Transcript HSC Studies of Religion

HSC
Studies of Religion
Task:
Religion and Belief Systems in Australia
Post 1945
General Feedback
General Feedback
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Use of stimulus:
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Most referred directly to stimulus.
Majority used percentages rather than actual full numbers. This
is preferred.
Some misinterpreted the information or misunderstood nature
of the stimulus.
Don’t add up statistics. Only use what is provided.
Use the statistics to back up your point (with own research and
reading).
Use your statistics first and then justify their use with your
points and arguments. Don’t put your stats in the last
paragraph. It looks like a token effort and makes your answer
disjointed.
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Addressing the question – Most understood nature of the question.
Remember that the key verbs were underlined.
Use both the stimulus and your own wide reading from a number of sources
to address the question.
Trying to use examples from your own experience only (your own
understanding of contemporary society / Christian practice etc) left the
answer without strength. Your text and readings provide plenty of reasons to
refer to.
Remember that you should structure your answer with a short paragraph on
each main point. (for short responses like these)
Some listed the points in one paragraph rather than explained them. Some
concentrated on one point and spent too long on it. Keep a balance to earn
the most marks.
Most went straight into their points. This was good. Some wrote essay like
introductions which were very general in nature, but didn’t really say much.
Get straight to the main points in short responses.
Listen carefully to verbal as well as written instructions. You were all told not
to type up your answers and stick them on. This disadvantages the rest of the
group who wrote them (you can fit more typed words on a line than written
words).
General tips
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Read everything you can get your hands on before starting a
question. Wide reading leads to stronger answers
Plan your time effectively. 5 weeks should have been plenty.
Some answers look very hurried, unplanned and were not
edited.
In a task like this, the answers you handed in should not
have been your first attempt. Draft and refine your work.
Get someone else to read your work before handing it in.
Sometimes answers that make sense to you may not be
easily understood by others.
Make sure you understand terminology. Denominational
switching was misused by some students to refer to
changing from one religion to another. It only refers to
changing between variants (denominations) of one religion.
1) Explain the term Native Title and
its significance to Aboriginal
Land Rights. (8 lines – 3 marks)
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The High Court case in 1992 of Mabo vs. Queensland first
found that Native Title existed
The Native title act of 1993 recognised the existence of Native
Title in law.
It laid down the guidelines and structures by which Indigenous
people could pursue Native Title in cases where it is believed that
their traditional rights had not been extinguished. This gave them
access to their land and therefore their spirituality.
This overturned the misconception of ‘Terra Nullius’
Legitimate purchase of land did extinguish Native Title
The case didn’t look at the issue of Pastoral Leases.
2) With reference to the stimulus above,
explain the significance of the Mabo
decision for black and white
Australia. (16 lines – 4 marks)
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The term Mabo refers to the 1992 Australia High Court
judgement in the Mabo v. Queensland case. Murray
(Mer) Island people led by Eddie Mabo sought title
over their traditional lands.
The Court found that land title of Indigenous people
was recognised under Common Law.
The decision meant that where indigenous people could
show continuous occupancy of and connection with
their traditional lands, that was in accordance with their
traditions, Native Title could be said to exist, unless
specifically extinguished by the Crown.
It rejected absolutely the early colonists concept of
‘Terra Nullius’, the belief that Australia was unoccupied
and had no prior system of land ownership
It gave no new rights to Indigenous people, rather it
recognised their traditional legal rights.
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The stimulus shown is part of an anti-Mabo campaign, that was
developed within mainstream white Australia during the court
case.
It was feared by many non-indigenous people that the Mabo
Decision would ‘ruin economies, arrest development, lower
living standards, change life styles and divide Australia society’
The anti-Mabo campaigners tried to emphasis the importance of
treating everyone equally, and not granting Indigenous people
‘extra’ rights.
They developed a scare campaign about the possibility of
Indigenous people claiming Native Title over individuals homes.
This was a misconceived concept, as the Mabo did not give new
rights to Indigenous people, it recognised their traditional rights,
to land that had not been legitimately purchased, and continuous
connections with the land could been proven.
3) Describe the importance of the
Wik decision on Aboriginal Land
Rights (21 lines – 5 marks)
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The Native Title act of 1993 did not resolve the question of
whether granting pastoral leases extinguished Native Title.
The Wik decision, which clarified this issue was handed down by
the High Court in 1996.
The Wik People sought Native Title over traditional lands which
were at the time under pastoral leases in North Queensland.
Some of this land was used to run cattle, but mostly it was
unused except for its traditional occupation by the Wik people.
The court found that the lease, although allowing the pastoralists
certain rights to run cattle, did not extinguish Native Title, that
the two could co-exist.
The court ruled that where there was conflict between the two,
the pastoral lease would prevail, but it did not confer exclusive
rights of ownership.
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Pastoralists where then given certainty to continue with
grazing and related activities such as building dams and
fences.
At the time of the decision around 42% of Australia’s
mainland was covered by pastoral leases, so this gave
Indigenous people right to access their traditional lands
which they had been previously locked out of, and
increased the amount of Native Title claims.
This decision also allowed Indigenous people to
negotiate directly with pastoralists, outside of the
courts.
This was a major step forward for indigenous people as
it allowed them to access their lands, to regain their
sense of identity through the Dreaming and their
spirituality.
4) With reference to the stimulus
(Change in religious affiliations
(1996-2006 Census), account for
the significant increase in
religious affiliation within the
Buddhist and Hindu religious
traditions in Australia.
(3 marks – 8 lines)
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Refers directly to stimulus
Large increase in immigration from Asian countries
where Buddhism or Hinduism is the predominant
religious tradition.
Provides some examples of such countries.
Buddhist / Hindu immigrants from Asian Countries
having children who are brought up in parents religious
tradition.
Changes to Australia’s immigration policies since
abolition of White Aust Policy allowed for Asian
immigration.
Rising population of Eastern religions amongst Angloceltic (and/or European) Australians.
5) With reference to the stimulus
(Change in religious affiliations
(1996-2006 Census), suggest and
briefly explain the reasons why
the Anglican, Presbyterian and
Reformed Variants of
Christianity have experienced
negative growth rates.
(15 lines – 4 marks)
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Refers directly to stimulus
Explains Denominational switching
Describes the current denominational switching trend of
moving from liberal / traditional churches to more
conservative evangelical / Pentecostal churches with
conservative theology. Expecting higher levels of
commitment / accountability.
Pentecostal churches (eg Hillsong have contemporary and
engaging appeal) often have very aggressive evangelism.
Younger people are more attracted to this rather than
traditional liberal churches.
Formation of Uniting Church (Presbyterian, Methodist,
Congregationalist) in 1977, obviously took members from
Presbyterian Church and other reformed.
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Aging population not replaced in churches with
younger members (or immigrants with Anglican, Pres
and reformed affiliation are a much smaller proportion
of total immigrant population in recent times).
Drifters: Not committing to a life long commitment
to one church. More likely to shop around and look for
stronger community, better preaching / pastoral care,
differing theology, engaging worship etc.
A growing trend of switchers and drifters looking for
more conservative theology and exclusivity and a
deeper level of commitment. This ‘absolutism’ is
possibly a reaction against the post modern pluralistic
approach to today’s subjectivity and individualism.
6) With reference to the stimulus
(Change in religious affiliations
(1996-2006 Census), outline end
explain the reasons why the ‘No
Religion’ category has experienced
significant growth between 1996 –
2006. (17 lines – 4 Marks)
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Refers directly to stimulus ie 25.7% rise in no
religion.
Main reason: Rise in secularism (a trend not an
organised movement)
Sexual abuse of children by clergy. Has led to
loss of moral authority, respect and trust.
Rise of individualism over community /society
values and norms. Individuals make moral
decisions without guidance of a church.
Acceptance of pluralism of thought.
Privacy issues in filling census. May be distorted
figure. Eg. Australian Jews
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Introduction of ‘No religion’ category in
Resurgence of rationalist / humanist ideas originating
during the enlightenment. Science, logic and reason
was determined to be more suitable for matters of state
than religious principles. This has led to a trend away
from religious adherence.
General trend of suspicion / rejection of authority
figures (Gov’t, church), because of patriarchal nature.
Feminism, civil rights movement (in USA).
Established religion has lost its monopoly of influence
on answering the basic / fundamental questions of life.
Materialism has replaced Supreme being for worship.
Religion no longer serving a purpose in the lives of
people
A sign of the times is the opening up of many “New Age”
shops, selling things from crystals to books on Eastern
philosophies. There is a real smorgasbord of products
aimed at those who are “shopping around” for things
spiritual. It suits our pluralistic, consumer age.
Yet it is also a sign of the spiritual confusion of our times.
Many years ago, a work colleague of mine said that he
didn't belong to any church. He was a “Callithumpian,” he
said. I wish I had known the real meaning of the word at
the time. “Callithumpian” comes from “calathus”, Latin
for a rubbish bin, and it means that the person has
retrieved all the ideas that other people have rejected and
thrown out.
Source: The Challenge of the New Age: Where Lies the Real Challenge?
by Brian Incigneri http://www.ccr.org.au/newage.html
7) Describe the rise of New Age
religions in Australia and with
reference to the statement above,
discuss what impact they are having
on Australia’s religious landscape
(25 lines – 5 marks)
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Directly refers to stimulus
New Age religions suiting needs in
contemporary society due to its individual
nature. No corporate worship, no need for
conformity of practice, or commitment of
membership
Abandonment of religious adherence but
continuing a spiritual search for meaning. New
age provides smorgasboard of beliefs, products
and practices that meet the needs of searchers.
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Increased suspicion and disillusionment with authority
since Vietnam (Civil rights and feminism movements).
New Age religions provide an alternative to this.
Church has provided in adequate spiritual guidance,
loss of moral authority, churches sexual abuse scandals.
Rise of individualism, inner potential, self help. This
trend of finding one’s own spiritual fulfilment rather
than relying on religion to provide it.
New Age movement a reflection of a consumerist
society. Shopping for spiritual fulfilment (Tarot, Palm
readings etc and spiritual products (crystals, jewellry
and services) as accepted as getting a facial or massage.
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Impact of New Age religions on Australia’s religious
landscape
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Australia has changed in nature from a predominantly
Christian country to a multi cultural, multi-faith society. The
new age movement has fulfilled a needed niche in what has
become a spiritual marketplace. The choice of religious
traditions (and the variants within them) available because of
changed immigration policies and a trend away from
community as the governing cultural influence has changed
the fabric of our nation’s culture. In an increasingly, secular
culture, New Age religions have become an accepted way to
fulfil a person’s search for meaning.