SoR2 Prelim Nature of Re + The Dreaming Alison Lucantonio

The Nature of Religion

Religion as a worldview that acknowledges the supernatural
dimension and has a belief in a divine being or powers
beyond the human or dwelling within the individual
Supernatural Dimension: Beyond the natural, measurable world. It
acknowledges the existence of a deeper reality beyond surface
appearances.
Transcendent: A spiritual presence that is not confined by time or
space. Exists in a realm outside human understanding.
Immanent: Presence of a spiritual being within the individual and in
every aspect of ones life.
Monotheism: Belief in one god
Theism: Belief in a god
Polytheism: Belief in many gods
Animism: Belief in a supernatural being or god to organise the world
Pantheism: Belief that god is in everything within the natural world
Characteristics of religion
Beliefs and believers
Sacred texts/ writings
Ethics
Rituals/ ceremonies
Characteristics of religion: The guidelines of interlocking concepts
that a belief system must have to be considered a living and
dynamic religion
Beliefs and believers: The views thoughts and teachings of a
religious system and the ways that they are applied
Sacred texts and writings: The sources of beliefs and teachings
Ethics: Behaviours that are expected of believers eg. Tikkun Olan
Rituals and ceremonies: The actions that believers are required to
participate in as part of their belief systems
Living and dynamic religion: A religion that is changing and keeping
up with current issues and displaying beliefs and teachings on such
issues eg. Sexuality, Gender expression
Characteristics are needed in order for a religion to be living and
dynamic religion. No believers no people for the religion to live on
with. No texts no base for beliefs to change with. No ethics no
behaviours needing to change. No rituals no way to interact with
the religion.
Contribution of Religion
Individual: find true meaning/ place in life, discover fulfilment of life,
source of hope/comfort, explain key questions e.g. suffering and
evil, provides an ethical system
Society: sense of community and belonging from joint purpose,
creation of relationships
SoR2 Prelim Nature of Re + The Dreaming Alison Lucantonio

Australian Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualties

The Dreaming
Nature of the dreaming
Background: The Dreaming is the essence of Aboriginal spirituality.
It encompasses the spiritual and physical reality, establishes a code
of morals and rules, incorporates the spirit ancestors and their
creative activity in forming the world, and is the continuing and
sacred relationship with the land.
The Dreaming does not exist in the world of ordinary space and
time; instead, it completely surrounds, contains and sustains the
physical world, it is not the past, present or future, but transcends
time.
The Dreaming integrates all these aspects into one idea; however, it
is not vague or surreal as the name may suggest, it is a reality.
Origins: Before time, the land was believed to be featureless, a mass
of matter like a bare plain. It was then that the Dreaming began; the
spirit ancestors rose from their eternal sleep and assumed a variety
of forms, both human and creature.
It was these spirit ancestors who created the earth through an
intense burst of creative action. They shaped the physical features
of the land, determined the design of nature and granted life with
order. They are responsible for bringing all living things into
existence and providing them with a system of law and morality.
Once their activity was complete, the spirit ancestors returned to
their original slumber; however, they still experience a powerful and
aware existence.
Sacred Sites: Sacred sites are a result of important events which
occurred during the Dreaming creation period.
Dreaming tracks are the trails of the lives and movements of
ancestral spirits, they connect sacred sites and contain the spirit
children who are not yet born as plants, animals or humans.
Undergoing a pilgrimage along these ritual paths is called going
Walkabout. It is similar to a moving meditation where body, life and
mind are completely committed to aligning oneself with the powers
of the Dreaming. Progressing through the sacred sites in order of
significance develops higher states of consciousness and
experience.
Stories of the Dreaming: Stories of the Dreaming are a vital tool in
education particularly to children. The stories assist in explaining
how the universe was created, how to behave and how to survive.
They recount events during the period of Dreaming creation and
compose an integral aspect of life for Aboriginals.
Inextricable connection between Dreaming/ land/ identity
The formation of an Aboriginal persons identity is composed of four
fundamental elements; their belief system, spirituality, family and
SoR2 Prelim Nature of Re + The Dreaming Alison Lucantonio

the land. Without any of these elements, Aboriginal life ceases to

exist.
The dreaming is the central source of all understanding, it is
believed to be the key link in forming an Aboriginal identity. The
Dreaming is present in all aspects of life, and therefore, all living
things are connected.
The land is considered a living entity. It is the physical link between
reality and the spiritual world. As Aboriginal people believe they
form part of the land and the land forms part of them, the
relationship between humans and the environment is inextricable.
The identity of an Aboriginal person is formed through every aspect
of the dreaming represented through the land.
The Dreaming establishes the moral, social and psychological bond
and interdependence between humans (identity), ancestral beings
(spirituality) and the natural environment (the land).
Example: The Kutjunka people see the land as a reflection of
humans and vice versa. The land is described as the human skin;
damage to the land is damage to the people.
When European settlers came to Australia, they displaced the
Aboriginal people, separating them from their land, family, and
therefore, spirituality. The effect of this was a complete loss of
identity. This situation demonstrates the inextricable connection
between the Dreaming, land and identity.