The Religious Dimension in Human History

• Identify the following expressions of the religious dimension in human history:
  • animism
  • polytheism
  • monotheism
• Evaluate the place of significance of the religious dimension in human history to provide:
  • meaning and purpose for the individuals
  • social cohesion
  • social transformation
• Investigate statistical data of the current global distribution of the five major religious traditions

New Religious Epression

• Recognise the reasons for the rise of new religious expressions as people:
  • search for personal fulfilment
  • seek ethical guidelines
  • seek to clarify their relationship with society
• Explain how the following have influenced the growth of new religious expressions and spiritualities:
  • the rise of materialism
  • scientific progress
  • growth of ecological awareness
  • disenchantment with ‘traditional’ religious practice and guidance

Non-Religious Worldviews

• Outline the essential features of Atheism and Agnosticism
• Outline the positions of:
  • Rational Humanism
  • Scientific Humanism
• Discuss how Agnosticism, Atheism and Humanism determine the aspirations and behaviour of individuals

The Difference between Religious & Non-Religious Worldviews

• Compare the response of ONE religious and ONE non-religious belief system to:
  • the concept of the transcendent
  • the human person
  • social responsibility