Tina's+Reflection

Religion Incursion Day 24th of August 2010 Dandenong Interfaith

We listened to and asked questions of the 8 leaders of faith communites. It was a very interesting experience as we learnt about different religions and how to differ from each other. It broadened my mind about the different religions in our community and how we all believe in one God but we call him different names and approach him differently to the other religions.They all expressed their different opinion as we asked them questions. Overall, it was a very rewarding session where we learnt about the 8 different religions.

JCMA

3 young Jewish, Christian and Muslim adults came to our school to talk about their different religions. They also allowed us to ask questions about their different faith and belief. I gained a better and in depth understanding of three different religions.

Boori Pryor

Boori was our last visitor who came to discuss with us his Aboriginal background, beliefs, difficulties, achievements and past experience. He told us many stories from his childhood through to adulthood. The stories were funny but also informative, interesting and touching, which kept us entertained. The room was filled with laughter, but was silent when he played the didgeridoo. During this incursion, I was exposed to the Aboriginal culture, stories, customs, laws and symbols through Boori's stories. Listening to Boori talk about his faith, past experience and personal connection to the Earth, made me realise that there are hard times in life but you have to overcome them to move on in life.

Excursion Reflection 16th of October 2010 On the 16th of October 2010, all the year 10’s went to visit a Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh temple. That day was very fascinating and informative.

5 things I learnt: 4 more questions I have about the religions:
 * Sikhs don't believe in statues
 * In most temples you must take your shoes off to show cleanliness and respect.
 * Only the priests are allowed into go into the place of where the statues are in the Hindu temple.
 * The Burqa is not a religious requirement.
 * Islam is the most stereotyped religion.
 * Why do different religions have different beliefs about the afterlife?
 * Why are there so many Gods and idols in the Hinduism?
 * What is the status of women in each religion?
 * What are the major festivals of each religion?

3 reflections on my own faith journey: 2 things I learnt about how different religions pray 1 thing I could personally contribute to interfaith relations in my local community
 * I have learnt a lot about other faiths and their beliefs and how they are similar to each other.
 * I now have a further understanding of how each religion is difference to the other.
 * I would like to learn more about the different religions of the world.
 * Buddhists use incense stick to worship Buddha.
 * Many religions sit on the floor lower than Guru/God.
 * I could talk to people of different religions in my local community.

Jesus and Dialogue in the Gospels Matthew 15:21-28 The Canaanite Woman’s Faith c. In the gospel story, Jesus went the district of Tyre and Sidon. There he was approached by a Canaanite woman whose daughter was tormented by a demon. But Jesus did not answer her. Jesus’ disciples told Jesus to ignore the Canaanite women. Jesus said he only helped the Jewish people of Israel. But she came and knelt before Jesus, asking for his help. Jesus answered in a way to test her faith. She answered in a humble manner, referring to herself as a dog. Jesus heard that her faith was great; therefore the Canaanite woman’s daughter was healed instantly.

d. This is an example of Jesus in dialogue with another because Jesus is having a conversation with the Canaanite women which involves deep listening and meaningful speaking, with an intention or purpose to learn from each other and move forward together.

e. The story of the Canaanite woman demonstrates humanity, prayer and faith because Jesus believed she was a person who should have equal rights, therefore Jesus helped her, the Canaanite woman asks a prayer of help ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David’ showing that she has faith in Jesus to help her daughter.

f. The movement towards peace and goodwill is seen throughout the passage, Goodwill is seen by Jesus healing the Canaanite women’s daughter, because Jesus had seen that the Canaanite women’s great faith. Jesus helped her regardlessly, even though she was a gentile. Peace is seen by Jesus, the Disciples and the Canaanite woman all having the same faith. Jesus has changed in this story, because he was originally only there to help the Jews but because he realised the Canaanite women’s faith was great and recognised the woman’s need, so as a result he healed her daughter. The result for Jesus was that he learnt to help everyone; not only the Jews and that he healed the Canaanite woman’s daughter. The Canaanite women’s result was that her great fair is Jesus was rewarded and the result for the disciples was that Jesus not only helped Jew but people of different faiths.

g. Sherene Hassan has taught me something new and changed my attitude towards Muslims. I always thought that Muslims were scared to speak up, but after hearing what Sherene said, my point of view changed. I also learnt how she felt when she wore the burqa in public, how Muslims face stereotypes, sexist and racist comments and how nice and friendly Muslims truly are. Not every Muslim is a terrorist. Muslims wear the hijab/burqa as a sign of feeling protected by “Allah”, though they are stereotyped, they still wear them to show their great faith.

SELF EVALUATION My frustrations during this unit is learning how to use wikispaces, finding information about the way Muslims pray, thinking of what to talk about in the discussion, another frustration is finishing work at the set time. My Achievements are that I broaden my knowledge about Islam through doing this assignment; I can now understand why they do certain things. I have finished my journal and research page on prayer and contributed to the varies discussions. I have learnt many things after doing this assignment, I never knew that Muslims pray 5 times a day, had such a beautiful range of burqa and hijabs as seen by the youtube video, they are stereotyped for practically anything they do, it brings me to sadness that people stereotype them. I follow the Buddhist faith, because my parents do. But I believe in the Holy Trinity, so I consider myself a Catholic/Christian, even though I’m not baptised. Islam hasn’t really cultivated my own spiritual path but it had deepened my understanding of other religions. Islam and Catholicism are very different in many ways but at the same time can be similar.