Week 29
Once again no Art and the D.T module has now finished so straight over the specialist R.E. This was a long lesson with plenty of notes
The lesson started with the assessment task:
If religion generated everything that is essential in society, that is because the idea of society is the soul of society.
Discuss this statement with reference to Smarts social dimensions of religion. Choose an early religion and focus on its communal and social significance.
Where and how did it originate
What evidence is there of early beliefs and practices (i.e sacrifice)
Is it monotheistic, polytheistic, atheistic
What concepts of God are central to religion
What extent has your early religion influenced socio-religious practice in one or more mainstream world faiths
To what extent do you agree with the statement and why
I made note that a good way to write the essay is to introduce the chosen religion and why it was chosen, for the middle part focus on the above bullet points and to conclude write about whether you agree or disagree and to what extent.
The next part of the lesson took us to Chinese and Japanese concepts of God. These tend to focus on the ethics that nothing should be harmed and keeps a very strict self-discipline.
We then looked at a Japanese/Chinese timeline:
4000-2205 B.C.E
Neolithic
2205-1766 B.C.E
Hsia Dynasty
1765-1050 B.C.E
Shang Dynasty
1050-256 B.C.E
Chou Dynasty
Taoism
Confucius
Confucius includes things such as education to be set up for a wider range of people. Relationship balance, the husband is more superior to the wife. Do onto others as you would wish to be done onto yourself.
Rituals ceremonies
Mythological Tian God shallow beliefs
Doctrinal All came a lot later
Ethical Treat others as you wish to be treated
Hierarchy Education for all
Social Education and hierarchy
Experiential Through good actions you get closer to God.
Taoism (pronounced Dowism).
Ying-Yang symbol balance.
Yin black female, Yang White Male.
Shinto
Prominent in Japan.
The way of the Gods.
Superior beings, afraid of forces of nature, Gods get angry!
Ritual washing, honesty and sincerity, offerings made to Gods, magic and spell rituals.
Mythological The Kami (a superior being)
Doctrinal Chronicles of Japan
Ethical Strong on honesty and sincerity
I apologise that the above notes seem messy.
The second of my R.E lessons was based on Islam. We learned that the journey Muslims take to Mecca is called the Hajj, and they worship the God Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.
There are 5 pillars of Islam:
Creed
Prayer
Fasting
Almsgiving
Pilgrimage
Muhammad
Born at Mecca 570 C.E
Angel Gabriel revealed the Quran to Muhammad when he was 23 years old
622 C.E, the first Muslim community was established
Died at Mecca, 632 C.E
www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/learningzone/clips
The Quran
Actual word of God
Shariah law (rules of living)
No translation except for study
114 suras
Doctrine of Islam
One God
Angels
Prophets and scriptures
Allah last judgement
Ramadan is the festival that involves no eating during day light hours. The time of Ramadan varies across the year.
www.bl.uk/learning/cult/sacred/stories
www.primaryresources.co.uk/re/re-islam.html
www.juniors.reonline.org.uk/nframe.php?
www.islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/worship/fasting/article08.shtml
www.juniors.reonline.org.uk/nframe.php?
www.re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk/re/pilgrimage