[18] [16b] Stan's family was first exposed to Christianity on the missions in outback NSW where many were forced to live after losing their traditional homelands. ", [1] The lessons that Ngardi and Tunku would learn would become sacred and would be cemented in the foundations of our landscapes and become a central part of our lore shared from generation-to-generation through our stories, songs and dances. Those who follow Aboriginal Spirituality believe that ancestor spirit beings formed the land and founded the life on the land. ... Sacred sites, forms of art, ... – A free PowerPoint PPT presentation (displayed as a Flash slide show) on PowerShow.com - id: 4207cd-Y2RhM In higher range responses, candidates recognised the significance of the religious dimension and accurately outlined two or three areas of significance for the individual and/or the community. 'Spiritual art chosen for Youth Day', Koori Mail 414 p.4, Korff, J 2020, Aboriginal Christians & Christianity, , retrieved 1 October 2020. It determines all relationships and responsibilities for Aboriginal people. You understand the spirituality when you see rainbow serpent rock (creator of the waterways), and feel strength of creation when you visit other significant rock formations that keep our connection with local custodians, to country and other Aboriginal people. "It was a Christian show," Russell remembers. The Dreaming is not regarded as myth by Aboriginal people. emu) A confirmed agnostic reflects on a lifetime of being outside of faith, looking in, and discovers a sort of serenity. As you follow the cultural landscape through the teaching rocks and the dreaming story you begin to learn that this is not just a mountain with beautiful views that surrounds her, it is cultural connection to a prehistoric history told through the trees and the rocks. So the main feature of Aboriginal spirituality is the obligation to look after the land and pass this obligation to future generations (Calma. Candidates who gained marks in the highest range made insightful and sustained comments about social duty and obligation, personal desires and the enduring questions of human existence. ", "For many people globally, the coming of Christianity meant the end of traditional beliefs. These responses showed limited judgment and were mainly descriptive. In the weaker responses, candidates made simple statements about a practice in Islam or Islam in general. But these are not the only options; there are now a number of faiths in which LGBT+ people are not merely accepted, but affirmed.

', Koori Mail 424 p.26 Aboriginal people: Ethical principles and codes of behaviour are not taken lightly in Aboriginal society, as these are recorded through the oral tradition of the Dreaming. Elders’ expressions are filled with excitement, and for some it seemed like they channelled our ancestors, as they retold stories of our past. 'Darwin could be 'spiritual mecca'', Koori Mail 473 p.33 It in no way conflicts with my chosen faith. And then it came to me... All I knew is that I had to change my life, and this was the way. It is seen as a reality which consists of the past, present and future Attendance was mandatory and they made sure of it by sending agents to check up on them. Christianity was embraced and the light of God was welcomed into our everyday lives with our culture informing and playing a huge role in shaping our understanding.". Why not explore what Australian governments also want to keep under lock and key? The underlying argument was that Aboriginal people were so low on scale of human development that their needs were discounted. The creation stories were the most common Dreamtime stories. The Tasmanian Aboriginal word for mutton bird is yula. In weaker responses, candidates made statements on the chosen ethical teaching or described cultural rather than religious beliefs. SBS acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia. Question 2: Christianity. This document should be read along with the relevant syllabus, the 2010 Higher School Certificate examination, the marking guidelines and other support documents which have been developed by the Board of Studies to assist in the teaching and learning of Studies of Religion I and Studies of Religion II. Through this connection, all objects are living and share the same soul and spirit Aboriginal people share. In mid-range responses, candidates attempted some judgement of how the statement reflects the influence of Buddhism, supporting their view with HSC course content and terminology. In higher range responses, candidates provided details of some of the ways in which Aboriginal spirituality is closely linked to belonging to country. These candidates supported their interpretation with detailed, relevant and accurate information using aspects of Buddhism. It was a wonderful adaptation and innovation on our traditional society. Reference to sacred texts, beliefs and the ethical teachings of Christianity was limited. Aboriginal spirituality doesn't have any sacred texts or writings, they do however have important stories which have been passed down throughout their history.

Richard Campbell from the Gumbaingirr and Dhungutti people recalls the moment when he realised how close Christian and Aboriginal stories can be [20]. Noel Loos interweaves his own more than twenty years' personal experience with Yarrabah and other Queensland Aboriginal communities along with the voices of Aboriginal people, missionaries, and those who sat in the pews and on subcommittees and Boards in the cities. Aboriginal spirituality is heavily linked to land, they say “it’s like picking up a piece of dirt and saying this is where I started and this is where I’ll go. Gulaga Mountain (or Mount Gulaga, located on the far south coast of NSW)is one of the most significant places to Aboriginal people of the Yuin Nation. ‘The earth, their country, is “impregnated with the power of the Ancestor Spirits” which Aboriginal people draw upon’. You see and feel the spirituality and connection written in the landscape, this keeps us connected to country and an understanding how we are connected physically and spiritually to the land and to each other. Sacred Sites "I read his book and that got me interested in Islam and I started to learn about religion," Mundine says [12]. [8] "My people also believe in a divine single creator – Baiame. At a time when religion is skewered and mocked freely, how do you investigate another’s faith without exploiting it? According to Aboriginal belief, all life as it is today – human, plant and animal – is a part of a vast unchanging network of relationships which can be traced to the ancestral spirits of the Dreaming. Reconciling Aboriginal spirituality with Christianity: believe in God and not the institution. Our Aboriginal spirituality is a link from the past to the present a shared pathway that helps us to understand more about where we come from and who we are as people. He had been out all night "on the grog". He was influenced through Malcolm X. Aboriginal people lived by several signs that can be compared to Christian elements [9]: Steve, an Aboriginal man from the Sydney region, told me that he does not believe in the Dreamtime or Indigenous spirits. In higher range responses, candidates displayed a comprehensive understanding of the religious tradition and integrated their knowledge in responding to the question. Most candidates were able to link this section of the question to part a (i).

‘This belief is ‘geosophical’ (earth-centered) and not ‘theosophical’ (God-centered)’ ("What is Aboriginal spirituality?

It is our cultural connection to country – our spirituality. [7a] Candidates included a broad range of scriptural quotes, teachings and many provided examples of initiatives for peace. 'Badu hosts 'Origin'', Koori Mail 434 p.14 In lower range responses, candidates drew on one aspect of the source material such as ‘men and women’ or ‘here and now’ or ‘strenuous activity’ and presented responses on these without reference to the significance of the religious dimension.

Since many Aboriginal people have been in missions and subject to Christianisation it would surprise if these influences hadn't manifested in their spirituality. What is the 'Dreamtime' or the 'Dreaming'. I couldn't wait to get to church that night." Elders: Our Elders play a special role handing down these dreaming stories.

Many forms, including body art, painting, carved trees, rock art, bark painting and funerary poles (S knight, page 1 – www.creativespirits.com) Aboriginal people make no distinction between the secular and spiritual life. It is reality - Dreaming is expressed in ceremonies, dance, … ‘The land is their mother, their mother is the land.

Our spirituality teaches us that even a negative has a positive, if you only have the patience to explore. The Uniting Church in Australia Constitution, https://www.victas.uca.org.au/aboutus/Documents/Constitution.pdf, retrieved 5/8/2015 Traditions and customs such as preservation of the land and native land title I'm very passionate about.