Religion Assignment

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

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Week 2

Hinduism and Jainism

Hinduism:

No founder and no starting point Jainism: Founder Mahavira 500 B.C. (ReligiousFacts, 2004-2007).

Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva several gods.

Jainism: there is no gods worship Mukta, Siddha, Tirthankaras (ReligiousFacts, 2004-2007).

Hinduism: Cycles rebirths, births, death. Jainism: Goal liberation (moksa). Everything has soul but to obtain liberation you need to have human form (ReligiousFacts, 2004-2007).

Hinduism: balancing action between order and disorder. Jainism: get rid of all Karma and the series to be Mukta (ReligiousFacts, 2004-2007).

Hinduism: Karma, Dharma the approach to life though the objective is for liberation to be comprehensive and free from the series. Jainism: liberation through getting rid of all Karma from the soul stay a life full of cleanse, as well as nonviolence (ReligiousFacts, 2004-2007).

Hinduism: Believes in rebirth and recreation of souls. Death is not a big calamity, not the end of everything, but a natural process. Jainism: it depends on one’s karma; if one has shed all bad karma then one is set. Also it depends on one’s spiritual development and if one has attained moksa, or liberated from personal cycle of rebirth, which is what occurs if one fails to obtain it (ReligiousFacts, 2004-2007).

Hinduism: Focused on devotion to God or various gods. This devotion normally takes the form of rituals and practices linked to sculptures and gods images in home shrines. Jainism: religion is a first priority to them and their main belief system composes of; non-violence, honesty, no theft, celibacy, and non-possessiveness (ReligiousFacts, 2004-2007).

Hinduism: Festivals are meant to purify, prevent malicious influences, restore society, bridge through hard moments, plus resuscitate or stimulate the crucial nature powers. They comprise a range variety of rituals, comprising prayer, worship, processions, music, magical acts, eating, lovemaking, plus feeding the poor.

Jainism: Jain festivals are distinguished by austerities, renunciation, study of scriptures, meditation, repetition of holy hymns, and conveying devotion for the Paramatma (ReligiousFacts, 2004-2007).

Wk 2 sources

ReligiousFacts. (2004-2007). Hindu Holidays and Festivals. ReligiousFacts

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

ReligiousFacts. (2004-2017). Jainism. ReligiousFacts

http://www.religionfacts.com/jainism

Week 3

Buddhism

Buddhism believes that the beginning of the world and life is inconceivable because they have neither start nor end. Bertrand Russell supports by stating there is no reason to think that the world had a beginning ever. The thought that things have to have a start is really because of poor thoughts (Buddhist Tourism, 2007).

Buddhist religion system does not believe in the idea of personal God. Their theory rejects the idea of an abstract principle of God working on the universe. Rather, they believe that the idea of God is a reaction to frustration and fear (Buddhist Tourism, 2007).

Buddhism disagrees with the traditional believe of Indian that atman or souls is an outside existing spiritual being or substance and the abiding self that moves from one soul to the next upon rebirth. Buddha taught that everything is impermanent or anicca and this comprises everything people associate with being human: feelings, sensations, consciousness, and thoughts. This is the principle of anatta, ‘no-soul,’ the main perception of Buddhism (Buddhist Tourism, 2007).

According to the Buddhist, good and evil are innate, indivisible facets of life. This sight makes it impracticable to label a person or crowd as good or evil. Every person is capable of actions of the noblest good or the worst. In addition, in Buddhism, good and evil are not viewed as absolute rather relational or relative (Buddhist Tourism, 2007).

In the Dhamma, the main cause of sin is the Kilesas, to be exact the defilements as Lobha meaning hunger, Dosha meaning hatred and Moha interpreted as delusion. In simple, as various religions offer to save souls from sin, Buddhism what it does is to offer to save souls from Kilesas (root of every sin). Dhamma does not view savior as an act of rescue but rather what it teaches people to save them. Not an action one can do on behalf of the other. Salvation is not so relevant in Buddhist; their concept is Nibbana or Nirvana meaning extinction, emancipation, freedom, liberation, deliverance, release, and others (Buddhist Tourism, 2007).

The Buddhist believes in a series of death and rebirth referred to as samsara. Through eventual and karma enlightenment, Buddhists trust to flee samsara and attain nirvana, a stop to suffering. Upon attaining Nirvana, and the enlightened people physically dies, Buddhists trust they will not be reborn anymore. Nirvana refers to understanding and agreeing to the Four Noble Truths and being aware to realism (Buddhist Tourism, 2007).

Buddhism includes various rituals and practices that are meant to help in the passage to enlightenment, and get blessings to a person and others. Meditation practice is the central to almost all kinds of Buddhism, and it obtains directly from the teachings and experiences of Buddha. Meditation is the innermost focus of Zen Buddhism, and the sole route to liberation in Theravada Buddhism (Buddhist Tourism, 2007).

Buddhism observes several holidays and festivals, a big number commemorating significant occasions in the life of the Buddha, or diverse Bodhisattvas. Holiday dates are according to the lunar calendar and regularly differ by tradition and country.

Their holidays are joyful events. A festival day usually starts with a trip to the local temple, where a person presents food or other commodity to the monks, and listen to Dharma speak. Afternoons may entail distributing food to the less fortune to gain merit, medication, and chanting (Buddhist Tourism, 2007).

Wk 3 sources

Buddhist Tourism. (2007). God in Buddhism

http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/buddhism/god-in-buddhism.html

Week 4

Daoism and

Confucianism

Daoism: Daoism also referred to as Taoism, believe at the beginning there was disarray and chaos, heaven mixed with earth, and the universe organization was asleep somewhere in the chaos in an egg form. Following 1800 years, finally the egg hatched, and clean substances hanged up in to the heave and were referred to as Yang, and the rest were named Yin creating the earth (Hardy, 2008-2017).

Confucianism: Chinese naturalism as a main ingredient of Confucianism in its largest sense is distinguished by an organic holism plus a vibrant vitalism. The Confucianism organic holism describes the fact that the universe is seen as a huge incorporated unit, not as disconnected mechanistic parts. This interconnectedness already exists in the early tradition of Confucian (Richey, 2008-2017)

Daoism: Taoism does not possess God in the manner the Abrahamic religions do. There is no all-powerful being past the cosmos, who made and manages the universe. The world springs from the Tao, according to Taoism, and the Tao impersonally directs everything their way (Hardy, 2008-2017).

Confucianism: In Confucianism there is no god, rather, a force known as Tao or the Great Ultimate. Confucius understood that Tao was the force for creation and this force moves through all life, facilitating betterment and change. Although Confucianism lacks basement of god, Confucius talked of the notion of heaven as a positive force (Richey, 2008-2017)

Daoism: According to Taoist, once human being is aligned with the other nature, the results are harmony and order. From this idea, the importance of self-cultivation is to go back to a mode of existence which is natural, though has been hidden by social conditioning. Doing over and again certain acts like physical exercises, is a kind of training to the body to keep it away to respond in a spontaneous, natural way (Hardy, 2008-2017).

Confucianism: Confucius cared for human beings, their condition – not metaphysics. Worry concerning human beings, not gods; fret concerning life, not death. Emphasized that government would endorse social harmony as well as the general well-being (Richey, 2008-2017)

Daoism: As an idea, Taoist does not grasp the ace of good against evil; instead, they view the interdependence of every duality. And so, when a person names something as good, that person creates evil automatically. Meaning, all thoughts of necessity are according to a person aspect versus another; if a thought was to have one facet only, it would be irrational (Hardy, 2008-2017).

Confucianism:

According to Confucianism interpretations, evil and suffering are inevitable in human being, and can endorse growth and learning. A mistake is not sin, rather a chance to learn and do better another time. Sympathy to those suffering also gives motivation to grow morally, though not all humans are able to pity (Richey, 2008-2017)

Daoism: Taoism is not a salvific observance. They believe there is nothing that a person requires to be saved from, and trust in salvation would cause to belief in damnation in similar way as belief in evil. Even though they fail to agree the false duality of salvation versus damnation, remaining just in harmony with Te and Tao, and not extremely chasing material wealth, prestige, stature, will lead to a life of joy (Hardy, 2008-2017).

Confucianism:

Confucians does not in general believe on damnation or salvation of anyone past this life. However, worship of ancestor is a vital part of Confucian faith and practice. They refer to ancestor worship approvingly and commend it as a method to cultivate virtue of filial piety and bringing joyful relations in society (Richey, 2008-2017)

Daoism: Daoism gives great focus to life. It is less concerned on life after death, though on health and long life through loving a simple life as well as having inner peace. It is stated that the body of human is full of gods, spirits, or demons. Following death of people, rituals are performed to allow spirits to guard the body (Hardy, 2008-2017).

Confucianism: they believe people are supposed to live a life and behave in a manner to support ideal social relations, instead of acting according to expectations of benefits or sentences after death. According to Confucian, a person should live fully at the present with no full responsibility of the past, in terms of giving respect to ancestors as well as making the best of what has been left behind (Richey, 2008-2017)

Daoism: Ritual to the Daoism is the thought of bringing order plus harmony to numerous layers of cosmos in full, human society, or the world and the inside world of human beings. Their rituals entail purification, offerings, and medication to deities (Hardy, 2008-2017).

Confucianism:

Regardless of his lack of interest in offering clear-cut answers to ultimate queries, Kongzi was a strong supporter of ritual. The old and latest enduring Confucian ritual practice is worship of ancestor; the ritualized remembrance of, contact with, and sacrifice to a person’s deceased relations (Richey, 2008-2017).

Daoism: Every Lunar month, Daoism temples honor specific Deities through hosting festivals and performing regular-elaborate ceremonies under their name. Examples of larger festivals celebrated in many Taoist temples are: the Dragon Boast Festival, Chinese New Year, the Festival of Lanterns, and others (Hardy, 2008-2017).

Confucianism: Numerous holidays of Confucian are borrowed from other religions. They celebrate the Ghost Festival, the Chinese New Year, plus others. The two distinctive Confucian holidays are Confucius’s Birthday and the Ching Ming Festival (Richey, 2008-2017)

Wk 4 sources

Hardy, J. (2008-2017). Religion: Library. Patheos Library

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

Richey, J. (2008-2017). Religion Library: Confucianism. Patheos Libray

http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism/Ritual-Worship-Devotion-Symbolism/Rites-and-Ceremonies

Week 5

Shinto

Shinto religion believes that God created the universe for them. They believe at the beginning, heavens and earth were incorporated together in a huge cloud. Then, the cloud was put separate where the clearer parts went up and created heaven. The heavier parts came down and turned to be an ocean of muddy water (eCondolence, 2017).

Shinto is the ‘way of the gods’. Their gods and goddesses are known as kami. Kami means anything that is up, high, unusual, special, or auspicious in a way. It means the essence, or internal quality, of numerous phenomena that believers of Shinto believe an aura of divinity (eCondolence, 2017).

Human beings are part of the natural dominion that is holy. Pollution happens from usual actions like contact with substances that are threat to life, for instance blood, death, or disease. This is not avoidable and comprises no sin. Through purification acts, pollution is washed away. That is one reason to remain pure and natural state of existence (eCondolence, 2017).

Purity is at Shinto’s heart; understanding of good and evil. According to Shinto, impurity is anything that splits people from kami and masubi, the creative and rejoicing power. Pollution or sin referred to as tsumi is what makes people impure. Humans are born pure. Sin or impurity surface later in life and can be eradicated through easy cleansing or purifying rituals (eCondolence, 2017).

In Shinto, which is a religious indigenous to Japan, the thought of salvation is according to the belief that all things with life have a spirit, an essence or soul referred to as kami. Instead of living in a overvalued Heaven, kami live in people. Some are even sanctified. Though kami has to be respected. Human beings who die brutally, have miserable lives, or lack family to take care for their kami turns hungry ghosts, bringing problem to the living (eCondolence, 2017).

Traditions of Shinto lean more on the thoughts of the kami presence and rather not reincarnation. Spiritual energy or kami, of everyone is give out and recycled during death time. The spirits survive in a different world, the most holy which is known as the other world in heaven. These different heavens are not viewed as punishment or paradise rather it is world where spirits live (eCondolence, 2017).

The importance on ritual in the religion of Shinto is evident during funeral services. The main objective of ritual is to offer a link with the kami as well as to cleanse things that got contaminated through death. 12 unique steps in Shinto funeral are performed, and every step needs to be done completely with right reverence. Shinto priest is required to carry out several of these rituals (eCondolence, 2017).

Matsuri means any event meant to offer praise and thanks to a deity at a shrine. Festivals of Shinto basically include solemn rituals and joyful celebration, and examples of these celebration are; loutish and drunken acts. Festivals venues on specific kami, who are treated as guest of honor at the occasion. Celebrations are very physical occasions and might comprise processions, sumo wrestling, and dramatic performances (eCondolence, 2017).

Wk 5 sources

eCondolence. (2017). Understandin Shinto.

http://www.econdolence.com/learn/articles/shinto-understanding-shinto/

Week 6

Judaism

Universe creation for Judaism is found in the Torah, in the first two chapters from the book of Genesis. They indicate how God created the universe in six days and on the seventh one, He rested. Some Jews believe this literally, and know that the way the universe was created. The calendar of Jewish begins with the year 1 dated form the world creation in the Genesis (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

In Judaism, God is believed to be the absolute one, incomparable, and indivisible being, who is the total reason of all subsistence. Judaism believe that Yahweh, the god of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac and the national god to the people of Israelites, delivered the Israelites from the land of slavery, Egypt, and offered them the Law of Moses at Mount Sinai explained in the Torah (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Primary to Jewish beliefs concerning humans is that they are made in God’s image. It does not imply that humans look like God, since God is incorporeal. The basic rabbinical explanation of this thought is that people have the capability to reason (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Similarly to other religions, Judaism also maintains good and evil exists in the world. Nevertheless, the adherents have specific beliefs and teachings on good and evil that is different with the position of other religions. They do not view like there is a conflict between the two. From Isaiah 45:7, God created both good and evil. Judaism defines evil as failure to adhere the will of God (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Judaism has always maintained that humans do not require Christians’ salvation, since they are not damned or doomed at birth. One can do well, and if one does this, things will look better. If one fails to do well, sin wished to partner with the human. However, one can control sin, personal evil desires, and do well. In simple, Judaism believes humans have free will since that is what Torah teaches Judaism (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Traditional Judaism decisively believes that death is not a stop or end of existence to human. Nevertheless, since Judaism is mainly aimed on life on earth and now instead of the afterlife, Judaism lacks much dogma concerning the afterlife, and abscond a big room for personal idea (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Rituals and religious celebrations in Judaism are based on Jewish law or the route one uses. An explained framework of divine commandments, incorporated with rabbinic traditions and laws, this law is main point to Judaism. Halakah rules not only religious life, but also day to day life from eating to dressing (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Life is marked by many special days in Judaism, in which adherents spare time from their daily schedule and concentrates on God plus his mitzvoth or commandments, as well as Sabbath holidays and services. Judaism holidays are full of amazing stories, which are important for Jews, according to the Hebrew Bible. Since the importance of many festivals and holidays is to remember work of God in the history (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Wk 6 sources

ReligionFacts. (2004-2017). Jewish Holidays and Festivals. ReligionFacts

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

Week 7

Christianity

In Christianity, accounts of creation are got from the first two chapters of the first book in the Bible (Genesis). The fist account is Genesis 1:1-2:4a this tells the way God created the universe in six days and took a rest on the seventh one. In Genesis 2:4b-25, it explains the way Lord first of all created a man through taking soil from ground and breathed in him (Patheos, 2008-2017).

In Christianity, the creator God is the eternal being who made and preserves everything. Christians holds faith that God is both transcendent and immanent. Teachings of Christians of the involvement and immanence of God and his love for humans rule out the faith that God has equal substance as made universe though agree that divine nature of God was hypostatically jolted to humans in the person of Christ Jesus, in an occasion referred to as incarnation (Patheos, 2008-2017).

Christianity educated that universe was made by love by an intellectual power, namely God. Creation had a purpose, not arbitrary, and hence the world is not morally equal, but basically good. In this focused creation, everyone and everything is intrinsically of value. God created humans in the divine image, facilitating humans to acquire some understandings of God and that of vast and complex design of God (Patheos, 2008-2017).

Christian understanding of evil is any act, attitude or thought that is opposite to God’s will or character. This is illustrated by the law provided in both Old and New Testament. No single moral act offered in the Bible that is opposite to God’s will or character. Hence, evil in Christians’ outlook is contrasted by and opposite to God’s will and character. Through deviation from God’s will and character the evil will show (Patheos, 2008-2017).

Salvation to Christians means saving a soul from sin and death. It is also referred to as safety or deliverance from sinful kind and it is a promise to eternal life through the spirit. Simply, salvation is a freedom from temptations and flesh that steer humans off track from complete communion and enlightenment with God (Patheos, 2008-2017).

Christians have faith there is life after death. Even though the body dies and cremated or buried, they have faith their distinctive soul’s remains on and God raises it to a fresh life. Their faith is that Jesus rose after three days from the dead following crucifixion, and this gives them hope that once they follow teachings of Jesus and accept him as their Lord and Savior, then there will be resurrection for them(Patheos, 2008-2017).

Christians’ practices differ by denominations, though common aspects include Sunday services, private and group prayer, scriptures study and reading, as well as taking place in rites like communion or sacraments and baptism (Patheos, 2008-2017).

Feats, holidays, and fast are important part of Christian religious observance. Days of feast celebrate joyous occasions such as the birth of Christ, whereas fast days offer a unique chance for self-reflection and forgiveness. Several Christian holidays now have a significant influence on western traditions and cultures (Patheos, 2008-2017).

Wk 7 sources

Patheos. (2008-2017). Religion Library: Christianity. Patheos Library.

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

Week 8

Islam

The science of latest cosmology, theoretical, and observational openly shows that, at one instance the entire universe was nothing other than a cloud of smoke. The illuminating stars people see during the night were merely the entire universe, in that smoke substance. Islam believes God has said this in the Quran 41:11. Since the heavens and earth have been created from the same smoke, they conclude that the heavens and the earth were united entity. Then from the homogenous smoke, they developed and split from one another (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Islam is based monotheism. Allah is an important belief to all Muslims. Islam educates that Allah, the sole god, got 99 features. Even if they can comprehend several of His features, His real meaning cannot be understood by limited mental capability of human beings. Allah created humans mainly for them to understand their creator from his creations (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

From the Quran, Allah created man from blood clot same time he made the jinn from fire (96:1-3). Muslims have faith than human beings are the biggest of all creatures, made with a free will with the objective to obey and serve Allah. Because Allah forgave sins committed from the first couple, Muslims have faith that all humans are delivered in Al-Fitra, which is a natural position of obedience to Allah (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Both good and evil comes from Allah and is well written in the Quran. All scholars of Islamic up to these days, with no exception, state that good and evil come from Allah. The faith that evil is not from Allah is an outlook by followers of Christianity, the Mutazilah, as well as several heretical sects (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Islam educates people that salvation is achievable of god only. An individual has to believe in god and obey his commandments. Additionally, Islam educates that humans are born with no sin and naturally, they are inclined to worship god only. To maintain this sinless state, humans have to obey commandments of god and struggle to live a righteous life (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Islam educates the continued survival of the soul as well as a changed physical continuation after death. During the day of judgment and humanity will be separated between the inside arrivals of Paradise and Hell.

Their faith concerning the afterlife is very vital. A central teaching of the Quran, and one of Muhammad’s teachings, is the final day, where the universe will be shattered and Allah will lift up all humans and jinn from the dead, for the judgment case (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Specific holy practices are so vital to Muslims community. There is an important way in which Islam followers recall history, describe conviction, and develop in devotion. Several rituals are done on daily basis for instance prayer; others are performed annually with particular Islamic holidays. Although Islamic religious practices and rituals are not many in number, they are of huge importance (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

In comparison to other religions, holidays of Islam are relatively few; however, holy times and days are so crucial to Muslims. When they are observing their holidays, it is usual for normal activities, like commerce and work, to pause for respect to the person or occasion being observed. Two main festivals that Muslims observe are Id Al-Fitr and Id-Adha, as well as Ramadan (ReligionFacts, 2004-2017).

Wk 8 sources

ReligionFacts. (2004-2017). Islamic Holidays and Festival. Islamic Holidays

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

Week 9

Sikhism

Sikhism origin of universe is based on the opinion of ‘Oneness of Creation’. The Sikhs community have faith that universe was created by Waheguru (God), who created the world and all kinds of life in it. Ahead of creation, there was no life, no sun, no sky, and no earth. Waheguru was the only one in existence until he thought of creating the world. Then everything was created by Waheguru through a single word.

Sikh God is ingenuously monotheistic, as illustrated by Ik Onkar, a central tenet for philosophy of Sikh. But, Sikhs have faith that God also reigns in everything. The foundation faith of Sikhism is that God reigns, unspeakable yet perceivable and knowable to any person who is ready to devote the energy and time to be insightful to their character.

Based on Sikh faith, human nature originates in self-centeredness or haumai, contrary to the divine perception or gurmat and benevolence or parupkari that are important. Human beings survive in the total will of Kartar, which pious Sikhs recognize and endorse in their everyday lives.

Suffering of human being is brought by lack of knowledge of divine methods as well people self-centeredness. This can be defeated by human self-reflection, effort, plus divine grace through teachings of Guru. Evil does not exist apart from human conscience failing, and neither rival divinities nor Satan exist.

Sikhs have faith that humans can achieve salvation through any person who meditates on God not considering their color, caste, class, religion, or gender. God is not hindered by boundaries, He is all-powerful. They trust that Sikhism is the easy, simple route of understanding presence of God and get salvation.

Sikhs have faith in reincarnation. Meaning, a soul of a person might be reborn numerous times as a person or an animal. Hence, Sikhs, death does not mean the end. The holy text of Sikh, the Guru Granth Sahib, states that the body is merely garments for the soul and following a death, it is discarded.

Sikhs hold faith that only one God exists, to honor and respect Him. They carry out their practices daily which exemplify the basis of Sikh principle of humility, service and equality. More to worship, there exists other significant rites and rituals observed by the Sikhism. The Sikh Rehat Maryada symbolizes the Sikh Code of Conduct, providing instructions to all occasions.

Holy days are first priority in the faith of Sikh. Important holidays to the Sikhism community are gurpurbs, occasions signifying birthdays or martyrdom of a Guru. Other kinds of holidays are fairs and melas. Their holidays are celebrated at a ceremony 48-hour reading the whole Guru Granth Sahib, processions, prayer, preaching, as well as congregational worship.

Wk 9 sources

ReligionFacts. (November 18, 2016). Sikh Holidays and Festivals

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

Week 10

New Religious Movements

Scientology believes that all things are created from the Eighth Dynamic or God. Almost similar to Christianity and Islam. Rapidly, scientology stretched over the last decades in the 20th century, into an international movement with an evident presence in above 70 countries. It appeared in a time of fast religious changes, which saw a spectacular increase in religious pluralism in the West.

Scientology educates that the impression of God as the Eighth Dynamic. In addition, describing God as the super being. In the book of Science of Survival by L. Ron Hubbard, it is indicated that the idea of God remains at the very peak of survival of the universe.

Scientology views people as being generally good. This is a positive outlook they carry to maintain with the secoteric basics that scientology got. Instead of being intrinsically sinful, people are basically good, this is according to outlook of scientology. People got the free-will authority, making choices or decisions according to their beliefs and life.

Many new resolution movements trust that good and evil exist together and that is in every place. Humans are provided choices to make all through their life; good or evil. People have the control to pave their destiny according to their decisions and choices.

Salvation in many new resolution movements can be attained by trying to have humble, reserved life and carrying much work according to God’s desire, if one can.

If one’s choices are evil, the sins will hinder the person from being saved and one will be doomed with a lifetime of suffering.

In this teaching, the last judgment happens in stages. The initial stage happens right away after death. The incorporeal spirit is judged according to its broad goodness, and later assigned to either paradise or spirit cell.

Numerous rituals happen in Mormon temples. First is baptismal for the dead. Actually, Mormons are baptized from the exterior of the temple for themselves and in the temple for the deceased. Next ritual in the Mormon temple is known as initiatory. This is also meant for their dead ancestors. Endowment is the next ritual, and this endows members with authority.

Two major Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter are celebrated in the Mormons. Mormon holiday is referred to as Pioneer Day, which is celebrated on July 24 annually. April 6 is another special day, denoting the foundation of the LDS church (Zeller, 2008-2017).

Wk 10 sources

Zeller, B. E. (2008-2017). Rites and Ceremonies. Religion Library: New Age

http://www.patheos.com/Library/New-Age/Ritual-Worship-Devotion-Symbolism/Rites-and-Ceremonies