In what ways does Source 1 incorporate elements of spirituality and religion in the Murri people's preparation for Christmas?
Source 1 displays the aspects of the Indigenous culture and spirituality during the festive season. It acknowledges the native Indigenous Aboriginals of Australia; specifically their land, sea, and their inhabitants. This source is almost a manual, giving instructions to what is to be done, being a step by step process in acknowledging “the light Jesus brought into the world”. “The light”, as Jesus is described, is a symbol of Truth and Righteousness, opposite to Darkness as that of Hell and Evil. The ceremony starts with a spiritual act of a coolamon being placed with stones every week, including the act of placing
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Through traditional rituals of acknowledging how people were brought onto this earth according to the Christian faith, the Muri people who were native to this land present their spiritual significance and religion. The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry created this prayer in respect to remind all Australians of the way native Australians celebrate Christmas. It is used to reaffirm the meaning of the Murri people's religion and spirituality by acknowledging its separateness from humdrum life. Incorporating the way of Indigenous Australians in celebrating Jesus’ birthday is demonstrated in Source 1 as a way of acknowledging God the creator and Aboriginal, Murri …show more content…
The image enforces the meaning of Christmas being lost, and that the people need to be aware of this now sacrilegious, laic time. The source displays the change from sacred Australia, which was a time of religion, to a more secular period. The source presents the contemporary cultural values of Australians today, often disassociating themselves from holy, divine objects, places or people. Losing their sacred connectedness to God or their purpose with religion. Taking Christ out of the equation presents how Jesus has been neglected by those supposed Christians of the modern day, who have forgotten the sole meaning of Christmas and their religion. This image imposes a reinforced message through an image presenting secularism of contemporary Australian Christmas with the words “missing”, and “what Jesus has become”. The view of Source 3 displays that anything of great importance in the religious sense, including Jesus, in temporal culture which exists in Australia is lost.
Religion used to be the separation of the sacred from the profane. The sacred refers to that which is set apart from society, and mundane life. The profane, on the other hand, is everything else, all those mundane things like jobs, bills, and chores. Through religion, the practice of maintaining the distance between the two realms of the sacred and profane world is in tact. By attending church,
This sacred space is enclosed with a corridor of stones leading away which represents a Bora. The Bora was a traditional meeting ground of Aboriginals which in this ritual is another connection to their ancestry and spirituality. Connecting with the land has been a vital part of Aboriginal spirituality despite the catholic prominence. Source 1 also ties in with Christian beliefs as well as Aboriginal spirituality with it’s references to “God the creator” and the recollection of Jesus being the light of the world. A candle is placed to acknowledge the light Jesus brought into the world which shows the deep connection to Jesus and Christmas which celebrates Jesus birth. At the centre of the Murri people’s worship place a coolamon which is an area a baby could be placed is created to symbolism Jesus’s Manger. Through source 1 it is shown that religion and spirituality can go side by side in contemporary society by
Source 1 (a prayer ceremony to prepare for christmas) is the process in which the Murri people have a preparation to celebrate a ceremony/ celebration (in this case christmas). Spirituality is defined as “kinds of activity through which a person seeks meaning”(Wikipedia), so the individual searches deep in themselves to find their meaning/moral etc. Religion can be defined in many ways but is best described as “a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs” (Dictionary.com).
In “eating Christmas in the Kalahari desert” by Richard Borshay Lee we get to experience a story about an upcoming anthropologist who is living with the! Kung Bushmen tribe. Lee is currently introducing and practicing ethnographic techniques on their lifestyle. The! Kung Bushmen tribe is considered not so different from the everyday human. They just have beliefs and morals they have to follow as being part of their tribe. Lee came to study the culture of these people but he didn’t know the importance of Christmas to them. As a way to repay them for teaching him about their culture, Lee decided to buy a beautiful ox to enjoy for the Christmas dinner. This ox was the most beautiful and delicious food he had seen. Too much surprise Lee’s thoughtfulness
But what it will do, is offer the Aboriginal Australian’s an inclusive date that does not possess direct ties to the anguish of their ancestors,
Australian’s choose not to recognise the religious meaning behind some of the most significant Christian holidays; Christmas and Easter, which when put simply celebrates the birth and resurrection of Christ. While people may s...
The Australian War Memorial website has a section dedicated to the tradition of ANZAC Day which explains its cultural importance to Australians and the rituals which surround commemoration services
... Religious Customs, History, Legends, and Symbols from around the World; Supplemented by a Bibliography and Lists of Christmas Web Sites and Associations. Detroit, Mich: Omnigraphics, 2003. Print.
This day is to remember and commemorate the mistreatment of the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. In Source A, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had apologised publicly on behalf of what happened in the Stolen Generations and the Voting Rights in his speech. In Source A, Kevin Rudd had said “We reflect on their past mistreatment.”, this meant that Kevin Rudd was apologizing for what past White Australians had done.Aboriginal People had accepted the apology Mr. Rudd had given the Aboriginals. The Aboriginals have lived out the 5th Beatitude of “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Aboriginals had lived out this Commandment because they showed mercy and accepted the apology of Kevin Rudd. This is how Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders had lived out the Beatitudes throughout their
People often associate Christmas time with Pine Trees, presents, and Santa Claus, but never stop to think about how other Christian cultures such as the African American ones in New Bern,Jamaica, and the Caribbean celebrate this time of year.The contrast between the African-American celebrations called Jonkonnu, and American Christmas celebrations is profound to anybody. The celebrations are with tightly knitted communities that use music,dance, and songs to express their appreciation of one another instead of the tradition of gift-giving. Jonkonnu is an African-American Christmas celebration which takes place in New Bern, Jamaica, and the Caribbean.
The spirit of Christmas continues, as the notable star is place at the tip-top of the Christmas tree. When comprehending the birth of Jesus Christ, one will soon learn of the part of the story that is about a star that led the three wise men east, towards the
"religion (ri lij'en), n. 1. A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usu. involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code for conduct of human affairs. 2. A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion. 3. The body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 4. The life or state of a monk, nun, etc: to enter a religion. 5. The practice of religious beliefs: ritual observance of faith. 6. Something a person believes in and follows devotedly. 7. Archaic. Strict faithfulness: devotion."
Following Woods comment “without a religion they have no hope” the European settlers claimed the religion of the Australian Indigenous people to be invalid due to lack of written material evidence and no real shrines or buildings to indicate a place of worship. The Dreaming is the best explanation of Australian Indigenous...
Rituals belonged to Terabithia, as the giants, who threatened it: „’This is not a ordi-nary place, [...]. Even the rulers of Terabithia come into it only at times of greatest sorrow or of grea-test joy.’“ (60). An additional ritual takes place in the story, when Leslie and Jess substitute christmas presents. Jess gives Leslie Prince Terrien, while Leslie’s present is a paint set which is according to Leslie: „’ [...] not a great present like yours.’“ (78). The meaning of this ritual is summed up by Jess: „He wanted to tell her how proud and good she made him feel, that the rest of Christmas didn’t mat-ter because today had been so good.“
Religion is the one element of life that has connected the races and societies of the world for hundreds of years. It has given meaning to lives that may seem otherwise hopeless. Religion has provided for a universal language and culture among those who believe in a higher power. The spirit or being receiving the worship and praise may not be the same, but the practices are usually similar and serve the same purpose--to give direction, insight, courage, and a divine connection.
Religion is commonly defined as a group of beliefs concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such beliefs (Wikipedia, 2006). Most of the major religions have evolved over the centuries into what they are today. In many cultures and times, religion has been the basic foundation of life, permeating all aspects of human existence (Fisher, 2002). Religion is passed on from generation to generation. My religious beliefs were passed on from my relatives on my mother's side. My family has believed in the Catholic faith for many generations. Since I grew up in the Catholic faith I went to Catholic schools my entire childhood. My personal experiences and the Catholic faith made me into the person I am today. Without a religious upbringing I feel that there would have been something missing in my life.