Week 10 Assignment 1 Religion

WORLD RELIGIONS – REL 212 World Religions

HINDUISM & JAINISM

WEEK 2

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

The cosmogony of Hindus points out that the present cycle is not the beginning of everything but the very cycle is preceded by various infinite number of universes and that another infinite number of universes will succeed it.

Jainism cosmogony claims the universe is an uncreated entity that existed since infinity and that it has the shape of a man standing legs apart and the hands resting on the waist.

Nature of God/Creator

Jainism claims that all constituents and actions are governed by the universal natural laws.

The concept of God is complicated in the Hinduism religion as it depends on particular tradition.

View of Human Nature

Human nature is related to divine nature

View of Good & Evil

Selfish actions are regarded as evil and leads to suffering whereas the religion recognizes selfless and sacrificial actions as good and leads to peace liberation and happiness.

View of Salvation

Jainism concept of salvation is action-less and peaceful existence whereas Hinduism views salvation as the merging of soul with universal soul or eternal stay in paradise

View of After Life

They both belief in reincarnation

Practices and Rituals

Rituals are critical to Jainism and Hinduism because they aid express beliefs and values. They include; monasticism, worship, meditation,

Celebrations & Festivals

Hinduism and Jainism embraces festivals largely in tandem with the Indian culture and they comprise the holi, holika dahan, gangaur, ram Navami etc.

Week 2 - Sources

Scullard, H. H. (1981). festivals and ceremonies of the roman republic. Cornell university press.

BUDDHISM

WEEK 3

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Buddhism asserts that the universe comes into existence dependent on the actions of its inhabitants. The religion postulates neither final end nor ultimate beginning of the universe; however it sees the universe as continuously undergoing change passing in and out of existence. It views the universe as being parallel to other infinite universes undergoing the same flux.

Nature of God/Creator

Buddhism neither denies nor accepts a creator

View of Human Nature

Human nature is related to divine nature

View of Good & Evil

Buddhism believes that good and evil are innate, not separable tenets of life. Every man is capable of great good as well as worst evil. There are however consequences.

View of Salvation

Salvation in early Buddhism was nirvana, the extinguishing of all the Karma that constitutes the self.

View of After Life

In accordance to Buddhism after death one is reborn or enters nirvana.

Practices and Rituals

The religion observes a number of practices and rituals to aid the journey to enlightment and bring blessings on oneself or others. They include religious cultures of India, Asia, Tibet etc. and meditation

Celebrations & Festivals

Celebrations and festivals in Buddhism include; Buddhist new year, Vesak,magha puja day, asalha puja day etc.

Week 3 - Sources

Mbithi, J. S. (1990). African religions & philosophy. Heinemann.

DAOISM & CONFUCIANISM

WEEK 4

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

The universe is self-generating and interrelated

Nature of God/Creator

There is no creator.

View of Human Nature

Human nature is inherently good

View of Good & Evil

The universe is either good nor evil, it is in fact beyond good and evil

View of Salvation

Do not hold beliefs about salvation

View of After Life

After life is beyond human comprehension and they should live and behave in such a manner to promote ideal social relations.

Practices and Rituals

They comprised music, charioteering, archery, ancestor worship etc.

Celebrations & Festivals

Involve most of Chinese culture and includes; new year celebrations, tomb sweeping, folk religion etc.

Week 4 - Sources

WEEK 5

SHINTO

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

The Shinto people believe that the universe was created for them by their gods. The universe was unified at creation.

Nature of God/Creator

The creator was a sun goddess called Amaterasu of numerous kami uniting the beliefs of several clans or tribes.

View of Human Nature

The religion views humans as being part of the natural arena which sacred.

View of Good & Evil

Shinto asserts that humans are born pure sharing in the divine soul and that evil come in the course of life and it can be eradicated by cleansing.

View of Salvation

The concept of salvation among Shinto people is rooted on the belief that all living creatures have a soul which does not live in heaven but among us.

View of After Life

Shinto follower place little regard on death and what happens after it.

Practices and Rituals

Include; shrine Shinto, imperial household Shinto, folk Shinto, sect Shinto etc.

Celebrations & Festivals

Comprise the celebrations for the new year, child birth, planting, coming of age, harvests, weddings etc.

Week 5 - Sources

Casanova, J. (2011). Public religions in the modern world. Chicago: University of Chicago. .

WEEK 6

JUDAISM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Judaism content that a single, uncreated God was responsible for the creation of the universe.

Nature of God/Creator

God according to Christianity is a supreme being with no beginning or end and has power over everything. God is unchangeable and unaffected by earthly forces or anything else within the creation.

View of Human Nature

Human nature is distinct from dine nature in that humanity is seen as dependent upon God and God’s will.

View of Good & Evil

According to Judaism all evil in the world is as a result of man or is permitted by God for it’s a fair option than crushing human kind. Good and evil have consequences just as they are subject to free will of choice.

View of Salvation

Judaism has always asserted that we do not need that sort of salvation bearing in mind that we are doomed or damned at birth.

View of After Life

Judaism believes that death is not the end of life but leave wide open room for personal opinion as it concerns itself the least with after life.

Practices and Rituals

Judaism rituals and practices are provided for by the Jewish law and dictates the daily life of individuals in honor of God. Some of the practices include; mitzvoth, the 613 commandments, rabbinic law, the synagogue, Jewish worship and prayer, keeping kosher etc.

Celebrations & Festivals

Most of the Jewish celebrations and festivals are to recall the might work of God in history. This vital days are the Sabbath, the three pilgrimage and the two high holy days.

Week 6 - Sources

Smith, H., & Marranca, R. (2009). The world's religions. New York: Harperone.

WEEK 7

CHRISTIANITY

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

The heaven and earth and all that is found in it were created by a supreme being called God by word of mouth a part from man who was created in God’s image and from dust. The creation of everything in the Universe took six days and happened in a given chronological order.

Nature of God/Creator

God according to Christianity is a supreme being with no beginning or end and has power over everything. God is unchangeable and unaffected by earthly forces or anything else within the creation. He exists in a holy trinity comprising God the father, son and Holy spirit who work in understanding and together.

View of Human Nature

Human being in relation to Christianity were created in the image of God for the sole purpose of worshiping him.

View of Good & Evil

Christianity views evil as a result of Satan who uses human beings by way deceiving and devouring so as to win them to hell. Good on the other end is perceived as living according to Gods commandments and will and carries an eternal reward after salvation, eternal life.

View of Salvation

Salvation according to Christianity is the key to going to heaven and is only received via believing in Jesus and confessing that he died for your sins and that he resurrected and ascended to heaven.

View of After Life

There is life after the life on earth. Them that are saved and live according to God’s commandments will inherit eternal life in heaven whereas those who do evil will face eternal wrath in a hell.

Practices and Rituals

Christianity offers great attention to practices as prescribed by the bible for example tithing, the Sabbath day, marriage, divorce, salvation. Failure to adhere to this practices is sin. The bottom line ritual in Christianity was the death of Jesus on the cross and therefore not many rituals are entertained.

Celebrations & Festivals

Every celebration and festive is significant to Christians. Notably are the Easter and Christmas which signify the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Birth of Jesus Christ consecutively. Other celebrations and festivals are tied to the commandments and instructions given to the Israelites by God as well as the life of Christ Jesus.

Week 7 - Sources

Beard, m., North, J. A., & price, S. (1998). religions of rome (Vol. 2). camprige university press.

WEEK 8

ISLAM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Islam educated that the universe was created by God to include the physical environment and human beings. The religion considers the earth as a prison from which the soul of human beings must escape to get true freedom in spiritual journey to God.

Nature of God/Creator

God according to Christianity is a supreme being with no beginning or end and has power over everything. God is unchangeable and unaffected by earthly forces or anything else within the creation.

View of Human Nature

Human nature is distinct from dine nature in that humanity is seen as dependent upon God and God’s will.

View of Good & Evil

Evil can either be caused by natural factors or human actions therefore they are either moral or natural. Muslims are expected to follow Allah’s example of justice mercy and forgiveness. Everyone is born with natural instinct to understand good and evil and therefore they have a free will to choose.

View of Salvation

According to Islam salvation is achieved through sincere worship. The doctrine of salvation contents that those unbelievers, ungraceful and sinners will be condemned but genuine repentance results in Allah’s forgiveness and entrance into paradise upon death.

View of After Life

Islam posits that the present life is a trail in preparation the next real of existence.

Practices and Rituals

Sacred rituals and practices are very vital to Muslims as they assist them intensify in devotion, remember history and even express conviction. The five pillars of Islam are characterized by the five practices and are very important to the faith.

Celebrations & Festivals

Most Islam holidays commemorate events in life such as the Ramadhan fasting, Ashura, the birthday of Muhammad, the festivals of ‘Id Al-Aha and ‘Id Al-Fitr are very respected and important to Muslims.

Week 8 - Sources

Smith, H., & Marranca, R. (2009). The world's religions. New York: Harperone.

WEEK 9

SIKHISM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Sikhism cosmogony asserts that God created the entire universe including the earth which has been undergoing evolution since then. It is also believed that God created all the life in the universe,

Nature of God/Creator

God is the omnipotent cultivation of all the Hindu gods and goddesses

View of Human Nature

Human nature according to Sikhs is attached to self-centeredness as juxtaposed to divine consciousness. Humans are believed to be at the apex of the creations and live to merge with the divine will.

View of Good & Evil

Sikhism teaches that people are rewarded and obtain their goals easily and successfully when they do well but suffer and endure longer and tough journey in achieving their objectives when the engage in terrible, evil things.

View of Salvation

The concept of salvation portrayed by this religion is having faith, reciting the name of God and remembering Him always.

View of After Life

The religion stresses on a life free of worry about the after-life because the experience is felt in this very life.

Practices and Rituals

Sikhs participate in temples, prayer, worship and the five ‘s. the religion also embraces rituals such as naming of child, initiation, funerals/deaths, Akhand path and marriages. Some rituals such as fasting are prohibited

Celebrations & Festivals

The religion has celebrations and festival activities such as gurpurbs, Baisakhi, maghi, bandi chhor divas, divali, hola mohalla

Week 9 - Sources

Beard, m., North, J. A., & price, S. (1998). religions of rome (Vol. 2). camprige university press.

WEEK 10

NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

There God created the universe that contains unique and precious objects

Nature of God/Creator

Some believe in No god, atheism and others believe in a god polytheism. God is sometimes viewed as the unlimited and un-manifested boundless being beyond comprehension from which a supreme being proceed. Others believe that He is the highest state of consciousness a man can reach

View of Human Nature

They view humans as evolutionary Godhood and global unity. Human being are as well viewed as being divine within themselves.

View of Good & Evil

Good and evil do not exist and therefore there are no absolutes in morality

View of Salvation

They view salvation as a personal decision and life

View of After Life

There are multiple views on life after death.

Practices and Rituals

There lacks a clear-cut distinction in practices and rituals. some include worship etc.

Celebrations & Festivals

Celebrations and festivals including weddings, religious festivals like Christmas,

and other emerging one

Week 10 - Sources

Smith, H., & Marranca, R. (2009). The world's religions. New York: Harperone.

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