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The One And Many Gods Of Hinduism, Cathy Byrne
The One And Many Gods Of Hinduism, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
Hinduism is commonly thought to represent polytheism. This label reflects a superficial perception of how the gods were and are understood. This essay explores the idea that Hinduism, (itself a relatively modern, externally imposed label), has many
understandings… that it is polygnostic. It takes a journey through the evolution of a range of Hindu conceptions of deity, from the philosophical and abstract through to the deeply personal. Although such modern commentators as Richard Dawkins claim that the possibility of Hinduism including a monotheistic stream is deceptive, this essay traces monotheistic stances through a range of India’s rich theological and philosophical …
Freirean Critical Pedagogy’S Challenge To Interfaith Education: What Is Interfaith? What Is Education?, Cathy Byrne
Freirean Critical Pedagogy’S Challenge To Interfaith Education: What Is Interfaith? What Is Education?, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
Interfaith education has been boosted recently by the imprimatur of current and previous political world leaders. However, a critical analysis of what makes good interfaith education is yet to emerge. Indeed the attention may distract from the effort needed to ensure positive outcomes. This paper questions whether the uncritical nature of some interfaith education initiatives encourages the continuation of cultural and theological bias. Critical social theorist Paulo Freire viewed education as an opportunity for social evolution. His pedagogy of freedom relied on the idea that no knowledge is out of bounds and that such freedom nurtured the security to greet …
“Free, Compulsory And (Not) Secular”: The Failed Idea In Australian Education, Cathy Byrne
“Free, Compulsory And (Not) Secular”: The Failed Idea In Australian Education, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
The nineteenth century radically transformed education from a church function to a state duty. During the early to late 1800s, Australian legislators debated the foundations of education for their new society. Decades of acrimonious argument, and sustained (but failed) attempts to create a workable denominational system led the colonies to explore more radical options. To minimize religious division, Australia's proposal was for public education to be “free, compulsory and secular.” New South Wales legislated these then politically progressive principles in the Public Instruction Act of 1880, following Victoria in 1872, and Queensland and South Australia in 1875. No state defined …
Matter And Mind: A Non-Theist Exploration, Cathy Byrne
Matter And Mind: A Non-Theist Exploration, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
This essay explores two non-theist approaches to mind and matter—Buddhism and Humanism. It examines these differing views in relation to Paley’s ‘design argument’ for the existence of God from a philosophical and biological perspective. While tracking along a path similar to one which a theologian may travel, this essay does not refer to theist doctrine.
Ethics Classes Won’T Stop The Extremists, Cathy Byrne
Ethics Classes Won’T Stop The Extremists, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
No abstract provided.
Would A Buddhist Freeze A Cane Toad? An Exploration Of The Modern Phenomenon Of Environmental Buddhism And The Ethics Related To The Doctrine Of Ahimsa (Non-Harming), Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
Much of modern theory posits change as a positive force. Societies, cultures and even religious ideas must be capable of evolving and keeping pace, to remain relevant for the modern era. In some cases, however, such evolution of fundamentals may reverse a principle into its opposite. One example seen in modern Buddhism, for example, is killing in the name of conservation. Australian environmental Buddhists are confronted by this issue of accommodating philosophical change and determining whether and where environmentalism crosses the Buddhist boundaries. Cane toads, an introduced species, threaten the survival of a variety of native reptiles, amphibians and mammals. …
Why Tolerate Racism, Discrimination And Segregation In Schools?, Cathy Byrne
Why Tolerate Racism, Discrimination And Segregation In Schools?, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
No abstract provided.
Ideologies Of Religion And Diversity In Australian Public Schools, Cathy Byrne
Ideologies Of Religion And Diversity In Australian Public Schools, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
In many multicultural democracies, education has a Christian history. However, teaching religion has ideological variation. Progressives teach about many religions, while conservatives favor (often exclusive) instruction into one tradition. Australian secular education controversially prioritizes faith-forming instruction (mostly Christian). In this exploratory study (N = 123) the author examines pedagogical preference and attitudes toward religious diversity.
Spirit In The 'Expanding Circle': Why Learn About Religion In Australia In The 21st Century? Can Comparative Religion Knowledge Enable Cultural Diversity Capability?, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
The place of religion in society is under scrutiny. Increasing local and global religiously marked conflict calls for deeper enquiry into its causes and possible solutions. Inter-religious ignorance may be contributing to rising intolerance. Philosopher Peter Singer (1981, 2004) claimed that interactions with an increasing variety of cultures will require humanity to develop a more tolerant approach to those once considered outsiders. This thesis proposes that comparative religion education may contribute to a possible remedy. The study combines qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the relationship between comparative religion knowledge and cultural diversity capability. It argues that comparative religion …
We Must Do Better Than This Sham Compromise Between Religion And Ethics Classes, Cathy Byrne
We Must Do Better Than This Sham Compromise Between Religion And Ethics Classes, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
No abstract provided.
Core Curriculum As Rubbery As ‘Core Promises’?, Cathy Byrne
Core Curriculum As Rubbery As ‘Core Promises’?, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
No abstract provided.
Special Religious Education: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Cathy Byrne
Special Religious Education: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
No abstract provided.
‘Jeesis Is Alive! He Is The King Of Australia’: Segregated Religious Instruction, Child Identity And Exclusion, Cathy Byrne
‘Jeesis Is Alive! He Is The King Of Australia’: Segregated Religious Instruction, Child Identity And Exclusion, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
Religious categorisation occurs at enrolment in Australian state-run (public) primary schools, with children segregated into religious instruction classes during their first week. Lesson content has no government oversight and, in some schools, options are limited to Christianity. The effect of this categorisation on children’s attitudes to religious diversity is not well researched but the role of religion in public schools is increasingly controversial. Social identity theory (SIT) considers cultural hegemony as a factor in individual identity construction. SIT posits that inter-group bias increases with in-group identification and suggests that categorisation itself is a source of prejudice. This paper explores the …
Keeping Ignorance And Extremism Out Of Public Schools: The Role Of Teachers And Their Unions, Cathy Byrne
Keeping Ignorance And Extremism Out Of Public Schools: The Role Of Teachers And Their Unions, Cathy Byrne
Dr Cathy Byrne
No abstract provided.