World Religion "First Time Paper" I want the paper to be done on : Rituals

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

text -www.godonthe.net/evidence/atribute.htm

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Week 2

Hinduism and Jainism

(H)The Supreme God=Brahman.

(J) Scholars trace the beginning of Jainism to the 6th century B.C.E. in northern India, one of several shramanic movements there that arose in response to Vedism. Insiders to the tradition, however, consider it to be eternal.

(H)Paramatma=The supreme soul, Brahma (Creator), Vishnu/Krishna (Protect), Shiya/Mahesh (Destroyer).

(J) No creator

(J) Every sentient being has a soul mired in material karmic particles that block its spiritual path. Action, particularly action with attachment, attracts karma to the soul throughout successive reincarnations. Karma must be burned off in order to reach liberation.

(H) Evil=PAP having to return (84 million times) to get it right or turn into another being and go through the same treatment you dished out to someone or something else.

(J) The Jain view of God enables Jainism to explain the evil and suffering that exists in the world without the intellectual difficulties faced by religions that have an omnipotent, wholly good, creator God at their heart.

Where religions such as Christianity find the problem of evil one of their toughest tests, Jains use the existence of evil as a reason for denying the existence of an omnipotent, wholly good, Creator.

(H)Getting it right in life the first time so you won’t have to come back.

(J) Following liberation one's jiva ascends to the apex of the universe to join other siddhas.

(H)Atma going into the Paramatra.

(J) One can ascend to a heavenly realm due to good karmas accrued, but must return to a human incarnation in order to achieve final liberation

(H)Yoga, Puja, Fire Sacrifice, Pilgrimages, Fast Prayers

(J) Twelve limited vows, naked , white robs, ahimsa, pulling hair out

(H)Deepawali, Holi, Durga Puja, Raksha Bandhan

Wk 2 sources

www.patheos.com

Class Text Book

Week 3

Buddhism

Buddhism originated in northern India in the 5th century B.C.E. The tradition traces its origin to Siddhartha Gautama (or Gotama), who is typically referred to as the Buddha (literally the "Awakened" or "Enlightened One"). Siddhartha observed the suffering in the world and set out to find an antidote.

No God or Gods

The wheel of life. Anatman

Kusala and Akusala budist ethics for good and evil

Salvation in early Buddhism was nirvana, the extinguishing of the all karma that constitutes the self. Nirvana is not a place or a state, but the end of rebirth.

Reincarnation and Karma, Freeing oneself from desire to assend to Nirvana. After death you have to go through Bardos for 40 days to decide if you have rebirth or go to nirvana

Meditation, Devotional Practices, and Mahayana

Vesak, Vaisakha

Wk 3 sources

www.patheos.com

Week 4

Daoism and

Confucianism

(D) The influence of the Shamans in ancient China waned from the beginning of the first millennium BCE. During this period the great Lao Zi is supposed to have lived, and written the Dao De Jing (Tao Te-Ching), the most important book of Daoist wisdom

(C) Confucianism became the official ideology of China in 2nd century B.C. The founder of Confucianism is Confucius (551–479 B.C.).

(D)There no God but a higher being is Shangdi that’s takes on a male form

(C) Confucius never claimed deity

(D) when human nature is aligned with the rest of nature, order and harmony are the result. From this perspective, the purpose of self-cultivation is to return to a mode of existence that is natural, but has been obscured by social conditioning.

(C) Two main principles of Confucius:

Humans are good. Humans learn best from example. The great need in every society is a model human being. Confucius called this model person junzi. A structured society under a strong dependable leader is best. Worldview of Confucianism is Absolute. No specific teaching on the absolute.

(D) The Universe is neither good nor evil; it is beyond good and evil—it just is. Trying to conquer nature or improve it is futile. Daoism disagrees with Hinduism's and Buddhism's view that the world is an illusion.

(D)Daoists often focus on harmony with the Dao in this life not what happens in the next life.Some Daoists deny an afterlife or are agnostic about it.Those who follow more religious aspects of Daoism sometimes believe that the soul of a person can go to a heaven or a hell.

(D)Exorcism, Funeral Rites, Cosmic Renewal Rites, Ying and Yang

(C) Lacks sacraments and liturgy.

Spirit of unborn child protects mother.Mothers get one month of rest after birth. At Death

Relatives cry out loud.Body is washed and put in a coffin.

Mourners bring incense and money.A Buddhist or Daoist priest performs a burial ritual.

(C) The main holiday celebrated in Confucianism is the birthday of Confucius, which is September 28. There is a festival held each year to pay homage to the founder of Confucianism. Although many people view Confucianism as a religion, it is rather a system of societal and ethical philosophy

Wk 4 sources

(D) http://www.arcworld.org/faiths.asp?pageID=145

(C) http://theologicalstudies.org/resource-library/world-religions/426-confucianism

(D)In class

(D)http://www.patheos.com/Library/Beliefs/Human-Nature-and-the-Purpose-of-Existence

(C) http://theologicalstudies.org/resource-library/world-religions/425-daoism

(D)http://theologicalstudies.org/resource-library/world-religions/425-daoism

Week 5

Shinto

During its early period, Shinto had no name, fixed doctrine, moral precepts, or sacred writings.

Worship centers on kami– spirits that abide in natural objects such as mountains, rocks, storms, heavenly bodies, etc.

In the 6th century AD, the name "Shinto" was created to distinguish this religion from Buddhism and ConfucianismShinto became overshadowed by Buddhism.

Buddhist priests became the custodians of Shinto shrines.

Until the 18th century, Buddhism dominated Shinto. In the 18th century, Shinto was revived as the national religion of Japan.

Shinto is specifically and only a religion of Japan. Shinto means "the way of the gods." Shinto goes back to ancient times. It has no specific founder.

The sovereignty of the emperor rested in the view that he was a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, the founder of Japan. Related beliefs included:

The Japanese were superior to other peoples because of their descent from the gods.

The emperor was destined to rule over the entire world.

Shinto is concerned with the Japanese peoples rather than humanity.

Humans are servants of family, state, and ancestors. To fail to do what is best for these groups is considered disgraceful.

Problem for humans The problem is alienation.

Estrangement from kami.

Estrangement from family, ancestors, community, or emperor through failure.

Solution for humans The solution for humans is reconciliation.

At death, body is cremated.

The departed joins his or her ancestors.

Departed ancestors know what family is doing.

Departed can receive gifts from family members

Pilgrimages are important

Prayers of thanksgiving

Rites include:

Offerings of valuables, such as swords and armor.

Purification from crime and defilement.

Bushido Code – stressed loyalty of the warrior to his lord. Should the warrior fail in his mission, he was required to commit hara-kiri—ritual suicide.

Wk 5 sources

http://theologicalstudies.org/resource-library/world-religions/427-shinto

Week 6

Judaism

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, known as the Patriarchs, are both the physical and spiritual ancestors of Judaism. Abraham made the Covenant with God and that’s how his name was changed from Abram in Genesis to Abraham.

The history of Judaism begins with Abraham, who came to believe in one Supreme Being God or Yahweh the supreme deity. God has no form but is often referred to as a male in most text. But God has no direct form.

Holy of Holy. Humans are not perfect. No human can be divine. Humans have a direct line with God. Your soul is mutual and the belief in freewill. Obedience to the Torah. All people have a share in the world to come.

In Judaism we do not see it as there being a conflict between good and evil. Some ancient religions believed that there are two forces in the universe, one good and one evil, and that they are constantly warring with each other.

Jews believe that God expects you to do the best you have with what you have— including upbringing, innate abilities, and the situations you find yourself in—and you have the power to perfect yourself. Even on this relative scale, though, no one wastes their entire potential, or fully utilizes every opportunity. So, to whatever extent one does what they can, they enjoy its effects in the World to Come.

Over the centuries a few possible descriptions of the afterlife have been incorporated into Jewish thought. However there is no definitively Jewish explanation for what happens after we die.

Sabbath, Circumcision, marriage

Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot

Wk 6 sources

In Class

In class. Course book page 249

In Class

http://www.beingjewish.com/faqs/conflict.html

http://www.shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/faq/12-37.html

http://judaism.about.com/od/judaismbasics/a/Afterlife-In-Judaism-Jewish-Beliefs.htm

In class

http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/holidays

Week 7

Christianity

Christianity originated in the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who was born circa 4 B.C.E. in Roman-occupied Palestine, a Jewish province of the Roman Empire.

Both the New and Old Testament declare there is only one God. Not just one God for this universe, or many gods united in one purpose, but one God. Both Judaism and Christianity are clearly monotheistic. Two views of the origin of all things prevail among men. One is that they were created by God, who is self-existent, eternal and mysterious, a union of infinite life and mind.

God created human beings in the divine image, enabling humans to have some understanding of God and of God's vast and complex design. The purpose of life is to love and serve God in order to help bring about God's glorious plan for creation.

Christianity teaches that God hates sin and will punish the transgressor. It is in the nature of humans to sin, so all people risk separation from God, the source of all life and love. Cut off from God, we suffer anxiety and despair in an insignificant and unhappy life. We become hateful toward others and ourselves, inflicting pain on each other and on the rest of creation.

Christians also believe that human existence does not end at physical death. There is a world to come, and the consequences of sin will follow humans there.

As the judge of all, God will assess each individual's relationship to Christ; people risk a sentence of eternal punishment and spiritual death, forever separated from God. A great deal of Christian art and writing has vividly depicted the grotesque torture and suffering of those damned to hell.

Baptism, Marriages, Eucharist

Christmas, Passover, Easter

Wk 7 sources

http://english.sdaglobal.org/evangelism/bibans/59orig1.htm

http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/what-does-christianity-say-about-the-nature-of-god/

http://www.patheos.com/Library/Christianity/Beliefs/Human-Nature-and-the-Purpose-of-Existence

http://www.patheos.com/Library/Christianity/Origins/Beginnings

http://www.patheos.com/Library/Christianity/Beliefs/Afterlife-and-Salvation

http://www.patheos.com/Library/Christianity/Beliefs/Afterlife-and-Salvation

Week 8

Islam

Wk 8 sources

Week 9

Sikhism

Wk 9 sources

Week 10

New Religious Movements

Wk 10 sources