Spirits guide us and sustain us - HSC - SSCE Studies of Religion - Question 13 - 2014 - Paper 1

To determine who would derive meaning and purpose from the statement, we need to analyze the beliefs associated with each option:

1. An atheist - typically does not believe in any spiritual beings or forces. They would likely find little to no meaning in the statement based on the belief that spirituality is non-existent.

2. An animist - believes that spirits inhabit both living and non-living entities. This belief aligns well with the statement, as they would derive significant meaning and purpose from it, viewing the world as filled with spiritual forces.

3. A monotheist - believes in a single deity. While they may recognize a spiritual dimension, the concept of multiple spirits or forces may not resonate with them fully, depending on their specific beliefs.

4. A rational humanist - emphasizes reason and ethics without necessarily attributing meaning to spiritual forces. They may not find purpose in the statement as it leans more towards spiritual interpretation rather than rational or ethical dimensions.

Therefore, the best answer is (B) An animist, as they would be most aligned with deriving meaning from the presence of spirits mentioned in the statement.