World view chart 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sources

(2017) Living Religions

(2017) Living Religions

Week 2

Hinduism and Jainism

Hinduism- The world is without beginning or end. Brahman

Jainism-

does not support belief in a creator deity. The universe has always existed. Jain doctrine

Hinduism- Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva. Many gods

Jainism-

has multiple gods. No dependency on gods for enlightenment.

Hinduism- humans lived in cycles. Birth, death. Rebirth.

Jainism- All things have soul. Ridding oneself of the karma that obstructs the soul, one can achieve liberation.

Hinduism- it is a balancing act between order and chaos.

Jainism- There are two kinds of karma. Ghati which is destructive and Aghati which is non destructive.

Hinduism- Not only do we reap in this life the good and evil we have sown; they also follow us after death effecting our next reincarnation. Karma.

Jainism- The Jain prayer (Namokar Mantra) salutes the five categories of souls that have attained divine consciousness or are on their way to achieving it.

Hinduism- The rishis taught the soul leaves the body and enters a new one. Reincarnation.

Jainism-

Death may mean being reborn in another physical appearance in the earthly realm, suffering punishment in one of eight hells or joining other liberated souls in the highest level of heaven.

Hinduism- Yoga, meditation, dharma.

Jainism-

Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Anekantwad

Hinduism- Holi: festival of love or the festival of colors.

Janmashtami: festival that marks the birth of Krishna.

Jainism-

Divali, Paryushan Mahaparva – celebrate with meditation, fasting, scriptural study

Wk 2 sources

(2017) Living Religions

(2017) Living religions

(2017) Living Religions.

Week 3

Buddhism

Buddhism was taught as an alternative to the ritual oriented Brahamanism of India. The beginning of life and this world are in inconceivable since they have no beginning or end.

It teaches that there is no personal god. Liberation from suffering heavily depends on one’s own efforts.

The Buddha was neither pessimistic nor optimistic about human nature, but realistic. Buddha set up 4 Noble Truths that would be the foundation for all his later teachings.

1.The truth of pain and suffering.

2.The truth of the arising pain

3.The truth of the cessation of pain

4.The truth of the path to end pain; the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Buddhist understand is that good and evil are inseparable aspects of life.

For Buddhist, salvation is reaching Nirvana. To reach salvation, you must follow the Noble Eightfold path.

There is no eternal, independently existing soul to be reborn. The impressions of actions shape our experience moment by moment. When we die, this process continues, passing on the flame to a new life in a realm of existence that reflects our past karma

Prayer wheels, mantras, meditation, and mudras.

Vesak is the most important celebration. For some, it marks Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death which are said to occur on the same day. Magha Puja Day is also celebrated which is sometimes referred to as Sangha Day.

Wk 3 sources

Living Religions (2017)

Week 4

Daoism and

Confucianism

Both are Chinese styles of living that teaches there is a higher, and truer power called Ch I; this energy manifest two aspects: yin and yang. Yin is the dark female perspective of the universe, and Yang is the bright, assertive male of the world. They call it Tao, The Way. Both Taoism & Confucianism co-exist as a complimentary value system.

They do not believe in a personal god. Only the Tao is the way

They believe that humans will deviate from the creative rhythm of the universe, Tao, The Way. When they deviate, they destruct themselves and those around them causing chaos.

Daoism focuses on the way of nature and immortality while Confucianism focuses on the practice of virtue

Daoism believes those that follow Tao will become good; those that do not will become bad. Those that follow Tao will live in harmony.

Confucianism believes that good and evil are part of every human capacity

Daoism and Confucianism believe that salvation is no escape from this world. One is to become perfectly aligned with the world and its cosmic forces, social harmony

Daoism believe they will live forever in human form. They believe they will obtain supernatural powers, assuming the human form is invisible to the human eye.

Confucianism hopes to be worshiped by their descendants and their families.

Daoism- Reciting sacred tests until memorized, meditation. Visualization.

Confucianism- Ancestor worship and prayer, meditation

Daoism- Chinese New Year, Hungry Ghpst Festival, Lantern Festival, and Ancestor Day

Confucianism- Chinese Ney Year, Teacher Day, and Ancestor Day

Wk 4 sources

Living religions (2017)

Week 5

Shinto

Shinto- Kami is a single essence manifesting in multiple places That are the spirits of the natural world. The Kami harmonizes in both heaven and earth and guide the solar system in line with the cosmos. Kami to the Shintoism means God.

Zoroastrianism- They believe there is one God called Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) and He created the world.

Shinto- An indigenous religion of Japan consisting chiefly in the culture devoted to deities of natural forces and veneration of the Emperor as a descendent of the sun or goddess. They are polytheistic meaning they worship or believe in multiple deities.

Zoroastrianism- the supreme power in the universe is God, Ahura Mazda. They believe that Ahura Mazda is wholly pure, good, and powerful.

Shinto- view that humans are not part of nature but beyond. Shinto thinking says that humans are not guarded as the lords of creation, but all creation being is interdependent. Shinto says human desire is without limit and spiritual satisfaction should be the basis of all human life.

Zoroastrianism- the world is a battle between good forces and evil forces. Although the good will ultimately triumph and the evil forces would be destroyed. They also believe that every human has a role to stay pure and by staying away from evil.

Shinto- view of good and evil is purity would be the understanding of good and evil. Impurity refers to anything that separate us from kami (god or spirit). The things that makes us impure is tsumi (pollution or sin).

Zoroastrianism- believe that they are two basic powers in the world “truth versus lie. They also believe that having children is good, whereas practicing prostitution and adultery are evil. Cosmic dualism as taught by Zoroaster is the relationship of good and evil in the universe.

Shinto- One must think, speak and perform good deeds to get to heaven. To ensure the natural process of the world, a priest performs are enactment of the original sacrifice. Love of nature is sacred and to be in contact with nature is to be close to God.

Zoroastrianism- believe that choosing good over evil, meditation and prayer help the people on the pathway to spiritual growth.

Shinto- They believe that those who died are rewarded and punished according to their actions while they were still alive. Unlike many religions, one does not need to publicly profess belief in Shinto to be a Shintoism.

Zoroastrianism- They believe that the spirits of those who die hover near their earthly body for three days and night before passing to an initial individual judgment.

Shinto- rituals are a central component of most of Japans festivals. The most common type of ritual involves purification. Other rituals involve the reading of prayers.

Zoroastrianism- For burials, dead bodies were taken to a Tower of Silence and laid out under the sun, where vultures devoured them. Zoroastrian places of worship are called Fire Temples. In them an eternal flame is kept burning with sandalwood and frankincense.

Shinto- they do not really have any celebrations.

Zoroastrianism- they celebrate with holidays and festivals. Christmas and Epiphany. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth on earth as the incarnation of God. “Epiphany” means” manifestation” or “showing forth. “The festival celebrates the recognition of Jesus’ spiritual kingship by the three Magi. There is also the commemoration of Jesus’ death (on “Good Friday”) and Resurrection (on Easter Sunday).Also Ascension and Pentecost.

Wk 5 sources

Week 6

Judaism

They believe that God or Yahweh (YWYH) created heaven and earth in six days from nothing, just a void. After creating heaven and earth, God created man and woman in his divine image.

Often seen as a loving father. This religion is monotheism because Jews believe in one God, one creator. There is also a sort of covenant between man and God. Both held accountable.

Humans were created in the image of God, meaning in his nature and essence. All people are potentially equal; they are said to be common descendants of the first man and woman.

Humanity was formed with two impulses: a good impulse and an evil impulse. People have the ability to choose which impulse to follow: the yetzer tov or the yetzer ra. That is the heart of the Jewish understanding of free will. The Talmud notes that all people are descended from Adam, so no one can blame his own wickedness on his ancestry. On the contrary, we all have the ability to make our own choices, and we will all be held responsible for the choices we make

Salvation is not a Jewish concept, as it implies a focus on the afterlife. Jews believe that people are supposed to do the best they can at being good. Jews do not assume that God assesses people on absolute scale. They believe that God expects you to do the best with what you have. They believe God is the source of all salvation for humanity; therefore salvation depends on the individual.

Judaism firmly believes that death is not the end of the humans, because Judaism focuses on life here and now rather than afterlife. The Torah and Talmud focus on earthly life, which is fulfill one’s duties to God. By doing this it brings reward, by not doing it brings punishment. They believe that rewards and punishments continue after death which is not important. Judaism believes that after we die, we live on in our children and grandchildren, to a sense of heaven. They also believe that the soul reside in heaven after death until they reunite their physical bodies at the time when messiah comes.

A devoted Jew prays three times a day. Prayers can be done at home or wherever you are located at. In Judaism, rituals and religious are grounded in Jewish law Halakah, lit “the path one walks”. An elaborate framework of divine Mitzvot or commandments. Halakah teaches you how to dress, what to eat and how to help the poor. In Jewish religion there are different occasions in person’s life. Many times individual is focus of the festivities, the family, and community and participate in the commemoration. These special events are most important practices in Judaism. One of the most religious practice for Jewish is eating Kosher foods. Also Jewish house of worship is a synagogue – The synagogue replaces ritual sacrifice with Torah readings, prayer and teaching.

In Judaism they have numerous special days in which all the Judaism take time out and focus on God and his Mitzot (commandments), including Sabbath services and holidays. The festivals that are celebrated by Judaism are:

Rosh Hashanah- The Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur- The day of atonement, on this day all Jewish fast.

Sukkot-The festival of Booths, they celebrate this holiday by camping out, under the stars for seven days.

Yom Hashoah- The day that the Jewish people remember the Holocaust.

Plus many other celebrations and festivals.

Wk 6 sources

Week 7

Christianity

They believe that God or created heaven and earth in six days from nothing. After creating heaven and earth God created man and woman (Adam and Eve) in his divine image.

The one unifying factor in Christianity is that they believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus is said to be an incarnation of God. Jesus, being the divine son of God born of a Jewish mother in the land of Israel. Jesus’ mother’s name was Mary, and she was supposedly a virgin at the time of Jesus’ birth. The story states that Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable on her journey to Bethlehem because there was no room at the inn.

Fundamental to the Christian understanding of human nature is the belief that the first humans were created in the image of God. The nature people were created with was good, but according to the Bible people were given a free will with which to choose for God or against him, and in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were persuaded by the serpent to rebel and as a result sin entered the world and afflicted the human race

There is a belief in good and evil and it is hugely shown in Heaven and Hell. Heaven is where a very loving God resides, and Hell is where Satan resides. Satan is a fallen angel who is opposite of God and is shown in the stories of Adam and Eve. Satan was a serpent who Tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit of knowledge.

Christians believe that by their trust and belief in the Holy Bible and Jesus Christ, the son of the Supreme Being they will reach salvation. According to Christian belief, salvation is made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, which in the context of salvation is referred to as the “atonement.”

Christian beliefs about the afterlife vary slightly between denominations and individual Christians, but the vast majority of Christians believe heaven is a place where believers go upon dying in order to enjoy the presence of God as well as other believers. In heaven, people are also freed from sin and all its various manifestation, like suffering and pain.

Most Christians attend worship services at church on Sundays, which generally include singing, prayer, and a sermon. Most churches have a special ritual for ordination, or designating a person fit for a leadership position in the church. At home, most practicing Christians pray regularly and many read the Bible. Many Christians will have been baptized, either as an infant or as an adult, and regularly participate in communion. Baptism and communion are consider sacraments- sacred rituals instituted by Christ himself.

The most important holiday for Christians is Easter, festival that celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Easter is preceded by Holy week, which include Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Another important holiday is Christmas which is the day Jesus was born. They also celebrate Lent – Lent begins two months after Christmas and last for forty days, ending with Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent on his journey. Lent is a time of fasting and prayers. On Ash Wednesday the Christians are marked on the forehead with ashes to remind them that they are mortal and will return to dust upon their death

Wk 7 sources

Week 8

Islam

Allah created all things seen and unseen. He is the creator of the universe and every living thing.

Allah –meaning “The God” There are 99 Names to describe his attributes. He is eternal and all powerful, full of mercy and wrath. The main attribute of Allah is that there is only one god and that is him.

Humans are born sinless, it is our natural state. Throughout our lives we introduce sin, and upon repentance and submission to Allah we are brought back to our natural state of purity.

Allah –ultimate good. Satan –ultimate evil. Man is neither naturally. He allows himself to become one way or the other.

To reach “salvation”, one must obey the rituals and practices of the Quran

The Qur’an says people will be in their graves until the final judgement. Then all humans will be resurrected for a final account of their actions. During this time the world will end. Nonbelievers and sinners will be sent to Hell and condemned and tortured. If god deeds were done then they will be granted admission to paradise.

The Muslim prayer is a combination of physical actions, verbal sayings, and an internal feeling in the heart. Muslims are required to be in a state of calmness, serenity and humbleness while performing their prayers. Fasting means to refrain from having all kinds of food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset. The pilgrimage is a physical and spiritual journey that every financially and physically able Muslim is expected to make at least once in their lifetime, also known as the Hajj where the term “Hajji” came from. These name just a few of practices and rituals of a Muslim.

The Islamic New Year, is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the month in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina in 622AD. Ramadan is not a holy day to Muslims but a holy month. It is the ninth month of the Muslim year, in which the Quran was sent down as a guidance for the people. “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast” is one of Islam’s two major festivals. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of the month of Shawwal. “Festival of the Sacrifice” is a major Islamic festival that takes place at the end of the Hajj.

Wk 8 sources

Week 9

Sikhism

There seems to be emphasis on God intertwined with all things. No talk of beginnings. Origin would be in God.

Sikh religion focuses on the oneness of God and the need for people to be devoted to God and to develop God consciousness. In many ways, the Sikh religion offers a simple monotheistic message of devotion, ethical living and service to others.

Sikhs perceive human life as an opportunity to merge with the divine will. However, the core problem is that human judgment is occluded by a false sense of self. Sikhism teaches that the sense of “self” is the primary cause of suffering. When the individual puts the self at the center of everything, he or she loses reality; the Sikh truth is that each person is part of a much larger whole, a universe in which Kartar is the Master.

In order to attain salvation, one must live a honest life and meditate on God. Sikhism shows the way to attain salvation and become One with God. Sikhism instructs that you do not have to fast, abstain, go on renunciation or enter a monastery in order to meet God. All you have to do is have faith, recite the Name of God and remember Him for each possible moment.

The idea of the path or the way or a lifeway is their main idea of salvation. In Guru Nanak’s conception, worldly actions, no matter the religious allegiances, are accounted for by a divine process beyond human understanding. Those who have lived good lives, whether Sikhs or non-Sikhs, have nothing to fear hereafter

Sikhs do not believe in an afterlife in either Heaven or Hell. Sikhism teaches that the soul reincarnates when the body dies. Sikhs believe that good, or bad actions, in this life, determine the life form into which a soul takes rebirth.

A Sikh is to engage in a daily practice of meditation by reciting and chanting of God’s Name. Sikhism instructs that Salvation can only be attained by meditating on One God. Daily recitation also keeps Sikhs focused in life. To live honestly and earn by ones physical and mental effort while accepting God’s gifts and blessings. The Sikhs are asked to share their wealth within the community and outside by practicing charity. A Sikh needsto overcome five vices of Lust, Anger, Greed, Emotional Attachment and Ego. A Sikh need to develop and harness positive human qualities which leads the soul closer to God.

Baptism, known as Amrit, is a sacred and important part of Sikh life. A Baptized Sikh lives the lifestyle as described above and remains focused on its way to be “One with God.” Sikhs also celebrate the birth and naming of a child. They also celebrate baptism and death. Death is viewed as a natural process and a part of God’s will. Public displays of grief, wailing, or crying out loud are discouraged.

Wk 9 sources

Week 10

New Religious Movements

Jehova’s witness

The universe, heavens, and earth were all created by God. He first created the universe and a lifeless planet before the six days of creation in the Bible took place.

God is the only true God and is the father of creation. His qualities include justice, power, love, and wisdom.

All of humanity is universally sinful. The original sin of Adam and Eve has been inherited by all humans that came after them. Those who believe and follow God and Jesus are redeemed of this sin.

All of God’s creation was created perfect. Evil first began when Satan lied to Eve and persuaded her to disobey God. God gave humans the freedom to be able to choose between right and wrong, good and evil. Having that freedom of choice and choosing to do good and follow God is a way of expressing love for God.

Salvation is possible through knowledge of the truth in the Bible, faith in the truths, and repentance of sins. One must pray personally to give themselves to God to do his will and be loyal to God.

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in Hell. They believe that wicked souls will be annihilated. The dead are not conscious of anything until the end times and Armageddon. After the occurrence of Armageddon, all people will be resurrected. However, only 144,000 souls will go to Heaven. The remaining good souls will enjoy paradise on a renewed Earth.

Jehovah’s Witnesses pray, study the scriptures in the New World Translation Bible, hold/attend Bible study, and go from door to door witnessing to others about what is to come.

Jehova’s witnesses are well known for their non celebration of holidays, birthdays, and are known as “pagan holidays”. Witnesses do celebrate The memorial of Christ’s Death

Wk 10 sources