Terms and Concepts
Polytheism
What is the worship of many gods
The Dreaming
What is the creation of the universe and life.
This characteristric is mostly reflected when adherents gather for communal worship and develop a sense of belonging
community
This tree connects the nine worlds in Norse cosmology.
Yggdrasil Tree
A society shares rituals but has no belief in gods. This challenges the assumption that religion must include this.
Belief in a deity
transcendent
What is a belief in a divine power or powers that exist beyond the human and material world.
An example of a Dreamtime story
Tiddalick the Frog
Pilgrimage is not just travel. It reflects this characteristic because it is an outward action expressing inward belief.
ritual
This event represents the end of the world and the death of many gods.
What is Ragnarök?
Durkheim would argue that a Viking feast after battle is important because it reinforces this.
Social Cohesion
immanent
What is a belief in divine powers or beings that dwell within the individual and the material world.
Totem
What is an object such as an animal , plant or particular landmark linked to a ancestral being
Unlike religion, this is often more individual and less structured.
Spirituality
This belief explains why Norse warriors valued bravery in battle.
What is belief in Valhalla (afterlife for warriors)?
A student argues Nordic religion is “just mythology.” This ignores the fact that religion also provides this for adherents.
What is identity, meaning, and guidance for life
Four characteristics of Religion
What is Beliefs and believers, sacred texts and writings, ethics, rituals, and ceremonies.
Which community is Tiddalick from and why is it important?
Gipplsland People, Sacred site of the frog located; teaches about greed and water management
Religion and spirituality are similar because both seek this in human life.
Meaning and Purpose
The Norse worldview can be described as fatalistic because it emphasises this idea.
What is that fate is predetermined and unavoidable?
The strongest argument for Nordic religion being a religion is that it includes these four elements.
What are beliefs, rituals, ethics, and community?
Animism
What is the belief that spirits inhabit all objects and have influence on people and natural events
Sacred Sites
What is places where significant events
occurred or where the ancestor spirits reside.
Durkheim would most likely argue that rituals are important because they reinforce this.
What is social unity or social cohesion?
This trickster god is responsible for chaos and plays a role in Ragnarök.
Who is Loki?
Helping the poor because of religious teachings reflects this characteristic.
What is ethics?