glossary+page


 * GLOSSARY TERMS FOR RELIGION IN AUSTRALIA SINCE 1945**


 * **ANTHROPOCENTRIC -** the belief that human beings are at the center of the universe/life. All things revolve/evolve around women. ||
 * **ASSIMILATION** - A 19th century idea that Indigenous people should be 'improved' by being 'civilised' and becoming Christians and learning how to work as Europeans did. From the 1930s assimilation became government policy. ||
 * **BIOCENTRISM -** the belief that nature is at the center of life/the universe. We are part of the environment/nature, not apart from it. ||
 * **CLAN-** Is a group of people united by Kinship and descent. ||
 * **CONSANGUITY-** Of the same blood. ||
 * **COSMOS -** the world or universe regarded as an orderly, harmonious system ||
 * **DEMYTHOLOGISED**- Having mythical elements removed, put it in its simpliest form. ||
 * **DISPOSSESSION** - activity causing the destruction of whole tribes and extended family groups by the dispersal of individuals or groups from their traditional land ||
 * **DREAMING -** The Dreaming has different meanings for different Aboriginal groups. The Dreaming can be seen as an embodiment of Aboriginal creation which gives meaning to everything. It establishes the rules governing relationships between the people, the land and all things for Aboriginal people. ||
 * **DUALISM-** The (mistaken) belief that the sacred and the physical world is seperate. ||
 * **ENDOGAMY**- Is to marry inside your skin group. ||
 * **EVANGELISM** - diligent preaching and advocacy (pleading) of the gospel, as may be through missionary work. ||
 * **EXOGAMY-** Is to marry outside your skin group. ||
 * **EXTINGUISHMENT -** to put an end to or bring to an end; wipe out of existence ||
 * **HERITAGE** - something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth; an inherited lot or portion ||
 * **INITIATION** - formal admission or acceptance into an organisation or club, adult status in one's community or society, etc ||
 * **KINSHIP-** Is the system of governing social interaction, particularly marriage. ||
 * **LAND COUNCIL -** ||
 * **LAND RIGHTS -** The struggle by Aboriginal people to gain acknowledgment of prior ownership of this land both legally and morally and allowing all the accompanying rights and obligations which stem from this association. ||
 * **MABO DECISION -** High Court ruling made in June 1992. From this point the concept of Native Title began. The ruling stated that the Indigenous people's rightd to the land had existed before European Settlement and had survived the process of settlement and overturned the theory of 'Terra Nullius'. ||
 * **METAMORPHOSIS** - any complete change in appearance, character, circumstances, etc ||
 * **METAPHYSICAL** - beyond the physical ||
 * **MIRACULOUS** - of the nature of a miracle; marvelous ||
 * **MISSIONS-** Areas originally set up and governed by different religious denomination for Aboriginal people to live. Today some people use the term to refer to Aboriginal housing developments. The terms "reserves" and "stations" are used as well. ||
 * **MOIETIES**- The system and laws within the skin groups. ||
 * **MYSTICAL** - spiritually symbolic ||
 * **NATIVE TITLE -** Native title describes the rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in land and waters, according to their traditional laws and customs, that are recognised under Australian law. ||
 * **NOVICE** - a person who is new to the circumstances, work, etc in which he or she is placed ||
 * **PREJUDICE** - a preconcieves preference or idea ||
 * **REACTUALISATION** - description in its basic sense, (e.g. 'Well basically...') usually provoked as one can not fully grasp the complexity of an issue ||
 * **SACRED** - devoted or dedicated to a deity or to some religion purpose; consecrated ||
 * **SECULARISM -** Secular spirit or tendency. A system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship. ||
 * **SKIN GROUPS**- Familys within one language in the area/country. ||
 * **SYNCRETISM -** the interaction of beliefs from historically diverse cultures to allow some form of involvement without alienation ||
 * **TABOO-** Religious crime/sin. ||
 * **TERRA NULLIUS-** land that belongs to no one ||
 * **TOTEM**- A plant or animal used to identify skin groups. ||
 * **TRANSITION** - movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., or anouther; change: the transition from adolescence to adulthood ||
 * **UNDERCLASS** - group or section in society which does not fit into the generally accepted range of normal education, health, employment or social/economic opportunities. ||
 * **YARMIRR DECISION -** extension of the Mabo decision. In October 2001 the High Court determined that Native Title was consistent with the use of the sea, but did not grant exclusivity. ||