2. Do we all see the world the same way? What influences the way we look at our experiences? How do these influences change the way we would answer the BIG questions? This is our WORLD VIEW
3. What impacts on our Worldview? Family History Experience Geography Wealth Culture Religion
4. The BIGQuestions Why are we here on earth? Where did the order in the universe come from? Why do people (good people) suffer? How can I be happy? What happens to me when I die? What happens to odd socks that disappear in the wash?
11. Paris Hilton Worldview Shopping =Happiness I am photographed: Therefore I am Looks are everything
12. Features of a Religious Worldview Acknowledges a supernatural reality Is ordered and purposeful Is concerned for universal ‘good’ Seeks wisdom and understanding Promotes discipline and ethics Believes rituals to be imbued with power Holds life reverently – is life-centric
13. Semitic World View God is creator – ultimate, one, omnipotent History is linear God and the universe is just Humans imperfect and trying to grow perfect God enters and moves in human history
14. Eastern Worldview Many or no gods Humans are ignorant of the true meaning of life Reality is cyclic, relative and illusory Dualism of the physical and non-physical Karma The universe is uninterested in the experience of humanity Life is eternal (this is a bad thing!)
15. Recent disruption to World Views Renaissance Enlightenment (European) Industrial Revolution World Wars I and II Hiroshima 1960s (dissent, individualism, the moon) Computers / Internet September 11 2001
16. Question Is a religious worldview incompatible with contemporary cultures and a modern life?
