Masculine
1.) The Potent: This name can be applied to God because it is a word seen as being powerful and almighty, just as God is seen. Also it can be described as something that produces powerful physical or chemical effects and God has the power and strength to perform miracles and bring upon drastic physical and chemical change all around the world. Potent also means having or exercising great power or influence.God showcases to the utmost that he is a person that has inspired and has been a great influence to billions of people. Afterall there are many people who live their lives through their influence from God.
2.) The Protector: This name can be applied to God because God is the one who always looks over us and after us. God understands to the fullest that he must must look after his people and make sure they aren't in harms way. Throughout history God has performed miracles that has stopped bad things from happening that would endanger his people.
Feminine
1.) The All-Embracing: God can be described as all-embracing for many reasons. For one God is never judgmental, he never pushes someone away because of their sins and what they have done in the past, instead he accepts them with flaws and all. Also unlike many people during his time God made sure to give attention to those who were considered the poor, marginalized and lame. He never pushed anyone away because of the way they looked or they way they acted he loved and still loves all his people equally and fairly.
2.) The Vigilant: This name can also be applied to God for many reasons. Vigilant means keenly watchful to detect danger. I believe God is always watching over his people to keep them our of harms way and danger. Vigilant also means ever awake and alert and sleeplessly watching. God never gives up or takes his eye off of us he is constantly wanting us to be in a space that is productive and safe. Even though many times we turn our back on God he never does it to us.
All of the attributes i decided to pick to describe God perfectly. This is because even though God is such a powerful being he doesn't let the capacity he witholds defer him from his purpose. He remains humane and accepts all his people no matter what flaws they have or what sins they have committed. He welcomes everyone and looks after all his people equally and gives everyone the attention they deserve.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Blog Post #24 Islam Webquest
1. 2.1 billion
2. USA, India, France, Germany, UK, Argentina,China, Cuba, Brazil and Bolivia.
3. Indonesia
4. 6.58 million
5.
· Belief in God: Muslims believe in one unique God, who has no son or partner. No one shares his divinity.
· Belief in Angels: Muslims believe in the existence of the angles and that they are honored creatures. The angles worship God alone.
· Belief in God’s Revealed Books: Muslims believe that God revealed books to His messengers as proof for mankind as guidance for them.
· Belief in the Prophets and Messengers of God: Muslims believe in messengers of God starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus.
· Belief in the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment when all people will be resurrected for God’s judgment according to their beliefs and deeds.
· Belief in Al-Qadar: Muslims believe in Al-Qadar, which is Divine Predestination, but his belief in Divine Predestination does not mean that human beings do not have freewill.
6. · “ Struggling is going against oneself and submitting themselves to Allah (God).”
· “Honesty and staying pure while moving forward is the best way to live life and makes up the Divine words of wisdom.”
· “Anger, dictatorship and being bias are sins, meaning going against God’s purpose.”
7. It deals with the subjects that concern human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law etc.
8. Only Arabic because it was revealed in that language. But in English translation as well.
9. 9th month
10. Commanded Muhammad to read and then he taught Muhammad some verses from the Quran, which Muhammad memorized.
11.
· Shahada (Testimony of faith): Most important pillar. One is required to say with conviction at least once in his or her life.
· Salat (Prayer): Muslims pray 5 times a day- dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night. Prayer often occurs in a mosque, but Muslims may pray anywhere.
· Zakat (almsgiving): Charitable giving is a requirement of faith for all Muslims. Used to benefit the poor.
· Slyam (Fasting): literally means any ritual fasting, but is generally understood to refer to ritual fasting during the month of Ramadan. From dusk to dawn for the entire month, Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking and engaging in sexual relations.
· Hajj (Pilgrimage): During the last month of the Islamic calendar, about two million Muslims ascend to the city of Mecca for the Hajj. Every able-bodied Muslim is required- if finances permit to make it at least once in their life.
important?: Helps to strengthen their faith in and service to Allah.
cheating on the 5 pillars impossible?: Because all Muslims strive to perform, regardless of anything.
Compare the 5 pillars with similar activities in other religions: In Christianity, we have times of lent where we do not eat meat. Asking God for forgiveness. The Quran is similar to the Bible in Christianity.
12. 9th month of Islamic calendar
13. Not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting.
14. Telling a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, a false oath and greed or covetousness.
15. Muslims celebrate the Night of Power. It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran.
16. It is celebrated with one of two Islamic festivals.
17. Constitutes a period of atonement. The gates of Heaven are open. And the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell.
18. Good actions keep the devil away since he is chained in Hell.
19.
· Muslims account for one-fifth of the world’s population.
· Islamic art isn’t restricted to religious work, but includes all the artistic traditions in Muslim culture.
· Islam means “submission” from a word meaning “peace”.
· Islam and Judaism go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham and their three prophets are directly descendents from his sons.
· When pilgrims go to the Kaaba, they say, “At Thy service, O Lord” in response to Abraham’s summons.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Blog Post 22
1) In the 4th and 5th centuries B.C., the Zoroastrianism began to flourish in Iran.
2) Zoroastrianism spread beyond its place of origin when the Greeks conquered the Persian Empire.
3) At age 30, Zarathustra was visited by the anel Good Thought who brought him to the Wise Lord.
4) The sacred text of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta. Zarathustra wroth the Gathas, which are the oldest part of the Avesta.
5) The Ahura Mazda is an omnipresent goddess who controls both humans and the world.
6) Ethical dualism is the belief of universal forces of good and evil.
7) The Lie is the evil spirit and one of Ahura Mazda’s children.
8) In the Zoroastrianism cosmic scheme, humans must choose between good and evil.
9) Zarathustra believed that all individuals underwent judgement after they died. Additionally, he also believed that all dead bodies would eventually rise.
10) Traditional Zoroastrian life calls for followers to pray five times daily.
11) The Parsis are Zoroastrians who live in India.
12) The Iliad and the Odyssey are commonly regarded as the Bibles of the ancient Greeks.
13) The Greek gods who competed in the Olympics competed while in human form.
14) Aeschylus’s main contribution to to the understanding of the Olympic gods was the idea of divine justice. He believed that the gods actions were in response to the humans’ actions.
15) An oracle is a a prophet. The most famous Greek oracle was Delphi, because she obtained her wisdom from Apollo.
16) The three basic aspects of the mystery religious are an initiation ritual, members experience a religious deity, and initiates gain spiritual renwal through participation.
17) Eleusinian honored Demeter and Persephone.
18) The god Dionysus is associated with fertility, vegetation, and wine. He is often depicted with vines and grapes.
19) The goal of the ascetic practices of the Orphics was for the soul to escape the body.
20) Plato’s theory of knowledge is that is is recollection.
21) Platonic dualism is that truth exists independently of everything else in the world.
22) Jesus and Asclepius were both considered to be saviors by their large followings of people.
23) Numina were supernatural powers that were thought to inhibit natural objects and buildings.
24) The most powerful Roman deity was Jupiter.
25) Six planets named for Roman deities are Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn.
26) The Roman State thought that it was essential to maintain official worship practices because it kept the gods happy.
27) Mithraism and the Cult of Isis were main rivals to Christianity in the later Roman empire.
28) The Egyptians believed that Ostris was killed by his brother and Isis put him back together by turning him into a mummy.
29) Augustus encouraged the worship of the spirit of the emperor.
30) Christian and Roman rulers clashed over emperor worship because the Christians only believed in one God while the Romans saw this lack of worship as turning against the government.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Blog Post 21
1) The Synagogue is a place where the people meet,learn and worship.
2) In the Synagogue, men and women are separated and seated in different sections. The ark is where the Torah scrolls are kept when they are not being utilized and is located on the Eastern wall of the Synagogue. Torah scrolls contain all of Jewish law and tradition. The Ten Commandments are the laws that G-d gave to Moses. They are above the door in a Synagogue.
3) A rabbi is a Jewish teacher. To become a rabbi, a man must complete college as well as other other classes specific to the rabbi teachings. Also, he must live in Israel for at least a year in order to master the Hebrew language. A rabbi is not a clergyman because he does not have the authority or authorization to perform certain rituals. The rabbi’s job is to determine and interpret religious laws.
4) The Sabbath is observed on Saturdays as a time to devote oneself to G-d.
5) The Torah is all of Jewish law and tradition. The Talmud is the oral tradition that explains the teachings of the Torah.
6) Orthodox Jews follow the teachings of the Torah. Reform Jews believe that the Torah and their faith are constantly changing and evolving. Conservative Jews believe that Jewish laws should be able to adapt to the current time period. Zionist Jews believe that all Jews should return to the Holy Land.
7) Hebrew is the historical language of the Jews.
8) Yiddish is the language of European Jews.
9) “Mazal tov” means congratulations. “Shalom” means hello, peace, and goodbye. “Mitzva” is a precept, commandment, or a good deed done because of a religious requirement.
10) Brit Milah is when baby male Jews are circumcised. Bar/Bat Mitzvah is when a Jewish boy/girl is of the age to receive the commandments. Marriage is a natural part of Jewish life because it provides security and companionship.
11) Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement. Hanukkah is the Festival of Rededication/ the Festival of Lights. Passover is when the Jews remember how G-d passed over their houses in Egypt.
12) I knew that Hanukkah involved lights.
13) I learned about the qualifications of rabbi's and other things specific to their culture.
14) Jews celebrate confirmation by having a ceremony.
15) Complete Jewish funeral services can take place solely at the graveside.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Buddhism Questions
1. Siddhartha Gautama
2. The four passing sights consisted of an old man, a sick man, a corpse and a wondering ascetic. The first three sights showed the Buddha that life is suffering and the impermanent nature of life's pleasures. The fourth sight consumed Siddhartha with elation and hope, and he believed that it was now his calling to become one.
3.The middle way is a basic Buddhist doctrine and teaching that rejects both the pleasures of sensual indulgence and the self denial of asceticism, focusing instead on a particular approach to spiritual attainment.
4. Gautama had overcome the distractions of fear and passion, represented in legends by Mara and his daughters. He ascended through levels of ever deepening awareness, until he could perceive with perfect clarity the true nature of the human condition.
5. Buddhist community of monks and nuns.
6. The Buddha, the Dharma, and and the Sangha.
7. Buddhism and Hinduism both see time as cyclical. They both believe the universe is eternal, and profess the idea of rebirth.
8. Siddhartha hated the idea of the caste system and the brahman.
9. Anatta = "no-self"
Anicca ="impermanence"
Dukkha = "suffering"
10. There is no reality within, no essence underlying existence no eternal substratum that is truly real, enduring beyond the present moment. "the essences of Buddhism is that there is no essence"
11. Karma is actually reborn. The nature of rebirth depends on the status of one's karma.
12. Precepts:
= Do not take life
=Do not take what is not given
= Do not engage in sensous misconduct
=Do not use false speech
=Do not drink intoxicants
Monks:
= Do not eat after noon.
= Do not watch dancing or shows.
= Do not use garlands, perfumes or ordaments
= Do not use a high or soft bed
= Do not accept gold or silver.
13."suffering" "frustration" "dislocation" "discomfort". Referring to not being comfortable with life.
14. Second of the 4 Nobel truths, meaning selfish desire, which causes dukkha
15.
=Right views
=Right intentions
=Right Speech
=Right conduct
=Right livelihood
=Right effort
=Right mindfulness
=Right meditation
16. Buddha does not have a model for nirvana. Buddhists do.
17. One has become enlightened; the ideal type for Theravada Buddhists.
18. "worthy one"
19. Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana.
20. Meditation on the teachings of buddha.
21."The great vehicle", is called this because it is the most popular form of buddhism.
22. Harness energy of desire for good
23. He is the leader of Buddhism, chosen by destiny
24. China, cambodia, Japan, Korea
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Hinduism Chapter Review Questions
1. Moksha most nearly relates to the Hindu concept of "spiritual release." Moksha occurs when one a person fulfills perfect dharma, and form there, the person is released from the finite ending world and into the infinite and the divine, ultimate peace, being, and awareness.
2. Monism states that all reality is ultimately one. An analogy that describes this is the fact that bodies of water such as rivers, streams, and lakes are all different things but are all made up of water.
3. Brahman is the common essence that all things possess. Atman is the eternal self that is present in all living things and is made up of Brahman.
4. The general function of Hinduism's many deities is to help them reach the one ultimate reality which is Brahman.
5. Samsara is the idea of an individual being reincarnated from life-form to another.
6. The Bhagavad-Gita is Hinduism's most poplar sacred text.
7. Karma and dharma are the two concepts that connect the divine to reality. Karma is when one's actions and duties can determine how one will be born into their next life. Dharma refers to the ethical duty that one must perform based on his or her position in the divine order of reality.
8. Brahmins are priests, kshatriyas are warriors and administrators, vaishyas are farmers, merchants, and artisans, and shudras are servants and laborers.
9. Krishna encourages Arjuna to engage in war against his family members because his duty should come before his emotions in order to please the gods and achieve good karma. He also says that he must detach himself from his actions and the consequences of those actions.
10. Student - when a Hindu boy studies the Vedas.
Householder - when a Hindu boy marries and begins to expand his family.
Forest dweller - when Hindu man engages in a form of spiritual quest to retreat from worldly bonds.
Ascetic - old man continues detachment and prepares for death
11. The four goals of life are:
Kama -sensual pleasure
Artha - material success
Adhering to one's dharma
Striving to achieve moksha
12. Three Paths to Liberation:
Karma Marga -"Path of Works" in which you partake in good deeds.
Jnana Marga - "Path of Knowledge" in which you study, learn, and meditate.
Bhakti Marga - "Path of Devotion" in which you perform rituals that show devotion to your god.
13. The three basic schools of philosophy are Vedanta, Sankhya, and Yoga. All three are concerned with the attainment of knowledge over the ignorance of that binds the self to samsara.
14. Brahma is referenced as the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva is the Destroyer.
15. An avatar is an incarnation, or living embodiement of a deity, who is sent to earth to accomplish a divine purpose. Krishna is Vishnu's avatar in the Bhagavad-Gita. Rama is Vishnu's avatar in the Ramayana.
16. The Bhagavad-Gita is the Hindu text that is most closely associated with bhakti marga.
17. Hindu devotional life consists of household and village rituals, cow veneration, and places.
18. Gandhi influenced Hinduism because he showcased that it is okay to accept other beliefs and idealogies. All paths are welcome to lead to one true divinity.
19. The Indian government officially forbade discrimination against outcastes and has established programs that help these people achieve social and economic rights.
20. Sati is the burning of a widow. Sati has been officially forbidden, however sometimes it still happens.
21. In 1947, the partition of India split india into Pakistan, which was muslim and India, which was hindu. They were separated social aspects and geographical aspects.
2. Monism states that all reality is ultimately one. An analogy that describes this is the fact that bodies of water such as rivers, streams, and lakes are all different things but are all made up of water.
3. Brahman is the common essence that all things possess. Atman is the eternal self that is present in all living things and is made up of Brahman.
4. The general function of Hinduism's many deities is to help them reach the one ultimate reality which is Brahman.
5. Samsara is the idea of an individual being reincarnated from life-form to another.
6. The Bhagavad-Gita is Hinduism's most poplar sacred text.
7. Karma and dharma are the two concepts that connect the divine to reality. Karma is when one's actions and duties can determine how one will be born into their next life. Dharma refers to the ethical duty that one must perform based on his or her position in the divine order of reality.
8. Brahmins are priests, kshatriyas are warriors and administrators, vaishyas are farmers, merchants, and artisans, and shudras are servants and laborers.
9. Krishna encourages Arjuna to engage in war against his family members because his duty should come before his emotions in order to please the gods and achieve good karma. He also says that he must detach himself from his actions and the consequences of those actions.
10. Student - when a Hindu boy studies the Vedas.
Householder - when a Hindu boy marries and begins to expand his family.
Forest dweller - when Hindu man engages in a form of spiritual quest to retreat from worldly bonds.
Ascetic - old man continues detachment and prepares for death
11. The four goals of life are:
Kama -sensual pleasure
Artha - material success
Adhering to one's dharma
Striving to achieve moksha
12. Three Paths to Liberation:
Karma Marga -"Path of Works" in which you partake in good deeds.
Jnana Marga - "Path of Knowledge" in which you study, learn, and meditate.
Bhakti Marga - "Path of Devotion" in which you perform rituals that show devotion to your god.
13. The three basic schools of philosophy are Vedanta, Sankhya, and Yoga. All three are concerned with the attainment of knowledge over the ignorance of that binds the self to samsara.
14. Brahma is referenced as the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva is the Destroyer.
15. An avatar is an incarnation, or living embodiement of a deity, who is sent to earth to accomplish a divine purpose. Krishna is Vishnu's avatar in the Bhagavad-Gita. Rama is Vishnu's avatar in the Ramayana.
16. The Bhagavad-Gita is the Hindu text that is most closely associated with bhakti marga.
17. Hindu devotional life consists of household and village rituals, cow veneration, and places.
18. Gandhi influenced Hinduism because he showcased that it is okay to accept other beliefs and idealogies. All paths are welcome to lead to one true divinity.
19. The Indian government officially forbade discrimination against outcastes and has established programs that help these people achieve social and economic rights.
20. Sati is the burning of a widow. Sati has been officially forbidden, however sometimes it still happens.
21. In 1947, the partition of India split india into Pakistan, which was muslim and India, which was hindu. They were separated social aspects and geographical aspects.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Primal Religions
Lakota Primal Religious Tradition
Location:
Cosmology:
The primary focus of the Lakota cosmology is the existence of a universal energy. This energy is present at all times and is present within all things. It gave life and motion to all things that live and move, and in return is the creator. Also known as Wankan Tanka. And as a newborn takes its first breath, Wankan Tanka gives the newborn the breath of life. During breath of life, the newborn receives a spirit self, intellect and an emotional self. Because of this they believe that the four sacred parts of the human are the mind, body, emotions and spirit. The Lakota do believe that everything that is born must die. However, because the supreme creator, Wankan Tanka has given you these traits they are eternal and therefore, sacred.
The Lakota believe that the nagi or the spirit is present in the Spirit World prior to birth. When it is time for birth, where the spirit will now take on a physical matter, the spirit must travel through the center of the Big Dipper, where an old woman named Ton Wi decides who will pass. This same process also happens when an individual dies. They must pass the the same portal where they will once again be approached by Ton Wi and she will decide of has completed there spiritual duties in the physical form. If you have completed your duties you become a spiritual helper and if not you are reborn and sent to the Spirit Sweat Lodge to be cleansed. They believe the overall purpose of being in the physical form is to grow spiritually everyday, becoming better people.
Sacred Symbols:
The circle is considered the most important symbol of the Lakota culture. It represents the earth, the path of the sun around the earth and the circle of life, which they believe all things must pass through. This symbol was so scared to them that they structured their villages into a circle form and made their tipis with a circle form.
The arrow pointing to the right meant protection. The arrow pointing to the left meant warding off evil. A broken arrow symbolized peace and arrows that crossed symbolized friendship.
The eagle was very sacred in the Lakota culture. Because the eagle is known as the highest flier amongst all birds, the Lakota believe that because of this they have a different perspective and viewpoint of life. They also symbolize power and freedom.
Sacred Locations:
Spirit Sweat Lodge: Where they purify and cleanse those spirits said to not complete their spiritual works while in the physical form.
Devil's Tower: Where the Lakota did prayer offerings, Sun dance rituals, and where they told stories.
Harney Peak: Known as the Black Elk Wilderness. It is said to be where Lakota religious leader Black Elk received his Great vision.
Important Gods:
The Lakota name for the supreme reality is known as "Wakan Tanka", it can be translated as Great Spirit but the literally means "Most Sacred." This supreme reality refers to 16 different deities, 16 being the most sacred number in Plains religions. The Lakota people use descriptive stories to portray and describe the creation of the world and the arrival of the first human beings, some being supernatural. One supernatural being known to the Lakota culture is "Inktomi." The being serves a Lakota trickster figure. Inktomi serves a mediator between the supernatural and human worlds and taught the first humans their ways and customs.
Totems, Fetishes, Taboos:
Trees serve as a connector between the earth and the heavens, and the supreme being.
Eagle serves a power force.
Dogs help in the daily life of the Lakota people.
Buffalo has spiritual and ceremonial significance to the Lakota. It provides food, clothes, and shelter for the people and because of this they treat him with great respect.
Shaman/Magic:
The role of the shaman is one who has traveled the geography of the spiritual realm, has died and has come back to guide the people. This person also connects the spiritual world with reality. For the Lakota people this person is known as Wankan Tanka. The Lakota people believe in the supernatural world and believe that Wankan Tanka is the one who connects them with that world.
Rituals:
Vision Quest: Helps an individual gain access to spiritual power that will ensure greater success in activities such as hunting, warfare, and curing the ill.
Sun Dance: Occurs at the beginning of the summer, and serves as a celebration of the new year. It also serves to prepare for the great annual buffalo hunt.
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