Week 10

Religion

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Nature of God/Creator

View of Human Nature

View of Good and Evil

View of “Salvation”

View of After Life

Practices and Rituals

Celebrations and Festivals

Week 1

Indigenous Peoples

Most indigenous peoples have creation stories where they believe the Creator or Great Father in the Sky made the earth, the animals and all humans, e.g., the union of Sky Father and Earth Mother. Fisher, 2014, p. 36

Indigenous religions are typically polytheistic and pantheistic, involving a belief that the divine is manifested throughout the physical realm, often involving a supreme god, e.g., Great Spirit. They believe the dark gods of the spirit world are the ones to be afraid of or to placate. Indigenous peoples believe in the importance of maintaining a right relationship with the creator god and the numerous gods governing natural phenomena and forces. Fisher, 2014, p. 40

Indigenous peoples consider themselves connected to all forms of life due to their pantheistic world view. They acknowledge a Circle of Right Relationships, requiring them to respectively cultivate and maintain order among all forms of life and the natural order. Humans are seen as capable of good or bad and under the influence of curses, vows, incantations, or evil spirits. In this sense, they may be animistic. Many have a special shaman or witch doctor who is supposed to help them connect to the spirit world. Fisher, 2014, pp. 34-36, 39 – 52.

Indigenous peoples recognize that both benevolent and malevolent forces exist in the spiritual realm. These forces can have an impact upon individuals, circumstance and events in the physical world.

Good and evil are seen as forces that compete for dominance in a person and in the world. Sometimes there is an ethnocentric idea that ‘our’ group is the good one and all outsiders are ‘bad’. This idea can lead to wars and conflicts. Fisher, 2014, pp. 41, 44 – 46, 51 - 52

The idea of the path or the way or a life way is their main idea of salvation. It is the path to the good. This idea is closely aligned with a responsibility for nature and this world, connected with the idea of the Circle of Right Relationships and the holistic connection among all things in the natural world. Oneness with nature is for some seen as a goal of life. Others see ‘salvation’ as surviving and not being defeated by the dark spirits, thus having a long life. Fisher, 2014, pp. 39 – 48

Many indigenous peoples acknowledge a spiritual existence in the afterlife, evidenced by rituals and practices surrounding ancestor veneration. Some groups have a notion of an afterlife, but others do not. For example, some Native American groups believe in a “Happy Hunting Ground’ or that one goes to be with the ancestors and/or the Great Spirit. Many indigenous peoples are terrified of death and use their rituals to ward it off. Fisher, 2014, pp.40 – 41, 53 - 55

Varies by country or group. Some have animal sacrifices or smoke various substances in a ritualistic manner. Practices and rituals may include a Sweat Lodge ceremony or a Vision Quest among some Native Americans. Dance is often used to express stories and tales of the tribe or group or the gods. Body decoration, paint, garments and drums are often used in the ritual dances. To placate the spirits, they may also cut themselves or in some cases engage in cannibalism or headhunting. An example: the Sawi people of New Guinea make peace with an enemy by swapping infants between the tribes. As long as the children live there will be peace between the two tribes. One family per tribe agrees to take in the other child and give up their own. Fisher, 2014, pp. 55 - 60

Varies by country or group. Some have celebrations tied to the seasons of the year. Others have celebrations of victory in war or at weddings. The birth of children is often a time of great celebration. Death is universally observed in various ways depending on the culture and local beliefs. The finding of good prey when hunting would be a cause for celebration as well. Some Indigenous peoples celebrate a first fruits or harvest festival. Fisher, 2014, pp. 55 – 59.

Week 1

Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014) Living Religions Pearson: Upper Saddle River, NJ

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Week 6

Judaism

ll Orthodox Jews believe fully in creation, denying or even not recognizing the theory of evolution. The ultra-orthodox believe that the Torah is above science. One of the core Judaism beliefs, mentioned in the beginning of the Torah, is the belief of creation. They like Christian believe that god create exnihilo and in a period of six days and rested on the seventh day

Jews believe that God exists and that here is only one god who is unique. They also believe that god is incomparable and eternal.

They also believe that the prayers are directed to god alone. The name of their god is YHWH.

Major to Jewish convictions about people is that they are made in the image of God. This does not imply that individuals look like God, for God is ethereal. The general rabbinical understanding of this idea is that people can reason At the point when Genesis 2:7 says "God formed man," it utilizes the Hebrew word vayyitzer ("framed"). The Talmud discovers exceptional significance in the one of a kind spelling of the word in this specific situation, with two yods rather than one. The two yods, the rabbis clarify, remain for the two driving forces found in people: the yetzer tov and the yetzer ra.

The Jews explanation of suffering in this world is that what the righteous undergo is punishment for every small sin they may have committed so that they will enjoy their full reward in paradise, while the wicked are rewarded in this world for any small amount of good they have to their credit so that in the world to come they will reap the full measure of the punishment they deserve

The Jews trust that individuals should do as well as can be expected at being great. We do this since it is the correct thing to do—any individual pick up is a symptom. Truth be told, focusing on issues of reward and discipline to some degree mitigates the great one is doing by spoiling it with narrow minded motives. They likewise trust that God anticipates that you will do the best you have with what you have—including childhood, natural capacities, and the circumstances you end up in—and you have the ability to immaculate yourself

Jewish sacrosanct texts and writing belives that death is not an end of life, but a beginning of a new and better life. Even though the family will mourn and cry on the death of their loved one, they will take comfort of the fact that the soul (Neshama) of their loved one is now in a better and brighter place

One of the rituals the Jews observe is circumcision at birth. At the primary Sabbath after the introduction of a tyke, the glad father is called forward in the synagogue to discuss favors for mother and youngster. Eight days after birth, infant young men are circumcised.

Major Jewish occasions incorporate Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Hanukkah, verifiably a minor occasion, has turned out to be more conspicuous in the most recent century for Jews who live in zones that observe Christmas. The Sabbath, a day of rest and love at the synagogue, is watched every Saturday. In Judaism, all days start at nightfall, so all occasions start at dusk and end at twilight.

Wk 6 sources

Batnitzky, L. F. (2011). How Judaism became a religion: An introduction to modern Jewish thought. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press

Living Religions

Tenth Edition

Mary Pat Fisher

Robin Rinehart

Chapter 8

Gen 33;1

Week 7

Christianity

In Christianity, they believe that human beings and everything were created in six days by their creator. The being three in one did the creation by word of mouth. He said let there be ….and out of this everything was. The only difference comes in when he creates man. They believe he created man from dust in his own image and breathed into his nostril. He then gave man dominion over all the creatures of the world.

In Christianity they believe in a trine god. They believe that there are three co-eternal and co existing beings that reside in heaven. They have god the father, god the son and god the holy spiriting Christianity they believe that all this three for the god head and that they are all powerful, all knowing, omnipresent and omnipotent.

In Christianity they believe that human beings are the most superior of all creation. They believe they were given the ability to make choices by god and that they are allowed to take care of all the other creations. Human beings also believe that they were created in a different way from the other creators and that they have a way of communicating by God. They believe that they were sent out of the garden of god for sinning and if they keep the commandment of god they will get back to the garden.

Christians believe in both the good and bad spirits. They believe that god gives people the holy spirit when asked for earnestly and that the spirit guides them into doing the right things. They also believe that the devil fights their faith and allows the evil spirit to take charge of their lives. they believe they are in a warfare with the forces of the dark and must always pray to overcome this evil spirits.

Christians believe that they went against the commandments of god and that immediately god Laid a plan for salvation for them. They believe that god sent his son Jesus to come and stay with them that whoever believes in him may have a life after death. They also believe that salvation is earned through keeping the commandment that were given to a prophet Moses ,

The Christian trust in life after death relies on faith in the restoration of Jesus Christ. Death does not have the last word over human fate God does. Jesus vanquished demise, thus passing does not at last separate us from God. Jesus was raised from death to another life, an endless life given by God. The Christian trust is that as God raised Jesus Christ from death, so God will raise us from death to an unceasing existence with him.

All the Christian must undergo baptism so as to be accepted in the community of believers. The Christian also believe that god wanted them to rest and therefore always have a single day of rest.

Christian celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. They also conduct the holy communion as a way of remembering the last supper that Jesus took. It’s a sign of strengthening their faith.

Wk 7 sources

Geddes, G., & Griffiths, J. (2002). Christian belief and practice: The Roman Catholic tradition. Oxford: Heinemann.

John1;1

Gen chapter 1

Ecclesiastes 9

Living Religions

Tenth Edition

Mary Pat Fisher

Robin Rinehart

Chapter 9

Week 8

Islam

Islam teaches that God created the universe, including Earth's physical environment and human beings. The highest goal is to visualize the cosmos as a book of symbols for meditation and contemplation for spiritual upliftment or as a prison from which the human soul must escape to attain true freedom in the spiritual journey to God

Islam’s believe in one single god who do not have a son and a partner.It’s the most important belief in their faith. The name of the God is Allah. Allah communicates to the people through the Quran and also through prophets. The greatest prophet is Mohamed but they believe he is not god.

As indicated by the Quran, Allah "made man from a coagulation of blood" in the same way he made the jinn from flame. People are the best of all creations; he was given a freedom of choice. He was created with the free will majorly to serve god and obey him.

Islam’s trust in two sorts of evil, natural and human evil. Natural wickedness is accepted to endure brought about by occasions that have nothing to do with people, and which are to do with the way the world is, eg, catastrophic events, for example, volcanic ejections, surges or seismic tremors while moral fiendishness is good (or human) insidious - enduring created by people acting in a way that is considered ethically wrong eg, harassing, kill, assault, burglary or terrorism.Human malevolent and regular insidiousness can frequently cooperate, with human malice exacerbating characteristic shrewdness – or better! For instance, the torment brought about by a seismic tremor or surges can be exacerbated by individuals plundering, yet it can be made more tolerable.

For a Muslim, the question of life is to live in a way that is satisfying to Allah with the goal that one may pick up Paradise. It is trusted that at adolescence, a record of every individual's deeds is opened, and this will be utilized at the Day of Judgment to decide his everlasting destiny

Like Christianity, Islam educates the proceeded with presence of the spirit and a changed physical presence after death. There will be a day of judgment and mankind will be isolated between the unceasing goals of Paradise and Hell.

Muslims believe in various practices that compose their faith. They believe that one should not die before visiting Mecca hence they make pilgrimage to mecca{hajj}. They also conduct a one month long fast to remember when the Quran was given. They also practice alm tax or zakat prayers

Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, celebrates the prophet Abraham's eagerness to obey Allah by giving up his child Ishmael.at the end of the ramathan they celebrate Eid al-Fitr.During this period individuals dress in their finest garments, embellish their homes with lights and adornments, offer treats to kids, and appreciate visits with companions and family. They also celebrate Mawlid al-Nabi This occasion praises the birthday of Muhammad, the originator of Islam. It is settled as the twelfth day of the time of Rabi I in the Islamic logbook. Mawlid implies birthday of a heavenly figure and al-Nabi implies prophet.

Wk 8 sources

Marshall Cavendish Reference (Firm). (2010). Islamic beliefs, practices, and cultures. Tarrytown, N.Y: Marshall Cavendish Reference.

Quran, 112:1-4

Qur'an 3:31

Surah 2:38

Living Religions

Tenth Edition

Mary Pat Fisher

Robin Rinehart

Chapter 10

Week 9

Sikhism

Sikhism discloses to us that this Earth has been continuing for billions of years. God made the whole Universe including the Earth and the Earth has been advancing since. Guru Granth Sahib Ji additionally reveals to us this is by all account not the only time God has made the Universe; He has done it many circumstances again and again

Sikhism perceives God as the just a single. He who is the Creator of the Universe, brave, not subject to time or space, and does not take birth or bite the dust. Sikhism obviously expresses that God does NOT take birth as a human. Besides, Sikhism does not perceive whatever other divine beings, goddesses and gods aside from the One Supreme Being

Sikhism considers every human race equivalent, they pay little respect to position, shading, class, culture, sexual orientation, riches, and religion. In the fourteenth century, the Hindu station framework was at its crest in India. Numerous Hindu clerics (Brahmins) trusted in the position framework and propagated it however much as could reasonably be expected by isolating people of lower ranks and marking them as untouchables. Individuals in India, who viewed themselves as of a high-class society wouldn't touch a man who they considered as being a piece of any lower position.

Sikhism believe that evil is brought about by evil. They trust that giving into any egotistical longings you may have will just wind up making the adventure longer. Avarice, self-centeredness, and liberality are altogether viewed as malevolent things by Sikhs. To them you can in any case compensate for past activities and in the event that you are conceived as a poor hobo, you can at present enhance yourself as a man, and keep working towards the everlasting objective.

Salvation must be achieved by reflection of God. Much the same as you cherish your loved one and keep them in your psyche, we ought to love God. Sikhism underlines that ordinary family life is no hindrance to salvation. That it is conceivable to live separated amidst common ills and allurements

Sikhism has a confidence in resurrection. Paradise and hellfire do exist. Your great deeds will be compensated in paradise and terrible deed will be rebuffed in hellfire, you will take birth over and over until you accomplish salvation by getting to be distinctly One with God

The Sikh religion rejects all rituals, superstitions and routine practices like fasting and pilgrimage, animal sacrifice, omens and austerities. The only thing that they do is baptism. Knows as Amrit, Baptism is a sacrosanct and critical piece of Sikh life. A Baptized Sikh carries on with the way of life as depicted above and stays concentrated on its approach to be One with God

A Sikh is to engage in a daily practice of meditation by reciting and chanting of God’s Name. Sikhism instructs that Salvation can only be attained by meditating on One God. Daily recitation also keeps Sikhs focused in life.

Wk 9 sources

Mann, G. S. (2004). Sikhism. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 349

Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 580)

Living Religions

Tenth Edition

Mary Pat Fisher

Robin Rinehart

Chapter 11

Week 10

New Religious Movements

Wk 10 sources