This document provides an introduction to a unit on religion and non-religion. It outlines the relevant syllabus points students need to be familiar with, including different expressions of religion throughout history such as animism, polytheism, and monotheism. Students are instructed to recap core beliefs, texts, rituals, and ethics of different world religions. Key definitions are also provided for animism, polytheism, and monotheism. Activities are suggested for students to research examples and describe hypothetical societies based on these expressions of religion.

1. Religion and Non-Religion
Introduction to unit

2. HSC Exam Links
NB..This unit will comprise 10 multiple choice and one 5 mark
“short answer” (approx. 1 page) in the exams.
NB..Questions can come from anywhere within this section of
the syllabus and don’t have to form a “pattern” i.e “two from
this section, one from that section” etc. (subject to clarification
after 1st set of exams and examiner’s reports.
Students should note the amount of points that they have to
be familiar with along with the terminology…...

3. Relevant Syllabus Point
Students learn about:
•the expression of the religious dimension in
human history
Students learn to:
•identify the following expressions of the
religious dimension in human history:
–animism
–polytheism
–monotheism

4. Relevant Syllabus Point
Students learn about:
•the expression of the religious dimension in
human history
Students learn to:
•identify the following expressions of the
religious dimension in human history:
–animism
–polytheism
Identify - Recognise and Name
–monotheism

5. Recap of Yr 11 “Nature of Religion”
In your books, rule up the following grid and fill it in. (leave a bit
of space to write in)
Core Texts and Ritual/
Ethics
Beliefs Writings Ceremony
Buddhism
Islam
Christianity
Judaism
Hinduism

6. Recap of Yr 11 “Nature of Religion”
Quick Questions (answer in books)
1. How does religion affect the daily life of individuals
AND society? (Example form)
2. How does religion help create cohesion? Give two
examples
3. How religion help create conflict in society? Give
two examples

7. Key Definitions
for the syllabus point

8. “a type of religious belief that all
Animism components of the universe, including
humans, animals, plant life, rocks, etc.
contain some form of life force, soul or
spirit.
Some are seen as friendly spirits; others
as tricksters.”
http://www.religioustolerance.org/gl_a.htm

9. Animism
Native American

10. Aboriginal Spirituality

11. ‘Temple Watchers’ in
Bali

12. Polytheism
“Believing in the existence of more than one god.”
•www.reasoned.org/glossary.htm

13. Celtic

14. Greek

15. Egypt

16. Roman

17. Monotheism
“Belief in only one god.”
• www.dtl.org/trinity/misc/glossary.htm

18. Egypt
Akhenaten and
Aten (sun god)

19. Christianity

20. Islam

21. Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4
Animism
Polytheism
Monotheism

22. Group task:
Explore the response of animism,
polytheism and monotheism to the
four principal questions:
1. how the universe was
created?
2. what is a human person?
3. what happens after death?
4. why is there suffering?

23. Activities
Find as many examples
(of animism, polytheism and
monotheism)
as possible to share with the class

24. Class Discussion/Activity
Describe a society based upon animism, polytheism
and/or monotheism.
Reference should be made to political structures,
social organization, gender roles, relationship with
nature etc
What does this society “look” like? Function?
Main principles? etc
NOTE: NOT MAKING A RELIGION UP

25. Activities
Using the supplied handouts (please dont write on) and other
resources, compile a concise (5-6 points?) set of notes/points that
answer the following question;
“Can you identify the expression of;
•Animism
•Polytheism
•Monotheism
in human history?”

26. End
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