Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #9: The Incarnation of God: "After viewing 'The Nativity Story', analyzing your chosen Christmas carol, and reading Philippians 2:1-7, reflect on the meaning of Christma..."
Jesus is described as the Messiah or Savior of the Jews. There are several prophecies that Christians believed in that led them to think that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus is described as one born of a virgin. The prophecies that he does fulfill out the many described in the texts are that Jesus will be cruxified and that none of his bones would break during the process. He is also stabbed by the soldiers in the side by a spear, something foretold in one of the prophecies. The scriptures of the Bible claim that he is the chosen one, the Messiah, and the Savior of his people. He is said to be son of Joseph and the Virgin Mary. The scriptures say that he is a prohpet. Mary had to concieve the baby and not abort it. Joseph had to agree to stay with her and not get her stoned and save the baby by going to Egypt. The shepherds were also importnat because they spread the word of how almighty God was. The wise men were also importnat as they did not tell King Herod where the baby was and they gave Jesus three gifts, gold for the King of Kings, frankincense for the Priest of Priests and myrrh representing sacrifice. Jesus probably came to earth as a baby because Jesus was meant to originally come to Earth to experience the pains and other feelings of mankind. So to experience such feelings, he probably decided that being born a baby was probably the best way to experience what man experienced throughout the stages of life. What kind of God would come to earth as a baby? One that will eventually remove his peoples' sins and is willing to give up his life for such a cause. The song that I chose was the Angels We Have Heard On High. I will analyze the verse
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Shepherds were told by an angel that they should be happy because a Savior had been born to them. So in the verse, when is says Shepherds, why this jubilee?, it is the same as asking why are you shepherds so happy? The second phrase 'Why your joyous strains prolong?' is similar to the previous phrase except that it is reworded. The third phrase, 'what your gladsome tidings be' is like saying 'what is it that makes you happy, and finally the fourth phrase is what makes you so joyous that you sing of heaven and the glories of God. This verse deals with the behaviors of the shepherds after being informed of Jesus' birth and after seeing the baby just as the angel foretold which is part of the story of the Birth of Jesus.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives: "Find where Islamic religious beliefs intersect with current events. Research a Western news source on the story and summarize the article fr..."
The story of Daniel Pearl, his abduction in Karachi, and his subsequent murder is discussed in two different articles, one written by the Wall Street Journal and the other by Al-Ahram. Both articles talk about how Dnaiel Pearl, who was working on finding a link between Harry Reid, the shoe bomber, and Al-Qaeda, was set up by two fake associates and taken into custody by an Islamic extremist group. Following his kidnapping, an email was sent to media corporations stating that if the U.S. did not treat prisoners fairly, resume the supplying of F 16s to Pakistan, and return the Paskitan ambassador to Pakistan, Daniel Pearl would be killed. A search was conducted in the Karichi region and a few days later the US consulate in Pakistan recieved a tape. The tape showed Daniel Pearl admitting to be a Jew, the subsequent slashing of his neck and finally the beheading of Daniel Pearl. The stances or the way the two newspapers view the event is the sole difference in the two articles written by them
There are some subtle differences that can be shown as at a larger scale. The Al-Ahram takes a less aggressive stance whereas the Wall Street Journal starts the article with a belligrent tone. Al-Ahram later takes a partially aggressive stance by including quotes which display anger at the murderers. The Wall Street Journal uses quotes from the Journal chiefs, Bush, Musharrraf and the State Department which display a mix of feelings ranging from revenge to sorrow to anger. The sharp contrast comes when the Al-Ahram ends on a more passive note by including a quote from Pearl's wife, Mariane, who states that, "It is far more valuable in my opinion to address this problem of terrorism with enough honesty to question our own responsibility as nations and as individuals for the rise of terrorism." The facts were exactly the same in both articles. The main difference was that the WSJ took on a more angry persona while the AL-Ahram took on a more compromising attitude.
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/575/in92.htm
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/pearl-022102.htm
The story of Daniel Pearl, his abduction in Karachi, and his subsequent murder is discussed in two different articles, one written by the Wall Street Journal and the other by Al-Ahram. Both articles talk about how Dnaiel Pearl, who was working on finding a link between Harry Reid, the shoe bomber, and Al-Qaeda, was set up by two fake associates and taken into custody by an Islamic extremist group. Following his kidnapping, an email was sent to media corporations stating that if the U.S. did not treat prisoners fairly, resume the supplying of F 16s to Pakistan, and return the Paskitan ambassador to Pakistan, Daniel Pearl would be killed. A search was conducted in the Karichi region and a few days later the US consulate in Pakistan recieved a tape. The tape showed Daniel Pearl admitting to be a Jew, the subsequent slashing of his neck and finally the beheading of Daniel Pearl. The stances or the way the two newspapers view the event is the sole difference in the two articles written by them
There are some subtle differences that can be shown as at a larger scale. The Al-Ahram takes a less aggressive stance whereas the Wall Street Journal starts the article with a belligrent tone. Al-Ahram later takes a partially aggressive stance by including quotes which display anger at the murderers. The Wall Street Journal uses quotes from the Journal chiefs, Bush, Musharrraf and the State Department which display a mix of feelings ranging from revenge to sorrow to anger. The sharp contrast comes when the Al-Ahram ends on a more passive note by including a quote from Pearl's wife, Mariane, who states that, "It is far more valuable in my opinion to address this problem of terrorism with enough honesty to question our own responsibility as nations and as individuals for the rise of terrorism." The facts were exactly the same in both articles. The main difference was that the WSJ took on a more angry persona while the AL-Ahram took on a more compromising attitude.
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/575/in92.htm
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/pearl-022102.htm
Friday, November 26, 2010
Modern Religious Experience: Personal Commemoration- Reflection #7
Modern Religious Experience: Personal Commemoration- Reflection #7: "Think of an event in your life- past, present or future. You are going to create a commemorative ritual for this event. First, describe the ..."
The year following my arrival to Korea was a memorable time that I believe is that best time to celebrate as a commemorative event. This year was important in that it introduced me to a harsh reality. Previously, I had never really thought about the largeness of the world and how harsh life actually was with murders and robberies occuring periodically in the States. I really thought life was simple and now it seems like it was a utopia. I spent a whole year adjusting to a new life and in that process I expanded my scope of knowledge and understanding which informed me of the endless competition that existed. As such, I saw this event in my life as significant and as a symbolic step towards a sense of spiritual and mental independence. This event will last all year but will only be celebrated the year after one moves to another place that one has never visited before.
The poem that shall be read during the event shall read
"Many a days have gone and many more shall pass
People shall stutter around, lost, pondering
And now you are the wandering soul, searching, wondering
But as time passes, what your life will mean to you
It shall but be the same
As each sense you experience will be new, pleasurable, unforgettable
Once again knowledge and understanding will grow
Emerge from a smaller world to a larger one
Speculating, reflecting, contemplating, pondering..."
The event will be held at a mansion of some sort or at a hotel. The people celebrating this event will be wearing clothes that they wore in their previous place of residence. The food will be a mix of the previous place of residence and the current place of residence. It will also require the participants to get to know the area very well within the year. As a year long event it will start at the hotel or mansion and end there. During the other days when access to such a place is unavailabe, they celebrate by having one meal that lies parallel to the aforementioned meals and will go outside in the appropriate dress also mentioned before. Through the mixing of culture, it will be easier to adapt and will increase one's knowledge thus ridding some ignorance or bias concerning the present place of residence that will be somewhat dissolved
The year following my arrival to Korea was a memorable time that I believe is that best time to celebrate as a commemorative event. This year was important in that it introduced me to a harsh reality. Previously, I had never really thought about the largeness of the world and how harsh life actually was with murders and robberies occuring periodically in the States. I really thought life was simple and now it seems like it was a utopia. I spent a whole year adjusting to a new life and in that process I expanded my scope of knowledge and understanding which informed me of the endless competition that existed. As such, I saw this event in my life as significant and as a symbolic step towards a sense of spiritual and mental independence. This event will last all year but will only be celebrated the year after one moves to another place that one has never visited before.
The poem that shall be read during the event shall read
"Many a days have gone and many more shall pass
People shall stutter around, lost, pondering
And now you are the wandering soul, searching, wondering
But as time passes, what your life will mean to you
It shall but be the same
As each sense you experience will be new, pleasurable, unforgettable
Once again knowledge and understanding will grow
Emerge from a smaller world to a larger one
Speculating, reflecting, contemplating, pondering..."
The event will be held at a mansion of some sort or at a hotel. The people celebrating this event will be wearing clothes that they wore in their previous place of residence. The food will be a mix of the previous place of residence and the current place of residence. It will also require the participants to get to know the area very well within the year. As a year long event it will start at the hotel or mansion and end there. During the other days when access to such a place is unavailabe, they celebrate by having one meal that lies parallel to the aforementioned meals and will go outside in the appropriate dress also mentioned before. Through the mixing of culture, it will be easier to adapt and will increase one's knowledge thus ridding some ignorance or bias concerning the present place of residence that will be somewhat dissolved
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Modern Religious Experience: The Morality of Greek Myths- Reflection #6
Modern Religious Experience: The Morality of Greek Myths- Reflection #6: "The Creation of Seasons: Demeter and PersephoneFor this reflection, upload a picture that represents your character in the Greek myth you pr..."
Orpheus is about a man named Orpheus who plays the lyre and marries a girl named Eurydice. Eurydice dies after being bitten by a snake. Orpheus gets extremely depressed and as a result, he decides to travel to the Underworld to claim Eurydice. He meets Hades and after convincing him with his music, he gets Eurydice back. However, he looks backl at the last second and fails to retrieve her. He starves himself and Orpheus meets Eurydice in the Underworld. They live happily ever after.
The moral of the story is that even gods such as Hades have soft spots and that everything is possible and that there are consequences that occur when one does not follow orders from a higher being. The myth attempts to answer the question of why no one has ever been able to retrieve a soul from the Underworld. In other words, why no one has come back from the dead. The answer that the story provides is because of Orpheus' temptation and resulting failure to bring his love back. The story attempts to say that because Orpheus failed in bringing her back, Hades has never again allowed anyone to come back to life because human temptation will always prevent humans from successfully bringing them back. An important virtue is follow the orders of someone higher than you and that miracles do happen. Another virtue that is pesent is resist temptation when neccesary or risk the conseuqences. One should learn that impossible does happen and that consequences follow when one does not follow the orders of a greater authority and also that resisting temptation could result in something better in the future.
Orpheus is about a man named Orpheus who plays the lyre and marries a girl named Eurydice. Eurydice dies after being bitten by a snake. Orpheus gets extremely depressed and as a result, he decides to travel to the Underworld to claim Eurydice. He meets Hades and after convincing him with his music, he gets Eurydice back. However, he looks backl at the last second and fails to retrieve her. He starves himself and Orpheus meets Eurydice in the Underworld. They live happily ever after.
The moral of the story is that even gods such as Hades have soft spots and that everything is possible and that there are consequences that occur when one does not follow orders from a higher being. The myth attempts to answer the question of why no one has ever been able to retrieve a soul from the Underworld. In other words, why no one has come back from the dead. The answer that the story provides is because of Orpheus' temptation and resulting failure to bring his love back. The story attempts to say that because Orpheus failed in bringing her back, Hades has never again allowed anyone to come back to life because human temptation will always prevent humans from successfully bringing them back. An important virtue is follow the orders of someone higher than you and that miracles do happen. Another virtue that is pesent is resist temptation when neccesary or risk the conseuqences. One should learn that impossible does happen and that consequences follow when one does not follow the orders of a greater authority and also that resisting temptation could result in something better in the future.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk: "After visiting the Zen Buddhist Temple, Bongwonsa and attempting to see nature as a Taoist, answer this question: What is it about creation,..."
The unknown prompts humans to seek out religion. One of the main unknowns is death and what occurs after. This, I believe, is the main reason why religion exists. For someone educated and nicely-off in terms of welfare, one will wonder what happens after death. People wonder about it because death can be acieved through so many violent means and in a way, death inserts fear in people. From this violence, they wish to replace the fear with something like reincarnation to ease the stress created by this fear. People want to live their lives to the fullest without the stress of fear and that is why they create something called religion, to explain things they don't understand. How can I support this? People wish to protect themselves from fear of death. Religions show this concept many times. In half of all Eastern religions, the concept of death and what happens after death are explained in somewhat vague details. In religions such as Budhhism and Hinduism, reincarnation is very crucial to the religions. Unknown prompts the imaginative to explain phenomenons with religion
The unknown prompts humans to seek out religion. One of the main unknowns is death and what occurs after. This, I believe, is the main reason why religion exists. For someone educated and nicely-off in terms of welfare, one will wonder what happens after death. People wonder about it because death can be acieved through so many violent means and in a way, death inserts fear in people. From this violence, they wish to replace the fear with something like reincarnation to ease the stress created by this fear. People want to live their lives to the fullest without the stress of fear and that is why they create something called religion, to explain things they don't understand. How can I support this? People wish to protect themselves from fear of death. Religions show this concept many times. In half of all Eastern religions, the concept of death and what happens after death are explained in somewhat vague details. In religions such as Budhhism and Hinduism, reincarnation is very crucial to the religions. Unknown prompts the imaginative to explain phenomenons with religion
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation: "Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own 'fig tree' as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintue..."
The silent meditation was both a refreshing and enjoyable experience. I didn't notice it during the meditation but after the meditation, I realized that I really didn't think much about anything in particular. In essence, it felt as if my mind had fallen asleep. The things I did somewhat notice and feel were the smell of trees and leaves and felt the wind rushing at my back. So in effect, I did empty my mind but of course as it was my first long meditative state, I was not able to seek life's truths. As mentioned before, my mind just drifted off and entered into an uncontrollable state. Because it kept drifitng in and out, I ultimately was unable to control my mind due to its slipping away all the time. Lastly, I did have an inspiration of a sort. I was overly compelled to stop procrastinating and get everything done with. This inspiration was quite nice to have and it came over me before I had even contemplated about that thought
The silent meditation was both a refreshing and enjoyable experience. I didn't notice it during the meditation but after the meditation, I realized that I really didn't think much about anything in particular. In essence, it felt as if my mind had fallen asleep. The things I did somewhat notice and feel were the smell of trees and leaves and felt the wind rushing at my back. So in effect, I did empty my mind but of course as it was my first long meditative state, I was not able to seek life's truths. As mentioned before, my mind just drifted off and entered into an uncontrollable state. Because it kept drifitng in and out, I ultimately was unable to control my mind due to its slipping away all the time. Lastly, I did have an inspiration of a sort. I was overly compelled to stop procrastinating and get everything done with. This inspiration was quite nice to have and it came over me before I had even contemplated about that thought
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation: "Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own 'fig tree' as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintue..."
The silent meditation was both a refreshing and enjoyable experience. I didn't notice it during the meditation but after the meditation, I realized that I really didn't think much about anything in particular. In essence, it felt as if my mind had fallen asleep. The things I did somewhat notice and feel were the smell of trees and leaves and felt the wind rushing at my back. So in effect, I did empty my mind but of course as it was my first long meditative state, I was not able to seek life's truths. As mentioned before, my mind just drifted off and entered into an uncontrollable state. Because it kept drifitng in and out, I ultimately was unable to control my mind due to its slipping away all the time. Lastly, I did have an inspiration of a sort. I was overly compelled to stop procrastinating and get everything done with. This inspiration was quite nice to have and it came over me before I had even contemplated about that thought
The silent meditation was both a refreshing and enjoyable experience. I didn't notice it during the meditation but after the meditation, I realized that I really didn't think much about anything in particular. In essence, it felt as if my mind had fallen asleep. The things I did somewhat notice and feel were the smell of trees and leaves and felt the wind rushing at my back. So in effect, I did empty my mind but of course as it was my first long meditative state, I was not able to seek life's truths. As mentioned before, my mind just drifted off and entered into an uncontrollable state. Because it kept drifitng in and out, I ultimately was unable to control my mind due to its slipping away all the time. Lastly, I did have an inspiration of a sort. I was overly compelled to stop procrastinating and get everything done with. This inspiration was quite nice to have and it came over me before I had even contemplated about that thought
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist: "In class, your small groups went over movie questions about the content in Gandhi. You should know who each of the main characters are and t..."
Ghandi's idea of Hindusm was preaching nonviolence, accepting others, tolerance of other religions and the practice of self discipline. His belief in Hinduism led him to believe that a non violent, non cooperation campaign was the only way to earn independence for India and yet still follow the path of Hinduism. Examples of this can be seen when Gandhi's protests all revolve around the idea of nonviolence. Also, he identifies himself with the Dalits several times throughout the film and accepts them as equal although others around him protest at the idea. At one point in the film,he declares that he is a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Jew which reflects his tolerance of other religions. Finally he demostrates his self discipline when he shows his willingness to fast to death to bring an end to the fighting because of and during the partition.
"You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind."- Gandhi
Throughout the story, Gandhi exemplified through his effeorts that no matter what the British did to him, he would still be able to influence the minds of the Indians. In the movie, he was imprisoned several times yet the protests remained peaceful and became more threatening to British interests in India. When he was imprisoned along with his secretary and his wife for the last time, he almost died. Despite this, his companions and leaders of the Indian Independence Movement carried on his spirit and strived to keep the movement going even while Gandhi was in jail. When Gandhi died, his memory remained and effectively his mind has still with the people of India. Still today, we recognize him as who he is because of his mind and its sincerity in bringing about a change peacefully
Ghandi's idea of Hindusm was preaching nonviolence, accepting others, tolerance of other religions and the practice of self discipline. His belief in Hinduism led him to believe that a non violent, non cooperation campaign was the only way to earn independence for India and yet still follow the path of Hinduism. Examples of this can be seen when Gandhi's protests all revolve around the idea of nonviolence. Also, he identifies himself with the Dalits several times throughout the film and accepts them as equal although others around him protest at the idea. At one point in the film,he declares that he is a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Jew which reflects his tolerance of other religions. Finally he demostrates his self discipline when he shows his willingness to fast to death to bring an end to the fighting because of and during the partition.
"You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind."- Gandhi
Throughout the story, Gandhi exemplified through his effeorts that no matter what the British did to him, he would still be able to influence the minds of the Indians. In the movie, he was imprisoned several times yet the protests remained peaceful and became more threatening to British interests in India. When he was imprisoned along with his secretary and his wife for the last time, he almost died. Despite this, his companions and leaders of the Indian Independence Movement carried on his spirit and strived to keep the movement going even while Gandhi was in jail. When Gandhi died, his memory remained and effectively his mind has still with the people of India. Still today, we recognize him as who he is because of his mind and its sincerity in bringing about a change peacefully
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Modern Religious Experience: Assignment #3- Sacred Poetry
Modern Religious Experience: Assignment #3- Sacred Poetry: "Assignment #3- Sacred Poetry • Add a picture of an ancient religious symbol to your Online Portfolio (it can be one of those from the notes..."
Of stone and pain
A face is laid
By brick and sweat
A silence spreads
With uncertainity and unknowing
A clash begins
Betweem sea and aringa ra
A statue that defends, reminds
For the land, the ancestors
A haven for the exposed and unprotected
But then and again
A battle rages away from the Navel of World
Of stone and pain
A face is laid
By brick and sweat
A silence spreads
With uncertainity and unknowing
A clash begins
Betweem sea and aringa ra
A statue that defends, reminds
For the land, the ancestors
A haven for the exposed and unprotected
But then and again
A battle rages away from the Navel of World
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Modern Religious Experience: Modern Religious Experience: Reflection Question #...
Modern Religious Experience: Modern Religious Experience: Reflection Question #...: "Modern Religious Experience: Reflection Question #1: 'According to Mircea Eliade religion has 'not vanished without a trace; [it] has contri..."
My father's side isn't religious as no conflicts arise and on the mother's side, the Buddhism strain is a bit stronger. Overall my family is very neutral about religion but I believe that religion is very controversial. This belief comes from the fact that all my life I have been surrounded by different cultures and essentially different beliefs or religions.
When I was young, I was surrounded by a mostly Christian society and when 9/11 occurred I had just arrived to California. There was a religious system that came together and took to the belief of Christianity. There was a moral code to treat foreigners fairly but after the terrorist attack, the attitude was more cold and uncaring yet unwatchful. It did seem that although some of the other residents went to church but weren't really into it, they all were always connected by a common bond. This revelation really made me wonder whether it was the religion or the Chinese culture that tied these people together and excluded my family for some time.
My father's side isn't religious as no conflicts arise and on the mother's side, the Buddhism strain is a bit stronger. Overall my family is very neutral about religion but I believe that religion is very controversial. This belief comes from the fact that all my life I have been surrounded by different cultures and essentially different beliefs or religions.
When I was young, I was surrounded by a mostly Christian society and when 9/11 occurred I had just arrived to California. There was a religious system that came together and took to the belief of Christianity. There was a moral code to treat foreigners fairly but after the terrorist attack, the attitude was more cold and uncaring yet unwatchful. It did seem that although some of the other residents went to church but weren't really into it, they all were always connected by a common bond. This revelation really made me wonder whether it was the religion or the Chinese culture that tied these people together and excluded my family for some time.
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