Description

A full colour text written to the NSW Preliminary Studies of Religion I and II syllabus covering the five prescribed religions plus three additional ones.

• 1 – Nature of Religion and Beliefs
• 2 – Australian Aboriginal Spirituality
• 3 – Buddhism
• 4 – Christianity
• 5 – Hinduism
• 6 – Islam
• 7 – Judaism
• 8 – Nordic Religion
• 9 – Shinto
• 10 – Taoism
• 11 – Religious Traditions in Australia pre-1945

Table of Contents

Introduction
1 Nature of Religion and Beliefs
Religion as a worldview
Religious worldviews
Characteristics of religion
Studying religion
Contribution of religion
2 Australian Aboriginal Spirituality 
Origins
Nature of the Dreaming
Diversity of the Dreaming
Importance of the Dreaming
The Dreaming, the land and identity
3 Buddhism 
Origins
Principal beliefs
Sacred texts and writings
Core ethical teachings
Personal devotion in the home
4 Christianity 
Origins
Principal beliefs
Sacred texts and writings
Core ethical teachings
Personal devotion
5 Hinduism
Origins
Principal beliefs
Sacred texts and writings
Ethical systems
Personal devotion
6 Islam
Origins
Principal beliefs
Sacred texts and writings
Core ethical teachings
Expressions of faith
7 Judaism
Origins
Principal beliefs
Sacred texts and writings
Core ethical teachings
Observance
8 Nordic Religion 
Origins of the universe
Principal beliefs
Supernatural powers and deities
Rituals
Influence in the society
Human search for meaning
9 Shinto 
Origins of the universe
Principal beliefs
Supernatural powers and deities
Rituals
Influence in the society
Human search for meaning
10 Taoism 
Origins of the universe
Principal beliefs
Supernatural powers and deities
Rituals
Influence in the society
Human search for meaning
11 Religious Traditions in Australia pre–1945
Arrival and establishment of Buddhism
Arrival and establishment of Christianity
Arrival and establishment of Hinduism
Arrival and establishment of Islam
Arrival and establishment of Judaism
Development of Christianity in Australia pre–1945
Contribution of Christianity pre–1945
Glossary 229
Bibliography 238
Websites 240
Index 2