ASSIGNMENT 1

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 lifeway 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

www.godonthe.net/evidence/atribute.htm

www.britannica.com/.../indigenous-religion

Week 2

Hinduism and Jainism

No particular origin of the universe and that only God knows for He arose with fire and everything else sprung up.

The destination of the spiritual path taken by man is the nature of God.

All human souls ‘atman’ are interconnected to God Brahma though physically all are different.

Good is associated with God and light while bad is associated with Demons and darkness.

One is saved when they are freed from the cycle of life and death called ‘samsara’.

After death one’s indestructible soul is reborn in another life.

‘Ayurveda’, ‘hatha yoga’, ‘pooja’ or ‘puja’ and many others

Major festivals include ‘diwali’, ‘holi’ and ‘duja purja’

Week 2 sources

Narayanan, V. (2004). Understanding Hinduism: Origins, beliefs, practices, holy texts, sacred

places. London: Duncan Baird.

Whaling, F. (2006). Understanding Hinduism. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic.

Narayanan, V. (2004). Understanding Hinduism: Origins, beliefs, practices, holy texts, sacred

places. London: Duncan Baird.

Jiyaram V. (2006). Good and Evil. Retrieved from http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_goodandevil.asp

Narayanan, V. (2004). Understanding Hinduism: Origins, beliefs, practices, holy texts, sacred

places. London: Duncan Baird.

Whaling, F. (2006). Understanding Hinduism. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic.

Bhalla, P. P. (2005). Hindu rites, rituals, customs and traditions: A to Z on the Hindu way of life. Delhi: Pustak Mahal.

Bhalla, P. P. (2005). Hindu rites, rituals, customs and traditions: A to Z on the Hindu way of life.Delhi:Pustak Mahal.

Week 3

Buddhism

Based on tilakhana which defines the three forms of existence. Spirits enjoyed the earth and became man and woman then sun, moon and others sprung.

There is no God or any supernatural power responsible for the creation of the earth.

Four forms in one called khandas. Rupa, sanna, sankhara and vinnana.

Two views; either self definitive (the path taken by one) or inherited from previous lives in the past cycles.

Nirvana or nibbana. Freedom from the cycle of life and death. Like a Buddha.

The flesh dies and the soul is reborn is another flesh until the state of nirvana.

Mantras, meditation and oh mani padme hum and many others.

Vesak, Buddhist new year, magha puja day and asalha puja day.

Week 3 sources

Reat, N. R. (1994). Buddhism: A history. Berkeley, Calif: Asian Humanities Press.

Reat, N. R. (1994). Buddhism: A history. Berkeley, Calif: Asian Humanities Press.

Jacobson, N. P. (2010). The heart of Buddhist philosophy. Carbondale: Southern Illinois

University Press.

Chung, P. S., & Moltmann, J. (2008). Martin Luther and Buddhism: Aesthetics of suffering.

Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications

Salvation in Buddhism retrieved from http://www.evangelical.us/buddhism.html

Jacobson, N. P. (2010). The heart of Buddhist philosophy. Carbondale: Southern Illinois

University Press.

Erricker, C., & Erricker, J. (1997). Buddhist festivals. Crystal Lake, IL: Heinemann Library.

Erricker, C., & Erricker, J. (1997). Buddhist festivals. Crystal Lake, IL: Heinemann Library.

Week 4

Daoism and

Confucianism

Universe hatched from an egg which contained a confusion of earth and heaven. After about 18, 000 year Yang and Yin were formed. From Yang and Yin resulted Pan Ku, the world we know today?

Daoism form of religion does not have a God. The universe is believed to have sprung up from Dao.

The religion believes that human nature can live in harmony and order if it aligns itself to the other form of nature. That deviation from natural order disrupts harmony and order.

The religion does not believe in punishing bad things. Good behavior can be modelled according to the ways of the rulers.

There is no single unified belief on salvation and life after death in this religion.

They believe on immortality of the physical body and that they drew so much interest in the current life and did not care so much on the life after death

They offer prayers to the deities. Believers chant and recite various poems and texts. They undertake purification, meditations and giving offerings to the various deities. basic house units in the villages offer sacrifices to the deities

Chinese New Year. Dragon Boat Festival. Lantern Festival represents the full moon. Tomb sweeping. Dragon Boat Festival is carried out especially among the Zhou Dynasty in honour of Qu Yuari

Week 4 sources

(Berkson, 2012)

(Chaffee,2011)

In Melton, 2010)

Garfield, 2011).

(Berkson, 2012).

(Chaffee, 2011).

(Garfield.2011)

(In Melton, 2010).

Week 5

Shinto

They believe that the universe was created for them by their Gods

They believe that kami is the same as their God.Kami exists everywhere and answers prayers of the faithful

Believe that humans are part of the natural realm and sacred.

Good and evil is based on purity. Believes that humans were born pure. Sin and pollution makes one impure.

The concept of salvation is based on a belief that all living things have a soul, spirit or an essence called kami. Therefore kami should be respected and honored. One is regarded as saved if they honor kami.

Shinto believes that human spirits remains forever after death just like the spirit of kami.

Acknowledging various sacred places like mountains, springs, etc.,believers respect animals as God’s messengers, one goes through a Tori when entering a shrine. Believers wash their bodies in a river near the shrine. Other practices includes Harae, Misogi, Imi, Kagura, omairi, etc.

Taisai is the main festival involving shrine and the surroundings. They dance and celebrate in the streets with the rest of the community.

Week 5 sources

Breen & Mark, 2000

Breen & Mark, 2000

Havens, 2006.

Yamakage, 2007.

Yamakage, 2007.

Havens, 2006.

Breen & Mark, 2000.

Havens, 2006.

Week 6

Judaism

God created the universe and at his command everything else came to be except for humans which he created.

No specific form or shape of sex but is one called Shema.

All humans are made in the image and likeness of God and possess impulses for good and evil

God created both good and evil. Good implies doing according to the will of God and evil implies otherwise.

Salvation is from daily problems and not from an original sin.

Called Olam Ha-Ba to mean the world to come. Also believe in reincarnation and resurrection.

Mitzvoth, kashrut, kaddish and mikvah otherwise known as tevilah.

Pesach, shavu’ot and sukkot. All bound by the Shalosh R’galim known as the three pilgrimage festivals.

Week 6 sources

VanderKam, J. C. (2001). An introduction to early Judaism. Grand Rapids, Mich. [u.a.:

Eedmans

Forta, A. (1995). Judaism. Oxford: Heinemann.

Forta, A. (1995). Judaism. Oxford: Heinemann.

Leibowitz, Y., & Goldman, E. (1992). Judaism, human values, and the Jewish state. Cambridge,

Mass. u.a: Harvard Univ. Press.

VanderKam, J. C. (2001). An introduction to early Judaism. Grand Rapids, Mich. [u.a.:

Eedmans

Leibowitz, Y., & Goldman, E. (1992). Judaism, human values, and the Jewish state. Cambridge,

Mass. u.a: Harvard Univ. Press.

Forta, A. (1995). Judaism. Oxford: Heinemann.

VanderKam, J. C. (2001). An introduction to early Judaism. Grand Rapids, Mich. [u.a.:

Eedmans

Week 7

Christianity

Just like the Jews, Christians believe that God created everything in the universe.

No particular form of shape of God. God is neither male nor female.

Humans are made in the image and likeness of the Lord God.

Not doing according to the will of God is evil otherwise good.

Christians must be saved from the original sin to earn eternal life.

They believe in life after death which will begin after the day of judgment.

Baptism, confession, exorcism, bible study and many others depending on the denominations

Easter Monday, good Friday, Christmas and others as stated in one’s denomination

Week 7 sources

Gregg, R. C., & Groh, D. (1981). Early Arianism: A view of salvation. London: SCM.

Gregg, R. C., & Groh, D. (1981). Early Arianism: A view of salvation. London: SCM.

Peach, J. V. (1965). Cosmology and Christianity. New York: Hawthorn Books.

Peach, J. V. (1965). Cosmology and Christianity. New York: Hawthorn Books.

Wallace, A. J., & Rusk, R. D.(2010). Moral transformation: The original Christian paradigm of salvation. New Zealand: Bridgehead Pub.

Peach, J. V. (1965). Cosmology and Christianity. New York: Hawthorn Books.

Religion Facts. (2015). What are the rituals of the Christian faith. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/practices

Religion Facts. (2015). What are the rituals of the Christian faith. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/practices

Week 8

Islam

Allah is the creator of all things as indicted by the story of Baqara.

Neither male nor female but only one for all people.

Humans not equal to animals. Humans are intellectually gifted.

No original sin. Good is obeying the laws of Allah otherwise evil.

Salvation is attained form the worship of Allah and for deliverance from the original sin.

Happens after death and exists after the day of judgment for those who do according to the will of Allah.

Shahada, salah, siyam. Zikat and hajj

Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura, Arafa.

Week 8 sources

Roy, A. (2014). The Islamic Syncretistic Tradition in Bengal. Princeton: Princeton University

Press.

Al-Wakeel Y. (2014). Nature of Allah. Al-Islam.org

Roy, A. (2014). The Islamic Syncretistic Tradition in Bengal. Princeton: Princeton University

Press.

Roy, A. (2014). The Islamic Syncretistic Tradition in Bengal. Princeton: Princeton University

Press.

Gray D. J. (2015). Islamic Belief about the Afterlife. The immortality project retrieved from http://www.sptimmortalityproject.com/background/islamic-belief-about-the-afterlife/

Gray D. J. (2015). Islamic Belief about the Afterlife. The immortality project retrieved from http://www.sptimmortalityproject.com/background/islamic-belief-about-the-afterlife/

The Islamic Bulletin (2009). Islam Beliefs and Practices. Retrieved from http://www.islamicbulletin.org/newsletters/issue_24/beliefs.aspx

The Islamic Bulletin (2009). Islam Beliefs and Practices. Retrieved from http://www.islamicbulletin.org/newsletters/issue_24/beliefs.aspx

Week 9

Sikhism

Given by the story of sunya. God (waheguru) is responsible for all creations

Only one God who is in everyone is complex to comprehend

Self centeredness called haumai leads to bad nature while guarmat and parupkari are the right paths.

Evil is due to human decisions and is punished by suffering while good means obeying the will of waheguru.

Liberation from the cycle of life and is called mukti.

Begins after liberation from the cycle of life after which they sit in the court with waheguru.

Amrit, guru granth sahib and amand karaj.

Maghi, hola mohalla, bandi chhor divasi, vaisakhi and gurpurbs.

Week 9 sources

Singh R. G. (2009). Religion library: Sikhism; human nature and the purpose for existence.

Patheos Library.

Singh R. G. (2009). Religion library: Sikhism; human nature and the purpose for existence.

Patheos Library.

Singh R. G. (2009). Religion library: Sikhism; human nature and the purpose for existence.

Patheos Library.

BBC. (2014). Religious studies: Sikhism; good and evil.Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/sigoodandevilrev2.shtml

Owen W. C & Sambhi P. S. (2005). A popular dictionary of Sikhism; Sikh religion and

philosophy. Routledge College.

Owen W. C & Sambhi P. S. (2005). A popular dictionary of Sikhism; Sikh religion and

philosophy. Routledge College.

Sikh.Org (2011). Ceremonies and festivals. Retrieved from http://www.sikhs.org/fest.htm

Sikh.Org (2011). Ceremonies and festivals. Retrieved from http://www.sikhs.org/fest.htm

Week 10

New Religious Movements

God and humans created the universe and everything in it. So technically people helped God create the earth.

God has all the powers, wisdom and is perfect. He has a body just like humans’.

They say that humans existed before as spirits and that we are only born to be made fit for spiritualism again.

Both good and evil existed before and Lucifer actually intended good for humans until he was thrown out into the world.

No concept or idea of original sin. Salvation is by the grace of God and our actions that will lead us to immortality again.

There is life after death which begins after a series of activities undergone by the soul after the initial physical death.

Baptism, anointing and feet washing, confirmation

Pioneer day, Easter and Christmas, John the Baptist visit and the day the religion was founded.

Week 10 sources

Brooke, J. L. (1996). The refiner's fire: The making of Mormon cosmology, 1644-1844.

Brooke, J. L. (1996). The refiner's fire: The making of Mormon cosmology, 1644-1844.

Taysom S. (2008). Mormonism; human nature and the purpose for

Brooke, J. L. (1996). The refiner's fire: The making of Mormon cosmology, 1644-1844.

BBC. (2009). Salvation and Atonement; The Mormon doctrine of salvation. BBC.

BBC. (2009). Salvation and Atonement; The Mormon doctrine of salvation. BBC.

ReligionFacts. (2009). Mormon Practices. ReligionFacts

ReligionFacts. (2009). Mormon Practices. ReligionFacts