Religious Education

Our tapes on Society and Religion provided different clerical perspectives ona range of issues. These tapes have been supplemented with PowerPoints on The Lord's Prayer and The Beatitudes. But when it comes to interactivity, there are two plays that students can participate in that explore moral themes.

The Lord's Prayer / The Beatitudes

These two new PowerPoint presentations open paths to help students and teachers access the issues and ideas embedded in both The Lord's Prayer and The Beatitudes. The use of technology enables sound, movement, colour and graphics to be utilized to engage students and challenge them to think about the concepts in both these essential texts. The associated worksheets build on and complement the information on screen.
 

NOAH'S FLOOD EVERYMAN

These two plays are presented in their original medieval form and in a more modern version with contemporary references. Originally used to remind an illiterate medieval population of their moral duty, today they can be used as an active and creative way of exploring belief. They provide a focal piece for any occasion or celebration and are a fun and exciting means of accessing the concerns and concepts of a religious studies course.
 

ETHICS Photocopiable Resource masters

Package One

This is a progressive series of practical activities designed to look at the concept of ethics. The activities are designed to encourage students to establish a definition and consider the importance of ethics in society. It addresses the notion of creeds and commandments, surveys participants and encourages them to form their own opinions. Practical dilemmas are then offered for discussion.
 

Package Two

Students are presented with scenarios that challenge their thinking. Students are faced with ethical dilemmas that they have to confront through practical participation. Activities include debates, dramatic characterisations and written work. These activities assume students have completed the foundation work in the first package.
 

video-tapes

vocation (tape one)

An informal explanation is given by four clergy,( a Rabbi, a Catholic Priest, a Uniting Church Minister and a Muslim Imam), on their reasons for undertaking a religious vocation. An overview is given of the circumstances and conditions that brought about the decision that provides an insight on the importance of that role in society as perceived by the individual. An appreciation is possible of their respective roles in society and a contrast can be made between the western and eastern religious traditions along with an understanding of the heritage from which these roles stem.
 

In the media (tape two)

The press often represent a religion in a particular light. This could be accurate or lead to misconceptions. It could play on old prejudices or prompt readers to review their perceptions. The sensational nature of media coverage can also be misleading as it highlights moments of controversy rather than explain stories within a social and theological context. A Rabbi, a Catholic Priest, a Uniting Church Minister and a Muslim Imam speak of their experience of the media and suggest how the media has both helped and hindered in presenting their faith to the community.
 

Ethics (tape three)

The stance taken by one's faith on an ethical issue is important. The church and individuals within the church may have conflicting points of view on matters. Reconciling one's personal view to the collective thinking of the church can be difficult. The demands placed on religious representatives are made more difficult by the expectations of their community. A Rabbi, a Catholic Priest, a Uniting Church Minister and a Muslim Imam talk of the ethical issues that have come to their attention,( like euthanasia and abortion), and how they and their faith are dealing with the dilemmas and controversies that arise.
 

Change (tape four)

Churches change. This can be a proactive stance to meet the demands of the society they serve or a reaction to face challenges posed by society and maintain relevance. Agreement is often difficult to achieve on the direction any change should take. A Rabbi, a Catholic Priest, a Uniting Church Minister and a Muslim Imam identify an area of change within their church,( such as the role of women or sexuality), and how their faith is helping them promote or face change.
 

Text (tape five)

Texts are synonymous with the church. The 'word' provides direction, insight and offers comfort and understanding. Responses are given to passages that are of personal significance to individuals quintessential to their faith. The Rabbi, the Imam, the Minister and the Priest provide a quote or story from the Torah, Koran, Mark's gospel and Luke's gospel respectively, along with an appreciation of the significance of that passage.