Confucianism, Taoism and major The highest expression and strands of Buddhism and activity of the human person Jainism do not involve a god or deriving from whatever source. gods, and there are non-theistic “The potential for spiritual strands in Christianity and development is open to everyone Hinduism. and is not confined to the development of religious beliefs or conversion to a particular faith.” (1) Science The enterprise of creating and organising human Spirituality understanding of the natural “Spirituality refers to the inner Ultimate Questions world, including humanity, nature of human beings often Highest or deepest, or most searching through open enquiry, expressed in the search for and far-reaching, questions of imaginative theory devising, meaning and purpose in life; the meaning in life and death. (1) Some invited challenge and testing sense of personal value and aspects of Religious Education are against evidence. values: reflections on the concerned with responses to Ultimate challenges life brings; and a sense Questions. Many of the responses to Secular of mystery and awe at the these questions are theistic (e.g. This word can be used in two universe.” (2) Christianity, Islam). Others are different ways: (e.g. Buddhism, Jainism, 1. Excluding and rejecting Supernatural Confucianism, Taoism, Humanism, ). religion. 1. “Other-worldly” reality radically 2. A civil society in which different from ordinary “SPIRITUAL AND MORAL government and its services are experience; DEVELOPMENT – A DISCUSSION structured independently of 2. From beyond the world as we PAPER”: National Curriculum religion organisations, which know it, Council (1993) protects freedom of belief as it 3. Hidden or occult. “A RELIGIOUS EDUCATION does other freedoms, and treats See also Naturalistic SYLLABUS FOR INDEPENDENT people equally. SCHOOLS”: Theistic Independent Schools Joint Council Spiritual Involving a god or gods. (1994)
Confucianism, Taoism and major strands of Buddhism and Jainism do not involve a god or gods, and there are non-theistic strands in Christianity and Hinduism. Science The enterprise of creating and organising human understanding of the natural world, including humanity, through open enquiry, imaginative theory devising, invited challenge and testing against evidence. Secular This word can be used in two different ways: 1. Excluding and rejecting religion. 2. A civil society in which government and its services are structured independently of religion organisations, which protects freedom of belief as it does other freedoms, and treats people equally. Spiritual The highest expression and activity of the human person deriving from whatever source. “The potential for spiritual development is open to everyone and is not confined to the development of religious beliefs or conversion to a particular faith.” (1) Spirituality “Spirituality refers to the inner nature of human beings often expressed in the search for meaning and purpose in life; the sense of personal value and values: reflections on the challenges life brings; and a sense of mystery and awe at the universe.” (2) Supernatural 1. “Other-worldly” reality radically different from ordinary experience; 2. From beyond the world as we know it, 3. Hidden or occult. See also Naturalistic Theistic Involving a god or gods. Ultimate Questions Highest or deepest, or most searching and far-reaching, questions of meaning in life and death. (1) Some aspects of Religious Education are concerned with responses to Ultimate Questions. Many of the responses to these questions are theistic (e.g. Christianity, Islam). Others are (e.g. Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Humanism, ). “SPIRITUAL AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT – A DISCUSSION PAPER”: National Curriculum Council (1993) “A RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SYLLABUS FOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS”: Independent Schools Joint Council (1994)
6%20Oldham%20SACRE%20Guidance%20Glossary%206%20Faiths%20and%20Humanism.docx