. It is this core
event upon which much of the Christian doctrine and theology are based.
The resurrection of Jesus was to reflect the divine nature of Jesus. It
confirmed him as the “Messiah” and offered the early Christian
community proof of his teachings. It also offered salvation, forgiveness of
sins and entry into the Kingdom of God. It acknowledged that Jesus was
both human and divine.
o The Church learns its first lesson about expansion, the gospel message is
not tied to Jerusalem but begins to spread. “ye shall be witnesses unto
me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
o Complications arose as to whether it was a requirement to be a Jew
before you were a Christian. The Council of Jerusalem decided that this
was not a prerequisite, however, gentiles adopting Christianity must be
aware and respectful of Jewish traditions.
o The conversion of Paul has significant impact on the expansion of
Christianity. Not only did it lead to him becoming one of the founding
members of the Christian Church, it also confirmed Christ’s
demonstration of Salvation and the absolution of sin. Paul’s journeys
meant Christianity was spread across the world rather than being
contained in a small, local sect of followers. Through his journeys and
writings Paul was able to establish Christianity as a separate entity from
Judaism and demonstrate Christ’s wish to preach to all people, not just
the Jews. Through Paul, God had “opened the door of faith for all
gentiles” (Acts 14:27).
Denominations

• Anglicanism:
o Emerged from the context of the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th
century during the reign of King Henry VIII.
o Distinguishing features:
 Authority- Declared independence from papal control, The English
monarch became the supreme governor of the Church. However,
no international, juridical authority.
 Justification- salvation is attained by faith in Jesus and through the
grace of God.
 Priesthood- Eliminates idea of hierarchy and gives equal power to
all people of the Church.
 Eucharist-
o Distinctive to Anglicanism is the ‘book of common prayer’, put together
during the reformation.

• Catholicism:
o Developed after the great schism in 1054.
o Distinguishing features:
 Authority- The Bible, tradition/sacraments, Pope- “Feed My
lambs … Tend My sheep … Feed My sheep.” (Jn 21:15) Jesus
makes Peter his representative on Earth.
 Justification- salvation from faith AND good works- need human
cooperation. Stresses a sacramental view of human existence.
 Eucharist- Jesus is literally present in the bread and wine. “By
the consecration the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into
the Body and Blood of Christ is brought about” (catechism of the
Catholic Church).
 More emphasis on Mary and the saints.

•Orthodoxy:
o Distinguishing Features:
 Heart of Orthodox worship is the divine
liturgy- celebration of the eucharist
 Use of icons in worship- highly ornamented
imaged of Christ, Mary, saints etc. Justify as God is clearly visible
and accessible to humans.
 Masses- long (2hrs), incense, fully sung
liturgies, rich in symbolism.
 Strong emphasis on sacraments

• Pentecostalism:
o Beliefs stem from Pentecost in 30CE. Broke away from Methodist sect in
early 20th century in the USA.
o Distinguishing Features:
 Seeks to restore the gifts of the holy spirit.
 Sacraments- differentiate between baptism and conversion/
reception of sacraments, signified by breaking into tongues
 Considered evangelical
 Salvation- brought about by gift of the Holy Spirit
 Strong emphasis on community involvement- involves spontaneity,
singing

• Protestantism:
 o Reformation of 16th century- key leaders were Martin Luther and John
Calvin, formed eight religious sects
o Distinguishing features
 Authority- Bible is only source of revealed truth, do not
acknowledge Pope
 Justification- salvation by faith alone
 More emphasis on preaching word of God and less on sacraments
 Universal priesthood of all believers

Principle Beliefs

• Divinity/Humanity:
o Jesus is both fully human and fully divine- he is the second person of the
trinity, God the son who took upon himself a complete human nature.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling amongst us” (John 1:14).
The Christian belief in the incarnation leads us to a better understanding
of the nature of God.
o His humanity meant he had the same human limitations- slept, ate, had
normal emotions. Helps Christians appreciate the pain and suffering that
he endured for humanity and gives greater significance to his ultimate
sacrifice
o His divinity shows us the close, unique relationship which exists between
himself and God. “If you know me, you will know my Father also” (John
16:6-7).
o Jesus’ humanity is supported by fact, his divinity calls for Christians to
have faith. Humanity from gospels, bible and other sources of the time.
Divinity understood through the gospels.

• Death, Resurrection and Ascension:

o Jesus’ death and resurrection confirms his divinity and nature as the son
of God. Therefore, his teachings are reinforced as credible and true. His
key message to love God and love others is given divine significance.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Mark 12:30)
o Belief and faith in the resurrection of Jesus is the basis of our
understanding that even after his physical death, Jesus is alive and
present with us today and continues to preach to us the same message
he did during his days on earth. “If Christ has not been raised, then
empty… is our preaching; empty, too, your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
o Resurrection and ascension provides Christians with hope that they will
achieve salvation- that each believer will one day be completely human
but transformed- body and soul- for all eternity with God.
o Obedience, death and resurrection attains atonement for Christians-
restoring humankind to the right relationship with God. Only Jesus’ death
can repair the alienation from God.
o Sends the vital message that God loves humanity and will forgive human
failings. Actively demonstrates his love and care for humans.

• Nature of God and the Trinity:

o God exists as three persons, father, son and holy spirit, all act in
relationship of intimate self surrender- when one acts they all act.
Evidenced in Bible, “baptising them in the name of the father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19)
o The trinity is a mystery in the sense it is the deepest reality which is
beyond human understanding or experience.
o Three key functions: creating (bringing God’s new life to creation),
sanctifying (blessing creation) and redeeming (turning creation from sin
and darkness)
 o Concept of trinity helps understand nature of God. Father is transcendent
(not confined to the material world), son is immanent (God is involved in
the world), the spirit unites and contains these two concepts.
o Western church emphasises full equality, Eastern church emphasises
monarchy of the father.

• Revelation:
o Disclosure by God of what was previously unknown.
o Not just communication but invitation to join in a relationship with God
o Primary source of revelation is given, interpreted and applied in the Bible
o However, not the only source, God continues to speak through human
history, historical events, Christianity, world religions, joys hope and
frustrations, through life itself.
o The climax of revelation occurs in the words, deeds and actions of Christ.
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets… but in
these late days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
o Catholics place emphasis on Bible and Papacy as key source of
revelation, Orthodoxy believes the Bible does not wholly contain
revelation.

• Salvation:
o Issue of contention, all Christians believe in life after death, that salvation
is received through the grace of God. All humankind is born with original
sin and that God’s grace sent his son Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of
mankind through his crucifixion and resurrection. Forgiveness of sin is
granted, on the condition that the individual puts their faith in Jesus
Christ as the Lord and Saviour. "We have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)
o Differ on justification, sanctification and idea of grace.
 Catholic justification- faith and good works, protestant- faith alone.
“You see that a man is justified by works but not by instantaneous
faith.”(James 2:24) “One is justified by faith apart from works of
law” (Romans 3:28).
 Catholic- need cooperation with God, Protestant- can’t earn your
way into heaven- Jesus made up for our sins.
 Catholic grace- a gift from God received through the sacraments,
protestant grace- an attribute of God, sacraments are a symbol of
grace.
 Catholic- can lose salvation but regain it through repentance,
protestant- eternal security.
o Can experience salvation in present life- triumph over sin,
but full realisation is delayed until actual presence with God.
o Salvation cannot be achieved by yourself
o Jesus Christ provides humanity with salvation.

The Bible

• Role in everyday life:

o Basic rituals and sacraments
o Prayer/ Reflection
o Domestic rituals e.g. grace before meals
 Aids in the physical practice, enactment and celebration of
Christianity in life. Bible guides Christians in rituals and procedures
 in order to practice their faith. E.g. Jesus prays at decisive
moments in his life- “One of those days Jesus went out to a
mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” (Lk
6:12).

• Develops Ethical guidelines

o See ethical teachings
 Helps develop guidelines on how to act in certain situations, how to
make decisions, promotes questioning of moral boundaries and
therefore, better understanding of self, goals etc. E.g. difficult
ethical teaching “Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you” (Mt 5:44)

• Communicates key teachings of Christianity

o Nature of God
o Ministry and life of Christ – parables
• Key source of revelation- basis of understanding of the Christian
faith- explains and teaches beliefs. E.g. “The Word became flesh
and made his dwelling amongst us” (John 1:14).

Ethical Teachings

• These teachings are founded upon and shaped by a faith in Jesus

Christ. They also centre upon the belief that human beings are made in the
image of God with intellect, free will and self determination, therefore, enabling
them to act with morality.
• The Ten Commandments
o The Ten Commandments are a set of rules or guidelines that ultimately
separate order from chaos and provide boundaries for Christians in which
to live their lives. They are motivated by God’s love for humanity and,
therefore, act as a more important source than just a list of rules or
restrictions.
o They cannot be approached in this way, instead, what they articulate is
how a person acts who follows Jesus’ example and lives by love. They do
not attempt to seek perfection but rather seek to imitate Christ.
o Each commandment highlights key ethical values which should be
applied in Christian life, for instance, “Though shall not kill”
communicates the values of honesty, trust and justice.
o Whilst the Ten Commandments explicitly state these ethical values which
underpin Christian morality, in our modern society they are producers of
discussion and debate. Their ‘black and white’ nature highlights the grey
areas of morality in society such as, when does birth and death occur?
When does life become human? This particularly pertains to issues that
are recent in nature.
o This, therefore, assists Christians in questioning and understanding their
moral boundaries and helps in forming and developing their ethical code.

• Jesus’ commandment of love

o The ethical paradigm which underlies Christianity is the message of love.
This is most strongly communicated in Jesus’ love ethic which follows
“Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34). This message compels
believers to follow Jesus in modelling his actions and attitudes.
o This modelling, however, is not confined to the love ethic but to all of
Jesus’ actions in the Bible. The inherent values of equality, respect and
selflessness are demonstrated in Jesus’ actions such as when he dined
with the tax collector, Zacchaeus or women like Mary and Martha.
o The love ethic, also known as the ‘Golden Rule’ implies that Christians
 are social human beings. It highlights the nature of Christian ethical
guidelines in showing how people relate to one another and that the
focus is on relationships. This social emphasis of Christianity works on the
belief that when everyone follows this principle we will live in a society of
love and peace.
o However, like with all ethical teachings, these practices become difficult
to enact in a contemporary context. In a society still consumed by racism,
sexism and discrimination, equality is not a current reality. Even in the
Catholic Church homosexual marriage is still banned as is the ordination
of women. Acceptance, tolerance and unconditional love are goals for
which adherents continue to strive.

• The Beatitudes
o The Beatitudes are the declarations of praise made by Jesus to those who
exercise particular virtues such as humility, meekness, hunger for
righteousness and poverty of spirit.
o The Beatitudes guide, point and teach by demonstrating the values that
Christ cares about and, therefore, values which Christians must be
conscious of and work towards. The emphasis of the Beatitudes is on
suffering and a compulsion to act in order to stop this suffering. This is
particularly evident in statements such as “Happy are those who work for
peace; God will call them his children” (Mt 5:9).
o The social justice message communicated in the Beatitudes is present in
many Bible stories including the Good Samaritan which involves helping
the weak and suffering despite barriers of social class or particular laws.
o This fundamental teaching assists in Christian life as it provides an
impetus to achieve social justice and a greater goal to work towards in
terms of reducing suffering and improving the lives of the weak.
o This is still relevant in today’s society as can be seen through Christian
organisations such as St Vincent de Paul or The Salvation Army who deal
with issues of injustice.

Personal Devotion

• Prayer is a way of acknowledging a close relationship with God. It identifies that

God relates to humans with compassion. Prayer is a reflection where
communication with God occurs. Who Christians pray to depends on the
denomination. E.g. Catholics may pray to Jesus through Mary and the saints
whilst protestants pray directly to God.
• Different types of prayer:
o Vocal- words that are recited, spoken or sung. May be structured e.g.
Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, liturgical texts or may be original and
spontaneous based on personal experience.
o Mental- process of reflection involving mind, imagination and will. Asks
God to still the mind and move the heart. E.g. affections and resolutions,
creative visualisation, meditation
o Contemplative- Understood as the gift of God- grace. Focused on a
perception of God’s presence, an experience of inner simplicity and joy.
o Purposes for prayer
 During suffering- personal or family/friends  gives hope
 During times of decision making  asking for advice/ guidance
 When grateful  give thanks and appreciation
 When one has sinned  asks for forgiveness
• Effect: Provides tangible ways in which to come into contact with the mysteries
of the Christian faith. Provides direction, sense of community or a sense of joy.
Creates ability to act in a more Christ-like way and experiences life with the
living God. Holds transformative power- alters their life.
Depth Study: Judaism
Context

• The Patriarchs
o Abraham rejected paganism instead declaring his adherence to a single
God. His God asked him to leave his country and travel to another region
with his tribe. He gathered his people and travelled from Ur in
Mesopotamia to Canaan.
o The Patriarchs were the forefathers of modern Judaism. The very first
covenant was made between Abraham and the unseen God. Abraham
had demonstrated his complete trust in God, when called upon by God he
had taken his young son Isaac and had been prepared to sacrifice him, so
strong was his love for God. The Lord on seeing this commitment
requested that a ram instead be sacrificed and a covenant was
established which illustrated the special relationship between God and his
people, which is at the heart of Jewish practices and beliefs today. This
covenant was God’s eternal promise to Abraham to make him the
“ancestor of a multitude of nations” (Gen17:5).
o Upon Abraham’s death his son Isaac became the second patriarch and
leader of the Hebrew people. The covenant was renewed through him
and through his son Jacob, who was the third Patriarch. Jacob was also
given the name “Israel’ – meaning contender with God” after having a
vision of him wrestling with the Lord (Genesis 32:22). This epitomized the
journey of struggle which the Jewish people endured. Jacob lent his name
to a nation – Israel. The promises made to the Patriarchs in the covenants
continued in Jewish history and continued with the covenant through
Moses.

• Significance of his actions

o His legacy of monotheism, the belief in one God over mankind.
o His concern that people act ethically
o Abraham’s life is an example of supreme faith and devotion to God, love
of fellow man. Demonstrated through his willingness to sacrifice his only
son and leave his family and home behind. “Leave your country, your
relatives and your father’s home, and go to a land that I am going to
show you” (Gen 12:1).
o Entering covenant with God, given their word to go on living as a people
in a special way, acknowledging there is something greater than
themselves.
o Theme of exile and return, highlights the Jewish value of hospitality. “Sirs,
please do not pass my home without stopping; I am here to serve you”
(Gen 18:3)
• Moses and the Exodus
o A Hebrew baby is saved from the river by the daughter of the Pharaoh, he
was known as Moses. Eventually falling foul of the Pharaoh he was exiled
to the far side of the red sea, where he became a shepherd. One day
whilst minding his flock and meditating on the suffering of enslaved
people God spoke to him from a burning bush. He commanded that
Moses lead his people to the “land of milk and honey”. Stirred into action
Moses prepared for his journey, leading the Israelites out of slavery in
Egypt.
• Themes of the Exodus
 o Path to God’s love is difficult so that people do not enslave themselves.
This is not necessarily literal enslavement e.g. worship materialism,
money etc.
 Moses takes the long path
 They outnumber the Egyptians yet are still enslaved
o Nature of God
 Divinity seen through miracles such as the burning bush
 God is powerful- turns the stick into the snake “take this walking
stick with you, for with it you will perform miracles” (Ex 4:17)
 There is only one God – building the gold calf
 God is precious – instructs the people to make the arks
o Covenant
 God responds to the needs of the people by calling Moses –
fulfilling and upholding the covenant demonstrates love for his
people
 The 10 commandments
o Justice
 Punishment is given to those who do not uphold the covenant “for
God fights for their cause, and strikes those who strike them”
 Passover, 10 plagues, death of Egyptians in the Red Sea

Variants of Judaism

• Orthodox
o Traditional observances as prescribed by law, limited interpretation of the
Torah.
o Distinguished by its worship in traditional Hebrew.
o Belief in Biblical laws, with respect for the law’s divine origin.
o Not administered by any central authority
o Synagogues are established by groups and individuals and each has their
own distinctive ideology and culture.

• Ultra Orthodox
o Recognised by their stylized long black coats and beards.
o The best known group is perhaps the Chasidim, small community with
strict adherence to Jewish study and practice, have considerable
influence in the larger Jewish community.
o This movement began in Eastern Europe in the mid 18th Century.
Chassidism was seen as a way of infusing joy and hope into a life of
difficulty and despair. It emphasizes joy in life, love of fellow men and
ecstasy at being in the presence of God.
o Strong focus on converting Jews from their current ways back to the
traditional style

• Progressive
o Movement began in early 19th century described as reform, liberal or
progressive Judaism.
o Views the sacred heritage of the Torah as evolving and adapting. Belief
that the Torah needs to be reinterpreted to capture the age.
o Rejected belief in a personal Messiah, resurrection of the dead, rebuilding
of the temple in Jerusalem
o In recent years has modified its original revolutionary stance and putting
more emphasis upon traditional observances. Most recent principles as
stated in 1999 calls for ongoing study of the sacred texts, commitment to
Israel, study of the Hebrew language and equality for women and
 acceptance of all regardless of sexual orientation. Including the
ordination of women rabbis
o Main ideological distinction with the Orthodox is the temple service, uses
English and is adapted and shortened. Men and women sit together and
women Rabbis may officiate, use of organ music and liturgical features.
o Since the Holocaust have been more supportive of Zionism (national
movement for return of the Jewish people to their homeland) and greater
interest in revival of ritual.

• Conservative
o Fosters traditional Judaism while embracing modernity. Yet more
traditional than progressive Judaism, especially in relation to worship.
o Study of Holy texts is embedded in belief that Judaism is constantly
evolving to meet contemporary needs.
o Belief that the laws of the torah and the Talmud are of divine origin, and
therefore requires the following of Jewish law (halacha) yet acknowledges
the human element in the sacred texts.
o Belief that God’s will is made known to man through revelations. The
revelation at Sinai the most public, but also belief in revelations to the
prophets.
o Service is in Hebrew but includes prayers in English
o Places great importance on a universal people of Israel and the centrality
of the land of Israel.

Principal Beliefs

• Nature of God
o Monotheistic- one god who is creator “You shall have no other God before
me, you shall not make for yourself an idol”
o He is transcendent and immanent. Separate from the world yet still
involved in it through the covenant.
o Incorporeal
 Do not support iconography
 Yet anthropomorphic language is often used – illustrates how
humans are but a shadow of God and must strive to emulate his
moral attributes
o He is a personal God, connect with in a personal relationship – love of
humanity
o God is ultimately good and moral therefore, everything he creates is
good. He acts out of morality not anger or personal preference.
o God is precious and holy “You shall be holy because I the Lord your God
am holy” (Lev 19:2). We cannot live by morality and ethics alone. Whilst
ethics enables life, holiness ennobles it. It is about having respect.

• Divinely inspired moral law

o Moral law binds Jews to God. The 613 Mitzvot are very specific and used
to remind Jews of God in every action and aspect of their life. It is a form
of expressing their faithfulness to the covenant.
o The sacred Texts, that is the Torah and the words of the prophets are
unchanging because they are the divine word of God.

• Covenant
o By entering into the covenant, God accepts a limitation to the exercise of
his omnipotence, hence, endowing humans with free will. However, this
freedom comes with moral obligation, both externally in actions and an
internal reform in attitude and beliefs. The covenant becomes the
framework for mutual obligation
 o It is a path of communication with God and a forum for discourse e.g.
Moses talks to God about his obligation to the people for forgiveness
when they make the golden calf. It affirms the people’s relationship with
God and establishes order and authority. God’s willingness to share in the
perfection process with humans demonstrates his absolute love and care
for them.
o Ultimate goal of the covenant is to restore perfection to the world.
Attempt to reinstate peace and love between all people. This goal is
achieved through human participation and therefore, outlines ethical
system and provides Jews with an ethical objective and purpose, “to act
justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.”
o The covenant provides a sense of identity and unity to the Jewish people.
Known as ‘the people of Israel’ the covenant brings Jews together, the
chosen people, with common rights and responsibilities. There is a
common affection and concern for the state of Israel.
o Circumcision is a sign of accepting and ratifying the covenant.

Sacred Texts

• The commandments are the essence of the entire Torah. They are the main
principles for survival of Jewish people religiously and ethically. When seen in
the correct light it is life itself.
• The moral law is set out in the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah.
This comprises 613 commandments, which include the Ten Commandments.
These form the principle foundations of faith and are given for all times
• “Things that are revealed to us belong to us and our children forever, to keep all
the words of this Torah (Deut 29:28). It is forbidden to add or subtract a
commandment or to interpret so as to add a prohibition which was not included
in tradition
• The Torah provides Adherents with direction for their spiritual life and ethics
and guides their rituals. Judaism places great emphasis upon the observance of
ceremony and tradition. The rites and rituals practices are believed to focus
attention upon God. Rituals have a significant influence upon the life of the
adherents. Observance of religious law shapes the lives of Jewish people on a
daily basis. This may be seen through observances such as Shabbat, or
Sabbath, considered the most important day of the Jewish week.
• A great emphasis is placed upon studying and reading the Torah, this is part of
the 613 mitvot, “the exhortation to study the Torah” (Deut 6: 7) as a result,
literacy and learning has become deeply ingrained in the Jewish way of life

Ethical Teachings

• The Jewish faith is a religion based upon “ethical monotheism’, a belief in a

single God who gives commandments which constitute the moral law and
ethical teachings for mankind.
• This moral law is manifested in the halachah, the Jewish legal system which
enables Jews to practice the ethical teachings in their everyday life.
• Adherents live their lives in accordance with these commandments. Jewish
ethics place demands upon adherents to act in a certain way on a wide range of
social, environmental, economic and personal issues. It guides them in a “right
relationship with God and right relationship with one’s families and neighbours”.
Extensive “laws” provide stringent guidelines for ethical guidance on all areas of
life.
• “God wanted to benefit Israel; he therefore gave then Torah and
commandments in abundance.” For a devout Jew the beauty in the abundance
of these laws is there is never any doubt as to how to act in ways to please God.
Their wide coverage of issues from business to clothing means almost aspects
 of life are addressed in Jewish law. However, the stringency and specificity of
the laws makes them very difficult to enact for an everyday Jew. Further
complications arise from the question of their relevance to modern societies.
Whilst orthodox Jews affirm the commandments are unchanging, progressive
Jews are more willing to accept reform as issues change and develop
throughout the ages.
• At the centre of the Torah and the commandments is the message “what you
find hateful, do not do to others”
• God’s primary demand is ethical behaviour, he cares more about how humans
treat each other than anything else. He asks that humans act with justice and
mercy. Judaism asks people not to worry about their own spirituality to the
exclusion of others, this defeats the purpose of seeking spirituality.
• The prophets remind Jews that worship and ritual is insufficient, it must be
accompanied by charity and love. A fight for social justice has a strong presence
in the books of the prophets. Amos speaks often of justice, he calls for
punishment to those who “trample on the heads of the poor and deny justice to
the oppressed.” (Amos 2:7). This incorporates many fundamental beliefs of
Judaism such as the theme of hospitality, that Jews should perform acts of
kindness and charity. It also reinforces God’s claim of punishment to those who
do not uphold the covenant, they will receive justice.
• For Adherents the ten commandments are central to their faith and form part of
the binding covenant that they entered into with God, “If you obey me fully and
keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured
possession”(Exodus 19 : 5)
• Jewish family life is inextricably linked with principal ethical teachings. The
family home is considered the centre of Jewish life, above even the synagogue.
All family members have duties and responsibilities to ensure the integrity of
family. For women this includes keeping the dietary rules. The strict ritual
observance of Kosher foods and preparation and lighting of the Shabbat
candles. Children also have duties in honouring their parents “Cursed be he who
dishonours his father or his mother” (Deut 27:16)
• The duties of parents also include the obligation to have their sons circumcised,
in keeping with the original covenant Abraham entered into with God. They
must ensure that their sons are educated in the Torah, learn a trade and must
find them a wife, preferably Jewish.