J.+Dane

Why is the early period referred to as ‘Hallstatt’? During the above period/culture, on what was the Celts’ wealth based? Why is the later period referred to as ‘La Tene’? What was a distinguishing feature of the above period/culture? = = = __Timeline on the celts__ = __**Hallstatt Period (culture)**__ 1)The earliest phase (1000 to 400 BCE) is named after Hallstatt, a mountain village in Austria with a very early salt-mine. 2) The Celts wealth was based on their abilty to melt iron. 3)The later phase of Celtic Culture is named La Tene, after a site on Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland, where thousands of objects were found in shallow water. 4) Distinguishing features include, Celtic art and knowledge, featuring a highly original curvillnear artstle and remarkably advanced medical and spiritual concepts.

**__What is it?__** Viereckschanzen is a German word that may rectilinear enclosures." The term refers to enigmatic Late Iron Age "ditch-and-berm" constructions and associated archaeological deposits that are still visible in central and western European landscapes. The Viereckschanzen are associated with pre-Roman Celtic populations living at the end of the Iron Age who produced a material culture known as the Late La Tène culture.

**__Where is it found?__** Viereckschanzen are found in a variety of landscape settings, including stream terraces, broad loess plains, and upland slopes and ridge crests. A significant number of sites in upland settings were established near natural springs, suggesting that the provisioning of water was an important consideration in site location. Sites in poorly watered locations often had wells placed in their interiors. Most enclosures that remain intact are sited in forested uplands on terrain unsuited to modern agriculture. Since the early 1980s, intensive aerial reconnaissance and large-scale excavations of cultivated portions of southern Germany have led to the discovery of many Viereckschanzen that had been leveled by plowing. **__Describe it?__** The classic Viereckschanze is identifiable by its standardized form and construction (fig. 1). A typical enclosure was created by excavation of a steep-sided, V-shaped ditch in a square, rectangular, or slightly trapezoidal form. The excavated soil was placed on the inside edge of the ditch, forming a simple earthen berm or rampart. Ditches were maintained through periodic re-excavation. There is some evidence that a wooden palisade or other superstructure was placed along the top of the rampart to increase the height of the walls. Although the ditch was continuous, a single opening was left in the rampart. This opening was usually in the eastern or southern side of the enclosure, but never to the north. Access to the interior required construction of a wooden causeway over the ditch, which led to a small timbered gatehouse erected within the opening of the rampart. Dimensions of the enclosures range from less than 50 meters to more than 100 meters on a side, but most sites are between 80 and 100 meters across and enclose about 1 hectare. At some sites, a rectilinear palisade predated the d be translated as " itched enclosure. About 5 percent of all enclosures have one or more internal divisions or external annexes, such as at Plattling-Pankofen in Bavaria and Mšecké Žehrovice in Bohemia (Czech Republic). Viereckschanzen exhibit considerable diversity in the quantity, character, and arrangement of features in their interiors, such as post-built structures, wells, pits, and hearths. Sites such as Holzhausen, Arnstorf-Wiedmais, and Fellbach-Schmiden had few preserved features within their excavated interiors, perhaps an indication of short-term or intermittent occupation. Other sites, such as Bopfingen-Flochberg and Plattling-Pankofen, contained evidence of more intensive, long-term activities and greater accumulation of cultural debris. Well shafts (often wood lined) and distinctive buildings with wraparound porches or ambulatories are known from a number of excavated sites, but they are not found in all enclosures. What was the purpose of it? It was a cultural site for the ancient Celts.

18/3/10

- Collbaorative Journal Entry One: This lesson i chose the ancient religion i will be researching. i have chosen to study the ancient south american tribe of the Incas.

** __Celtic gods__ ** ** __Brigid (Brigit)__ ** - Emerald Isle -Hibernia -Ireland ** __What function did this goddess have?__ ** She was the goddess of fire, fertility, agriculture, household arts and wisdom. On February 1 or February 2, Brigid is celebrated at the Gaelic festival of Imbolc, when she brings the first stirrings of spring to the land. Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, and some Anglicans mark the day as the Feast of Saint Brigid; the festival is also known as Candlemas and Purification of the Virgin. ** __What stories were told about Brigid?__ ** In the Cath Maige Tuireadh, it is said that she mourns the death of her son ruadan after he was slain while fighting the formorians.
 * __With which country/tribe was the god/goddess associated?__ **
 * __With what is this goddess associated?__ **

Assignment Task. 22.3.1 OUtline __**the principal beliefs concerning the origins of the universe**__


 * In 1450, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui invented a sta**te religion based on the worship of a creator-god called Viracocha, Lord Instructor of the World, the Ancient One, the Old Man of the Sky. Viracocha was the protector on the Sapa Inca, the Emperor. Inti was the Sun-god; Apu Illapu, the rain giver; Mama- Kilya, wife of the sun, was the Moon Mother, regulator of women menstruations.

> Inca religion is an admixture of complex ceremonies, animistic beliefs, various forms of fetishism (believe in objects having magical powers), and nature worship, culminating in worship of the sun. > Umans also were sacrificed: 200 children might be immolated when the Sapa Inca took power... defeats, famine, and pestilence all called for human blood... > The "Chosen Women" were sworn to perpetual chastity... and after death, those who did good, "do not steal, do not lie, don't be lazy", would go to live eternally to the sun's warmth; those who did bad, would go eternally to the cold earth.
 * **__identify the principal beliefs of the religion__**
 * The priests would offer sacrifices mainly of white llamas, and, after chewing coca leaves, summoned the spirits to speak, -"which they did"- by "ventriloquism". The "fire" provides spiritual contact. And before any ceremony, "divination" was, as with the Romans, the prerequisite of all action: Arrangement of coca leaves, taking coca leaves as a narcotic, studying the lungs of a sacrificed llama...


 * __**identify and describe the role of the supernatural powers and deities in the religion? **__


 * ____ __**discuss the relationship between sacred spaces and the beliefs of the religion**__


 * ____ __**identify the principal rituals and examine their significance for the individual and community**__


 * ____ __**explain the relationship between the religion and its society**__

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_civilization
 * ____ __**explain how the religion provides a distinctive response to the search for meaning**__

__**Collaborative Journal**__ __22.3.10__ During this lesson i researched my chosen religion which is the Incas tribe from South America. i collected info for the first two questions or dot point.

28.3.10 Gathered info and finalised powerpoint. collaborated info into an information sheet which i will use as a guide whilst presenting

SST'S Definitions 24/5/10

Covenant- the conditional promises made to humanity by __[|god]__, as revealed in Scripture. T he agreement between God and the ancient Israelites,in which God promised to protect them if they kept Hislaw and were faithful to Him.

Mitzvoth-any of the collection of 613 commandments or precepts inthe __[|Bible]__ and additional ones of rabbinic origin that relatechiefly to the religious and moral conduct of Jews.

Decalogue- the Pentateuch, being the <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">first of <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">the three Jewish <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">divisionsof the Old Testament. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Compare __<span class="ital-inline" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[|//Tanach//] __<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">. <span style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 28px;">**<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">2. ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">a parchment scroll on which the Pentateuch is written, usedin synagogue services. <span style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 28px;">**<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">3. ** <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">the entire body of Jewish religious literature, law, andteaching <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">as <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">contained chiefly <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">in the Old Testament and theTalmud. <span style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 28px;">**<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">4. ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">law or instruction.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Tanach- <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">the three Jewish divisions of the Old Testament, comprising theLaw or Torah, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">the Prophets or <span class="ital-inline" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">//<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Neviim, // <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">and the Hagiographa or <span class="ital-inline" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">//<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Ketuvim, // <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">taken as a whole.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Nevi'im- <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">the Prophets, being the second of the three Jewish divisions of theOld Testament. Ketuvim- <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">is the third and final section of the Tanakh. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Olam- hebrew term for the world.

=__Baptist__=

=**Who We Are**= Australian Baptists are a multi-cultural and multi-generational movement of people serving communities in metropolitan, regional, coastal, rural and remote Australia through a network of almost 1000 churches. We declare that Jesus Christ is Lord! This confession is the foundation of our unity as a movement of churches, supplemented by our shared Biblical beliefs and practices for congregational life, Christian living, and outreach. While we celebrate our unity as a movement of God’s people, we also celebrate our diversity. Each local Baptist church in our movement is autonomous, and responsible for setting its own vision, budget, programs, activities, and decision-making processes. Local churches choose to affiliate together as part of State Unions for fellowship, encouragement, equipping, accountability, mutual ministry and administrative support. The key policy, organisational and administrative functions within the Australian Baptist movement take place at a State and Territory Union level. There is a Baptist Union in each Australian State and the Northern Territory. Our Canberra churches are part of the Baptist Union of NSW. The State and Territory Unions are affiliated with the national body, Australian Baptist Ministries. Through Australian Baptist Ministries, State Unions and local churches partner together in support of key national and international ministries. These ministries are governed by National Council and managed by a National Director. The National Council meets two to three times a year and comprises representatives from each State and Territory Union and the ministries themselves. Current ministries overseen by the BUA include: Baptist World Aid Australia Global Interaction || Australian Baptist Insurance Scheme Australian Baptist Women Baptist Youth Ministries Australia Crossover Crossover Remote || * Affiliated Bodies of the BUA operate under their own Boards, directors and staff. Delegated Bodies of the BUA are supported by Task Forces and report to the National Council through the National Director. The National Council is chaired by the National President, who serves a three-year term. The current President is Rev Dr John Beasy, Senior Pastor of Enfield Baptist Church, South Australia. As well as managing national and international Baptist ministries, Australian Baptist Ministries represents Australian Baptists in national and international spheres of influence. We have strong links with the Baptist World Alliance, connecting us with a fellowship of 214 Baptist Unions and Conventions and a global community of more than 105 million Christians. As well as its role in managing national and international ministries, Australian Baptist Ministries represents Australian Baptists in national and international spheres of influence.
 * Affiliated Bodies * || Delegated Bodies ||
 * Baptist Care Australia

=**What We Value**= Baptist Churches have existed since 1609, and one of the primary reasons our movement developed as a distinctive group among other Protestant Churches is our strong and enduring commitment to the principle of religious liberty for all. We believe every individual believer is free to access God and serve Him in his or her own way (within biblical lines). For this reason Baptist churches are often very different from each other. Some are very traditional, others very radical, and others are somewhere between. We have no prayer book, no bishops, and no hierarchies. We are committed to each church being free to shape its own style, language and ministry. At the same time, there are many things we share in common.

**1. Becoming a Christian**
We are an evangelical church. We believe the Bible to be God's inspired word for us. We look to the Bible to discover the mind of God and therefore our life values. We believe in the great biblical truth of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And we believe in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus: salvation by faith through God's grace. A full statement of belief is available from all Baptist churches or from the Baptist Union in each State.

**2. The organisation of the church**
The church is a group of people who have each made a personal commitment to Jesus. While every individual involved in the church is gifted for different roles we believe everyone is equal before God. The Holy Spirit is working within each Christian equipping, directing and encouraging. Each church member therefore has the ability and responsibility to listen for God's direction for themselves and the church. Therefore Baptist churches organise themselves with the following points in mind: Christ, not any particular individual, is the head of the church. Church meetings are an opportunity for everyone to express where they believe God is leading. God's leading is ultimately tested in the concensus of a church meeting. The church does not try to tell anybody exactly what they should believe, but each individual seeks the truth of God personally.

**3. Leading the church**
We all have a part to play in running the church, but we recognise that certain individuals are personally gifted to provide leadership in the church. The church itself will recognise an individual as having the right gifts and abilities for leadership. The church then allows the individual to use his or her gifts to lead the group. So while the church members themselves run the affairs of the church, they empower certain types of leadership. Pastors are responsible for the overall direction and biblical teaching in the church. The deacons usually deal with matters of administration. Elders become involved with the personal and spiritual concerns of the church members. Leadership is not a right to authority or personal power, but rather an individual using his or her skills for the good of the church. Leaders are elected by and accountable to the church itself.

**4. Baptism**
We do have a particular view on baptism, but again it has to do with our greater commitment to freedom. We believe that the symbol of being baptised (being plunged under water and then brought up again) is an illustration of burial and resurrection. This indicates a believer re-enacting Jesus' death and resurrection as being a substitute for his or her own. For this reason, we baptise believers who are free to choose faith in Christ and we prefer baptism by full immersion. Baptism does not make a person right with God, but is an expression of an inner spiritual commitment. Any Christian wanting to make this commitment should speak to their pastor.

**5. Communion**
Jesus gave his disciples a way of remembering Him, by sharing together bread and wine. It reminds us today of the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Baptists encourage all Christians present at their communion services to share in the Lord's Supper, no matter what their church background might be. It is usually celebrated once or twice a month and we use small pieces of bread and grape juice to follow Jesus' example. Usually stewards serve the members of the congregation in their seats.

**6.The world we live in**
While we are only passing through this world, God calls us to be concerned for it. This results in us having a deep concern for such issues as poverty, justice, freedom, equality and the environment. We understand that the Bible does not draw distinctions between people's spiritual and physical wellbeing, and we are committed to caring for both.

**7. Becoming a Baptist Church member**
We are more than glad to welcome all visitors and guests at our services. But if you would like to engage fully in the life of a local Baptist Church, we invite you to apply for church membership. Membership is open to all who have freely committed themselves as Christians and expressed this in baptism. Each church has the right to decide who is able to become a member. All church members have equal rights and personal liberty.

=**Where We've Come From**= The first Baptists came into being in Europe as part of the Reformation. The first Baptist service of worship in Australia was held in Sydney on 24 April 1831, more than four decades after the British penal colony had begun in 1788. The first preacher was Rev John McKaeg who conducted the first baptisms in Woolloomooloo Bay in 1832. Under the subsequent leadership of Rev John Saunders, a chapel was built in Bathurst Street and a church formed in 1836. A Baptist Association was formed in 1868, known as the Baptist Union from 1870. The first Australian Baptist church was actually been formed in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania from 1853). Rev Henry Dowling, a strict Calvinist, had led a small group to form a church in Hobart Town in 1835. The work begun under Dowling was later to be strengthened by the generosity of William and Mary Ann Gibson who built fifteen chapels, many manses and brought out young men from Spurgeon's Pastors' College. The Baptist Union of Tasmania was formed in 1884. In South Australia, church services were held from 1837 but the coming of Rev Silas Mead in 1861 marked a new and enlarged identity for Baptists in Adelaide. He established the Flinders Street church, which was a model for many others and numerous suburban churches were commenced by his people. The Baptist Union in this state was formed in 1863. The first Baptist services in Melbourne (in what was to become Victoria after its independence from New South Wales in 1851) were in 1837. With the coming of Rev John Ham in 1843 and the formation of the Collins Street Church the work in Victoria assumed a more stable identity. The discovery of gold in Victoria during the 1850s brought a boom growth to Victoria. Baptists shared in this growth, forming a Baptist Union in 1862. Baptists are known to have been present in Queensland since 1849 and active in a 'United Evangelical Church' until the first Baptist church was formed in 1855. The pioneering leader here was Rev B G Wilson who from 1858 until 1878 led what later became known as the City Tabernacle Church and was influential in the public life of the colony. A Baptist Union was established in 1877. Although Western Australia had been settled since 1826 the first Baptist church was not commenced until 1895 under the leadership of Rev J H Cole. The fledgling WA Union was established in 1896. A notable pioneer was Rev William Kennedy who helped found many rural churches. The new century saw Baptists envisioning a federal character to their work but it was not until 1926 that the Baptist Union of Australia was formed by representatives of the individual State Unions. Each state body remains an independent authority and the national body has an advisory function. It has coordinated work in Christian education and publication, home missions and various evangelistic movements. It is largely dependant upon the states for finance and leadership. It also helped commence Baptist work in the national capital Canberra in 1927. A national paper The Australian Baptist functioned from 1913 until 1991 but has been replaced by various state monthly publications. At the last census (2006) Baptists were 1.6% of the population although the census figure of 316,733 has to be compared with the official denominational membership figures (2007) of 61,409 and attendance figures (2007) 115,720 with 868 churches and 77 fellowships. Baptists also have numerous 'ethnic' churches, which reflect the multicultural nature of modern Australia.

Assignment Studies of Religion 2: Christianity

Part A Outline the principal ethical teachings in:

- The Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments are believed to be a list of moral and religious imperatives that were spoken by God to the people of Israel and were given to Moses on Mt Sinai on two stone tablets. The Ten Commandments were given to the people by God as a means to show them how they should their lives and how God wants them to lead their lives. The first four commandments are in relation to people’s relationship with God. The second five commandments are in relation to peoples relationships with others. However the ethical teachings of The Ten Commandments is based on the fact that if you live your life in a way that doesn’t allow you to have a healthy relationship with others then you aren’t able to have a healthy relationship with God. Therefore, the Ten Commandments is telling Christians how to live their lives according to Gods wishes however it doesn’t say what should be done, it states what shouldn’t be done. - The Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes are not like the Ten Commandments which tell a Christian what shouldn’t be done on Earth, but is a scripture that stipulates the virtues Christians should have in order to gain reward from God. Given to us by Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, The Beatitudes speaks of and teaches Christians about the character and virtues that should be shown in order to gain entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. The beatitudes don’t tell Christians about the Kingdom of Heaven but teaches about those who belong and should belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. The beatitudes teach Christians to be: - Humble, as humility brings openness and inner peace. - Meek or kind and gentle. - Forever desiring of a just and morally perfect society. - Merciful and to show love and compassion. - Pure of Heart - Peacemakers - Martyrs or completely devoted to God without considering any implications upon themselves. The beatitudes show Christians what virtues they need to display towards and amongst other people because if they lead their lives in this way and have a positive relationship with others, then Christians would be able to have a relationship with God. - Jesus’ Commandment of Love 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind' - this is the great and foremost commandment, and there is a second like it, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself'. The whole Law and Prophets hang on these two commands." (Mtt 22:37-40, Mrk 12:28-34). This is Jesus’ commandment of love and it can be broken down into different parts. The first being, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind'. This commandment speaks about a relationship with God. The second part speaks about relationships with others. However, it doesn't mean ordinary love but means a Christ like love which is the hardest component to adhere to in todays society.


 * Analyse the importance of ethical teachings in the life of adherents.**

The ethical teachings entwined into Christianity are referring to moral guidelines that each Christian bases their life upon. Morality within Christianity implies that people can think and love and live in relationships with others in a community. The ethical teachings in life of Christian adherents are of imperative importance towards their relationship with God. By adhering to the words of God, for example the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes and Jesus’ Commandment of Love, Christians believe they would be able to have a relationship with God and gain entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. In this essay, I will analyse the importance of these ethical teachings and support them by reference to the words of God.

It is believed that a good Christian leads their life in a manner that is morally and ethically right according to the words of God. The Decalogue or Ten Commandments are believed to be a list of moral and religious imperatives that were spoken by God to the people of Israel and were given to Moses on Mt Sinai on two stone tablets. The Ten Commandments were given to the Christian community as a guide to base their lives upon. However, they don’t state what should be done to attain spiritual fulfillment but state what shouldn’t be done in order to gain that fulfillment. The Ten Commandments are in both Exodus and Deuteronomy and mainly convey the message about relationships with others and with God. In Christianity the first four commandments are in relation to relationships with God and the rest of the Commandments are in relation to relationships with others. However, the ethical teachings within these Ten Commandments teach us that by leading our lives according to these words of God and by forging positive and morally and ethically right relationships with others then it will be possible to have a relationship with God. this is due to the belief that it isn’t possible to have a relationship with God if you can’t have a relationship with others, as relationships in life are all based upon respect and if one is unable to respect another and see the image of God within each and every person then they will never be able to gain spiritual fulfillment.

Garrison Keillor was once said, “Going to church no more makes you a Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car”. The link I have made between this quote and the ethical teachings of the Ten Commandments is that, many people can say that they are Christian and that they go to church and live their lives in a way that they feel is according to the wishes of God, but whether they live their lives according to the Ten Commandments, in the morally and ethically right manner according to the true words of God, is the difference in gaining spiritual fulfillment and enlightenment of God. Therefore, I believe that the ethical teachings within the Ten Commandments are of vital importance to the lives of the adherents of the Christian community as it is a basis and moral guideline of how each and every believer of Christ should live their life.

The ethical teachings of the Ten Commandments spoke about morality and what shouldn’t be done to lead a morally correct life, however the Beatitudes is a scripture that stipulates the virtues Christians should have in order to gain reward from God. Given to us by Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, The Beatitudes speaks of and teaches Christians about the character and virtues that should be shown in order to gain entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. The beatitudes don’t tell Christians about the Kingdom of Heaven but teaches about those who belong and should belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. There are eight beatitudes, each one holding a specific teaching about the virtues every Christian should have. The beatitudes convey the message of being humble and showing humility in everything you do, being gentle and kind and forever desiring a morally and just society, Showing loving and compassion and being pure of heart, promoting and trying to bring peace to the world and to the lives of others and being completely selflessly devoted to God.

“Religion is to do right. It is to love, it is to serve, it is to think, it is to be humble.” A quote made by Ralph Waldo Emerson and is a a clear depiction of what adherents of Christianity believe their religion teaches. Many people in the world such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa to name a few, who made a difference to the world and to many peoples lives all carried themselves with the virtues within the the Beatitudes. being selfless and humble, kind and gentle to everyone they were surrounded by. treating everyone equally and showing compassion throughout there lives as peacemakers. these virtues are the important ethical teachings within the Beatitudes that need to be adhered to as they show Christians what virtues they should portray in their lives to have a relationship with God.

Throughout both The Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes there is an underlying component which is briefly mentioned but holds an incredibly high significance to the Christian community. in Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus was asked by his disciples which was the greatest commandment. Jesus replied by saying what is now known as the “commandment of love.” He said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind' -this is the great and foremost commandment, and there is a second like it, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” The ethical teaching within this commandment is obviously to love God and others. the first part of the commandment is in reference to the believers love towards god. it speaks about loving God selflessly and being completely devoted to God. the second part speaks about love for your neighbour. in other words it speaks about love for others. this is an extremely complicated and difficult teaching to adhere to as it states love for everyone. an example of this unconditional love and compassion for others is portrayed throughout the scriptures of how Jesus treated everyone he was surrounded by. he shows this love when he tends to the poor and sick and to all those who are outcasts in society. the ethical teaching is basically conveying the message that we should love everyone but not with an ordinary love, but with a Christ like love.

Likewise, the hindu Swami Vivekananda once said, “ You can not believe in God, until you believe in yourself. This covers the point that before loving others and God, you must be able to love yourself because if you can’t love yourself then you wouldn’t be able to love others. It was once said that, “ to give you don’t love, but to love you have to give”. Therefore the ethical teachings within the commandment of love teach Christians to give of themselves selflessly to God and to others.

In conclusion, these three scriptures all entail very important ethical teachings and all have the underlying component of love within it. These ethical teachings are imperative because without them, Christians wouldn't have a guideline or a moral code to adhere to, and the reason for the Christian community to follow these scriptures is to attain spiritual fulfillment and enlightenment.

[|Christianity]