Here are 3 potential topics with points to encourage discussion: 1. The role of religion in a secular society - Different views on the separation of church and state - How religious groups can support community values - Finding common ground between faiths and non-faiths 2. Spirituality beyond organized religion - Personal spiritual paths independent of institutions - Blending beliefs from different traditions - Community without doctrine or hierarchy 3. Making religious teachings relevant today - Modernizing scripture interpretation for current issues - Incorporating science and technology into belief systems - Adapting religious practices for younger generations The goal is open and respectful exchange of diverse perspectives.

1. Syllabus Point
New Religious Expression recognise the reasons for the rise of new religious
expressions as people:
and Spirituality -search for personal fulfillment
-seek ethical guidelines
Year 12 SOR II
Religion and Non Religion
-seek to clarify their relationship with society
“RECOGNISE” “RECOGNISE” in context
(“Identify”, “Realise”, “Recall”,
Not a BOS syllabus term as such
“Know”, “Recollect”) the reasons for the
“Identify”, “Realise”, “Recall”, “Know”, rise of new religious expressions as
“Recollect”
people...

2. New religious expression in Australia has
increased since 1945.
Issues to consider
Why??? Why???
They still seek out personal fulfillment, ethical
Dissatisfaction with religious tradition
guidelines or how to interact with society.
but ………...
(I.e the 3 syllabus sub-points)

3. What else?
Western religions
have too much
doctrine
What else? What else?
May prefer a
religion that is Looking for a less
more practical eg male centred/
how to reduce dominated
stress spirituality?

4. Two Avenues of Exploration
New Age Spiritualities
New Age New Religious
Spiritualities Expressions
Things to be familiar with
New Age Spiritualities involve a number of ideas and Also….
Neo-paganism Concepts like:
practices that are very different from Western religions.
Occult •Astrology
Focus on universal consciousness, development of the Paganism •Palmistry
individual, ecology and feminism. •Numerology
Spiritualism •Divination
Can draw heavily from a variety of ‘sources’ (in Wicca •Crystal Healing
particular, Eastern and ancient religions) •Channelling
Druids
•Clairvoyance etc

5. http://www.mbsfestival.com.au/
Spirituality and Technology
A Case Study
The Second Life Phenomenon
Thursday’s Fiction
From
“Secondlife”
(secondlife.com)
“Thursday's Fictions in Second Life places the
Second Life user as a quester exploring
knowledge of something which is, in the !real
world", completely unknowable. This unique
intersection of spirituality and art is an
unprecedented exploitation of the possibilities of
Second Life to make a virtual world that is much http://www.thursdaysfictions.com/
ThursdaysFictionsInSecondLifeWhatIsIt_533_n_3_0.html
more than an imitation of the material world.”

6. New Religious Expression
Second Life - THURSDAY'S FICTIONS, Parable of Reincarnation
8 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnseuxcCmA
New Religious Expression
Evangelical/Pentecostal movement
Use new, ‘exciting’ and highly visual means of
expression
Participation factor??
Appealing for a variety of reasons
Other forms of N.R.E as well eg ‘Spirituality in the
Pub’(Catholic) etc

7. “Mark Reddy and wife Vickie have attended Hillsong Church for
several years, attracted not just by the energetic nature of the
worship, but the lessons. "You can get good life teachings out
of it," he says. "It's not just doctrinal. It's contemporary and
reverent at the same time.”
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/11/06/1099547435083.html
“Fuel” (Coffeehouse Christianity)
Hillsong Music
Nooma DVD series
The Virtual Anglican
Ww.nooma.com
Service on the 2nd of Dec.

8. People from around the world come together for virtual Anglican Worship. They access the virtual
world through their computer and are represented by a character.
The Anglican Cathedral in Second Life in all its virtual splendor.
Revd Mark Brown leading one
of the five services offered
each week. People receive an
Order of Service which can be The sermon being shared. It is pre-recorded and streamed into the virtual space.
seen on the right. People press a play button to hear it. Wherever they are in the world they can listen
to the message via there speakers or headphones.

9. Some of the congregation in prayer. These are real people represented Fellowship after the service. Communication is through
by a character within the virtual setting.
typing text or voice.
Note: points are written from a
Syllabus Summary Points non-believers POV/the standard
‘reasons’ given why traditional
religion doesn’t ‘work’

10. Dissatisfaction with traditional forms of
religion in providing a meaningful
understanding of ‘things’.
Search for personal fulfillment
New understandings of the human person-
women, youth etc
Individualism and self-determination
Companionship and Community- feel leftout/
alienated
Seeking ethical guidelines
Goal/purpose in life- unachievable Vs
achievable goals, other worldly goals eg heaven

11. Traditional ethical responses are seen as
Scientific and technological advancement-
restricted/restrictive.
religion has not kept up!
Modern ethical issues pose complex dilemmas .:
Issue of ‘Good Vs Evil’
sacred texts are not ‘good enough’
Idea of ‘spiritual growth’ and taking
Changes in personal lifestyle and behaviour-
responsibility for own actions
religion out of touch
New sexualities and lifestyles
Seeking to clarify their relationship Opposition to male hierarchies in religious
with society traditions
Concern for ecological/environmental issues

12. Discontent with modern science and
technologies- seen as threatening or beyond
understandings .: NRE integrate and make
meaning for some people that is reasonable.
Activities
Compile a list of New Age practices that yo
are familiar with and state what it is and
what the practice aims to do.
How not to start a spiritual discussion

13. Activities
In response to moving away from formalised / traditional ‘religion’,
many churches are looking for new ways to ‘win back followers’.
Spirituality in the Pub is one such response. Guest speakers give their
opinions on set topics and then the floor is opened up to discussion.
End
1. What do you think the benefit of such a ‘spirituaity’ might be?
2. What arguments can be given against this style of religion? www.metatemporal.com
3. Nominate topics that you would consider as useful for such a
gathering. Choose one and work to present points that encourage all
class members to contribute their ideas on the role of religion in
Australia today.