Almost every religion in this world involves some kind of deity. This deity is thought to have a power over us and can affect our lives. These deities are worshipped and thought to be sacred. When we are in trouble or we need something to change in our lives we petition these deities. We ask for help because we feel powerless to achieve the outcome we desire. This is sometimes done in the form of prayer or worship. When we pray and worship we reach out to the deity and treat the situation with respect and reverence. This is something that is supposed to be sacred and done only when necessary.
Throughout time human nature has affected the way we do these things. In today’s day and age there seems to be a disconnect with the sacredness of these
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Records can be seen as early as AD 77, but is believed to be even older. The original origins seem to be lost but some believe the phrase was once used as a protection or shield from evil much like pagans today use spells and wards. It was believed that sneezing could mean that a person was open to evil or that their soul could be forced out. The phrase was meant to protect the affected from this outcome. It may have become as overused as it is now in part due to the Catholic church. In AD 590 Pope Gregory I ordered anyone who sneezed be blessed immediately due to a plague at the time. In this way it was an utterance that demonstrated a request for someone to be saved from death. Today we say this prayer as if it is second nature, sometimes without even thinking about it. We have forgotten the true meaning and intent of this phrase and in doing so lessened the value of it’s …show more content…
In pagan religion it was originally used this way but today, however, the phrase has come to be used in way of a greeting or farewell. While it could be used in this way if something happened during the encounter to make us feel the blessings of our deity or by way of asking the deity to bless that person it is more commonly used as though one is saying hello or goodbye. Personally I feel this lessens the sacredness of the request. In the wiccan religion it is first seen in the Five Fold Kiss Rite performed by the Gardnerian Tradition. The rite involves the placement of five kisses in the shape of a pentagram to invoke the goddess into each part and obtain her blessing as the person continues their path in her ways. Here it is seen as giving yourself over to the goddess for her to guide you. While this is something that should be done with complete reverence and respect it is not something that should then be used in the same way in casual conversation. Let us work together to prevent Blessed Be from becoming the next “God bless you” of this world. We must respect our deities and turn to them when needed not diminish their power and
When the plague began, many Christians believed that it was a penalty of their sins from God; others lost faith in the church or blamed it on followers of other religions. Many who thought that god was punishing them became flagellants. These people would go to the main square or church and whip themselves and cry, “God spare us,” asking for forgiveness from their sins (Gottfried 263). During the plague, many people looked for aid through religion. The Christians would pray, but get no response from God. Many began to question the truth behind their beliefs. The people would turn their backs on the church and lose confidence in their faith. A common view of the people who survived the plague was that they were “cynical about religion,” (Watts 3). The people became more egotistical and less pious because they had less need for support from ...
As a form of greeting 1:28; 19:6. As being pleased or happy 22:5; 23:8. As a form of celebration 1:14; 6:23; 10:20; 13:17; 15:5,32; 19:37
I have therefore taken the liberty of suggesting to you whether this important exemption which God has granted to you from a dangerous & fatal disorder does not lay you under an obligation to offer your services to attend the sick who are afflicted with this malady. Such an act in your society will render you acceptable to be very grateful to the citizens, and I hope pleasing in the light of that god who will see every act of kindness done to creatures whom he calls his brethren, as if done to
Priests feared to contact with ill people, did not want to confess them and fulfill an appropriate ceremony. As people believed these rituals help souls to achieve Heaven and reunite with friends and relatives, priests’ behavior could be treated as a “betraying”. Mass deaths made citizens question God’s good attitude to them or even the ability to affect the outcome of the epidemic. Many authors, like the Italian scholar Francesco Petratch suggested “that God does not care for mortal men” (Strayer
The idea that religion can primarily be seen as a means of comfort in a world of suffering is not a new one. Religion reconcile the oppressed to their uncomfortable role sin this life by dignify in their suffering and promising spiritual world to come. But apart from the Psychological problem, the existence of suffering poses a cognitive problem, albeit in practice the two are often closely related or even confused with each other. Religion does not only have to provide the promise of some kind of escape or salvation from suffering brutal so some kind of moral vindication of its distribution in this world. Our society is driven by the need for constant clarification, transparency, and readily available answers at our fingertips. It is no surprise than that although we live in a world dominated by technology and fast web browsing there are still questions we can’t find an answer to. Regardless of how one posit the question of evil, “Where is God now”, “Why is there evil if God is almighty”, or “Why would God abandon those in need”, the answers has always been the same, “No one knows for sure”.
In the wake of the plague, nobleman and religious authority figures struggled to maintain their high place in society as government leaders were unable to find an effective response to the disease, and people began to doubt the power of the Church. Confusion and suspicion arose among followers of the church when the Church itself was powerless to stop this devastating diseases supposedly “sent from the heavens”. When praying and amending their sins didn’t cure themselves or their loved ones of that great pestilence, people believed that God had abandoned them, shown in these quotes taken directly from the journal of an Italian citizen who contracted the disease. “…and nowhere is there a refuge. No haven beckons in any part of the globe, nor can any hope of longed for salvation be seen. Wherever I turn my frightened eyes, their gaze is troubled by continual funerals: the churches groan encumbered with biers…”(Petrach 27-31). “… it is the wrath of God… the harsh assault of the stars in their perpetually changing conjunctions. This plague-bearing year has borne down on humankind and threatens a tearful slaughter, and the highly charg...
Religion has always been able to give people something to look to for help. It answers their questions and gives them hope for the future. In the Christian faith, followers are taught that Christ will help them if they believe and follow Him. The painting by Carl Bloch Christ Healing at the Pool of Bethesda is a prime example of Christ helping and healing those who are experiencing times of hopelessness, and need someone to turn to. Religion is what helps ground people and gives them hope. If we didn’t have religion people would be lost and in darkness.
“Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth, our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man. (Homer, 380)” Time and time again, people release the reins of their own freewill and subject their life to faith in higher power; the power of the divine seems above all else, and in many cultures is is treated as such. The range of power in many divine beings is seen in the following texts mainly to invoke emotion, give assistance, and display their general gift and is almost entirely exhibited to gain from these interactions.
Religion can be described as a social institution built up around the idea of a supernatural being or beings, and the relation of human beings to them. In addition, religion provides individuals a belief to which they understand their existence as well network of emotional support during times of distress. Moreover, religious institutions provide individuals a proper perspective of life and establish values. Religion involves three major aspects: A conception of the nature and character of divinity (2) A set of principles concerning the duties and obligations between divinity and humanity. (3) A set of behavior patterns designed to conform to God’s will (Thorman, 154). The theme of panopticisim is to assert and maintain power by being unseen. In Christianity, God, unable to be to seen, is a supernatural being with infinite power. In addition, the Holy Bible reaffirms this power and establishes accordance among civilians. The social institution of religion is a form of a panoptic system where individuals are compelled to act accordingly.
Religion forms a bridge between the mortals and Gods by opening a line of communication through choices made by either side. Relations surrounding mortal-God are generally noted to be almost strictly one-way: Gods and Goddesses decree through various means of communication of their plans and desires, and mortals were expected to "respect the gods" (Fagles 2006: 235). Those who followed through were held in high regard and rewarded, meanwhile those who did not were cursed and would suffer punishment along with their kin. Given the unnatural amount of force prescribed to them in historical and/or religious texts, Gods and Goddesses of their respective time and place are scrutinized on the effect they had on their mortal followers, raising questions
Worship cycles from gestures to word of exaltation to the Lord. This chapter discuss different gesture used to captivate our Lord’s attention and three amalgamated of exaltation. Lifting up our hand in worship is towdah, an act of surrender and thanksgiving. Surrendering by rising your flag in total submission and thanksgiving in adoration to Him accepting our submission. Kneeling before the Lord is barak, another form of adoration, and the Hebrew word for bless. We bless the Lord by bow before Him, like we would do to a king or queen who enter a building.
The phrase “bless you” actually comes from a superstition. People thought that when a person sneezed, it was a gateway for the Devil to possess the person’s body. “Bless you”, prevents this from happening.
Through the various calls for response made by the priests, “let us be attentive”, “let us pray to the Lord”, “peace be with you” and “servant of God” tradition is linguistically demonstrated. Each of these and other prayers was concluded with a response or “Amen” typically by the priest or the choir. Also, we saw reminders of God’s beauty in the images of those who loved and served the Lord throughout the ages as painting on the ceilings and walls.
We do know that it is a borrowing from French. The English word comes from the French “gai,” but where this French
...st always pray to God with such great and deep belief that everything we ask for, He will give to us and we will receive, of course if it is reasonable. Putting every single ounce of faith and belief that we have installed in our mind, body, and soul into God is the state we should always pray in. Making your requests to God specific and making them known to Him is absolutely crucial.