Criteria
Not all internet sites are trustworthy, accurate or
unbiased. Discernment is needed. Some negative indicators are: if the site
engages in proselytism or the attempt to ‘convert’; if the site is involved in
denunciation and condemnation. In general, it is best to seek advice.
The Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission of the Melbourne
Archdiocese recommends the following sites. It is for Catholic Education
Melbourne to assess whether they are suitable for teachers’ and students’
needs.
A further note of warning: some sites and publications may
present other religions in a false light. Especially and unfortunately, there
are many such sites and publications at present, from a variety of backgrounds,
that speak negatively about Islam and Muslims.
In general:
- Columban
Interreligious Dialogue: this website is an excellent resource on a wide range
of topics in this field.
Australia’s First Peoples
See also
• https://www.cam.org.au/acmv
• http://www.yarrahealing.catholic.edu.au/
• https://www.wurundjeri.com.au/
• http://www.vaclang.org.au/
• http://koorieheritagetrust.com.au/
Judaism
• BBC –
Religions, ‘Judaism’: general survey; archived and no longer updated, but
worthwhile.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/
• ‘Short
Introduction to Judaism!’: one of a series of short videos from the Chicago
Police Department on different religions in that city. Clear, simple and
straightforward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TnKVYM9Euk
• For
reliable and nuanced information on Judaism on a whole variety of topics,
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/
• The Jewish
Museum of Australia offers students the opportunity to meet, speak to and
engage in a gentle and direct manner with the Jewish people and the Jewish
religion.
http://www.jewishmuseum.com.au/education/schools
• Judaism
for Dummies with its associated website:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/taking-a-look-at-jewish-religious-beliefs.html
• The family
with two front doors, by Anna Ciddor. This reveals a lovely picture of a Jewish
family and the life they led in Poland before WW2. This book is pitched at the
year 5 or 6 level.
https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/childrens/childrens-fiction/The-Family-with-Two-Front-Doors-Anna-Ciddor-9781925266641
Islam
• BBC –
Religions, ‘Islam’: general survey; archived and no longer updated, but
worthwhile.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
• Islamic
Museum of Australia: their website contains information on events, themes and
issues, as well as information on the museum itself.
https://islamicmuseum.org.au
• ‘Introducing
Islam’: a factual, straightforward, informative and accessible documentary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX8BPim7_34
Hinduism
• BBC –
Religions, ‘Hinduism’: general survey; archived and no longer updated, but
worthwhile.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/
• ‘330
million gods’: excellent video, part of the series The long search; the quality
is acceptable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7OLjwEg5pQ
Buddhism
• BBC –
Religions: ‘Buddhism’; general survey; archived and no longer updated, but
worthwhile.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/
• Access to
Insight: readings in Theravada Buddhism.
www.accesstoinsight.org
• BuddhaNet:
worldwide Buddhist information and education network, with audio and texts.
www.buddhanet.net
• Buddhist
Society of Western Australia: information about the teachings of Buddhism,
retreats etc.
https://bswa.org/
• Tricycle:
a website containing all sorts of themes related to Buddhism in some way. It
goes beyond the margins.
http://www.tricycle.com
• Eastern Horizon:
a series of articles and essays over many years, covering many themes.
http://www.easternhorizon.org
• Shambhala
Publications: an important bookshop listing many publications on other
religions and themes as well as Buddhism; it also has information on retreats
and talks.
www.shambhala.com
Talks and Lectures
• ‘The five
major world religions’: a short, straightforward presentation by John
Bellaimey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6dCxo7t_aE
• ‘Vatican
II & other religions: a milestone?’: the Catholic community at Stanford
presents this lecture by Catherine Cornille. This is one in a series of talks
in the course ‘Vatican II: Catholicism meets modernity’, offered Spring 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCHazdNbNg0
• ‘Globalization
& Religious Pluralism’: the first in a series of Gifford Lectures by
Professor Diana Eck. Recorded in 2009 at The University of Edinburgh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0wDxV4vOqU
• ‘Being
religious as being interreligious’: a lecture by Peter C Phan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrSCMZu47HM
• ‘Interpreting
Islam in Modern Context’: Tariq Ramadan is Professor of Contemporary Islamic
Studies at the University of Oxford. He contributes to the debate on the issues
of Muslims in the West and Islamic revival in the Muslim world. He emphasises
the differences between religion and culture, which he believes are too often
confused, arguing that citizenship and religion are separate concepts. He
claims that there is no conflict between being both a Muslim and a European.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ6Zh9jKWKE
• ‘A
Catholic priest among Muslims: 40 years in dialogue with the followers of
Islam’: a lecture by Fr Thomas Michel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvqu3D0_OVU
• ‘Christian
Muslim relationships: a response to religious pluralism’: a lecture by Eboo
Patel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2uM1aPLd6Q
• ‘What is
Hinduism? Let me count the ways...’: a lecture by Dr Arvind Sharma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGomuSxgkA8