1a+HSC+Exam+Questions+&+Answers

=Specimen Questions Post 1945 Australia = ==Sample Responses == Separation from the land, also known as dispossession, has had a vast and overwhelmingly detrimental impact on contemporary Aboriginal spiritualities. Separation from the land has had the devastating effect of severing an Aboriginal person's ties with their spirituality because the Dreaming is inextricably linked to the land. The Government policies of protection and assimilation, which separated Aboriginal people from the land, has significantly affected the maintenance of traditional beliefs regarding land, languages, totems, kinship and ceremonies. Firstly, the loss of land amounts to a loss of identity due to the existence of an ever present burden of not being able to fulfil ritual responsibilities. Secondly, the loss of land has destroyed the system of totemic responsibilities and their connections with the ancestor beings who dwell in the land. Thirdly, the removal of Aboriginal people to missions and reserves where traditional Aboriginal practices were prohibited resulted in a loss of language and tradition. This has made it almost impossible to pass on beliefs in an authentic manner. Finally, dispossession has resulted in the destruction of the kinship system. The separation from land to be placed on missions and reserves did provide some Aboriginal people with minor benefits in the areas of health care and education. On the whole however dispossession has had an overwhelmingly detrimental impact on contemporary Aboriginal spirituality. **Analyse the relationship between ceremonial life and the Dreaming in contemporary Aboriginal spiritualities. (5 marks, 150 words)** All aspects of the Aboriginal ceremonial life (including art, stories, songs, dances, rituals and totems) are derived from the Dreaming. The Dreaming is a term used to describe all knowledge and understanding in Aboriginal societies. Subsequently, the ceremonial life is a medium through which the core tenet of all Aboriginal societies, that is, the Dreaming is communicated. Art that is used in ceremonies offers a multifaceted interpretation and explanation of the Dreaming for different groups of Aboriginal people. Similarly, stories told during rituals are derived from the Dreaming. These Dreaming stories describe the process of creation, explain the foundations of various aspects of Aboriginal law and tradition. They are ways of teaching about right and wrong behaviour in society, and ultimately reinforce the importance of ceremonies to keep the Dreaming alive. In rituals the ancestor beings of the Dreaming are made present through the people and symbols involved. Balance rites are ceremonies that aim to ensure harmony within the land and assist the proliferation of a particular animal or plant. Initiation ceremonies at particular significant stages of people's lives lead them into a deeper understanding of the Dreaming. Because of the separation of Aboriginal people from their traditional land many important ceremonies that are ties to specific sacred sites of the Dreaming can no longer be done and have been lost.
 * 1)  **Discuss the relationship between kinship and the Dreaming in Aboriginal spiritualities. (5 marks)**
 * 2)  **Analyse the relationship between ceremonial life and the Dreaming in Aboriginal spiritualities. (5 marks)**
 * 3)  **Assess the impact of separation from the land on contemporary Aboriginal spiritualities. (5 marks)**
 * 4)  **Discuss the impact on the removal of Aboriginal children from their families on contemporary Aboriginal spiritualities. (5 marks)**
 * 5)  **Outline the history of the land rights movement and assess its importance for contemporary Aboriginal spiritualities. (5 marks)**
 * 6)  **Explain the relationship between the Dreaming and the land rights movement. (5 marks)**
 * Assess the impact of separation from the land on contemporary Aboriginal spiritualities. (5 marks, 150 words)**

**Outline the history of the land rights movement and assess its importance for contemporary Aboriginal spiritualities. (5 marks, 150 words)** The modern land rights movement began in 1966 as a result of the efforts of Vincent Lingiari, the leader of the Wave Hill Mob. After a protracted dispute, the Whitlam Government provided the first land rights legislation in 1975. In 1992, the High Court in the Mabo decision, overruled the long held fiction that Australia was terra nullius in 1788 and concluded that in certain circumstances native title exists over Australian land. This was followed by the Wik decision of 1996, which is authority for the principle that the rights of Leasehold Title holders, co-exists with the rights of Native Title holders. The land rights movement is of critical importance to the maintenance of contemporary Aboriginal spiritualities, because the Dreaming, which is the concept that lies at the heart of Aboriginal spirituality, is inextricably linked to the land. Land is essential to Aboriginal spiritualities because the land is the medium through which the Dreaming is communicated. The land is also important because it is the resting place for ancestral spirit beings. Though Native Title has provided some Aboriginal groups with economic and social independence, the effect of the land rights movement on Aboriginal spirituality has been limited. This is because native title can only be claimed on a very small percentage of Australian land; proving native title is a long, complicated and expensive legal process; and native title does not always provide access to sacred sites which may be on freehold land.

 =Glossary = owners of their traditional land. Use small letters (i.e. "native title") when referring to the concept in general and capitals (i.e. "Native Title") when referring to the legislation. ||
 * < **Assimilation policy** ||< Official government policy which aims to integrate small minority groups, such as immigrants and Aboriginals, into the dominant cultural group. This involves the loss of the culture, traditions and languages of the minority groups in the taking on of the dominant culture. ||
 * < **Balance rites** ||< Aboriginal rituals to bring about harmony in nature which aim to cause the proliferation of a particular animal, plant or natural phenomena that is connected with a particular ancestral spirit being from the Dreaming. ||
 * < **Crown land** ||< Public land that is owned by the Commonwealth of Australia and managed by the Australian Government. ||
 * < **Dispossession** ||< The forced removal of Aboriginal people from their native lands. ||
 * < **Dreaming** ||< A term referring to Aboriginal spiritual beliefs about creation and existence. It includes stories of ancestor spirit beings that shaped the world and still abide in the land. The Dreaming establishes the rules governing relationships between the people, the land and all things for Aboriginal peoples. It links together the past, the present and the future. ||
 * < **Freehold title** ||< A tenure of real property whereby there is an absolute and permanent ownership of the land. As the owner, a person with freehold title has rights over the land and can use it however they wish. ||
 * < **Half-castes** ||< An offensive term used to refer to a person of mixed descent or ethnicity. ||
 * < **Land rights** ||< Property rights pertaining to land, also known as "real estate". ||
 * < **Leasehold title** ||< A form of tenure whereby the land is leased and hence the person with leasehold title, as opposed to freehold title, cannot dispose of the land at will. The land is still Crown Land but has been lent or rented out by the government to the user. ||
 * < **Metatemporal** ||< A concept which incorporates the past, present and future reality as a complete and present reality. ||
 * < **Native title** ||< Form of land title which recognises Aboriginal people as rightful
 * < **Protection policy** ||< Official government policy that began in the late nineteenth century which aimed to remove Aboriginal people from unsuitable environments and place them in the protection of the state by detaining them on missions and reserves. ||
 * < **Sacred sites** ||< Certain places, often kept secret, which have spiritual significance for Aboriginal people as they are connected with ancestor beings from the Dreaming and they are places where rituals such as initiation and balance rites are carried out. ||
 * < **Stolen Generation** ||< Term commonly used to refer to the Aboriginal children who were removed from their homes between 1900 and 1972 by the government and church missionaries in an attempt to assimilate these children into European society. ||
 * < **Sunset clause** ||< A statutory provision under the Native Title Amendment Act 1998 which sets a time frame within which all native title claims would have to be made if the claim is to be considered. ||
 * < **Ten Point Plan** ||< (also known as the Native Title Amendment Act 1998) - is an outline of the Government's legislative response to the Wik decision. Many commentators argue that the aim of these amendments was to leave native title holders without any substantive power over the issue of native title. ||
 * < **Terra nullius** ||< A concept in international law meaning "a territory belonging to no one" or "over which no-one claims ownership". The concept has been used to justify the invasion and colonisation of Australia. ||
 * < **Totems** ||< Totems represent a person as they existed in the Dreaming in the form of an animal, plant or natural phenomena. They are thus links between an individual or community and particular ancestor spirits in the land. ||

 =Specimen Questions = **The graph shows the percentage of Australians who have identified with religions other than Christianity. Account for the trends shown in the graph. (5 marks)**
 * 1) **Identify two examples of ecumenical developments in Australia since 1945.** **(5 marks)**
 * 2) **"Many are still looking for some sense of spiritual direction...they just may be shuffling through a deck of tarot cards instead of rifling through the pages of the Bible". (Sunday Life 15 th July 2001) More and more Australians are turning away from mainstream religions. Analyse the reasons for this movement and discuss your understandings with reference to at least two alternative "new age" religions.** **(5 marks)**
 * 3) **Account for the popularity of New Age religions in Australia. (5 marks)**

> > >

==Sample Responses ==
 * 1) **Explain the factors that have led to the growth in Pentecostalism in Australia. (5 marks)**
 * 2) **Analyse the relationship between religious traditions and Aboriginal spiritualities in the process of reconciliation. (5 marks)**

**Account for the popularity of New Age religions in Australia. (5 marks, 150 words)** New age religions which refer to a range of alternative spiritualities that aim to foster personal happiness, health and meaning in life. Examples of new age religions include feng shui, tarot cards, numerology, astrology and transcendental meditation. There are various reasons as to why they are so popular. The first and main reason for their popularity is because there is a general dissatisfaction with mainstream religions along with a growing longing for a spiritual dimension to life. For example, what makes new age religions attractive to many is its emphasis on creation centred spirituality, which is seen as diametrically opposed to the idea of external means of salvation as taught by the Western Church. Another significant reason for its popularity is the fact that new age religions are liberal in nature. That is, the very nature of new age religions makes it open to people picking and choosing particular aspects they want to incorporate to their personal philosophy. Another reason for their popularity is because some new age practices attest to being a supernatural means to gain personal wealth, be miraculously healed or know the future.

**The graph shows the percentage of Australians who have identified with religions other than Christianity. Account for the trends shown in the graph. (5 marks, 150 words)** On the whole, there has been a steady increase in the number of Australians who have identified with religions other than Christianity. The number of people following religions other than Christianity significantly increased in the 1970s. The significant increases in the number of people professing to follow religions other than Christianity from 1970 onwards can be attributed to the waves of immigration that came following the demise of the 'White Australia' Policy in 1973. The effect of the end of this policy was an increase in the diversity of the religious character in Australia because the demise facilitated the immigration of people from non-Anglo-Celtic backgrounds. For example, immigration from the Middle East and Asia has increased the number of Muslims in Australia. For instance, the Lebanese civil war, conflict in Afghanistan and Bosnia have all led to increased Muslim immigration from these places. Immigration from Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Hong Kong and China have increased the proportion of Buddhists in Australia. For example, following the Vietnam War in the 1960-70s came increased Buddhist immigration from that area. Buddhism has also increased due to conversion of non-Buddhists in Australia. The figures for Hinduism have been increased as a result of immigration from India and Fiji.

**Explain the factors that have led to the growth in Pentecostalism in Australia. (5 marks, 150 words)** Pentecostalism is a charismatic and evangelical strand of Christianity that has shown rapid growth over the last few decades. This can be attributed to various factors. One reason for its popularity is the feeling that traditional Christian denomination are out of touch with modern society with staid worship and irrelevant preaching. Pentecostalism's slick use of contemporary music and lively worship is often attractive to younger people. A second reason for their growth is that Pentecostal groups provide a strong sense of community and spiritual support. They often are based around a charismatic leader who is a dynamic and relevant communicator. A third reason for the popularity of Pentecostalism is because it provides definitive, clear cut answers to complex difficulties faced by contemporary society. Pentecostalism has also grown because it provides worshippers with spiritual experiences in the form of 'praying in tongues' and prophecy. Finally, Pentecostalism is increasingly popular as it often promises miraculous healings and prosperity to people who have faith.

**Identify two examples of ecumenical developments in Australia since 1945. (5 marks, 150 words)** > >
 * 1)  The formation of the Uniting Church. The Uniting Church was formed through a merger of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches in 1977 as they realised what they had in common outweighed the things that kept them separated. The Uniting Church continues to have ecumenism as one of its key goals and is involved with ecumenical activities such as the NCCA.
 * 1)  The formation of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA). The NCCA's membership consists of 15 Christian denominations in Australia. The NCCA developed out of the Australian Council of Churches, which began after World War II involving Anglicans and Protestants. Orthodox churches joined in the 1980s. It finally disbanded to become the NCCA in 1994, now incorporating the Roman Catholic Church as well. It promotes shared worship, work and dialogue between different Christian denominations.

=Glossary =

 = = = Islam Practice =
 * < Creation centred spirituality ||< Creation centred spirituality is based on the notion that the divine can be found through nature and within the self, rather than externally in the form of a distant transcendent higher being. ||
 * < **Denominational switching** ||< The transfer of followers from one Christian denomination to another. ||
 * < **Ecumenism** ||< Movement towards unity amongst Christian denominations. ||
 * < **Interfaith dialogue** ||< Formal discussion aimed towards developing greater mutual understanding between different religious traditions ||
 * < **Magick** ||< term used among Wicca devotees to distinguish supernatural forces from other uses of the term "magic" ||
 * < **New age religion** ||< An umbrella term to cover a wide range of spiritual beliefs and practices aiming to foster individual fulfilment in the form of personal happiness, health and meaning in life. ||
 * < **Pentecostalism** ||< A strand of Christianity that is charismatic (has a strong emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit) and evangelical (focused on conversion with a fundamentalist approach to the Bible). ||
 * < **Revolving door syndrome** ||< Phenomena whereby large numbers of Pentecostals remain with the church for a relatively short period of time. ||
 * < **Speaking in tongues** ||< Vocal prayer inspired by the Holy Spirit in which the sounds expressed are unintelligible. Sometimes the Spirit may give another person the gift of understanding this form of prayer. This phenomenon is found in charismatic circles and is commonly understood as an expression of religious ecstasy. ||
 * < **'White Australia' policy** ||< Government policy enshrined in the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 which aimed to exclude non-European people from migrating to Australia. The practice of this policy progressively declined after the World War II until it was utterly dismantled in 1973. ||

=Specimen Questions = **Question 4 - Islam (15 marks)** **(a) Describe ONE of the following significant practices within Islam: (3)** **(b) Explain the importance of ONE of the following areas to adherents of Islam: (6)** **(c) Analyse how ONE significant practice within Islam expresses the beliefs of Islam (6)** **Question 4 - Islam** **(20 marks)** **Outline the purpose and assess the significance of ONE of the following practices in Islam:** ==Sample Responses ==
 * **Friday prayer at the mosque**
 * **Funeral ceremony**
 * **Hajj**
 * **Friday prayer at the mosque**
 * **Funeral ceremony**
 * **Hajj**
 * **Friday prayer at the Mosque**
 * **Funeral ceremony**
 * **Hajj**

**Question 4 - Islam (15 marks)** **(a) Describe ONE of the following significant practices within Islam: (3)** The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam (arkan-al-Islam). It is, therefore, one of the most important requirements of the Muslim faith. The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to the holy city Makkah. All adult male Muslims are required to undertake the Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they are able. Many Muslim women also undertake the Hajj. The Hajj takes place each year in the month of Dhul-Hijjah and involves pilgrims traveling to Makkah in Saudi Arabia where they carry out a number of important rituals such as the circling of the Kab'ah, the stand before Allah (wuquf) on the plain of Arafat, the stoning of the pillars at Mina and the sacrifice on the festival of Id-ul-Adha. Other rituals include the shaving of hair and drinking or collecting water from the well of Zamzam. Muslims travel from all over the world to undertake the Hajj with over two million pilgrims taking part each year. (approx 150 words)
 * **Friday prayer at the mosque**
 * **Funeral ceremony**
 * **Hajj**

**(b) Explain the importance of ONE of the following areas to adherents of Islam: (6)** The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam (arkan-al-Islam). It is, therefore, one of the most important requirements of the Muslim faith. The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to the holy city Makkah. All adult male Muslims are required to undertake the Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they are able. Many Muslim women also undertake the Hajj. As one of the five pillars, Muslims are required to undertake the Hajj in obedience to the Qur'an. It is an example of how a Muslim will submit their lives to the will of Allah. The commitment and dedication required to undertake the Hajj are understood as important disciplines in the goal of perfect submission to Allah. Not only does the pilgrim have to meet certain practical requirements such as providing for their own needs and the needs of their family while they are away but the pilgrim must also undertake appropriate preparation to ensure they are come with the right disposition. In Islam, the intention that accompanies the action is of critical importance and if would be futile for a Muslim to undertake the Hajj without an appropriate inner or spiritual attitude. Many of the rituals of the Hajj are related to the aims of rejecting the temptations of the devil and submitting to the will of Allah. Therefore, for the Muslim undertaking the Hajj, there is a strong sense of determination to fulfill the requirements of the Hajj as a sign of their rejection of the temptations of the devil. The stand before Allah (wuquf) provides the pilgrim with an occasion of forgiveness of all past sins and an opportunity to begin life anew. Having received the forgiveness of Allah, the Muslim experiences a great sense of peace and wellbeing. Muslims undertaking the Hajj also experience a profound sense of community with millions of Muslims from all parts of the earth coming together for the single purpose of submission to Allah. While there is a great diversity of race and nation, there is a powerful unity of purpose which creates a profound sense of community. (approx 350 words)
 * **Friday prayer at the mosque**
 * **Funeral ceremony**
 * **Hajj**

**(c) Analyse how ONE significant practice within Islam expresses the beliefs of Islam (6)** The Hajj is a significant practice within Islam which is based on and consequently expresses a number of important beliefs. The essence of Islam is surrender to Allah and this surrender is epitomised in and through the Hajj. The rituals associated with the Hajj are based on a number of important encounters between Allah and human kind in ancient times. Accordingly in carrying out the rituals of the Hajj, a pilgrim is engaging with some of the important beliefs of Islam. The central moment of the Hajj is the stand before Allah or "wuquf" which takes place on the at the Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat. The stand is designed to replicate for the pilgrim the time when Adam and Eve stood before Allah seeking restoration and forgiveness of their sins. The forgiveness granted to Adam and Eve provides assurance to the Muslim that Allah will also forgive their sins and allow them to begin with a fresh start to their life of submission. Another important ritual of the Hajj is the festival of sacrifice "Id-ul-Adha". This festival recalls the events surrounding Ibrahim being called by Allah to sacrifice his son Isma'il. Ibrahim was obedient to the call of Allah even though he was strongly tempted by the devil to disobey the command. The fact that Ibrahim resisted the temptation and remained faithful to Allah's call is commemorated in the sacrifice of Id-ul-Adha. The stoning of the pillars at Mina is another ritual drawn from the same tradition. In his rejection of the devil the tradition tells that Ibrahim threw stones at the devil. In expressing their rejection of the devil, pilgrims on the Hajj throw stones at pillars at Mina which symbolise the devil. Another ritual involves pilgrims walking between Safa and Marwah to commemorate Hajar's search for water in the desert. This ritual focuses on the search for the things of lasting value and on the belief that Allah will provide all that is needed. The circling of the Ka'bah is another ritual of the Hajj which once again expresses the idea of obedience and submission to the will of Allah. The circling of the Ka'bah expresses obedience in responding to the call to undertake the Hajj and symbolises a Muslim's submission to Allah which is the essence of Islam. (approx 350 words) **Question 4 - Islam** **(20 marks)**

**Outline the purpose and assess the significance of ONE of the following practices in Islam:** The Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah is one of the five pillars of Islam "arkan-al-Islam" which all Muslim males are requires to carry out. Its purpose is essentially to facilitate the act of submission to Allah which is at the heart of Islam. It has enormous significance, not only for the pilgrim undertaking the Hajj but also for the wider Muslim community. Examining the purpose of the Hajj in more detail will allow a greater appreciation of its significance. The purpose can be examined through considering the rituals undertaken during the Hajj and their meaning in terms of the faith of Islam. Such rituals include the stand before Allah "wuquf", the stoning of the pillars at Mina, the commemoration of the festival of sacrifice "Id-ul-Adha", the circling of the Ka'bah and drawing water from the well of Zamzam. Each of these rituals have profound meaning and are closely related to important elements of the faith of Muslims. Therefore, in undertaking the Hajj and completing these rituals, the pilgrim is engaging with the most important elements of the tradition and moving towards a more perfect submission to Allah which is the ultimate goal of Islam. The central ritual of the Hajj is the stand before Allah "wuquf", sometimes referred to simply as the stand. Its commemoration of the restoration of Adam and Eve and the forgiveness of their sin of disobedience is of profound significance to the Muslim pilgrim. The forgiveness and restoration experienced by Adam and Eve in ancient times give an assurance that Allah is willing to forgive people today. The stand before Allah gives the pilgrim the opportunity of experiencing the love and forgiveness of Allah and allows them to be free from any past sin, beginning life anew and enjoying a great sense of peace and well being. It is evident, therefore that this particular aspect of the Hajj is of considerable importance as it centers on the great act of forgiveness. In seeking a more complete and perfect submission to Allah the pilgrim is encouraged and enlivened by the forgiveness received and the opportunity of beginning anew. A second ritual which is integral to the purpose of the Hajj and likewise of profound significance is the commemoration of the festival of sacrifice "Id-ul-Adha". This festival is one of the most important events on the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the obedience and submission of Ibrahim when he was called to sacrifice his son Isma'il. The preparedness to obey and submit to the will of Allah regardless of the cost makes Ibrahim a model for the Muslim to follow and commemorating the festival of sacrifice highlights the significance of this disposition. The ultimate goal of Islam is submission to Allah and the example of Ibrahim is regarded as one of complete and perfect submission. The significance of this festival is that it expresses for the Muslim pilgrim the absolute and perfect submission to Allah to which all devout Muslims aspire. Accordingly, it is difficult to overstate the significance of "Id-ul-Adha" for the faith of a Muslim pilgrim and indeed for the wider Muslim community. While "Id-ul-Adha" is an integral part of the Hajj, it is commemorated by all Muslims, not just those undertaking the Hajj. A third ritual, the stoning of the pillars at Mina is also connected to the story of Ibrahim and Isma'il. Tradition tells that Ibrahim was visited by the devil on his way to sacrifice Isma'il and tempted to abandon the task. The devil argued persuasively, however, Ibrahim remained obedient to Allah and rejected the devil's temptation, ultimately driving the devil away with stones. Pilgrims on the Hajj throw stones at the pillars at Mina which symbolise the devil. In the ritual of throwing stones at the pillars, Muslims are emulating the rejection of the devil and the reality of temptation in their own lives. Thus the significance of the stoning ritual is the emphasis on the rejection of the devil's temptation. Temptation is an obstacle to the goal of submission and must be overcome. In rejecting the devil the Muslim is able to more sincerely submit to the will of Allah. Thus the ritual of stoning the pillars has significance in its representation of the struggle against temptation and the ultimate goal of submission to Allah. This fundamental goal of Islam underpins the ritual of the stoning and highlights its profound significance. In the course of the Hajj, pilgrims walk between Marwah and Safa to commemorate Hajar's search for water in the desert. Ultimately the angel Jibril appeared and showed her the location of the spring now known as the well of Zamzam. This revelation saved the life of Hajar and her son Isma'il. Muslims see in this story the call to seek the things in life which are of true value as well as the assurance that ultimately Allah will provide what is needed. For Muslims, these are important realities and their acknowledgement greatly assists their submission to Allah. Thus, like other rituals of the Hajj, the rituals relating to Hajar's search for water are significant in their connection to the ultimate goal of submission to Allah. The circling of the Ka'bah which occurs at the beginning and end of the Hajj is a further example of a ritual which expresses the element of obedience and submission to the will of Allah. The requirement to undertake the Hajj is written in the Qur'an and the circling of the Ka'bah is essentially a statement of obedience to this requirement. The Hajj is a fundamental requirement of Islam, prescribed by the Qur'an. In the context of the faith of Islam there are few things that could be considered of greater significance. In addition to the rituals particular to the Hajj, there are a number of other aspects which are of significance. For example, the amount of commitment and dedication required to undertake the Hajj is of itself a significant element. The Hajj also provides a very significant experience of community. Over two million pilgrims take part in the Hajj each year. They come from all regions of the world and represent virtually every nationality. The experience of the Hajj is a significant expression of the diversity of Islam, yet at the same time it is a powerful witness to the unity of Islam with millions of people, of every race and nationality uniting together in one goal of submission to Allah. In conclusion, it is evident that the Hajj is an event of profound significance for the Muslim. The rituals of the Hajj and the events that they commemorate express some of the fundamental beliefs of Islam. Therefore, the pilgrim, in undertaking the Hajj is engaging with these core beliefs. The ultimate goal of Islam is submission to Allah. Submission to Allah is the central purpose of the Hajj. Each aspect, every ritual leads to a greater and more perfect submission on the part of the pilgrim. Therefore, the Hajj, the rituals involved and their meaning are of the greatest significance to the Muslim in their ultimate goal of submission to Allah. (approx 1200 words)
 * **Friday prayer at the Mosque**
 * **Funeral ceremony**
 * **Hajj**

= Religion & Peace Christianity =

=Specimen Questions = **For each of TWO religious traditions, identify a sacred text and explain how that text guides individuals in their quest for inner peace.** **Outline and assess the contributions of TWO religious traditions to the quest for world peace.** ==Sample Response == **For each of TWO religious traditions, identify a sacred text and explain how that text guides individuals in their quest for inner peace.** The religious traditions of Christianity and Islam share a common foundation as religions of peace. Each has peace as a foundational element of its beliefs. In the sacred text of each peace is regarded as a virtue. For both Islam and Christianity, peace is understood as more than merely an absence of violence and conflict. It refers more fully to an overall sense of wellbeing. Ultimately peace is found in union with God. Christians and Muslims are taught to live at peace with others, both within their own communities and in the wider human family. The sacred texts Islam and Christianity, principally the Qur'an and the New Testament respectively, have a strong emphasis on peace and peacemaking. The quest for inner peace is at the heart of the message of both the New Testament and Qur'an and Christians and Muslims are each taught that ultimately, inner peace will come from faithfully devoting one's self to the will of God. In the New Testament, peace is mentioned over 90 times and many other passages also address the quest for peace without specifically using the term. A study of the New Testament literature reveals an important relationship between an individual's fidelity to the requirements of the gospel and their own sense of peace and wellbeing. In other words, Christians can expect to find inner peace ultimately in and through living out their vocation as disciples of Jesus Christ and directing their lives towards the following of his teaching. Jesus himself is regarded as the bringer of peace and to live in close relationship to him and his teaching will allow the follower to experience this peace. Jesus' own life is seen as a model of living in peace and therefore Christians are encouraged to model their lives on his example in doing so they will be able to find peace. For individuals to achieve inner peace, following the example of Jesus is a fruitful and worthwhile path. Various groups within the Christian tradition will have established methods of following this example. They will normally include the use of prayer, ritual and the reading of scripture, the service of others and the participation in community with those of similar beliefs. Creating a basic orientation in life which supports the quest for integrity and fidelity to the gospel is an important foundational element. It will not be possible to achieve inner peace while values are seriously compromised. In his life and ministry, Jesus faced various occasions where it would have been expedient to turn his back on his vocation and accept a compromise or succumb to a temptation of selfishness. These temptations are essentially about serving one's self or avoiding challenging situations. Jesus' example clearly shows the importance of being true to the values of the gospel and not being prepared to accept compromise. Such compromise would inevitably erode a sense of inner peace as it amounts to a lack of integrity and will always result in inner conflict. Maintaining a sound balance between prayer and service is also fundamental to Christians in the quest for a sense of inner peace and wellbeing. Both prayer and service are essential and each should support and draw from the other. The ministry of Jesus highlights the aspects of prayer and service being kept in balance. The gospel accounts portray Jesus as a man of prayer who is frequently in communion with God. These occasions of prayer are particularly evident leading up to significant moments in his ministry. Clearly prayer is a vehicle through which Jesus is able to nurture and sustain the relationship with God which is the source of his wellbeing and inner peace. This relationship of prayer is something which followers of Jesus are strongly encouraged to emulate in order achieve this sense of peace and serenity. For Jesus, prayer is not a withdrawal from the events of daily life but rather an opportunity to reflect on them and gain strength to face their challenges. Jesus' ministry conveys a sense of balance between prayer and contemplation on one hand and active service on the other. These two elements are seen as complementary, not in competition with one another. Prayer is seen as an essential adjunct to the active ministry while the ministry is seen as a practical expression of the life of prayer. Engaging with a local community is also an important element for Christians in the search for inner peace. Communities provide important occasions of interaction for sharing, for learning and for support. The absence of meaningful community undermines the possibility of achieving inner peace. For Muslims peace is not a single dimensional or individual concept. Peace is, first and foremost, to be at rest with one's own desires and ambitions and having a balance, which is an internal affair, and then, secondly, to have peace with the world around. There is a reciprocal relationship between this inner peace and the peace with the wider world. No one can be at peace with themselves until they are also at peace with others. Conversely, it will not be possible to live at peace with others until there is a sense of peace and wellbeing with one's self In Islam the concept of peace is two-fold. Firstly, to be at peace with Allah and then, secondly, to be at peace with oneself and with the rest of the world. In Islam the concept of peace is closely related to the idea of submission. The goal of Islam is submission to Allah and in this submission peace is found. Muslims understand that peace is not possible outside of this relationship with Allah. In submitting to Allah a person finds peace, peace first of all with Allah, then with self and also with others. Submission to the will of Allah is the only means of attaining peace with Allah. The Qur'an sets out clear paths for Muslims to follow in their desire to submit to Allah. The most significant of these are the five pillars or the pillars of Islam (arkan al-islam). These activities and beliefs are regarded as foundational for all who follow Islam. Each of the pillars requires both an internal or spiritual commitment together with an outward action or sign. By devoutly and sincerely following fulfilling the requirements of the five pillars, Muslims will find themselves living according to the will of Allah and as a consequence experience a deep sense of peace and wellbeing that can only come through this submission. The first of the five pillars is a witness to the oneness of Allah and the role of the Prophet Muhammad as its messenger. This pillar is known as the shahada which means to bear witness. Its central statement affirms the oneness of Allah and expressed in the negative "there is no god but Allah" provides not only an affirmation of the oneness of Allah but also includes a repudiation of anything which falsely claims to be God. The repudiation of anything false includes a repudiation of self and selfishness which frees a Muslim to worship Allah freely without the restrictions of egocentrism. This freedom is an integral part of the quest for inner peace as a focus on self and selfishness will effectively destroy this peace. The second of the pillars of Islam is the requirement of ritual prayer known as "salat". The ritual prayers of salat play an important role in Islam at a number of different levels. Firstly they are an act of obedience to Allah. Secondly they proclaim the oneness and greatness of Allah. The prayers also serve the function of bringing people closer to Allah, they contribute to the purity of the person praying, provide strength to carry out the requirements of Islam and forgiveness for transgressions. The purity and strength associated with salat provide important foundations for a sense of peace and wellbeing The third pillar of Islam is the requirement of almsgiving known as "zakat". Zakat operates as a kind of tithe where money is collected from Muslims and given to the poor. It has also been described as a charitable tax. The aim of zakat for the one contributing is to purify and cleanse wealth and to allow it to be free from greed and selfishness. It helps Muslims to overcome feelings of attachment to money and the wish to cling to it. It affirms that money is for the service of human kind and not for exclusive personal gain. The freedom from the attachment of wealth and possessions is considered by Muslims to be an essential element in the quest for inner peace. To maintain close ties to wealth and possession will effectively undermine the search for inner peace. The fourth pillar of Islam involves fasting. It refers to voluntary fasting and is known as "sawm". The period of fasting is for the month of Ramadan. While one emphasis of sawm is on the physical denial of the body it also includes important elements relating to the internal disposition and intention. The fast will be rendered worthless if the disposition of the person fasting is not as it should be. There is to be a concerted effort to ensure that no evil acts are committed during the period of the fast and also that evil thoughts are also avoided. "If you do not give up telling lies Allah will have no need of your giving up food and drink" (Hadith). The self discipline of fasting is an important companion to achieving inner peace as it is one of the ways of putting aside self and selfishness. The fifth pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage or "hajj". Every devout Muslim male will desire to make the pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their lifetime. The word "hajj" means to embark on a journey with a purpose. The purpose is essentially to visit the Ka'bah in Makkah and worship on Mount Arafat. The pilgrimage takes place during the twelfth month of the Muslim calendar "Dhul-Hijjah". The physical demands of the Hajj, the organisation required for someone to take part and the material cost are all elements which require sacrifice and dedication. These elements involve putting aside selfishness in seeking to submit to the will of Allah. The more perfect the submission to Allah, the more profound the sense of inner peace that will be experienced by the Muslim. The religious traditions of Christianity and Islam give clear guidance to their respective followers on how to achieve inner peace. For Muslims, it is through seeking a more perfect submission to Allah through the faithful carrying out of the five pillars. For Christians, it is through following and emulating the example of Jesus in integrity and fidelity, in prayer and service and in community. For Muslims, the requirements of the five pillars are clearly specified in the Qur'an while for Christians the New Testament provides significant guidance on the examples of the life and ministry of Jesus. ==Sample Response == **Outline and assess the contributions of TWO religious traditions to the quest for world peace.** Although both Islam and Christianity have a fundamental commitment to working towards peace, the particular circumstances in recent decades has meant that the nature and effect of their efforts have been quite different in Western Countries such as Australia. For Christians there are a range of opportunities to urge individuals and leaders to take up the work for world peace. The majority of people in Western Countries such as Australia are nominally Christian and as such the Christian Churches are generally respected and understood, although their influence is rapidly declining in the increasingly secular Western world. On the other hand, Muslims are a small minority in Australian society and like in other Western countries they are frequently misunderstood and demonised by certain elements of the society. Due to these circumstances, the main contribution the small Muslim communities can make in countries like Australia is to work towards achieving a greater understanding of Muslim beliefs and values to begin to overcome some of the prejudices which underpin much of the conflict and violence that presently exists. The Christian tradition makes significant contributions to world peace at a number of different levels. Among these are public statements by Church leaders, programs of action at local and international levels, organisations dedicated to bringing about peace, courses of study, commemorative days etc. In recent decades, Church leaders have frequently made statements in support of peace. In some cases these statements have been specific appeals for peace in particular circumstances, however, on other occasions they have also published more comprehensive statements on the need for peace and the means of achieving it. One of the more well known statements was the 1963 statement of Pope John XXIII "Pacem in Terris" (Peace on Earth). Other organisations such as the World Council of Churches and individual denominations such as the Society of Friends (Quakers) have also released many public statements relating to peacemaking. Although statements like these often contain many important insights, the increasing secularisation of the Western world is leading to a significant diminishing of the effect of these pronouncements. There has always been a tradition of opposition to warfare in Church communities even during times when the Church actively used warfare for its own purposes. Francis of Assisi is a famous example of opposition to war. Another interesting example is the Society of Friends (Quakers), a Christian group with a pacifist stance. The modern peace movement, now embraced by a wide coalition of groups and individuals has a strong link to Christian peace groups in its infancy. Movements such as the Catholic Worker movement in the United States have been prominent in the quest for world peace. The Catholic worker movement developed an approach of active non-violence and often used civil disobedience as a means of protest. Recent trends in anti terrorism legislation in Western countries have made active non violence and civil disobedience strategies far more difficult to sustain. Governments are now far more likely to use extreme force and severe penalties to thwart peaceful dissent. Another well known organisation is the international group Pax Christi which has pioneered peacemaking at an international level for decades. In preparation for the coming of the third millennium, Pax Christi published a manifesto for a culture of peace and non violence. Also in response to the United Nations' decade for a Culture of Peace and Non Violence, the World Council of Churches in launched a campaign of a "Decade to Overcome Violence". This campaign provides an ecumenical dimension to the search for peace and highlights the commonalities held among Christian Churches in this area. In Australia major Christian denominations have organisations which have responsibility in working towards peace. These would include the Uniting Church Board of Social Responsibility and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council. These organisations, together with the National Council of Churches of Australia have peacemaking as an important part of their mandate. The element of working towards peace is carried out alongside other social concerns such as justice and ecology. This highlights the close relationship between the search for a more just society and the search for peace. Church organisations have frequently stated that the achievement of lasting peace will only be possible with a renewed social order where there poverty is substantially overcome and there is justice among people and between nations. Throughout the world major learning institutions provide studies in peacemaking. Among these, universities run by Christian denominations often feature prominently in offering such courses. In Australia the Society of Saint Columba (Columbans) have been prominent in providing peace education firstly through their Columban Mission Institute and through their Centre for Justice, Ecology and Peace. Courses of study in peacemaking are available at major theological institutes such as the United Theological College and the Catholic Institute of Sydney. Although these opportunities to study peacemaking are well established, they are only taken up by small numbers of people. The accompanying lack of professional opportunities for people who have undertaken such training is a further obstacle to their overall effectiveness. Christian Churches have made use of significant days of commemoration to help focus people's attention on the need for peace. All major denominations will have special liturgical events on Anzac day. Many would also hold events on other occasions such as Remembrance Day and Hiroshima Day. Over the past few decades the most significant day of commemoration and working for peace has been Palm Sunday. This has become a day for public gatherings, marches and rallies in support of peace. Christian churches have traditionally sponsored these events which usually begin with an ecumenical service followed by a rally and a march through city streets. While Islam is essentially a religion of peace and true Muslims are peace loving people, there remains, nevertheless, an unfortunate misconception about the nature of Islam and its followers. The sources of this misconception are varied. Firstly, the misconception stems from a prejudice arising from the fear of the unknown. For many people in Australia, Islam is a relatively unknown religion. Because there are only a small number of Muslims in Australia, few non Muslim Australians have had the opportunity of getting to know Australian Muslims and rely on secondary sources of information to inform their views on Muslims and Islam in Australia. There is an unavoidable tendency to hold prejudices against people and groups who are not well known and understood in a community. The second source of misconception stems from the political conflicts that have existed in the Middle East in recent decades and particularly through the conflicts between Western interests and those of Middle Eastern countries. People in countries such as Australia feel uneasy when there is conflict around Western interests and the use of terrorist tactics by some groups has heightened this sense of unease. Unfortunately, many people are not able to differentiate between the political interests of some Middle Eastern countries and the religious interests of Islam. Further the activities of some extremists who claim to be acting in the name of Islam tend to reinforce the misconception that Islam is in some way responsible for the unrest. A third source of misconception is the fact that most people in Australia have the media as their main source of information regarding. Unfortunately, media organisations in Australia have been only too willing to promote misconceptions and stereotypes in order to create a greater interest in their product. Recent years have shown that fear and uncertainty is a great motivator in Australian society and media organisations have traded enthusiastically on this fact. Thus it serves their purposes to demonise certain members of the community in order to foster this sense of unease. The fact that so many Australians rely on the media for their information and the media's propensity to stereotype Muslims as terrorists has contributed greatly to the misconception of Islam. In the light of this prevailing misconception it is very difficult for Muslims to play a constructive role in the work for world peace. There are indeed many Muslim organisations and individual Muslims who are undertaking important work for peace, however, in Australia it is difficult for such work to be recognised and supported because of the negativity felt towards Muslims and the strength of the misconceptions held in the community. Muslim groups in Australia have found that the most constructive way they can be involved in the peace process is to provide opportunities for people in the Australian community to become more familiar with Muslim values and beliefs. Given that a great deal of present conflict stems from a misunderstanding of Islam, such initiatives have profound significance in terms of addressing the underlying causes of conflict. Muslims has also taken active roles in partnerships with other religious organisations in the search for peace. In particular, Muslims work closely with Jewish and Christian organisations as these three monotheistic religions have a great deal in common and are able to work together readily. This is especially the case in working of peace which is a core value of each of these religions. Although both Muslims and Christians work tirelessly for peace, their effect of their efforts is limited. In the case of Islam, the prejudices, misconceptions and media stereotypes are powerful forces to overcome. Despite the best efforts of the small Muslim communities in Western countries like Australia the progress is slow and difficult. For Christians, the increasing secularisation of the Western world has led to a significant diminishing of its influence, even in countries such as Australia where the majority of the population are nominally Christian. Considerable work is taking place but with limited effect.

 =<span style="clear: both; color: #993300; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;">Glossary = = Religion & Peace Islam =
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Constantine** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Roman Emperor from the 4th century CE who converted to Christianity and began the process of Christianity becoming the state religion of the empire ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Just War theory** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Seven point theory testing the moral justification of engaging in war ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Messianic age** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Anticipated future age of peace and wellbeing following the return of the messiah ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**National Council of Churches of Australia** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Organisation representing Christian denomination in Australia ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Non-combatant** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">A person in a war zone who is not engaged in the fighting - a civilian. ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Pacem in terries** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Letter of Pope John XXIII on world peace ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Pacificism** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">A state of non violence. A person who refuses to use violence is known as a pacifist ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Pax Christi** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Literally the peace of Christ. An international peace organisation ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Peace of God** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Also known as the peace of Christ. State of peace and wellbeing stemming from the presence and/or spirit of God ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Society of St Columba** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Catholic missionary order well known for their work in peace and peace education ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Society of friends** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Also known as Quakers. Christian denomination which maintains a pacifist stance ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**World Council of Churches** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">International ecumenical organisation representing national councils of Churches ||

=<span style="clear: both; color: #993300; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;">Specimen Questions = **For each of TWO religious traditions, identify a sacred text and explain how that text guides individuals in their quest for inner peace.** **Outline and assess the contributions of TWO religious traditions to the quest for world peace.** ==<span style="background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; clear: both; color: #993300; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; text-align: left;">Sample Response == **For each of TWO religious traditions, identify a sacred text and explain how that text guides individuals in their quest for inner peace.** The religious traditions of Christianity and Islam share a common foundation as religions of peace. Each has peace as a foundational element of its beliefs. In the sacred text of each peace is regarded as a virtue. For both Islam and Christianity, peace is understood as more than merely an absence of violence and conflict. It refers more fully to an overall sense of wellbeing. Ultimately peace is found in union with God. Christians and Muslims are taught to live at peace with others, both within their own communities and in the wider human family. The sacred texts Islam and Christianity, principally the Qur'an and the New Testament respectively, have a strong emphasis on peace and peacemaking. The quest for inner peace is at the heart of the message of both the New Testament and Qur'an and Christians and Muslims are each taught that ultimately, inner peace will come from faithfully devoting one's self to the will of God. In the New Testament, peace is mentioned over 90 times and many other passages also address the quest for peace without specifically using the term. A study of the New Testament literature reveals an important relationship between an individual's fidelity to the requirements of the gospel and their own sense of peace and wellbeing. In other words, Christians can expect to find inner peace ultimately in and through living out their vocation as disciples of Jesus Christ and directing their lives towards the following of his teaching. Jesus himself is regarded as the bringer of peace and to live in close relationship to him and his teaching will allow the follower to experience this peace. Jesus' own life is seen as a model of living in peace and therefore Christians are encouraged to model their lives on his example in doing so they will be able to find peace. For individuals to achieve inner peace, following the example of Jesus is a fruitful and worthwhile path. Various groups within the Christian tradition will have established methods of following this example. They will normally include the use of prayer, ritual and the reading of scripture, the service of others and the participation in community with those of similar beliefs. Creating a basic orientation in life which supports the quest for integrity and fidelity to the gospel is an important foundational element. It will not be possible to achieve inner peace while values are seriously compromised. In his life and ministry, Jesus faced various occasions where it would have been expedient to turn his back on his vocation and accept a compromise or succumb to a temptation of selfishness. These temptations are essentially about serving one's self or avoiding challenging situations. Jesus' example clearly shows the importance of being true to the values of the gospel and not being prepared to accept compromise. Such compromise would inevitably erode a sense of inner peace as it amounts to a lack of integrity and will always result in inner conflict. Maintaining a sound balance between prayer and service is also fundamental to Christians in the quest for a sense of inner peace and wellbeing. Both prayer and service are essential and each should support and draw from the other. The ministry of Jesus highlights the aspects of prayer and service being kept in balance. The gospel accounts portray Jesus as a man of prayer who is frequently in communion with God. These occasions of prayer are particularly evident leading up to significant moments in his ministry. Clearly prayer is a vehicle through which Jesus is able to nurture and sustain the relationship with God which is the source of his wellbeing and inner peace. This relationship of prayer is something which followers of Jesus are strongly encouraged to emulate in order achieve this sense of peace and serenity. For Jesus, prayer is not a withdrawal from the events of daily life but rather an opportunity to reflect on them and gain strength to face their challenges. Jesus' ministry conveys a sense of balance between prayer and contemplation on one hand and active service on the other. These two elements are seen as complementary, not in competition with one another. Prayer is seen as an essential adjunct to the active ministry while the ministry is seen as a practical expression of the life of prayer. Engaging with a local community is also an important element for Christians in the search for inner peace. Communities provide important occasions of interaction for sharing, for learning and for support. The absence of meaningful community undermines the possibility of achieving inner peace. For Muslims peace is not a single dimensional or individual concept. Peace is, first and foremost, to be at rest with one's own desires and ambitions and having a balance, which is an internal affair, and then, secondly, to have peace with the world around. There is a reciprocal relationship between this inner peace and the peace with the wider world. No one can be at peace with themselves until they are also at peace with others. Conversely, it will not be possible to live at peace with others until there is a sense of peace and wellbeing with one's self In Islam the concept of peace is two-fold. Firstly, to be at peace with Allah and then, secondly, to be at peace with oneself and with the rest of the world. In Islam the concept of peace is closely related to the idea of submission. The goal of Islam is submission to Allah and in this submission peace is found. Muslims understand that peace is not possible outside of this relationship with Allah. In submitting to Allah a person finds peace, peace first of all with Allah, then with self and also with others. Submission to the will of Allah is the only means of attaining peace with Allah. The Qur'an sets out clear paths for Muslims to follow in their desire to submit to Allah. The most significant of these are the five pillars or the pillars of Islam (arkan al-islam). These activities and beliefs are regarded as foundational for all who follow Islam. Each of the pillars requires both an internal or spiritual commitment together with an outward action or sign. By devoutly and sincerely following fulfilling the requirements of the five pillars, Muslims will find themselves living according to the will of Allah and as a consequence experience a deep sense of peace and wellbeing that can only come through this submission. The first of the five pillars is a witness to the oneness of Allah and the role of the Prophet Muhammad as its messenger. This pillar is known as the shahada which means to bear witness. Its central statement affirms the oneness of Allah and expressed in the negative "there is no god but Allah" provides not only an affirmation of the oneness of Allah but also includes a repudiation of anything which falsely claims to be God. The repudiation of anything false includes a repudiation of self and selfishness which frees a Muslim to worship Allah freely without the restrictions of egocentrism. This freedom is an integral part of the quest for inner peace as a focus on self and selfishness will effectively destroy this peace. The second of the pillars of Islam is the requirement of ritual prayer known as "salat". The ritual prayers of salat play an important role in Islam at a number of different levels. Firstly they are an act of obedience to Allah. Secondly they proclaim the oneness and greatness of Allah. The prayers also serve the function of bringing people closer to Allah, they contribute to the purity of the person praying, provide strength to carry out the requirements of Islam and forgiveness for transgressions. The purity and strength associated with salat provide important foundations for a sense of peace and wellbeing The third pillar of Islam is the requirement of almsgiving known as "zakat". Zakat operates as a kind of tithe where money is collected from Muslims and given to the poor. It has also been described as a charitable tax. The aim of zakat for the one contributing is to purify and cleanse wealth and to allow it to be free from greed and selfishness. It helps Muslims to overcome feelings of attachment to money and the wish to cling to it. It affirms that money is for the service of human kind and not for exclusive personal gain. The freedom from the attachment of wealth and possessions is considered by Muslims to be an essential element in the quest for inner peace. To maintain close ties to wealth and possession will effectively undermine the search for inner peace. The fourth pillar of Islam involves fasting. It refers to voluntary fasting and is known as "sawm". The period of fasting is for the month of Ramadan. While one emphasis of sawm is on the physical denial of the body it also includes important elements relating to the internal disposition and intention. The fast will be rendered worthless if the disposition of the person fasting is not as it should be. There is to be a concerted effort to ensure that no evil acts are committed during the period of the fast and also that evil thoughts are also avoided. "If you do not give up telling lies Allah will have no need of your giving up food and drink" (Hadith). The self discipline of fasting is an important companion to achieving inner peace as it is one of the ways of putting aside self and selfishness. The fifth pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage or "hajj". Every devout Muslim male will desire to make the pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their lifetime. The word "hajj" means to embark on a journey with a purpose. The purpose is essentially to visit the Ka'bah in Makkah and worship on Mount Arafat. The pilgrimage takes place during the twelfth month of the Muslim calendar "Dhul-Hijjah". The physical demands of the Hajj, the organisation required for someone to take part and the material cost are all elements which require sacrifice and dedication. These elements involve putting aside selfishness in seeking to submit to the will of Allah. The more perfect the submission to Allah, the more profound the sense of inner peace that will be experienced by the Muslim. The religious traditions of Christianity and Islam give clear guidance to their respective followers on how to achieve inner peace. For Muslims, it is through seeking a more perfect submission to Allah through the faithful carrying out of the five pillars. For Christians, it is through following and emulating the example of Jesus in integrity and fidelity, in prayer and service and in community. For Muslims, the requirements of the five pillars are clearly specified in the Qur'an while for Christians the New Testament provides significant guidance on the examples of the life and ministry of Jesus. ==<span style="background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; clear: both; color: #993300; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; text-align: left;">Sample Response == **Outline and assess the contributions of TWO religious traditions to the quest for world peace.** Although both Islam and Christianity have a fundamental commitment to working towards peace, the particular circumstances in recent decades has meant that the nature and effect of their efforts have been quite different in Western Countries such as Australia. For Christians there are a range of opportunities to urge individuals and leaders to take up the work for world peace. The majority of people in Western Countries such as Australia are nominally Christian and as such the Christian Churches are generally respected and understood, although their influence is rapidly declining in the increasingly secular Western world. On the other hand, Muslims are a small minority in Australian society and like in other Western countries they are frequently misunderstood and demonised by certain elements of the society. Due to these circumstances, the main contribution the small Muslim communities can make in countries like Australia is to work towards achieving a greater understanding of Muslim beliefs and values to begin to overcome some of the prejudices which underpin much of the conflict and violence that presently exists. The Christian tradition makes significant contributions to world peace at a number of different levels. Among these are public statements by Church leaders, programs of action at local and international levels, organisations dedicated to bringing about peace, courses of study, commemorative days etc. In recent decades, Church leaders have frequently made statements in support of peace. In some cases these statements have been specific appeals for peace in particular circumstances, however, on other occasions they have also published more comprehensive statements on the need for peace and the means of achieving it. One of the more well known statements was the 1963 statement of Pope John XXIII "Pacem in Terris" (Peace on Earth). Other organisations such as the World Council of Churches and individual denominations such as the Society of Friends (Quakers) have also released many public statements relating to peacemaking. Although statements like these often contain many important insights, the increasing secularisation of the Western world is leading to a significant diminishing of the effect of these pronouncements. There has always been a tradition of opposition to warfare in Church communities even during times when the Church actively used warfare for its own purposes. Francis of Assisi is a famous example of opposition to war. Another interesting example is the Society of Friends (Quakers), a Christian group with a pacifist stance. The modern peace movement, now embraced by a wide coalition of groups and individuals has a strong link to Christian peace groups in its infancy. Movements such as the Catholic Worker movement in the United States have been prominent in the quest for world peace. The Catholic worker movement developed an approach of active non-violence and often used civil disobedience as a means of protest. Recent trends in anti terrorism legislation in Western countries have made active non violence and civil disobedience strategies far more difficult to sustain. Governments are now far more likely to use extreme force and severe penalties to thwart peaceful dissent. Another well known organisation is the international group Pax Christi which has pioneered peacemaking at an international level for decades. In preparation for the coming of the third millennium, Pax Christi published a manifesto for a culture of peace and non violence. Also in response to the United Nations' decade for a Culture of Peace and Non Violence, the World Council of Churches in launched a campaign of a "Decade to Overcome Violence". This campaign provides an ecumenical dimension to the search for peace and highlights the commonalities held among Christian Churches in this area. In Australia major Christian denominations have organisations which have responsibility in working towards peace. These would include the Uniting Church Board of Social Responsibility and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council. These organisations, together with the National Council of Churches of Australia have peacemaking as an important part of their mandate. The element of working towards peace is carried out alongside other social concerns such as justice and ecology. This highlights the close relationship between the search for a more just society and the search for peace. Church organisations have frequently stated that the achievement of lasting peace will only be possible with a renewed social order where there poverty is substantially overcome and there is justice among people and between nations. Throughout the world major learning institutions provide studies in peacemaking. Among these, universities run by Christian denominations often feature prominently in offering such courses. In Australia the Society of Saint Columba (Columbans) has been prominent in providing peace education firstly through their Columban Mission Institute and through their Centre for Justice, Ecology and Peace. Courses of study in peacemaking are available at major theological institutes such as the United Theological College and the Catholic Institute of Sydney. Although these opportunities to study peacemaking are well established, they are only taken up by small numbers of people. The accompanying lack of professional opportunities for people who have undertaken such training is a further obstacle to their overall effectiveness. Christian Churches have made use of significant days of commemoration to help focus people's attention on the need for peace. All major denominations will have special liturgical events on Anzac day. Many would also hold events on other occasions such as Remembrance Day and Hiroshima Day. Over the past few decades the most significant day of commemoration and working for peace has been Palm Sunday. This has become a day for public gatherings, marches and rallies in support of peace. Christian churches have traditionally sponsored these events which usually begin with an ecumenical service followed by a rally and a march through city streets. While Islam is essentially a religion of peace and true Muslims are peace loving people, there remains, nevertheless, an unfortunate misconception about the nature of Islam and its followers. The sources of this misconception are varied. Firstly, the misconception stems from a prejudice arising from the fear of the unknown. For many people in Australia, Islam is a relatively unknown religion. Because there are only a small number of Muslims in Australia, few non Muslim Australians have had the opportunity of getting to know Australian Muslims and rely on secondary sources of information to inform their views on Muslims and Islam in Australia. There is an unavoidable tendency to hold prejudices against people and groups who are not well known and understood in a community. The second source of misconception stems from the political conflicts that have existed in the Middle East in recent decades and particularly through the conflicts between Western interests and those of Middle Eastern countries. People in countries such as Australia feel uneasy when there is conflict around Western interests and the use of terrorist tactics by some groups has heightened this sense of unease. Unfortunately, many people are not able to differentiate between the political interests of some Middle Eastern countries and the religious interests of Islam. Further the activities of some extremists who claim to be acting in the name of Islam tend to reinforce the misconception that Islam is in some way responsible for the unrest. A third source of misconception is the fact that most people in Australia have the media as their main source of information regarding. Unfortunately, media organisations in Australia have been only too willing to promote misconceptions and stereotypes in order to create a greater interest in their product. Recent years have shown that fear and uncertainty is a great motivator in Australian society and media organisations have traded enthusiastically on this fact. Thus it serves their purposes to demonise certain members of the community in order to foster this sense of unease. The fact that so many Australians rely on the media for their information and the media's propensity to stereotype Muslims as terrorists has contributed greatly to the misconception of Islam. In the light of this prevailing misconception it is very difficult for Muslims to play a constructive role in the work for world peace. There are indeed many Muslim organisations and individual Muslims who are undertaking important work for peace, however, in Australia it is difficult for such work to be recognised and supported because of the negativity felt towards Muslims and the strength of the misconceptions held in the community. Muslim groups in Australia have found that the most constructive way they can be involved in the peace process is to provide opportunities for people in the Australian community to become more familiar with Muslim values and beliefs. Given that a great deal of present conflict stems from a misunderstanding of Islam, such initiatives have profound significance in terms of addressing the underlying causes of conflict. Muslims has also taken active roles in partnerships with other religious organisations in the search for peace. In particular, Muslims work closely with Jewish and Christian organisations as these three monotheistic religions have a great deal in common and are able to work together readily. This is especially the case in working of peace which is a core value of each of these religions. Although both Muslims and Christians work tirelessly for peace, their effect of their efforts is limited. In the case of Islam, the prejudices, misconceptions and media stereotypes are powerful forces to overcome. Despite the best efforts of the small Muslim communities in Western countries like Australia the progress is slow and difficult. For Christians, the increasing secularisation of the Western world has led to a significant diminishing of its influence, even in countries such as Australia where the majority of the population are nominally Christian. Considerable work is taking place but with limited effect.

=<span style="clear: both; color: #993300; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;">Glossary =
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Arkan al-islam** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">the pillars of Islam ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**As Salaam** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">meaning peace, one of the names of Allah ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**As-Salamu-Alaykum** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">traditional Muslim greeting which means peace be with you ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Dar al Harb** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">from classical Islamic scholarship, refers to the regions of the world outside of Islamic influence ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Dar al lslam** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">from classical Islamic scholarship, refers to the regions of the world under Islamic influence ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Dar al Salaam** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">literally means the house of peace, refers to the ideal society ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Fitnah** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">turmoil, disorder ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Hadith** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">collection of the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Hajj** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">pillar of Islam - pilgrimage to Makkah ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Ifq** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">gentleness ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Iman** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">second station in Sufi stages of peace ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Jihad** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">struggle, often used by extremists to convey idea of holy war ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Madinah** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Arabian city, first Islamic state ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Makkah** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Arabian city, holy city of Islam ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Mushrikin** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">literally - polytheists, refers to Arabs who opposed the establishment of Islam at the time of Muhammad ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Qital** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">war or fighting ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Qur'an** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">sacred text of Islam ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Salam** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Arabic word for peace ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Salat** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">pillar of Islam - requirement of daily prayer ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Sawm** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">pillar of Islam - requirement of fasting during Ramadan ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Selm** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Arabic word for peace ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Shahada** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">pillar of Islam - profession of faith ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Sufism** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">mystical movement of Islam ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Surah** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">section of the Qur'an ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Unf** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">violence ||
 * < <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">**Zakat** ||< <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">pillar of Islam - requirement of almsgiving ||

= Religion & Non Religion =

=<span style="clear: both; color: #993300; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;">Specimen Questions = ==<span style="background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; clear: both; color: #993300; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; text-align: left;">Sample Responses == **Using examples, explain the meaning of the terms animism, polytheism and monotheism. (5 marks)** **- 150 words** Animism is the doctrine that all natural things have souls. For example, many prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities believed that all natural objects from animals to hailstorms, to rivers and mountains had a soul. This soul was believed to control the activities of both animate and inanimate objects. These spirits or souls were revered because of their control over the natural world. Polytheism is the belief and worship of multiple divinities. For example, the texts of classical antiquity such as the Iliad and the Odyssey is a record of the power struggles which took place, the hierarchical nature of the Greek cosmic world, and the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the Greek gods. Unlike the God of the Judaic-Christian tradition, the polytheistic gods of the Norse, Egyptian, Graeco-Roman and Chinese cultures were rarely all powerful and all knowing. Rather they had their own particular skills and talents, and their own genealogy and personalities. Monotheism is the belief in the existence of one god, and one god only. Hence, Islam, Judaism and Christianity can be described as monotheistic religions. This singular god is usually depicted as being omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. This high god is usually credited with creating the world, and for giving humankind a moral code to follow. **Using examples, discuss how the religious dimension in human history has contributed to social transformation. (5 marks)** **- 150 words** History is evidence of the fact that religion can be used as a vehicle for social transformation. In the past, religious groups have been active on issues such as ecological sustainability, indigenous rights, gender equality and economic inequality. The religious dimension of human history has had a long history of counter-cultural criticism of the inequalities created by the status quo. For example, traditionally religious groups have advocated the reform of the economic structures of society, in order to decrease the rates of poverty in society. It should be remembered however, that whilst religion is a vehicle of social transformation, religion is also often used as to reaffirm and legitimize the very structures that it also criticises. Thus, the paradox is, that the transformative role of religion in society is to some extents, tempered by the fact that it also reinforces the traditional institutions of society such as slavery and racial inequality. **Identify and account for the location of major Jewish communities in the world today. (5 marks)** **- 150 words** The 3 major global regions where significant numbers of Jews are located are: the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. The US and Israel are the two largest centres of Jews in the world. Many Jews are also located in Europe, in the countries of France , Britain and Germany. Many Jews are located in Europe as a result of the early Jewish history of persecutions by groups such as the Romans, the Babylonians, and the Assyrians who sent the Jews into exile. The 10 largest national populations of Jews in the world are: (in ascending numerical order): USA, Israel, France, Argentina, Palestine, Canada, Brazil, Britain, Russia and Germany. There are a significant number of Jews in the US because during the 20th century the US permitted a large number of Jews to migrate there, and granted them American citizenship. The reason behind the large number of Jews in Israel is that Judaism started in the ancient land of Israel, which was known in the past, as the Promised Land of Canaan. Following the genocide of Jews by Hitler's Nazi Party in World War II the United Nations assisted to set up a Jewish homeland in this ancient land of Canaan in 1948. The establishment of a Jewish home state greatly assisted to increase the global population of Jews.
 * 1) **Using examples, explain the meaning of the terms animism, polytheism and monotheism**
 * 2) **Explain why the most significant numbers of Hindus and Buddhists are found in Asia**
 * 3) **Using examples, discuss how the religious dimension in human history has contributed to social transformation.**
 * 4) **Identify and account for the location of major Jewish communities in the world today**

=<span style="clear: both; color: #993300; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;">Specimen Questions = ==<span style="background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; clear: both; color: #993300; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; text-align: left;">Sample Responses == **Account for the increase in the popularity of new expressions of religion and spirituality. (5 marks) - 150 words** There are numerous reasons as to why new expressions of religion are becoming increasingly popular. The most significant reason for the growth in new age religions is that they can provide personal fulfilment, in ways which traditional religious practices cannot. This search for personal fulfilment needs to be seen in conjunction with the belief held by many that guidance given by traditional religious groups is meaningless and irrelevant. This dissatisfaction of traditional religious institutions is a result of various factors. One prominent factor is the abuse scandals which have been brought to light by the media, which has the affect of diminishing the authority of Church leaders. Another reason for the growth of new age religions is that given this increasing secularity of society where traditional religious ethical guidance is increasingly seen as meaningless, it is almost inevitable that people will turn to new age religions, to provide an ethical code or a mechanism to determine ethical guidelines. Another aspect of modern society which has contributed to the growth of new age religions is the modern cult of individualism. In a society which emphasises individualism over communalism, some people may be left feeling isolated and alienated. As a result some people may turn to new age religions to fill this void, as new age religions can provide a sense of community and belonging. <span style="display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; padding-bottom: 25px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 508px;"> =<span style="clear: both; color: #993300; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;">Specimen Questions = ==<span style="background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; clear: both; color: #993300; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; text-align: left;">Sample Responses == **Outline the features of atheism and agnosticism (5 marks) - 150 words** Atheism is the disbelief in the existence of transcendental beings. Therefore, atheists believe that nothing exists outside of the human. Since there is nothing outside of the human, there is no ultimate purpose to human life, and no life beyond physical death. Atheists have come to this conclusion after examining evidence which is supposed to point towards the existence of a transcendental reality. Atheists regard such evidence as inconclusive and insufficient to prove what it is meant to prove. According to atheists therefore, the world did not come about as a result of the actions of god or gods but through scientific processes such as the Big Bang and evolution. Agnosticism is the belief that at the current time, evidence pointing towards the existence of a divine reality is insufficient. But agnostics have not closed the question of the existence of god or gods altogether. Agnostics say that they will believe in the notion of god or gods, if at a future date, there is more sufficient, conclusive empirical evidence to support the existence of god or gods. Non-religious humanism is a secular answer to the search for personal fulfilment for some individuals. Humanism is an active philosophy, which includes atheists and addresses the fundamental religious questions by stating that this life and this world are all we have. Since, there are no such things as god or gods, we have control over our lives and our destinies. Humanists aspire to help themselves, and other people to live full, happy lives because of their belief that this life is the only life we have. Since humanists do not believe in the existence of a transcendental being or beings, humanists in their search for personal fulfilment reject the notion of life after physical life, and the idea that the world was created by a divine being. H umanists turn to human life and experience to base our moral codes upon. From human experience, humanists have concluded that human rationality, compassion and intelligence make us capable of improving not only our own lives but also the lives of others. Therefore, humanism because it believes in the supreme value of the human being, gives meaning to the lives of some individuals by emphasising this doctrine of social and communal responsibility. Humanists stress therefore, that h uman potential is far greater then current achievement and hence all humanists should aspire to reach this potential. Rational and scientific humanism are two separate schools of humanism. Historically, rational humanism, which is also popularly known as secular humanism began during the Age of Enlightenment, a European intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries. This spirit of rational progress influenced the development of rational humanism because one of its key tenets is the notion that human progress through rational thought can be used to improve the quality of life for all of humankind. Furthermore, the Enlightenment suffused rational humanism with the democratic belief in the equality of all people. Scientific humanism or modern humanism, as its latter name suggests, is a relatively modern 20th century approach to humanism. This school of humanism emphasises the importance of science and technology in helping human beings to better the state of the world for other human beings. Many scientific humanists are heavily involved in contemporary issues such as environmental degradation, world peace, poverty, economic inequalities and the threat of nuclear war.
 * 1) **Account for the increase in the popularity of new expressions of religion and spirituality**
 * 2) **Explain how scientific progress and disenchantment with traditional religious practice and guidance have contributed to the growth of new expressions of religion and spirituality**
 * 1) **Outline the features of atheism and agnosticism**
 * 2) **Explain how humanism contributes to the search for personal fulfilment for some individuals**
 * 3) **Explain what is meant by the terms rational humanism and scientific humanism**
 * Explain how humanism contributes to the search for personal fulfilment for some individuals. (5 marks)** **- 150 words**
 * Explain what is meant by the terms rational humanism and scientific humanism. (5 marks)** **- 150 words**

=<span style="clear: both; color: #993300; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;">Specimen Questions = ==<span style="background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; clear: both; color: #993300; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; text-align: left;">Sample Responses == **Outline the features of atheism and agnosticism (5 marks) - 150 words** Atheism is the disbelief in the existence of transcendental beings. Therefore, atheists believe that nothing exists outside of the human. Since there is nothing outside of the human, there is no ultimate purpose to human life, and no life beyond physical death. Atheists have come to this conclusion after examining evidence which is supposed to point towards the existence of a transcendental reality. Atheists regard such evidence as inconclusive and insufficient to prove what it is meant to prove. According to atheists therefore, the world did not come about as a result of the actions of god or gods but through scientific processes such as the Big Bang and evolution. Agnosticism is the belief that at the current time, evidence pointing towards the existence of a divine reality is insufficient. But agnostics have not closed the question of the existence of god or gods altogether. Agnostics say that they will believe in the notion of god or gods, if at a future date, there is more sufficient, conclusive empirical evidence to support the existence of god or gods. Non-religious humanism is a secular answer to the search for personal fulfilment for some individuals. Humanism is an active philosophy, which includes atheists and addresses the fundamental religious questions by stating that this life and this world are all we have. Since, there are no such things as god or gods, we have control over our lives and our destinies. Humanists aspire to help themselves, and other people to live full, happy lives because of their belief that this life is the only life we have. Since humanists do not believe in the existence of a transcendental being or beings, humanists in their search for personal fulfilment reject the notion of life after physical life, and the idea that the world was created by a divine being. H umanists turn to human life and experience to base our moral codes upon. From human experience, humanists have concluded that human rationality, compassion and intelligence make us capable of improving not only our own lives but also the lives of others. Therefore, humanism because it believes in the supreme value of the human being, gives meaning to the lives of some individuals by emphasising this doctrine of social and communal responsibility. Humanists stress therefore, that h uman potential is far greater then current achievement and hence all humanists should aspire to reach this potential. Rational and scientific humanism are two separate schools of humanism. Historically, rational humanism, which is also popularly known as secular humanism began during the Age of Enlightenment, a European intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries. This spirit of rational progress influenced the development of rational humanism because one of its key tenets is the notion that human progress through rational thought can be used to improve the quality of life for all of humankind. Furthermore, the Enlightenment suffused rational humanism with the democratic belief in the equality of all people. Scientific humanism or modern humanism, as its latter name suggests, is a relatively modern 20th century approach to humanism. This school of humanism emphasises the importance of science and technology in helping human beings to better the state of the world for other human beings. Many scientific humanists are heavily involved in contemporary issues such as environmental degradation, world peace, poverty, economic inequalities and the threat of nuclear war.
 * 1) **Outline the features of atheism and agnosticism**
 * 2) **Explain how humanism contributes to the search for personal fulfilment for some individuals**
 * 3) **Explain what is meant by the terms rational humanism and scientific humanism**
 * Explain how humanism contributes to the search for personal fulfilment for some individuals. (5 marks)** **- 150 words**
 * Explain what is meant by the terms rational humanism and scientific humanism. (5 marks)** **- 150 words**

=<span style="clear: both; color: #993300; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-weight: lighter; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;">Glossary =
 * < **Age of Enlightenment** ||< 18 th century European intellectual movement that advocated the use of reason and rationality . The Age of Enlightenment believed that rationality should form the basis a moral, intellectual and aesthetic code for a society that was characterised by human progress. ||
 * < **Agnosticism** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Agnosticism is the belief that at the present time, there is insufficient evidence to prove the existence of God. ||
 * < **Atheism** ||< Doctrine that God or gods do not exist. ||
 * < **Humanism** ||< Philosophy which rejects the notion of the transcendent, and hence this life and this world are all that matters. Therefore, human beings should try to live full happy lives, and make it easier for others to do the same. Humanism is grounded in the belief that human endeavour, experience, intelligence and compassion are the foundations for all moral values. ||
 * < **Rational Humanism** ||< <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">(also known as secular humanism) Philosophy which proclaims that the use compassion, equality, morality, ethics and most importantly reason can be used to build a better world for humankind. ||
 * < **Renaissance** ||< Cultural movement which began in 14th century Europe which witnessed the rediscovery of the writings of philosophers from classical antiquity, and resulted in a revival o f learning, art and science. ||
 * < Scientific Humanism ||< (also known as modern humanism) Philosophy which places a significant emphasis upon science and technology to address global problems such as poverty, environmental degradation, and social inequalities. ||
 * < **Secularism** ||< Is the process of a society becoming more secular. Secularisation can be seen in the diminishing relevance of religious values for the integration and legitimation of everyday life in society. Furthermore, the declines in religious affiliation, church attendance, prayer, numbers of clergy and religious orders are all signs of secularisation. ||
 * < Transcendent ||< Belief that a divine power/s or being/s beyond the human. ||
 * < **Utilitarianism** ||< Consequensialist form of ethical theory, which asserts the notion that what is good, is what brings the greatest happiness for the greatest number. ||

<span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;"> = <span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">   =