Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-1945

1901-1945 religious makeup of population is hardly changed predominately

Anglo-Celtic Christian.
0.5 % profess non-Christian religions.
Migration to Australia after WWII drastically alters religious landscape.

Contemporary Aboriginal Spirituality

Aboriginal Spirituality as determined by the Dreaming
Kinship
Complex network of relationships defining identity, rights, obligations.
Defines and individuals place, role and responsibility in the community.
Vary across communities but serve same function of social order, meaning, and
continued well-being of group.
Determines education of children, system of moral and financial support,
intermarriage issues.
Relationships evolve in context of extended family
Harshest penalty for breaking customary law often exclusion or banishment
from kin.
Relationship with the Dreaming:
- Kinship groups established by ancestor beings in dreamtime, along
with other laws
- It is the tangible expression of Dreaming in everyday life.
- The way the individual experiences the Dreaming (ceremonies, sacred
sites etc.) is entirely determined by the connection of the kinship
group.
- Roles, rights, responsibilities of kinship group are defined and
explained through Dreaming stories.
Ceremonial Life
Includes rites of passage, initiation, burial ceremonies etc.
Purposes: celebrate life-cycle; promote well-being, provision of needs, passing
on information.
Often gender specific

Balance rites:
- No immediate control over food supplies so most rituals celebrate
wildlife and continuation of food supply.
- Spirit of species inhabits certain sites: responsible groups must perform
proper rights to ensure spirits emerge and give life.
Death and burial rituals:
- Death is only the last ceremony in the present life as spirits return to
original Dreaming places as part of eternal transition of Dreaming life
force.
- Burial grounds are feared
- Buried in own country
Reflected in the Dreaming:

- Ceremonial life acknowledges the Dreaming as a fundamental aspect

of human life while practice sustains it as a vital part of spirituality.
- Ceremonies commonly pertain to sacred sites where, as revealed in the
Dreaming, ancestor beings are said to inhabit.
- Burial rites acknowledge the intrinsic spiritual link of the individual with
the life force of the Dreaming
Obligations to land and people
Indigenous people dont own land; they are custodians
Mutual dependence: both provider of food and water and place of the ancestor
beings.
Land used as a food-source is often separate from sacred sites.
When outside of estate care is taken not to break laws of people or approach
their sacred sites.
Ownership based on ritual responsibility.
Elders responsible to properly perform rites
Totem (symbolic and real link to land, kin, and dreaming) : brings responsibility
to totem and links to ancestor spirits.
Reflected in the Dreaming:
- Land holds sacred places for all people.
- Land is context of dreaming, inhabited by the ancestor spirits whom
the people maintain a strong link with.
- Responsibility to land physically and tangibly derives from and
preserves the Dreaming as living religion.
Effect of Dispossession on Aboriginal Spirituality
Separation from the land
Settlement in 1788 caused competing interests for land
50 years after settlement Protectionist policy established, moving Indigenous
people to missions which caused isolation and segregation
Deprivation of land results in a loss of independence, culture, identity and
spiritual world.
Separation from kinship groups
Some missions ban culture, ceremonies are banned, and kin cannot visit.
Virtual destruction of kinship groups undermines basis of culture.
Without numbers to remain self-sufficient and sustain religious and cultural
practices, identity suffers.
1930s : Assimilation - forced removal (stolen generations)
1965 : integration.
Present : Self-determination.
The Stolen Generations
Forced separation of indigenous children from their families in every state from
late 1800s.
During 1950-1970 as many as 100 000 are separated.

3 forms: government or church run institutions, adoption into white families,

fostering into white families.
Separation from family and traditional background resulted in lost identity,
culture, language, spirituality and self-esteem.
The National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Children from their Families began August 1995 by HREOC.
Effects of Stolen Generations and Dispossession:
- Loss of economic independence
- Loss of identity which is linked intrinsically to the land and kinship groups,
unable to perform rites
- Isolation from tangible link to spiritual world disables ceremonies, totems,
sacred sites etc.
- Breakup of family ties results in no continuation of information through
generations
- Disruption of traditional roles and responsibilities.

Significant events in the Land Rights Movement

Post WWII resulted in a change of attitude toward colonialism and assimilation.

1972: self-determination becomes policy in all indigenous affairs.
1960s sees Indigenous people pursue justice and establish themselves as part
of political landscape.
1965: Charles Perkins takes bus tour of students to northwest NSW to protest
racial discrimination; The Freedom Riders.
Generates national attention on racism cemented by White Australia Policy.
Denied service in shops, separated in cinemas, excluded from bars and
swimming pools used by whites.
Australian Day 1972: the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on Parliament House Lawn
became a focal point for protests against denial of rights, conditions, and lack of
govt. action.
Ignited by 1963 presentation of bark petition to commonwealth govt. from
Yirrkala people.
1966: Gurindji people strike for claim on Wave Hill station in NT.

Mabo
1992 High Court Mabo vs. Queensland : Aboriginal people finally win a case
regarding land ownership.
Initiated by 5 indigenous plaintiffs (Eddie Mabo of Merriam people of Murray
Islands in Torres Strait leads).
Overthrows concept of terra nullius.
Recognition of native title where continuous relationship with land is proven
Native Title
1993 Native Title Act recognizes native title and rights in federal law
Gave Indigenous right to posses, occupy, use, and enjoy land so land has had a
continuous connection with indigenous people.
Wik

1993: Wik people claim some traditional land on Cape York Peninsula.
1996 Wik vs. Queensland established that native title can coexist with pastoral
lease.

Religious Expression in Australia 1945 to the present

Australias Religious Landscape since 1945
Census Data:
- 1947: 88% Christian, 0.4 % Jewish, 0.2% No religion
- 2002: 67.9% Christian, 4.8% Non-Christian, 27.3% Other (with 15.5 % no
religion).
Church of England (Anglican) went from 39% of population in 1947 to 18% in
2006
Catholicism has risen from 20% in 1947 to 25% in 2006
Christianity has decreased, yet remains most popular religion in Australia (64%
Christian)
Traditional Churches (Presbyterian, Congregational, Methodist) experienced
downturn losing 15% since 1996
Newer Pentecostal Church had 25% increase since 1996
Baptist, Catholic, Orthodox Churches had significant gains of up to 8% since
1996
Other Christian increased 19% since 1996
National Church Life Survey:
- 2001: more over 50, less under 40.
- Found that more people identify with religious organizations than attend
church.
- 2001: low attendance in Catholic, Anglican, and Uniting as opposed to
strong support of evangelical (Church of Christ and Pentecostal).
The present Religious Landscape
Christianity as the Major religious Tradition
Still main religion in Australia (63% of population) due to historical factors:
- First fleet arrival brought majority of Anglican settlers as well as
Presbyterians and Methodists. Only 10% were Catholic
- Post first fleet settlers were predominately Anglican making population
almost exclusively Christian
- Immigration Restriction Act (1901) allowed European immigrants only,
bringing majority of Christian adherents ensuring the demographic stay the
same for at least 50 years
- Traditional Indigenous religions were not recognised
Immigration
After WWI, further migration from Europe encouraged saw more Christian
adherents

After WWII, other European nations encouraged to migrate to Australia (i.e.

Greece) brought other Christian denominations to Australia such as Eastern
Orthodox (i.e. Greek Orthodox)
With the relaxation of the White Australia policy in the 1950s and its abolition in
1973, Australia has seen increasing diversity of faiths, however most remain
British and therefore Christian
Post-war
Assisted Passage Scheme implemented to encourage British migration to
Australia to increase population, and was then spread to other Eastern European
countries
- increased Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox
more communities, churches, schools and other social fixtures had to be
built for the increase of new religious adherents
After WWII, Jewish population began to increase evident that the Jewish
population in Australia was very small before WWII, consisting of Jews only from
the first fleet: Jewish immigrants come in waves after Holocaust
Vietnam War displaced more than 2 million Indo-Chinese people, 120000 came
to Australia for refuge
- Large increase in Buddhism and Hinduism (Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia,
Thailand)
- Increase in Roman Catholics
First major influx of Muslims arrived with Turkish Cypriot Muslims fleeing WW2
refugee camps

Denominational Switching
Refers to the transfer of followers from on Christian denomination to another to
suit lifestyle and feel comfortable and well catered for
1991 Church Life Survey: 29% of responders had switched denominations in last
5 yrs
More common in Protestant denominations than Catholic and Orthodox
Past two decades has seen dramatic swing away from liberal churches to the
more conservative
- Pentecostal Church grew by 42% from 1986-1991
- Pentecostal Church increased by 60% in the last decade
Pentecostal Church has grown in popularity because:
- It is an evangelical and charismatic denomination; music and
presentation appeals to young generation
- Strong sense of community
Reasons for switching
- People under the age of 40 switch as they are less likely to view a lifetime
loyalty to a church as important, whereas people over 60 do
- Christians more likely to switch denominations than any other religious
faith as they move to explore and seek stronger Christian faiths
- Conservative churches have also lost many members out of the Christian
faith all together, with Pentecostal churches losing the greatest amount
(revolving door syndrome)

Rise of New Age Religion

Umbrella term covering a range of spiritual beliefs and practices aiming to
foster individual fulfilment in the form of personal happiness, health and life
purpose
Differ from traditional churches as they lack any single unifying creed or
doctrine
No Holy text, no central organisation, no formal leadership
Fastest growing religious faiths in 2001 census, increasing by 140% since 1996
New Age practices became popular from 1960s to 1970s as a reaction to the
failure of Christianity and Secular Humanism to provide spiritual and ethical
guidance for the future
Roots of new Age practices traceable in many religious origins including
Hinduism, Wicca, Neopagan traditions
Common beliefs
- Monism- all that exists is derived from single source of divine energy
- Pantheism- all that exists is God; God found within self through entire
universe

Reincarnation- after death, reborn to live a new life as a different

human being
Karma- good or bad deeds we do throughout life accumulate to
determine if we are rewarded or punished in our next life
Focus of the development of the self and exploration individual
spirituality
Believe transcendence is found through the natural world

Reasons for growth in popularity

Christianity was seen as failing to provide spiritual or ethical guidance
Media began to release stories of Catholic church clergymen involved in
sexual abuse
Growing emphasis of autonomy and individualistic lifestyle throughout
society with more obligation on fulfilling and satisfying the needs of self
rather than the community
People currently seeking spiritual insight as a reaction to the unsettled
and turbulent nature of the times we live in

Secularism
The belief that religion should not interfere with or be integrated unto the public
affairs of a society
Reasons for secularisation
Disenfranchisement ; belief that religious organizations have failed or
denied the rights of their members
Materialism: spirituality is often ignored in favour of possessions
Humanism: belief in human effort rather than religion, where an ethical
lifestyle need not be defined by religion
Scientific Rationalism: accepting scientific logic as the highest authority.
Religious dialogue in Multi-Faith Australia

Religious Dialogue: between denominations and religions to foster

understanding and social cohesion.
Ecumenism: movement among Christian Churches to promote the restoration
of unity among all Christians.
Interfaith Dialogue: dialogue to foster understanding, cooperation, respect,
tolerance, to find common ground and to reduce conflict.

The National Council of Churches Australia

Ecumenical organisation bringing together a number of Australian churches in
dialogue and practical cooperation
Began with Australian Committee for the World Council of Churches which
developed into Australian Council of Churches and then into NCCA in 1994
Originally, the movement was for Christian unity within Australia between
Anglican and Protestant churches only
1960s, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches joined
1994 after opening of Vatican II, Roman Catholic church joined
Today 15 different church variants apart of NCCA
More conservative, evangelical denominations such as Baptists and Pentecostal
churches have failed to join NCCA due to:
- reluctance to accept validity of ecumenical dialogue with churches
possessing doctrines at variance with their own
NCCA sponsors National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical
Commission (NATSIEC)
Represents Indigenous Australians from Christian faiths
Aims to support indigenous issues, reconciliation and education whilst
helping sustain Aboriginal spirituality and theology
NCCA Special projects:
Jubilee campaign- debt justice for impoverished nations
Safe as Churches project- confronts reality of sexual abuse by clergy and
church workers
The NSW Ecumenical Council
Established in 1946 to be the instrument through which its member churches
celebrate and manifest their unity to understand each others faith. Affiliated
with NCCA
Today possesses 16 member churches, but, like NCCA conservative churches
have refused to join
Sponsors a variety of social and charitable initiatives overlapped by the NCCA
E.g. the promotion of the Christmas bowl throughout NSW which helps to
support thousands of people in needing countries such as the Middle
East, Africa and Asia at Christmas time
The Uniting Church
- 1945: Presbyterian opts to negotiate with Methodists and Congregationalists
leads to union of churches in 1972.
- Union is complete in 77 forming Uniting Church of Australia
- Today Uniting Church has 1.3 million members and is the 3rd largest religious
community.
Importance of interfaith dialogue

Australia is a multicultural society and whilst this is positive, it can lead to many
misunderstandings and clashes in belief, particularly throughout religious faiths
Clashes in belief have been the result of much conflict, war and violence
throughout history

The role of Interfaith Dialogue

It is when representatives from different religious traditions meet together

peacefully to talk and exchange information about their respective faiths and
clear up misunderstandings
One example was the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and
Jews in 2003 by the NCCA
purpose was to provide opportunities for faiths to build understandings and
harmony whilst clarifying issues
In December 2004, 14 countries with ten interfaith delegates met in Indonesia
for the purpose of friendly dialogue.
Dialogue in practice:
Uniting Church est. groups to improve relations w. Muslim and Jewish comm.
Catholic Church has Committee for Ecumenical and Interfaith relations
Australian Council of Christians and Jews: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and
Canberra aim to reconcile common heritage and promote understanding.
They stand against anti-Semitism through seminars, memorial services
(WWII)

The relationship between Aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions

in the process of reconciliation

Inter-faith dialogue is important as it engenders understanding hence respect

for Aboriginal spirituality and culture, addresses history of conflict and
oppression, helps to improve relationships.

Reconciliation and Christianity:

Aboriginal/Christian church movements many have welded Ch. into beliefs, or
have used culture to revitalize their Christian faith.
Census data says significant percentage identify as Christians.
Most churches have Indigenous ministries, liturgies in local languages, symbols
and motifs on stained glass, customs into services (i.e. smoking ceremony)
Pope John Paul II (Alice Springs 1986) the Gospel now invites you to become
through and through Aboriginal Christians.allowed the hap Reconciliation is
the term given to the process whereby ATSI people and non-ATSI people can
move into the future with a new relationship based on mutual recognition,
understanding and respect
Mistakes of the past such as dispossession of land and the stolen generation
must be acknowledged and dealt with for harmony to exist
Church Initiatives
1998, joined with other churches to issue a statement called Towards
Reconciliation in Australian Society- Reconciliation and Aboriginal Australians

which argued for the settlement of differences between ATSI and non-ATSI
people
National Reconciliation Week sees a week of Catholic Initiatives promoting
reconciliation particularly regarding Aboriginal health
Anglican Church expressed its support for Reconciliation at the 1998 General
Synod and encouraged a number of enterprises designed to facilitate the
process
Uniting Church National Assembly made formal apology to ATSI people to
policies of the past and made a pledge for a better future
Week of Prayer for Reconciliation began in 1993 with the goal of providing
interfaith week of prayer, thought and reflection with the common goal of
reconciliation. Includes all faiths, including Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism

Depth Study: ISLAM

Significant People and Ideas
The contribution to the development and expression of Islam of one
significant person or school of thought, other than Muhammad and
the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs.
One significant person in the history of Islam is Rabi'a al-Adawiyya. Rabia
was a woman born in 717 CE in Basra (modern day Iraq). According to
legend, Rabia was orphaned when she young and sold into slavery. She
was then freed when her master found her praying and shrouded in divine
light. Rabia lived all her life in Basra as an ascetic, fasting all day and
praying all night. She provided spiritual guidance and advice to Islamic
people, men and women alike, and is known as one of the most famous
Islam mystics, who had a significant contribution on its development.
Rabia al-Adawiyya was living during a time of great turbulence after
Prophet Muhammads death. There was an increasing focus on
accumulating wealth, and move away from the core of Sharia law.
However, there were some Muslims who rejected this materialism and
corruption; Rabia was one of these people. In her life as ascetic, Rabi'a
had only four possessions: a reed mat, a screen, a pottery jug and a bed of
felt that doubled as a prayer rug. This life of poverty inspired many others
to reject the materialistic lifestyle of the time.
Rabi'a gathered these people and encouraged them to a life of prayer and
devotion, towards the way of mahabbah (Divine Love) and uns (intimacy
with Allah. In addition to her poverty, Rabi'a possessed a spirituality that
was based on a binding trust and love of Allah. She believed that
spirituality was to be integrated into daily life, not merely stated. She
loved Allah for his sake, a love not from fear of hell or hope of Paradise
as she wrote in one of her many poems.

This idea had a profound effect on the emergence of mystical Islam, and
she contributed to the Sufi movement through this concept and her life of
poverty.
She died around 801 and is known as the first Sufi wali (saint)
The effect of this person or school of thought on Islam
Sufism
Tasawuuf mystical dimension of Islam: adherents are referred to as Sufis

The life and writings of Rabi'a were significant to the Sufi movement,
which values the qualities of self-sacrifice, devotion, kindness and
integrity, all of which were embodied by Rabi'a

Sufis believe that through mystical growth and rejecting the material world, the
self is destroyed and the mystic is alone in the presence of Allah.
Through the writings of Rabi'a, asceticism and its philosophy of mahabbah and
uns gradually gave place to the loving poetry of mysticism.

Transcending gender

In Rabi'as time there was a rigid system of gender relations in Islam, where
women were confined to the domestic and under patriarchal rule
Rabi'a chose a life of celibacy against social and religious conventions in order
to focus of Allah through prayer and meditation: It does not please me to be
distracted from Allah even a moment
She participated in free intellectual discussion with men when it was considered
inappropriate
In doing this she gained respect and admiration and was able to surpass the
boundaries for women. She was a role model for women to be more focused on
religion

Teaching

Rabi'a taught and guided many people to the fundamentals of Islam through
direct teaching
Her ascetic life was also an example to all on modelling Muhammads message:
to live a simple with the focus on Allah rather than luxury

Writing

Rabia wrote about her relationship with Allah, describing the love between
herself and Allah in many devotional poems
She develops the idea that Allah should be loved for his own sake, not out of
fear or hope of reward
The accessibility of her writing to a large number of people allowed the idea of
devotional love to spread

Ethics
Islamic ethical teachings on bioethics or environmental ethics or
sexual ethics
Environmental Ethics
Principle beliefs underpinning environmental ethics in Islam
Tawhid (unity), khalifa (stewardship), and akrah (accountability) are the
three central concepts of Islam and also the pillars of environmental
ethics of Islam
Tawhid
- Includes unity and oneness of all that is created by Allah
- Unity is reflected in the created world,
- Thus, Tawhid demands that the integrity of the created world
be maintained by balance and harmony
Khalifa
- Allah has made humans responsible for all creation
- Involves appropriate use of resources for human needs
Akrah
- Muslims believe they will be judged on how they have acted
- This is extended to ones treatment of the created world

Sources of ethical teaching

The relationship between humans and the universe is outlined in the
Quran, Hadith and Shari a
It is defined in Quran as based on
-

Quotes:

meditation of the universe and what it contains

sustainable utilisation and development for human benefit
care and nurture extended beyond humans to the benefit of
created beings

Quran

Tawhid
- And the earth we have spread it out wide and placed on it
mountains firm, and caused life of every kind to grow in a balanced
manner, and provided means of livelihood for you... (Surah 15:19)
- The seven heavens and the earth and all therein praise him and
there is not a thing but hymns his praise. (Surah 22:18)
Khalifa
- It is He that has made you custodians; inheritors of the earth.
(Surah 6:165)

- Greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the

heavens and the earth ( Surah 40:57)

Hadith

Tawhid
- The whole earth has been created a place of worship, pure and
clean.
Khalifa
- The earth is green and beautiful and Allah has appointed you
stewards over it.
- If a Muslim plants a tree or sows a field humans and beasts and birds
eat from it, all of it is love on his part.

Sharia

Functions as an application of the principles of the Quran to

specific circumstances that are not explicitly addressed in the
Quran
Prevents hunting other than for the needs of the umma
Includes instructions on the humane killing of animals
Includes laws on the growth and size of cities
Includes laws about the protection of biodiversity
States that forest, pastures and wildlife are to be owned by state
and managed for good of the umma

Case study: Water

Significance of water in Islam
Created by Allah

Allah made water the basis and origin of life We made from water every living
thing
All creation depends on water for their existence in the rain that God sends
down from heaven, thereby giving life to the earth after its death...
Allah has called on man to appreciate the value of water Have you seen the
water which you drink?... were it our will, We could have made it bitter.

Religious dimension

Water purifies the body and clothes from all dirt and impurities and he
caused rain to descend on you from heaven to cleanse you..
Allah has made water a common right for all living beings ...the water shall
be shared between them
Wasting water is forbidden, whether scarce or abundant
Even for the purpose of wudu (purification before prayer), the Prophet said that
in anything, there can be waste

Practicalities

In Muslim countries, there are now areas in which development is forbidden so

as to conserve natural resources
There are laws to safeguard water resources
In 1994 Islamic members of the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) issued a
statement outlining the principles that Islam promotes in the protection and
rehabilitation of the natural environment.
The teachings of Islam promote all endeavours whether local, regional or
International...to conserve, protect and rehabilitate our natural environment.

Significant practices in the life of adherents

The Hajj is an obligation which fulfils one of the five pillars of Islam required of a
Muslim at least once in a lifetime for those financially and physically able those
who can make their way there.
It is a faithful submission to the will of Allah. And pilgrimage to the House is
incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah Surah 3:96.
Before embarking pilgrims must:
- Redress all wrongs
Organise funds for the journey and for the family in their absence
- Prepare themselves for good conduct during the Hajj
The journey
Pre:
-

Fasting (Sawm)
Almsgiving (Zakat)
Five daily prayers (Salat)
Wear Ihram garments

Perform Tawaf at the Kaba (reciting Here I am at your service, O

Allah. Here I am! while circling 7 times) to awaken consciousness
of Allah as the centre of faith and reality
Trim hair and remove Ihram garments

Hajj begins officially on 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah

Wear Ihram garments and say dawn prayers
Leave Mecca to arrive at Mins before noon

Leave Mina for Mt. Arafat

the Day of standing; stand on mountain from noon to sunset
reading the Quran and asking for forgiveness
All chant the Talbiyah: Bayak! Labayak! (I am here! I am ready)
Sermon on the mount, where Mohammed said his last sermon

Feast of Sacrifice: the end of Hajj and celebration of Eid al-Adha

Leave Musdalifa for Mina

Umra:

Day 1 :

Day 2:

Day 3:

Jamra (throwing 7 pebbles at the largest of three pillars,

symbolises throwing stones at the devil)
The nahr: a sheep, cow or camel is sacrificed to represent Allah
replacing Abrahams son Isaac with a sheep to be sacrificed

Day 4:
-

After another night at Mina day 3 is repeated

Travel back to Mecca

Perform final Tawaf
Leave for home or to visit Prophets Mosque at Medina

Day 5:

With all rites performed, pilgrims have earned the right to be called al-Hajj or alHajji

How the Hajj expresses the beliefs of Islam

Commemorates important religious events
Abraham and his son Ishmael built the Kaba, and established the rituals of the
Hajj to reflect his life
Muhammads last sermon on Arafat
Jamra symbolises Abraham throwing stones at Satan who tried to dissuade him
from sacrificing Isaac
Nahr reflects Allah replacing Isaac with a sacrificial lamb
Reinforces fundamental Islamic concepts
Five Pillars of Faith
Pillar
How the Hajj expresses this
Shahada : declaration of faith that
Talbiya: a prayer that states the
- there is no god but Allah
pilgrimage is only for the glory of
- Muhammed is the messengers of
Allah
Allah
Mount Arafat: the place of

Salat : 5 Daily prayers

Obligatory for every Muslim
Direct communication with Allah
Avoid attachment to material items
In direction of kaba

Zakat: Almsgiving
Annual compulsory welfare
contribution
Act of devotional duty to gain Allahs
favour
All wealth belongs to Allah Muslims

Muhammads last sermon, where all

are closest to Allah
The Hajj is a period where pilgrims
are directly communicating with Allah
Muslims are in actual proximity of the
Kaba
Ihram is symbolic of renouncing
worldly concerns and dedication to
Allah
The meat sacrificed or money given
for nahr is distributed amongst
family, friends and the poor
Show obligation of the wealthy to the
poor
Ihram means that money and status

are trustees

Sawm: Fasting
From dawn to sunset during
Ramadan
- More time should be spent in prayer and
meditation
Time of moderation, forgiveness and
concern for others welfare

are not a factor for pilgrims. All are

equal
It is a process of spiritual self
development, by abandoning ones
hearth, home, comforts and
amenities in life
A time of prayer, meditation and
asking for forgiveness
Forbidden acts of Ihram are to be
avoided
The say re-enacts Hajars search for
food; empathy for hunger

Al- Akhira: the world to come

- Muslims believe in an afterlife where they will be held accountable
for their lives (akhra)
- Muslims believe that by participating in the Hajj there is a greater
prospect of reward in the afterlife
The Significance of the Hajj for both the individual and the Muslim
community
Individual
- The hajj is an opportunity for Muslims to experience spiritual rebirth and
develop a sense of consciousness in Allah. It is also opportunity to reassess
and confirm their Islamic beliefs
- Provides opportunity for the pilgrim to improve their spirituality through
worship, hardship and salat
- It focuses the individual on jihad; sacrificing time, skills, money and
struggling against external evils
- Enables the pilgrims renewal through cleansing from sin. whoever
performs the Hajj...will come home like a newborn
- The hajj reinforces Allahs mercy and compassion as it exceeds His anger by
forgiving the sins of the sinful creation by declaring an absolute pardon for
every pilgrim upon completion of the accepted rituals of hajj
- The individual strengthens their relationship with Allah and gains a greater
understanding of Islamic history and has a better prospect of reward in the
afterlife
Community
- The Hajj is a sign of unity, equality and a sense of pride in the global umma
as they pray together and are equal in the ihram garments
- It brings together Muslims of all races to from a fellowship for such a
significant practice in the Islamic faith
- Through performing rituals, a common goal is achieve which promotes and
preserves the unity of the umma

The hajj acts as a universal reminder of the blessing of Allah on humanity of

our diversity and the brotherhood to worship the one Allah

Luther
Bioethics
Significant Practice : Baptism

Baptism is used in most Christian denominations. It signifies initiation into the beliefs and
practices of the Christian tradition. Baptism has significance as a statement of a persons
beliefs in the Christian tradition a necessary element for salvation.
Baptism allows Christians to share in the death and resurrection of Christ as it cleanses people
from their sins. It is performed using gestures, sacred writings and symbols
The Salvation Army and the Society of Friend are examples of Christian groups which do not
participate in baptism. For the majority of Christians today, baptism was carried out when they
were infants it is common practice in Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox branches of
Christianity.
The parents and god parents must make commitments on behalf of the child, and agree to
nurture the child in the Christian faith. In other Christian groups such as the Baptist and
Pentecostal Churches the baptism of infants is not accepted. Members are expected to choose
to be baptized as adults having made their own decision to repent and be born again.
The idea of baptism stems form the sense of being immersed I water. This symbolizes being
surrounded by and imbued with the beliefs and practices of the Christian community.
The baptismal ritual is usually carried out within the church, and is contained within or
celebrated net to the main forms of Sunday worship. The majority of baptisms involve the
sprinkling or pouring of water onto the head of the child. In orthodox churches the child is
immersed briefly in water on three occasions.
There are a variety of aspects included in baptism across different denominations. The core
elements are the baptism with water and the profession of faith.
Baptism is often incorporated into the celebration of the Eucharist, in particular the celebration
of the Easter Vigil. This begins with a welcome and greeting from the priest/deacon, followed
by a questioning of the parents and godparents to confirm their wish for baptism.
The priest or deacon and godparents trace the sign of the cross on the childs forehead. The
liturgy of the word follows, which includes readings from the Bible and a homily from the priest
or deacon.
The homily is followed by the rite of exorcism and the anointing with the oil of chrism.
The waters of baptismal font are then blessed, and those present make a profession of faith,
including a renunciation of sin. The baptism follows, usually involving a pouring of water on the
childs head. The child is then clothed in a white baptismal garment, and the parents and
godparents receive a baptismal candle.

The priests of deacon pray the prayer of Ephphatha, asking that the childs ears will be open to
receive the word of God and that their mouth will open to proclaim the Gospel.
The Our Father is then prayed followed by a final blessing.

Four main symbols: water, the oil of chrism, white garment, baptismal candle

Main gestures: sign of the cross, trinitine blessing, profession of faith

Sacred writings: liturgy of the word, which incorporate the first reading gospel
acclamation and the Gospel
Baptism reflecting Christian beliefs

The origins of Baptism are ancient, pre-dating Christianity itself. Some Jewish groups were
practicing baptism prior to the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist had baptism as the
hallmark of his ministry, and Jesus accepted the baptism of John. He then gave instructions
to his followers to baptize people in his name.
Water as the central symbol of baptism reflects the belief in God as the creator and
humankinds dependence on him. This calls to mind images of the waters of chaos from the
Genesis account of creation, the destructive power of the flood in the story of Noah, and the
miraculous crossing of the red Sea in the accounts of Exodus.
The image of water also calls to mind the image of the womb and the discussion of rebirth in
water and the spirit in Johns Gospel. The imagery of this story closely parallels the Christian
understanding of baptism as a rebirth from original sin into the life of the spirit.
The Christian understanding of baptism contains a sense of the repentance highlighted in the
ministry of John the Baptist. John announced that his ministry was only a preparation for the
one who was to come. The act of repentance proclaimed in Johns baptism expresses the
idea of turning away from sin which is integral to the practice of baptism.
Christians believe that in baptism they are turning away from or renouncing sin and evil and
turning in a positive way to live the life of the spirit. Baptism also expresses the belief of
Christians in the church as the body of Christ. Christians are baptized into the church, which
is the body of Christ.
The early church community as depicted in the Acts of the Apostles regarded baptism as a
necessary element of salvation. It was sign of their repentance, and proclaimed their
forgiveness from sin and allowed them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The belief that baptism is integral to salvation, that it signifies repentance and forgiveness of
sin are important beliefs of the Christian faith that are expressed in the practice of baptism.
The symbols used during the rite of baptism also express significant beliefs of the Christian
tradition. The sign of the cross is used in a number of places in the rite. This simple symbol
and ritual action expresses the Christian belief in the triune God which is at the heart of
Christian faith. The anointing with the oil of Chrism is another important symbol, used in the
sense of mandating or setting someone aside for a purpose. It is seen in the anointing of a
king such as the anointing of Saul. Christians are anointed with oil as a sign of their mandate
to share in the ministry of Jesus.
Another symbol used is a white garment, symbolizing the purity of the baptized person.
Baptism is therefore a new beginning for Christians.

The giving of a candle to the parents and godparents or to the newly baptized person also
conveys significant expressions of Christian belief. It brings to mind notions of Jesus being
the light of the world, and the word of god being a guiding light for the people to follow. It
also symbolizes the conflict between good and evil light dispelling the darkness in and
through the ministry of Jesus.
This expresses the idea of the gifts bestowed on the individual and their responsibility to use
these gifts in service to others.
The Baptismal candle is lit from the paschal candle and presented to the person
being baptized or the parents of a child. The candle symbolizes the light of God, now
always present within the individual. It is said to be the light which darkness cannot
overcome, which guides and illuminates ones way.
Analyse the significance of Baptism for both the individual and the Christian
community

this expresses the fundamental belief in salvation: which suggests that humans
require deliverance from god from the power of sin and darkness
Sacred writings are incorporated in the liturgy of the word which consists of the first
reading, gospel acclamation and the gospel. Scripture shows that baptism directly
adheres to god command which expresses the desire of Christians to live in accordance
with gods will.
Baptism has profound significance for the person who is baptized. It is also important for the
Christian community as a whole. It has ties with the earliest Christian communities and
indeed with the life and ministry itself. It is also significant for the theological reflection that it
offers to both the individual and the community, and in the saving action of God and the
formation of a Christian community. This is significant for the individual as they receive
forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
As an authentic rite of passage, Baptism is an ancient ritual, belonging in the life of the
Christian community since its inception. It predates the Christian movement in the context of
Judaism. Some Jewish groups were practicing baptism prior to the ministry of Jesus. John the
Baptist had baptism as the hallmark of his own ministry Jesus himself accepted the baptism
of John. He gave instructions to his followers to baptize people in his name.
Baptism relates to and expresses a number of important beliefs. Christians today have the
possibility in sharing in an event of ancient significance. It is significant for the individual
because they walk the same path and share in the same rite that has been practiced among
Christians since the earliest days of the church.
The rite of baptism has great possibilities for theological reflection, with images of death and
new life. This calls to mind the death and resurrection of Jesus, of creation and renewal. It
also conveys an understanding about the great saving actions of the God of Israel. It creates
a reflection on the idea of repentance and forgiveness as well as cleansing and renewal.
Opportunities for prayerful reflection and spiritual developments are created in the rite of
baptism. Many churches have preparation courses which help make connections between
theological themes and life experience.
For the community, the theological richness provides a source of constant reflection and
renewal. Many Christian communities invite congregations to renew their own baptismal
promises. This challenges the members of the community to constantly reflect on their
vocation as christians and the significance of their own baptism.

The rite of baptism is a profound marker in the life of the community. The early church
community regarded baptism as a necessary element of salvation. Through baptism they are
now a member of the body of Christ.
Baptism is an authentic rite of passage it marks the transition of the individual from one
stage in life onto the next. It also marks the transition from being outside of this community
to being full initiated.
For the individual there is significance in a sense of belonging with the community; the
sharing of a common mind and faith. The community is invigorated when it is engaged in the
task of the gospel and enriched by the presence of a new member of the community.