World View Chart

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.

Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014) Living Religions Pearson: Upper Saddle River, NJ

text

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

text – www.britannica.com/…/indigenous-religion

Week 2

Hinduism and Jainism

Hinduism has the belief of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishmu these are the three gods to which all their religion is based. Jainism has the universal belief that the universe is made up of two parts; living souls known as jivas and everything else including the space known as non-jivas.

Hinduism has one primary god known as Brahman.

Jainism believes that one’s own karma creates a liberal soul, and is in a state of well-being known as Moksha.

Hinduism has the belief that we as humans are microcosmic creatures.

Jainism has the belief that one cannot be liberated as a being without first ridding one’s self of soul obstructing karma.

Hinduism have the belief that good is Sattva which consists of Gods, selflessness, order and balance; and evil is Tamas which consists of demons, chaos, extreme, selfishness, and.

Jainism has the belief that there is no God to worship, or judge. Jainism has the belief that one’s own karma determines their life.

The view of salvation in Hinduism had varied throughout the centuries. In Hinduism there is no fixed belief for any one person or thing. Therefore salvation may be achieve by worshiping a Power of Nature, or an area/local idol.

It is believed in Jainism that salvation may be achieved by obtaining the three jewels; these three jewels are the RIGHT knowledge, belief, and conduct within the Jainism religion.

In Hinduism there are four ways of life, those consist of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

In order to complete the cycle of life in Jainism one must complete five levels which are; monks/nuns, Upadhyayas,

Acharyas,

Siddhas, and

Arihantas.

Hinduism have home shrines dedicated to Gods in the form of pictures or sculptures in order to practice religious rituals. The rituals include Hatha Yoga, Hindu Cow Taboo, Kundalini Yoga, sadhu, and Namaste. Practices include bhaktimarga, jnanamarga, and karmamarga

Jainisim practices include Monasticism which involves being a full-time monk or nun. Rituals include asceticism, which is very important in the Jain religion as it is consider the means for one to express themselves.

In the Hinduism religion each day a festival is done, because each day is another day to celebrate life. The celebrations include the birthday of Lord Rama in April, which is referred to as Rama Navami, from July-August the birthdays of Lord Krishna known as Krishna Jayanti, also celebrate in July is the renewed bonding between brother and sister known as Raksābandhana, every 12 years the pilgrimage is celebrated, this is known as Kumbh Mela,

Ganesha Utsava is celebrated August-September, September-October the defeat of the demon Ravana is celebration known as Dassera, also the festival of Shakti to celebrate the defeat of the same demon in South India but this celebration is known as Navaratri.

In Jainism religion festivals include a festival held only once every twelve years –Mahamastakabhisheka, and other annual festivals include Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana, and Diwali. Celebrations include the birth of Jainism founder Mahavira, this takes place March-April and is known as Mahavira Jayanti, in August and September a celebration known as Paryushana occurs, October-November a celebration known as Diwali and Kartak Purnima occur, and then in November and December the celebration of complete silence known as Mauna Agyaras occurs.

Wk 2 sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/beliefs/universe_1.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/environment/hinduismbeliefsrev1.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/deities/brahma.shtml

https://www.google.com/search?ei=Ez1WWv2gGMnBzgLkpLagBQ&q=jainism+nature+of+god%2Fcreator&oq=jaini+nature+of+god%2Fcreator&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i7i30k1j0i7i5i30k1.3909.4799.0.6848.5.5.0.0.0.0.90.401.5.5.0….0…1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.5.399….0.7OKW3iw7aDE

https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/2010/10/understanding-hinduism

http://www.religionfacts.com/jainism/human-nature

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_goodandevil.asp

http://schools.yrdsb.ca/markville.ss/history/religion/final_website.htm

http://www.directionjournal.org/23/1/salvation-according-to-hinduism.html

https://aboutjainism.weebly.com/path-to-salvation.html

http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/meaning-life

http://www.religionfacts.com/jainism/meaning-life

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

http://www.religionfacts.com/jainism/practices

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

http://diversiton.com/jainism/holy-days-festivals-and-rituals/

Week 3

Buddhism

In Buddhism it is believed that one’s true happiness or nirvana is only obtained when one is at peace with their own life. The way to reach true nirvana, all negativity must gradually be removed from your life.

The idea of God in Buddhism is considered to be a creation of fear.

Buddha is considered the creator, and practices Heart to Heaven through meditation, rather than prayer like many other religions.

Buddhist believe that a soul (human) is born when five khandas are brought together; these khandas consist of rupa, vedana, sana, sankhara, and vinnana.

It is the belief of Buddhist that there is no separating good from evil. It is their belief that each individual can have both good and evil tendencies.

Salvation in Buddhism is none as nirvana and one becoming Buddha. In order to reach this one must complete an eightfold path; understanding, resolve, speech, action, effort, contemplation, and meditation in the right human/ Buddhist way.

The primary purpose of life is to end suffering. In order to accomplish this goal is to remove things from their lives that do not provide pure happiness. In order to accomplish the remove of all things that cause suffering is to follow the eightfold path, and the four noble truths which are causes of life suffering, suffering because of desire, annihilation of suffering, and the percepts of Buddha essence.

Practices include meditation, sacred sounds known as mantras, symbolic hand gestures known as mudras, and the turn of the wheel to recite mantras.

Rituals include monasticism, pilgrimage, and visiting sacred sites.

Celebrations include the Buddhist New Year the timing depends on the country it varies between late January and early February, Buddha Day is known as Vesak which is to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday which is on the first full moon in May, in March Sangha Day is to celebrate the joining of Buddha, Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Moggalana, homage is paid to the Buddha in July in a celebration known as Asalha Puja Day, Uposatha is an observation day in Theravada countries celebrated on the new moon, full moon, and quarter moon, vassa is celebrated as the conclusion of Raines retreat in a celebration known as Paravana Day, the Festival of the Tooth, the Elephant Festival, the Ploughing Festival, the Festival of the Floating Bowls, Abhidhamma Day, Songkran, and Avalokitesvara’s Birthday

Ceremonies include a robe offering ceremony known as Kathina Ceremony which takes place one month after the Paravana Day celebration,

Wk 3 sources

http://kadampanewyork.org/buddhist-beliefs?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxsSx-fTS2AIVkY2zCh2jxAmWEAAYAyAAEgIIBPD_BwE

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

www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/human-nature

http://www.sgi.org/about-us/buddhist-concepts/good-and-evil.html

http://www.saveallof.us/buddhism.html

http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/meaning-life

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/four-noble-truths

http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/practices.htm

http://www.buddhanet.net/festival.htm

Week 4

Daoism and

Confucianism

Confucianism was founded by Confucius, while neighboring countries had their focus on metaphysical debates, Confucius was focused on every day issues with the mortal world, not the afterlife. China is where the origin of Confucianism began. The beliefs of Confucianism are Li, Hsiao,

Yi, Xin, Jen, and Chung.

There is no God recognized in Confucianism, though Confucius is the founder of this practice he is not considered the God. The God figure is the Great Ultimate known as Tao which is a force not a God. Confucius teachings include that of a guiding force of right and wrong being heaven as the guiding forces for the followers of Confucianism.

Confucius believe that one must be benevolent, meaning to accomplish joy in order to become wise and look within themselves to instantiate the goodness of the heavens. It is also believed that not all individuals are able to achieve such a goal due to the impact of the world around us, therefore so many people suffer and never achieve a great happiness.

According to Confucius, evil is not a sin, but is considering a learning tool so that an individual may learn from their mistakes and do better the next time.

Good in an individual is when they achieve an understanding of empathy and provide an understanding and care for other individuals suffering, this is considered to be a moral growth of good.

The afterlife is something Confucius belief was not part of human comprehension. He believed that a human should live their lives to the fullest and not to live a life as it is expected to have a certain outcome of rewards or punishments in the afterlife.

People were encouraged by Confucius to accept their life’s destiny, even death. His teachings came from the Tien Ming philosophy. This philosophy is taught to have an individual believe that heaven is the mechanism that controls all of life’s events to include; death, life, wealth, health, poverty, and illness. Confucius did not discuss death in great detail, because it was his belief that an individual should spend time in the present rather than worry about the unknown future that lay ahead.

Practices that were highly emphasized were mercy, social order, and

fulfillment of responsibilities.

Relations known as wu lun include:

1. Sovereign-Subject

2. Father-Son

3. Elder-Younger Brother

4. Husband-Wife

5. Friend-Friend

In this practice it is known that the father is the head of the house, but the oldest son is the caretaker of his parents.

September 28 is the celebration of Confucius’ birthday, this celebration typically lasts about 10 days.

January 31 is the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

106 days after the winter solstice, Qing ming is celebrated. During this celebration the ancestor’s graves are visited where gifts are left; these gifts include paper money and paper cloth.

On the first Sunday in May, Chongmyo Taeje is celebrated to honor the kings and queens of the Yi dynasty.

On the 15th day from the spring equinox, Ching Ming is celebrated by visiting ancestors graves providing gifts and tomb sweeping.

Wk 4 sources

https://www.ancient.eu/Confucianism/

http://chosonkorea.org/index.php/confucianism/east-asia-in-the-context-of-confucianism/the-origin-of-confucianism

http://worldreligions.weebly.com/confucianism.html

https://classroom.synonym.com/who-is-the-god-of-confucianism-12085777.html

Summary of Confucianism on Human Nature

http://www.deathreference.com/Ce-Da/Confucius.html

Cultural Beliefs and Practices: Role of Confucianism

https://10cpconfucianism.weebly.com/holidays-and-festivals.html

Week 5

Shinto

A public announcement is not made in order for one to be part of Shintoism.

As a means to understand their universe the Japanese worshiped Kami in rituals they developed. In 6th Century CE Buddhism arrived in Japan, and guided all the Shinto believers altered their beliefs into the faith and elements of Buddhism; this was due to the lack of complex intellectual doctrines.

In the 19th century the word Kami was translated into God in the Japanese Bible.

65% of new students entering the Japanese studies were confused with the translation of Kami into the American word God according to Shinto theologian Ueda Kenji.

Shintoists believe humans are incapable of understanding the nature of Kami.

Creators of the Shinto religion include numerous stories of Kami which include; Amaterasu, Benten/Benzaiten, Ebisu, Hachiman, Izanami – Izanagi, Konpira/Kompira, Susanoo, and Tenjin.

Shinto’s believe that humans are born pure, and the impurity occurs after birth. Impurities include tsumi (sin- physical, moral, or spiritual), disease, disaster, and error; these impurities make an individual polluted.

In order for an individual to become purified, purification ceremonies are held to cleanse the individual of anything related to death.

In the Shinto religion it is believed that individuals are born pure, and evil spirts bring evil into an individual’s life and reduces their ability to avoid temptations. The blessings of Kami are disrupted when an individual does evil things and bring sin and pollution upon themselves.

EVIL

Evil is considered as disturbance of Kami such as; worship disturbance, world harmony, nature world, social order, and a group member disturbing the peace of the group to which they are a part of.

Death is not addressed in the Shinto religion. It is believed that individuals are purified through rituals and a shrine is created to honor the life of those that practiced Shintoism. Enlightenment is hard to obtain, but is said to release the immortal soul. Shrines are a holy grail of sorts, before one may enter the shrine hands and mouths are washed to cleanse any hidden nature of evil and untruths.

A unified creation is the belief of the Shinto. The world is one, and is not split into two parts such as supernatural and natural world. Body and spirit are not separated.

Visible worlds known as kenkai are not distinguished from yukai (the invisible world but is regarded as an extended of the visible world.

Deaths are considered a negative concept to the Shinto, so most individuals who practice Shintoism; follow the procedure of Buddhism for funerals. In this the procedure honor is brought to the individual who has passed, and the family of the individual is comforted and honored.

RITUALS

Purification rites, adoration, opening of the door of the inner sanctuary, food offerings, prayers, scared dance, general offering, taking offerings away, shutting the door of the inner sanctuary, final adoration, and feast.

FESTIVALS

Festivals include Spring festival, annual festival, autumn festival, and divine procession.

CELEBRATIONS

Coming of Age Day (age 20), Bean-Throwing Ceremony (February 3), Kenkoku Kinen no Hi (February 11), Girl’s Festival (March 3), Vernal Equinox Day (March 20/21), Buddha’s Birthday (April 8), Shōwa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), Children’s Day (May 5), The Star Festival (July 7), Marine Day (third Monday in July), Festival of the Dead (August 15), Respect for the Aged day (third Monday in September), Autumnal Equinox Day (September 23), Health-Sports Day (second Monday in October), Culture Day (November 3), Seven, Five, Three Festival for Children (November 15), Labor Thanksgiving Day (November 23), Emperor’s Birthday (December 23), and New Year’s Eve (December 31).

Wk 5 sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/beliefs/kami_1.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/beliefs/purity.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/shintoethics/ethics.shtml

https://classroom.synonym.com/shinto-salvation-12085588.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/beliefs/universe.shtml

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shinto-festivals.html

Week 6

Judaism

Judaism is rooted back nearly four thousand years to what we now know as Israel and Palestinian territories, was once known as Canaan which is an near the Jordan River and the Mediterranean. 1st century C.E is when Judaism emerged, tracing back to Abraham and his lineage made from the heritage of the convenient God.

Judaism is practiced primarily from the first five books of the Hebrew Bible known as Torah.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the prophet Moses are the Israelites patriarchs, and primary figures in Judaism.

Judaism basis its beliefs on that of the Jewish practices. Jews believe that God is the creator of all things, and every individual has the ability to have a relationship with God.

Jewish individuals believe that they are created in the image of God.

The yetzer tov is what the Jewish believe to be the means for individuals keeping all things right in the world and refraining from sin.

Good and evil are not unified as one single being.

Kabbalists understood the shattering of a vessel created by God, and knew the vessel was shattered due to the inability to be in balance with the cosmos.

Jewish philosopher Maimonides, taught his Jewish followers that individuals are capable of moral choices.

With these two “leaders” humans are left torn and not knowing which one to follower.

It is the Jewish belief that God is goodness, but without evil an individual cannot have the opportunity to overcome temptation and learn to be righteous.

Salvation is understood as collective and national, not personal and individual based on the Old Testament (Tanach).

Judaism places all sins on the individual, whereas with Messianic Judaism places all hope on Messiah for the sins that individuals commit.

Teshuva,

Tzedakah and mitzvoth, and kavanah and tefilah are the elements stressed by the Judaism religion in order for an individual to have a relationship with God instead of salvation, however it is still questioned whether these elements are enough to restore one’s own relationship with God.

Jews say that “one does not begin to live, until they know what they are willing to die for, therefore rather than give up being Jewish, Jews in the past have given up their own life.

God gave us instructions for getting all the pleasure from the world in the Torah. However, in return God does not need anything, but he provides “his children” with everything.

Comfort is what life is all about, an individual should not live life solely for pleasure.

Commandments are rules to live by. There are 613 total.

Practices include: Rabbinic Law has three groups; a gezeirah, takkanah, and minhag.

The Synagogue replaces prayers and teachings.

Jewish Worship and Prayer.

Keeping Kosher: Jewish Dietary Laws.

Jewish Divorce is considered tragic.

Rosh Hashanah

(Jewish new year)

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (Book of life judgement)

Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles (Israelites’ journey to the promised land)

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in the Torah)

Hanukkah, or Chanukah (miracle of the oil)

Tu B’Shevat (Jewish New Year for Trees)

Purim (celebrates the events told in the Book of Esther)

Passover (Israelites liberation from slavery in Egypt)

Shavuot (Harvest festival)

Tisha B’Av (Day of Mourning)

Wk 6 sources

http://www.patheos.com/library/judaism

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/beliefs/beliefs_1.shtml

http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/human-nature

https://chosenpeople.com/site/the-evil-and-good-inclinations-in-judaism/

https://chosenpeople.com/site/salvation-as-interpreted-by-judaism/

https://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/meaningoflife/

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

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/19150793

Week 7

Christianity

With well over two billion followers Christianity is the most popular religion in the world.

Followers of Jesus founded Christianity in Palestine in the first century A.D.

Jews started a movement to except Christ as Messiah; and this is how Christianity was established.

Christianity has a powerful historical force and cultural influence and predominates in Europe and America

Peter and Paul shaped the early church.

In its two millennia history Christianity has been divided by schism into three branches

1. Roman Catholicism

2. Protestantism

3. Orthodox Christianity; these groups were separated based on differences in doctrinal and organizational

The New Testament teaches us that there is only one God, and he is the one who created the world.

God has a desire to save all people and has a great love for the world.

The New Testament also proclaims that Jesus Christ is presented to people as a representation of God.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the three forms of God that are revealed by the embodiment of principles of relationships.

Christianity has many viewpoints, the belief of God as a person or an embodiment is determined based on your denomination.

The Bible states that our human nature is that we can feel and think so that makes us more distinct as human beings; this is a gift bestowed upon us by God, because no other creature has these abilities.

God created humans in his own image. For this it gives humans a better understanding of his being, and we have the ability to be compassionate, faithful, truthful, kind, and patient.

Genesis 1:31 – all humans were created good, but the sin of Adam and Eve marred that goodness.

If a person commits a sin, if they ask God for forgiveness and accept Christ into their lives all sins are forgiven and one can be of pureness again.

Evil does not exist it is simply thought to be the absence of good in an individual.

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

(Genesis 1:31)

From this Bible quote God created the world to be good, therefore no evil should exist.

However there are individuals that choose to do bad/evil; therefore your choices of evil actions has consequence. This means if you make a bad decision such as drinking alcohol during pregnancy and your child is born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, you cannot blame this on God; because it was you bad choice to use alcohol and God did NOT make you do it.

Due to the evil doings of Adam and Eve God sent Jesus of Nazareth (his son) in human form to remove all sins and restore the good.

Upon entering the world in human form he paid the penalty for the sins and took the weight of the world upon his shoulders.

Our sins can be forgiven by accepting Jesus’ sacrifice for sins and honoring Jesus as Lord and restoring our relationship with God.

All humans are born sinners and are unworthy of God’s grace, according to Christian theologians.

However, Christians believe that each individual has the opportunity to gain eternal life and be absorbed of any sin bestowed upon them upon their birth, it is solely up to the each person to accept or reject salvation.

There is much debate as to the afterlife; some believe that there is a judgement day immediately after death, however others believe that evil will be removed from the earth and resurrection will occur when the apocalypse occurs (God returns to earth).

1. Bible Study

2. Christian Fasting

3. Christian Monasticism

4. Christian Prayer

5. Christian Vestments

6. Baptism

7. Confirmation

8. Neo-Pentecostalism

9. Communion (Eucharist)

10. Catechism

11. Tithings

12. Worship Service

13. Prayers

14. Evangelism

15. Healing

1. Marriage

2. Ordination

3. Advent

4. Christmas

5. Epiphany

6. Lent

7. Holy Week

8. Easter

9. Ascension Day

10. Pentecost

11. Saints Day

12. Maundy Thursday

13. Good Friday

Wk 7 sources

Christianity: Introduction

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/god

https://www.gotquestions.org/human-nature.html

https://www.allaboutgod.com/good-and-evil.htm

Home

http://www.sptimmortalityproject.com/background/christianity-and-the-afterlife/

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/practices

http://access-jesus.com/bible-list-christian-ritual-practices-part-2.html/

https://uri.org/kids/world-religions/christian-celebrations

http://www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/christian-holy-days-holidays-and-seasons/

Week 8

Islam

The Quran believe that the earth (universe) was once only a cloud of smoke.

Due to the discovery of stars in this “smoke” Quran believed that the heavens and earth were of one entity including the sun, moon, stars, galaxies, etc. Upon the formation of earth and heaven they separated as two separate entities due to homogeneous ‘smoke’.

Professor Alfred Kroner Professor of the Department of Geosciences, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany thinks it was impossible for one person to know about the origin of the universe some 1400 years ago.

The deity is the God of the Islam religion.

The word for violating the unity of God is called shirk. One guilty of shirk is associated with denying the essence of God and the oneness of the divine. According to the Qur’an this is the greatest sin, and cannot be forgiven.

Paintings and any representation of God are prohibited by the Islam. This is enforced due to the misrepresentation, and the more likeliness of shirk occurring.

God is a transcendent reality according to Muslim mainstream beliefs therefore is ultimately unknowable to humanity.

Grasping the totality of the divine essence of God does not keep us from knowing something about God’s nature, according to the Islam lost standing tradition.

God is deeply concerned for the destiny of human beings, despite the radical Islam monotheism views.

Unlike the belief of Christians, Islam have the belief that man was created from a clot of blood, instead from the image of God, this is the according to Quran, Allah.

The story of Adam and Eve is much different in the Islam teachings, as it is said that two were banished to Earth to a mortal life where they would be taken out at last.

A natural state of submission to Allah is the state to which Muslims believe all are born, this is known as Al-Fitra.

Muslims believe that pride and rebellion are mankind’s chief failings. The only way to be forgiven is to return to the original sinless state. Islam’s cardinal sin is pride, and the cardinal virtue is submission.

Islam’s have a belief in two different evils, one is natural evil, and the other is moral evil.

Natural evil cannot be controlled by an individual; such things are volcano eruption, hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes.

Moral evil occurs when humans act immorally, such as murder, rape, bullying, or terrorism.

However moral evil and natural evil can work together, in such a way as when a natural disaster occurs and “evil” individual’s loot.

Islam’s teach that one is born with the instinct to know right from wrong, but also with the knowledge of free will to do right and follow the leadership of Allah, or follow the temptations of Shaytan (evil).

The good in Islam is known as divine light, and that evil is known as fire called Jinn.

It is taught that life is full of testing and temptations.

The only way to seek forgiveness is to repent fully to Allah.

In order to have salvation one must live life to please Allah, to reach paradise.

The destiny a person gets afterlife is determined by the actions they pursue during their time on earth, whether it be a life of good or evil. There is no certainty to who will go to heaven (paradise) or hell (Jahannam).

When it is the day of reckoning a gathering takes place at the bridge known as Sirat, at that time the fires of hell spans out, and those who have gained life to paradise are saved, and those destined for Jahannam will be condemned by the fires.

Islam’s purpose in life is to live a life to please God, to do this one must strengthen and develop ones relationship with God.

All life’s aspects and behavior are surrendered to the Will of God as a means of Islam submission.

Shari’ah is the code of conduct that Islam envisages use in order to bring peace to him.

· Five Pillars of Islam

· Confession of faith

· Alms tax

· Fasting during the ninth month (the month of Ramadan)

· Pilgrimage of Mecca

· Hajj

· Salat

· Shahada

· Al-Hijra

· Ashura

· Eid Al-Adha

· Festival of the Breaking of the Fast

· Ramadan

The Islamic calendar is lunar, therefore not all holidays are at the same time each year.

MONTHS OF THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR

· Muharram

· Safr

· Rabi’ al-Awwal (or Rabi I)
· Rabi’ al-Thani (or Rabi II)
· Jumada al-Ula (or Jumada I)
· Jumada al-Thaniyya (or Jumada II)
· Rajab
· Sha’ban
· Ramadan
· Shawwal
· Dhu al-Qa’dah
· Dhu al-Hijjah

Wk 8 sources

https://www.islam-guide.com/ch1-1-c.htm

http://scienceislam.com/quran_miracles.php

http://old.explorefaith.org/neighbors/beliefs/nature_i.html

http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/human-nature

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/isgoodandevilrev1.shtml

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

http://www.patheos.com/library/islam/beliefs/afterlife-and-salvation

https://www.al-islam.org/islamic-way-life-allamah-abu-al-ala-mawdudi/islamic-concept-life#plan-life

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

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

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

Week 9

Sikhism

Wk 9 sources

Week 10

New Religious Movements

Wk 10 sources