EDT303Q/104/3/2016
Tutorial letter 104/3/2016
Religion Education
EDT303Q
Semesters 1 & 2
Religious Studies & Arabic
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
, EDT303Q/104
DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND ARABIC
Introduction to the Religions of the World
D Chetty
M Clasquin-Johnson
G J Mason
J M Strijdom
M Seerane (ICLD)
© 2015 University of South Africa
All rights reserved
Printed and published by the
University of South Africa
Muckleneuk, Pretoria
2
, EDT303Q/104
Contents
PREFACE .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Time frame ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Prescribed and recommended material ......................................................................................................... 8
Assessment .................................................................................................................................................... 8
Assignments ................................................................................................................................................... 8
Examination ................................................................................................................................................... 8
Activities ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Recommended activities ................................................................................................................................ 9
STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 10
1.1 WHAT IS "RELIGION"?............................................................................................................................... 10
1.2 HOW DO WE STUDY RELIGION? ................................................................................................................... 11
1.2.1 The phenomenological approach ............................................................................................... 12
1.2.2 Critical approaches ..................................................................................................................... 12
1.3 WHY STUDY RELIGION TODAY?.................................................................................................................... 14
1.4 MAJOR PHASES IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGION ................................................................................................. 15
1.5 FAMILIES OF RELIGIONS ............................................................................................................................. 17
1.6 THE STRUCTURE OF THIS MODULE ................................................................................................................ 20
STUDY UNIT 2: AFRICAN INDIGENOUS RELIGION(S) ....................................................................................... 22
2.1 THE ACADEMIC STUDY OF AFRICAN INDIGENOUS RELIGION(S)............................................................................ 22
2.2 FIRST CASE STUDY: THE RELIGION OF SAN HUNTER-GATHERERS AS EVIDENCED IN DRAKENSBERG ROCK PAINTINGS, AND
THEIR CURRENT PREDICAMENT ................................................................................................................................. 23
2.2.1 Beliefs .............................................................................................................................................. 24
2.2.2 Practices ..................................................................................................................................... 25
2.2.3 Institutions and values................................................................................................................ 26
2.2.4 Oral transmission rather than sacred scriptures ........................................................................ 26
2.2.5 History ........................................................................................................................................ 26
2.3 SECOND CASE STUDY: THE RELIGION OF TRADITIONAL AFRICAN FARMERS ("BANTU-SPEAKING VILLAGERS") IN SOUTHERN
AFRICA AND ITS TRANSFORMATION IN COLONIAL, APARTHEID AND POST-APARTHEID CONTEXTS ............................................ 27
2.3.1 Beliefs ......................................................................................................................................... 28
2.3.2 Practices ..................................................................................................................................... 29
2.3.3 Institutions and values................................................................................................................ 33
2.3.4 Oral transmission rather than sacred scriptures ........................................................................ 35
2.3.5 History ........................................................................................................................................ 35
INTRODUCTION TO THE ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS ........................................................................................... 38
STUDY UNIT 3: JUDAISM ................................................................................................................................ 40
3.1 INTRODUCTION: THE ACADEMIC STUDY OF JUDAISM ........................................................................................ 40
3.2 BASIC BELIEFS IN JUDAISM.......................................................................................................................... 41
3.2.1 Belief in one God......................................................................................................................... 42
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, EDT303Q/104
3.2.2 The Chosen People ...................................................................................................................... 43
3.2.3 The advent of a messiah ............................................................................................................. 43
3.3 PRACTICES (RITUALS) IN JUDAISM ................................................................................................................ 45
3.3.1 Rites of passage .......................................................................................................................... 45
3.3.2 Holy days and festivals ............................................................................................................... 46
3.3.3 Worship ...................................................................................................................................... 49
3.3.3 Dietary practices ......................................................................................................................... 50
3.4 INSTITUTIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 51
3.5 SACRED TEXTS (SCRIPTURES)....................................................................................................................... 52
3.6 AN OVERVIEW OF SELECTED PERIODS IN JEWISH HISTORY .................................................................................. 55
3.6.1 Jewish Biblical tradition .............................................................................................................. 56
3.6.2 Rise and development of Judaism .............................................................................................. 57
3.6.3 Medieval Judaism (impact of Islam and Christianity) ................................................................. 59
3.6.4 Judaism and the modern world .................................................................................................. 60
3.6.5 Contemporary variations in Jewish groups ................................................................................. 60
3.6.6 History of the Jewish Community in South Africa ....................................................................... 61
3.7 Case study of the agunah problem ................................................................................................. 63
3.8 Case study: religion and the Israel-Palestine conflict ...................................................................... 65
3.8.1 Historical developments of the conflict ...................................................................................... 66
3.8.2 Zionism: Israel's nationalist discourse ........................................................................................ 68
STUDY UNIT 4: CHRISTIANITY......................................................................................................................... 70
4.1 INTRODUCTION: THE ACADEMIC STUDY OF CHRISTIANITY .................................................................................. 70
4.2 BASIC BELIEFS IN CHRISTIANITY ................................................................................................................... 72
4.2.1 Belief in one God......................................................................................................................... 72
4.2.2 Doctrine of incarnation ............................................................................................................... 73
4.2.3 Doctrine of reconciliation or atonement .................................................................................... 74
4.2.4 Creeds: the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.............................................................................. 74
4.2.4.1 The Apostles' Creed ............................................................................................................................................ 74
4.2.4.2 The Nicene Creed ............................................................................................................................................... 74
4.3 PRACTICES (RITUALS) IN CHRISTIANITY .......................................................................................................... 75
4.3.1 Rites of passage and other sacraments ...................................................................................... 75
4.3.2 Festivals (holy days) .................................................................................................................... 78
4.3.3 Veneration of the saints ............................................................................................................. 79
4.4 INSTITUTIONS IN CHRISTIANITY.................................................................................................................... 79
4.5 SACRED TEXTS IN CHRISTIANITY ................................................................................................................... 80
4.5.1 The Old Testament .......................................................................................................................................... 80
4.5.2 The New Testament .................................................................................................................... 81
4.5.3 The Christian canon .................................................................................................................... 81
4.6 AN OVERVIEW OF SELECTED PERIODS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY ............................................................................. 82
4.6.1 The historical Jesus ..................................................................................................................... 82
4.6.2 The growth of the early Church .................................................................................................. 84
4.6.3 From great triumph to great division ......................................................................................... 84
4.6.3.1 Council of Nicea .................................................................................................................................................. 84
4.6.3.2 Council of Chalcedon .......................................................................................................................................... 85
4.6.3.3 The Great Schism ................................................................................................................................................ 85
4.6.4.1 The Lutheran Reformation ................................................................................................................................. 85
4.7.4.2 The Calvinist or Reformed Reformation ............................................................................................................ 86
4.6.4.3 The Church of England ........................................................................................................................................ 86
4.6.5 The Church in the modern period ............................................................................................... 87
4
Tutorial letter 104/3/2016
Religion Education
EDT303Q
Semesters 1 & 2
Religious Studies & Arabic
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
, EDT303Q/104
DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND ARABIC
Introduction to the Religions of the World
D Chetty
M Clasquin-Johnson
G J Mason
J M Strijdom
M Seerane (ICLD)
© 2015 University of South Africa
All rights reserved
Printed and published by the
University of South Africa
Muckleneuk, Pretoria
2
, EDT303Q/104
Contents
PREFACE .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Time frame ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Prescribed and recommended material ......................................................................................................... 8
Assessment .................................................................................................................................................... 8
Assignments ................................................................................................................................................... 8
Examination ................................................................................................................................................... 8
Activities ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Recommended activities ................................................................................................................................ 9
STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 10
1.1 WHAT IS "RELIGION"?............................................................................................................................... 10
1.2 HOW DO WE STUDY RELIGION? ................................................................................................................... 11
1.2.1 The phenomenological approach ............................................................................................... 12
1.2.2 Critical approaches ..................................................................................................................... 12
1.3 WHY STUDY RELIGION TODAY?.................................................................................................................... 14
1.4 MAJOR PHASES IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGION ................................................................................................. 15
1.5 FAMILIES OF RELIGIONS ............................................................................................................................. 17
1.6 THE STRUCTURE OF THIS MODULE ................................................................................................................ 20
STUDY UNIT 2: AFRICAN INDIGENOUS RELIGION(S) ....................................................................................... 22
2.1 THE ACADEMIC STUDY OF AFRICAN INDIGENOUS RELIGION(S)............................................................................ 22
2.2 FIRST CASE STUDY: THE RELIGION OF SAN HUNTER-GATHERERS AS EVIDENCED IN DRAKENSBERG ROCK PAINTINGS, AND
THEIR CURRENT PREDICAMENT ................................................................................................................................. 23
2.2.1 Beliefs .............................................................................................................................................. 24
2.2.2 Practices ..................................................................................................................................... 25
2.2.3 Institutions and values................................................................................................................ 26
2.2.4 Oral transmission rather than sacred scriptures ........................................................................ 26
2.2.5 History ........................................................................................................................................ 26
2.3 SECOND CASE STUDY: THE RELIGION OF TRADITIONAL AFRICAN FARMERS ("BANTU-SPEAKING VILLAGERS") IN SOUTHERN
AFRICA AND ITS TRANSFORMATION IN COLONIAL, APARTHEID AND POST-APARTHEID CONTEXTS ............................................ 27
2.3.1 Beliefs ......................................................................................................................................... 28
2.3.2 Practices ..................................................................................................................................... 29
2.3.3 Institutions and values................................................................................................................ 33
2.3.4 Oral transmission rather than sacred scriptures ........................................................................ 35
2.3.5 History ........................................................................................................................................ 35
INTRODUCTION TO THE ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS ........................................................................................... 38
STUDY UNIT 3: JUDAISM ................................................................................................................................ 40
3.1 INTRODUCTION: THE ACADEMIC STUDY OF JUDAISM ........................................................................................ 40
3.2 BASIC BELIEFS IN JUDAISM.......................................................................................................................... 41
3.2.1 Belief in one God......................................................................................................................... 42
3
, EDT303Q/104
3.2.2 The Chosen People ...................................................................................................................... 43
3.2.3 The advent of a messiah ............................................................................................................. 43
3.3 PRACTICES (RITUALS) IN JUDAISM ................................................................................................................ 45
3.3.1 Rites of passage .......................................................................................................................... 45
3.3.2 Holy days and festivals ............................................................................................................... 46
3.3.3 Worship ...................................................................................................................................... 49
3.3.3 Dietary practices ......................................................................................................................... 50
3.4 INSTITUTIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 51
3.5 SACRED TEXTS (SCRIPTURES)....................................................................................................................... 52
3.6 AN OVERVIEW OF SELECTED PERIODS IN JEWISH HISTORY .................................................................................. 55
3.6.1 Jewish Biblical tradition .............................................................................................................. 56
3.6.2 Rise and development of Judaism .............................................................................................. 57
3.6.3 Medieval Judaism (impact of Islam and Christianity) ................................................................. 59
3.6.4 Judaism and the modern world .................................................................................................. 60
3.6.5 Contemporary variations in Jewish groups ................................................................................. 60
3.6.6 History of the Jewish Community in South Africa ....................................................................... 61
3.7 Case study of the agunah problem ................................................................................................. 63
3.8 Case study: religion and the Israel-Palestine conflict ...................................................................... 65
3.8.1 Historical developments of the conflict ...................................................................................... 66
3.8.2 Zionism: Israel's nationalist discourse ........................................................................................ 68
STUDY UNIT 4: CHRISTIANITY......................................................................................................................... 70
4.1 INTRODUCTION: THE ACADEMIC STUDY OF CHRISTIANITY .................................................................................. 70
4.2 BASIC BELIEFS IN CHRISTIANITY ................................................................................................................... 72
4.2.1 Belief in one God......................................................................................................................... 72
4.2.2 Doctrine of incarnation ............................................................................................................... 73
4.2.3 Doctrine of reconciliation or atonement .................................................................................... 74
4.2.4 Creeds: the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.............................................................................. 74
4.2.4.1 The Apostles' Creed ............................................................................................................................................ 74
4.2.4.2 The Nicene Creed ............................................................................................................................................... 74
4.3 PRACTICES (RITUALS) IN CHRISTIANITY .......................................................................................................... 75
4.3.1 Rites of passage and other sacraments ...................................................................................... 75
4.3.2 Festivals (holy days) .................................................................................................................... 78
4.3.3 Veneration of the saints ............................................................................................................. 79
4.4 INSTITUTIONS IN CHRISTIANITY.................................................................................................................... 79
4.5 SACRED TEXTS IN CHRISTIANITY ................................................................................................................... 80
4.5.1 The Old Testament .......................................................................................................................................... 80
4.5.2 The New Testament .................................................................................................................... 81
4.5.3 The Christian canon .................................................................................................................... 81
4.6 AN OVERVIEW OF SELECTED PERIODS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY ............................................................................. 82
4.6.1 The historical Jesus ..................................................................................................................... 82
4.6.2 The growth of the early Church .................................................................................................. 84
4.6.3 From great triumph to great division ......................................................................................... 84
4.6.3.1 Council of Nicea .................................................................................................................................................. 84
4.6.3.2 Council of Chalcedon .......................................................................................................................................... 85
4.6.3.3 The Great Schism ................................................................................................................................................ 85
4.6.4.1 The Lutheran Reformation ................................................................................................................................. 85
4.7.4.2 The Calvinist or Reformed Reformation ............................................................................................................ 86
4.6.4.3 The Church of England ........................................................................................................................................ 86
4.6.5 The Church in the modern period ............................................................................................... 87
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