This course has been a massive learning experience for me because I have never taken a course over a topic like this before. My previous knowledge of religion was only what I knew about my own religion, and my previous knowledge of magic and witchcraft was basically zero. My lack of background knowledge has made me really have to broaden my horizons and open my mind to what we have discussed, and I think this new found acceptance has enabled me to make the most out of this class. I found many of the topics we read about and discussed fascinating, and I am walking away with a new perspective on my own religious beliefs. First off, one of my favorite books that we read throughout the semester was the very first book, Eight Theories of Religion. …show more content…
I felt like I could actually learn about vodou while just sitting there and reading what seemed like typical stories. These stories really made the culture seem a lot more natural and logical to me because I was able to relate what was going on in the stories to my everyday life. This was really important because I had no problem accepting vodou and not thinking it was silly, but when it came to neopaganism, I just couldn 't quite wrap my head around it because I really couldn’t relate or understand why these people truly had faith in rituals and spirits that seemed so silly to me. I think this lack of acceptance is due to both the lack of relatable stories and history like those of vodou that I just discussed, and the fact that the typical demographic for neopaganism was people similar to myself. Other beliefs of religions and witchcraft like those of witchcraft in Africa and Europe seem distant and from a different time, but since neopaganism is here in America right now, I cannot explain it off by saying the bizarre beliefs are due to the massive difference in culture because I am a part of that same American culture. I still have not been able to psychologically or scientifically discover why my similarity to those who practice neopaganism caused such a big discrepancy with neopaganism for myself, but I had
Religions of common geographical origins tend to differ from those that begin in other parts of the world. Inversely, religions that were from similar geographical areas tended to have somewhat similar codes of behavior and/or reason for existence. Throughout history there were three big geographical centers of religious origins: Southwestern Asia, South Asia, and East Asia.
The growing practice of Neo-Paganism in America has caused many to turn their heads. The misunderstanding of the religion has caused many to equate the practitioners with the popular conception of typical "witches," that perform black magic rituals, satanic sacrifices, and engage in devil-inspired orgies. After many years, the Neo-Pagan community has cleared up many misconceptions through the showing that many of them do not engage in activities, and are rather participating in a religion, just as those would that participate in a Christian community. It's unacceptance continues, perhaps due to its non-conformity to the ideal of worshipping a Christian God. Through the use of ethnography, anthropologists and sociologists are able to present the public with a much different view than what we are bombarded with in popular media.
The classes were very informative. Every class was different and all the presenters for the classes I was able to attend were well informed. Some classes had panels of presenters with a few different people from various areas of the craft industry. I thought that was a very informative way to get several different perspectives on the same topic at once. Some classes were more fun and lighthearted, while others were more direct and matter-of-fact. Each angle had its purpose and was used well. You can find the full schedule of classes
When I first enrolled in this course, I felt all different kinds of emotions and was not exactly sure what to expect from THE 101. I had thoughts in my head leading up to this class spinning in my head each night before the first day. I have never taken a Religion class before. I had some thoughts like, “Maybe this will be my best class!” because I would love to learn more about my religion as a Catholic. I was raised a Catholic and went to religion class until I was confirmed during my Eighth grade year. Other thoughts loomed in my head as well, such as, “Do I really belong in this class?” and “I’m probably going to fail this class with just one assignment!”
Religion, in many forms, has had the most profound influence on human society throughout history. It’s been the basis for many human traditions, value systems, and conflict throughout the history of human civilization. Understanding religious traditions, relationships, and foundational beliefs enables humans to understand their differences and better prepare themselves to make decisions regarding religious interactions in the appropriate context. Religions are considered to be reliable and important in answering the most profound questions of human existence; where do we come from? What should we do while we are here? Since religion is so important so are the holy texts, because they put into words/ writing of guideline of what that religion is all about. In this essay I will attempt to explore and discuss a passage from Gospel of Luke 10:25-37 “The Good Samaritan” and “Surah Ar Rahman” from 55th Sura of the Qur'an and their relation to that particular religion.
Everyone has a worldview and a way they see life. Christian teachers should be willing to use their own biblical worldview to help the students in class develop a strong set of beliefs by integrating biblical truths into their lessons daily and encouraging their students to apply what they learn in class to not only their biblical worldview, but to their life.
After reading this book, I would recommend it to any college freshman. I think that White’s chapter on using the library as an armory will change the way that students think about their assignments and their attitude to higher education. In conclusion, A Mind for God by James Emery White is a fantastic piece of literature that delves deep into what it means to truly follow God with your mind. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2,
The religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are alike in many ways but they also share many differences. Judaism and Christianity use the bible in their holy scriptures, while Islam does not. Jesus Christ is a part of all three religions as Christianity and Islam developed from Judaism. Many believe that the three religions worship, pray to, and focus on the same god. They believe this as many of the prophets are they share much in common as they share many beliefs. However, the followers of the three religions pray differently and in different places. the religions believe that their god created the world and everything in the world. The three Abrahamic religions have different histories, yet they share many similarities and difference.
The progressives that I have to chosen to interview are the PAWS organization. PAWS are an organization that shelters animals that are loose in Kuwait. The most common animals that they have rescued in Kuwait are cats and dogs. Their rescues were not something easy, physically and mentally. Many of their rescues involved very brutal tortures of animals or saving dogs from dog fight rings. One of the rescues was one where a dog was tied up to a pole and was being burned alive; the kids that were doing it were just doing it for fun. After the rescue the chairperson explained to me that they had a mental breakdown and could not go back to their shelter for 6 months. The issue that arose from that situation is that the Kuwaiti general public needed to be educated about animal rights because what is going on would be considered genocide if it were done to humans. The chairperson said “There is no education, no awareness, so someone has to make that move, someone has to try and do and fortunately we did”, Rola Al- Baker, PAWS Chairperson. Another incident that supported that issue would be...
...religion is different but there are many similarities about each religion that is not evident in our everyday lives. This course allowed me to understand more deeply why things happened for us to be living on the earth today and also how it happened or got us to this point. Faith is a very big part of my life and this just made it enhance more and stronger because I was able to understand certain concepts more than I did before and not just hearing what I have heard in church I actually know now why they did it and I am clearer to how it was done. Even though they are many different views and faiths that is why our world is diverse and it a good thing because if everyone only believed in one faith there would not be much difference and that would make us not as connected or interesting amongst one another.
My definition of religion has mostly stayed the same, but my perception of it has changed. At the beginning of the class, I assumed religion was something you believed based on your moral principles. I now believe that those moral principles are based on the religion that you believe in. Your religion changes your perception of the world and how to go about in it. Your religion tells you what is right and wrong in the world and answers all of the big questions one asks. Religion according to our book is, “A pattern of beliefs and practices that expresses and enacts what a community regards as sacred and/or ultimate about life” (Van Voorst 6). That definition was one thing that really got me thinking about my own personal idea of what religion
World Religions 110 has been such an amazing class to me. It will be hard to put into words how much I loved taking this class and learning about the different religions. Not only did we learn about religions, but also I feel we also learned about character, compassion, and actualization. Out of all the different topics to discuss, I feel the most important to me are: Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.
Religion is a form of practicing spirituality, it is a way to connect or communicate with their supreme being. It also influences individuals to perceive life, nature, ethics, or themselves in a different form, that way is my perspective of what religion is. Throughout this semester, we have learned about the major religions and other religions that are not so common. I have also gained more knowledge about not just the religion that I practice, Catholicism, but about other religions, beside own. By learning more about other religions and understanding the way they perceive society, nature, and how they function, it has changed the way I perceive religion.
Growing up I was raised in a religious household, so, of course, I’m a big believer in God and my faith. To me, God is the creator of all and I believe Judgment Day is going to come very soon.The definition of faith is the belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion. My faith and the reason for my faith goes hand in hand because it makes me know the truth and opens my eyes to this world. Also, I get clarity of why I’m in this world which is to make it a better place. But seeing the world as faith with reason or reason with faith has a few challenges and can make things a little bit difficult. Same goes for science and religion which butt heads a lot. Some may feel that the Big Bang Theory created
It has been an outstanding five weeks. This was the course that I've been waiting to take since I started Capella back in April of 2004. Finally after weeks of reading World Religions by Huston Smith, I have developed an understanding of some of the world's religions. I can never be an expert in this field, and I don't want to, but at least I have an idea where these religions originated and have a general concept of the beliefs behind each religion. Each of the religions we covered have one thing in common that stick out, and that is promoting peace and harmony.