MORE CHRISTIANITY YAY

Today i want to cover more broad questions about Christianity, which really make you think. First, i want to discuss how i think its a religion of love and how important the holidays and family is. Christianity is all about people's relationships with other people. You must always forgive everyone and yourself for your sins. You must be kind to others at all times and must never think bad thought about them no matter what they do. Even at church there is a point where everyone must say, 'peace be with you', to express the love and friendship everyone should feel for everyone. Family is also extremely important, and the bond between family members is very significant. This is seen the most during holidays, for that is when families truly come together to express their shared beliefs of jesus and God and all the ideals of theirs we must follow. Another question i think is interesting is if a Christian can be a true Christian without believing in miracles. Personally, i believe believing in miracles is in fact a necessity. Everything Jesus did, from all his healing powers to being resurrected were all miracles, which cannot be re-created. Therefore, we must truly believe in what happened and that it was a miracle. In order to trust everything Jesus has told us and all of the ethical principles he has told us were mandatory in order to go to heaven, we must first completely believe in what happened with him, all of which can only be explained as a miracle. Overall Christianity has a lot which you can debate about, but in general it is a very powerful religion. Although not as demanding it relates to every aspect of life and can be quite controversial. However, it was very interesting to learn about from an outsider's point of view.

Christianity

Being a Christian myself, learning from an outsider's point of view the religion has been quite interesting. I already knew mostly about Jesus's life, yet there were many things i had forgotten that my family never focused on. For example being baptized by John the Baptist. I also didn't know certain details but rather i focused on broader events in my learning. For instance, i knew about the Last Supper, but i never really knew how it came about. I also knew Judas betrayed Jesus, but i was never sure how. Some of the events we learned are very well known though, and i feel like they've been apart of my knowledge my whole life. Such as Jesus being born in Bethlehem by the virgin Mary and Joseph. Also his fast for 40 days and 40 nights is very well known. He also performed many many miracles such as healing the sick, which has always been focused on in my learning of the religion. Lastly, there is the betrayal, the trial, the crucification, and the resurrection. These events are probably the most focused on because of how dramatic they are. Also, there are many other parts to Christianity besides Jesus's life. There are the three temptations, which are greed, lack of belief/trust, and power. There are the 7 sacraments, which are baptism, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, extreme unction, eucharist/communion, and confession. These are all fundamental parts of Christianity. Other beliefs are that of atonement, which is the forgiving of one's past sins. There's incarnation, which is God becoming Jesus. There's the trinity, which is the father, son, and the holy spirit. Lastly, there are just overall Christian ethics, which have always seemed like the most demanding and largest part of Christianity. It involves being forgiving, humble, pure, honest, giving, and you can't judge people, steal, hit, kill, etc. Although this seems easy, it is also easy to slip up and do something small, which is not allowed. However, God will forgive you for all of your sins no matter how bad as long as you repent. That is probably one of the most memorable parts of Christianity and my personal favorite, that you can always be forgiven. Overall, i am definitely enjoying my learning of Christianity, even though most of it is repetitive.

MORE AND MORE AND MORE ISLAM

I now feel as though i have a very strong base understanding of Islam. When we watched the movie about the American girl converting to Islam and participating in the Hajj i could successfully follow along with what was going on and which of the 5 pillars were being done. It was very interesting to see Mecca, though, and how many millions of people were there. It seemed impossible that so many people were fitting in the small town of Mecca. As she went through the specific certain ceremonies necessary i become more and more entranced. Specifically when everyone thew stones at the 'devil', which are represented by pillars. I thought this was very unique and rather magical. However there are dangers to the actual people, for many people have died by being hit by stones and being trampled. Overall i thought it was amazing that this American Muslim girl was willing to go to Mecca with all of these other Muslims. She even had to get permission from her son, which i think is a little ridiculous. Again, the one thing i dont like about Islam is the gender segregation and sexism. However as she mentioned people didnt give her a hard time at all. All of the Muslims come together and become united as one big family in Mecca, which truly inspires me. Also in response to the government's attempts to re-construct Mecca i dont think it is at all a good idea. Basically, i think its a little ridiculous that the government wants to add all of this construction. It seems as though it is only for money, even if they won't admit it. The Hajj is about muslims coming together for an amazing experience in which they leave behind worldly things. Its not about the fancy construction, in fact that may be a distraction. I understand that they need to accommodate the millions of people going to Mecca, but i don't think they need to bring New York to Mecca. It doesn't need to be untraditional and fancy just for the money.

EVEN MORE ISLAM

As we continue to learn more about Islam i find myself becoming more and more interested by it and fascinated by the dedication required. The Five Pillars are a major part of the religion, and they require a person's utmost focus and concentration. They are the religious duties that every Muslim person must do. First is Shahadah, which is the belief tat there is not God but God, and Muhammad is his messenger. Then is Salat/Salah, which is a prayer than each Muslim must say 5 times a day. (they are spread throughout the day, and each person must face Mecca as they pray). Next is Zakat, which is alms, which means a person gives 2.5 percent of their wealth to charity. Next is Sawm, which is fasting from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. Last is Hajj, which is the pilgrimage each Muslim must make to Mecca. From pictures Mecca seems to be very fascinating, for millions of muslims arrive there all inside the small city.

When we visited the Mosque it was intriguing to actually see Muslims doing the prayers we had studied. The only thing that bothers me about the religion is the segregation of women and men. When we were at the Mosque women had to sit in the back and men in the front. Other than this, i thought the dedication of all these people showing up and praying was amazing. I dont think i could find the dedication in myself to do that, simply out of laziness. However, i highly respect the people who do, and i truly hope it pays off for them in the afterlife.

MORE ISLAM

Muhammed is a very interesting person, and i find him to be one of the most fascinating parts of Islam's history. He was an orphan and became a seeker and was dedicated to looking for religious answers. I think this original initiative is a promising one, for he wasn't just told what to believe but he went out and found it. Then during the Mecca period he believed in God's words and orders however he was still seen as questioning the entire belief and religion of Mecca. He believed in being loyal to people, which is something i completely agree with and can understand. I cannot follow one religion completely without question

ing all parts of it. I also like the symbolic places of Mecca and Medina. Mecca is a commercial society, which has a loss of traditional values and religious beliefs. I like that Mecca is changing with the religion and is becoming more modern. I also think it's interesting that these two places are so important to this religion. Another aspect of Islam, which i think particularly impressive is their devotion to one God. They are able to focus all their devotion and dedicate their whole lives to one God. Every action they do and every thought they have is connected with this God. The idea of the Final Judgement Day is a particularly disturbing one. I don't like the idea of seeing all of my mistakes once i die. I believe the past is in the past and people move on from things and should not have to relive all of their regrets. However, i do think people should be judged and should go to Heaven or Hell depending on how they lived their life. Also if people believe this hopefully they will act better and be an overall person. The Qu'ran is also very interesting, which is the major text of Islam. It is translated many different ways, but the true Qu'ran is only in one language. Overall, i like Islam although there are some aspects i don't agree with. However, that seems to hold true with almost every religion we study.

Islam

We started our unit on Islam the other day, which turned out to be extremely interesting. We listened to the chant they say 5 times a day. The dedication this requires immediately baffled me. Why must you pray 5 times to God? I understand praying to worship God or to receive things you want, but doing so 5 times a day seems unnecessary. I think God would want his/her people to do amazing things with their lives and not to center them around God. Simply praying and begging shouldn't be enough to get people what they want, they should work for it. I think there are also many unique aspects of Islam, such as the Hijra, which is a migration to Medina. This migration seems like a good idea though, for it brings you closer to your religion. Specifically for Islam it brings people closer to Muhammed/Allah. Having this one sacred place, Mecca/Medina, is something i think most religions have and it provides a necessary foundation to the religion. I also like the idea of Ummah, which is a community in Islam. i think community is extremely important to a faith, for being able to connect with your close ones makes the religion seem stronger.

Chinese Religion

A main part of Chinese religion is Taoism. Taoism seems very similar to other religions we've studied. It is very abstract and quite difficult to understand at times. I particularly like the idea of when you fill something to the brim it spills, etc. People shouldn't obsess, but they should just let things be. If you obsess too much or you do anything in excess, it spills. This religion is not very responsible, for it involves going with the flow of things, and therefore it is hard to plan in advance. However, it seems like a relaxed religion i could enjoy. A term, which describes Taoism, but it sort of difficult to understand is Wu Wei. Wu Wei means "not doing", so things just happen, but the individual doesn't do them, rather they simply let it happen to them. The actual word Dao means "the way" and it seems to be sort of the basis of Taoism.

My life would be very different if i followed Taoism, for things that mattered would simply not matter any more. I wouldnt worry about getting good grades, and i wouldnt feel guilty for handing in papers late. It wouldnt matter if i brushed my hair int he morning or what i wore to school. I wouldnt worry about the future and where i was going to go in life, rather i would simply let it happen to me without questioning it. I wouldnt be upset about what life handed me, i would just accept it and move on.

Confucianism is also a part of Chinese Religion. Although Confucius was not very successful in converting people, it is a well known religion. It involves looking towards tradition, for that is the only way to save society. There are many aspects, which come with Confucianism. For example, Ren, which means benevolence/ treating other well. There is also Li, which are rituals/rites. Ren and Li together make up a good life for a person following Confucianism. A gentlemen, a person who follows Ren and Li, is called a Junzi. There is also Xiao, which is the filial piety all people must feel. There are important relationships in Confucianism. there is ruler-subject, husband-wife, father-son, older brother-younger brother, and friend-friend. The person above you is the one who you must listen to and follow.

Confucianism also seems like a relatively interesting religion, but personally i would prefer Daoism. I don't like tradition much, and i wouldnt want to have follow it for the rest of my life. I think traditions are made to be changed and made better.

Shinto

Shinto is a very fascinating religion. Although I don’t yet know too much about it, I am fascinated by what I have found out. In particular, I learned about the beliefs of life after death in Shinto. People believe strongly in kami, which are spirits. Many Shinto people believe that they may become kami after death. Either that or they will be with the kami when they die. People also believe that they become one with nature after death. Meaning they escape to the sky and specifically, to the mountains when they pass away.

An interesting belief, which I find rather disturbing, is the idea of water children. It is sometimes said that when a Shinto child dies they continue to plague and terror the other Shinto belief. I don’t think I would be want to part of a religion with this belief, for I would constantly be in fear. However, it is not very popular and there are other beliefs, which trump them. Another intriguing part of their religion is their shrines. They are very famous specifically the one in water.

The movie, Spirited Away, has some very blatant Shinto beliefs throughout. It is a movie I would recommend for everyone. My favorite part of it, which I loved, was when they bathed the river spirit. Nature and purification are a huge part of Shinto, and those ideas were all throughout the movie. The specific part with the river spirit was the most blatant to me, though. The nature part of the religion is something I can relate to, for I find nature particularly beautiful and moving. Overall, Shinto is very interesting and there are many parts of it I would follow and be devoted to, and some I wouldn’t. However, I think that will be the case in any religion one chooses to follow.

Buddhism

I think the buddha's life is extremely interesting. He is born and is able to walk 8 steps and talk. Then is is put in this wonderful please palace by his dad. His dad hopes that the please palace will distract the Buddha enough that he wont realize the harsh realities of the world. However, eventually the Buddha does leave and he slowly sees the terrible reality of the world. People get old, they get sick, they are poor, etc. Seeing this ruins the Buddha, for he becomes completely distraught and he refuses to live knowing he's going to become old, sick, and eventually die. The Buddha searches for a way out of this life. At first he tries fasting, but after 6 years of only eating a grain of rice a day and become grossly skinny, he realizes that he must be strong and well- nourished to truly meditate and become enlightened. I think this whole story is fascinating, but i don't quite understand the Buddha's extreme reactions to thing. He doesn't do things halfway, but instead goes completely overboard and become very dedicated and obsessed with certain things.

However, i like the way he runs his religion. The "spirit" of Buddhism is very unique, and it is fascinating because of it's differences. The religion is non ritualistic, which immediately intrigues me. I don't particularly like going to church and doing similar rituals. I understand why the Buddha sees them as a waste of time, and i think there are many other valuable ways to spend one's time. The religion is also non metaphysical/ non-abstract, which means not worrying about things you don't know. This aspect of the religion makes me wish i followed Buddhism, for i am constantly worrying and it would be very nice to be able to stop. The Buddha also believes he is unnecessary to the religion, but that everyone should be their own Buddha. I like this philosophy, for you don't have to depend on anyone but yourself. There are no secrets in Buddhism, for it is revolved around the individual themselves. People need to be aware if themselves, and to just rely on themselves. I find the idea of relying on one god or one priest very limiting and frustrating,

so Buddhism greatly appeals to me.

Another part of Buddhism i find very intriguing is nirvana. It is giving up craving, desires, and hatred, and is overall the state of no attachment, which is described as 'bliss'.

For me, nirvana means happiness and an overwhelming peace. You are happy with yourself, and you have no worries in the world. Peace means

being calm in your heart and calm with yourself. The quote attached describes it well, for that would be my nirvana.

Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga is knowledge. It means properly understanding your soul and you body. It means understanding that you are atman and brahman is everything. You don't do actions, you're just a cavity with an atman inside. You must realize you are not really you. The only thing that is really you is your atman. It means detaching yourself from everything that is temporary. The focus is on understand what is real, and what is just 'stuff'.

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga means doing your duty, whatever that may be, without worrying or being anxious about the results. It means doing your work wholeheartedly simply for the satisfaction of doing it. It means not worrying about getting a raise, or making money, but just doing work for the spiritual satisfaction. It means reaching Moksha, and releasing your atman to your brahman. You do the duty, for your religion and for your deities, instead of for the material rewards. If i did Karma Yoga, i wouldn't worry about getting good grades, making money, or getting a raise. I would simply be working and learning to do my duty and to help whoever i could in the process. I would do my best in school and i would help my parents with their work and with chores around the house. I wouldn't complain about the duty i needed to do. I would use up all my free time to accomplish my duties and therefore, i wouldn't watch TV or go on Facebook or use up my time with any other menial pleasure. I wouldn't spend time hanging out with friends or anything like that. Even if i became very successful and made lots of money, i wouldn't care about it because i wouldn't be doing work for the goal of being successful. I would help people and do whatever i could to help all people all around the world. I would do this for my god and for the spirits of the world. It wouldn't matter whether i got a material reward for it, as long as i had the satisfaction that i had done my duty.

More Hinduism

Some other interesting aspects of Hinduism are the 4 castes, the 4 stages of life, and Puja. The four castes are Brahmins, which are Priets, Kshatriys, which are rulers are warriors, Vanishyes, which are merchants, farmers, and artisans, and sutras/shudas, which are unskilled laborers. There is also another sub category where the outcasts and untouchables go. They are usually people who deal with the dead and garbage and are therefore looked down upon. (see first picture on left) Then there are the 4 stages of life. They are student, which are people learning, householder, which are married people who work and raise a family, forest dweller, which are grandparents helping with grandchildren and who focus on spiritual matters, and Sannyasin, which are people who give up all worldly attachments. (see second picture on left). All people of the Hinduism faith must fall into one of the four casts and one of the 4 stages of life. I find it interesting that people have to be in one of those four categories for both the casts and stages of life. I don't see why someone can simply be unmarried without a job just living freely. Why do they have to have a specific role? I also think the four casts should have some gray area. what if someone is not quite a priest, but is not as low as a ruler or warrior? I, personally, do not think a religion should tell people that they need to fall in a specific role. People should encouraged to be unique and different. On a totally different note, i find Puja very interesting. Puja involves many steps, which lead to a person having Darshan and having an intense climati

c moment with their divine deity. Some of these steps are similar to other religions, such as chanting/praying, giving gifts to the deity, and the drinking and touching of holy water. However, some are very unique, such as ringing of the bells, anointing the deity, marking the third eye, and touching the fire and then your eyes. I like how Puja incorporates so many different things and rituals. They manage to be unique and yet relatable, which is very difficult to do. There are examples of deity's decorated and worshipped to the left and below. I think decorating a deity is overall a very significant and powerful way to worship a god, and i think these steps of Puja are some of the most interesting aspects of Hinduism.

(pictures all taken from Google Images)

Hinduism

There are many parts to Hinduism. The history includes the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, etc. However, some main ideas are atman, brahman, and samsara. The atman is self, soul, it lives on when you die, and it can't be harmed. Brahman, though, is the source of everything, the eternal peace and joy, and it is the spirit in all things. Samsara is the cycle of reincarnation. I, personally, like the idea of reincarnation. You are able to live again and again, experiencing new and exciting lives. It's almost like living forever, but you can experience different lives and different bodies. Although in Hinduism they want Moksha, which is becoming enlightened and ending samsara, i don't think i would want to experience that. I'd be fine with just living different lives every time you die. Although these are rather difficult ideas to grasp, they are extremely important to Hinduism. Also important are the four goals of Hinduism. They are Moksha, dharma, Artha, and Kama. Moksha is enlightenment, dharma is your duties, Artha is power and success, and Arma is pleasure. If i had to choose one of the four goals of Hinduism, I'm not sure which one i would choose. I would probably choose Artha because power and success is the most appealing option. Success is a very fulfilling and satisfactory feeling, which usually leads to a good and happy life. I almost wish there was a success button that would give me success, power, and wealth with just one click.

http://www.mspmentor.net/2009/02/09/four-secrets-to-msp-success-regardless-of-the-economy/

Shamans

I thought the shaman reading and our overall class today was extremely interesting. I agree with some people in our class though, for most of the information seemed unreasonable. I dont think shamans actually had the medical power that people seemed to believe. It was possible they made people think they were healed and then they actually felt better. (the placebo effect) i doubt they were actually able to talk with plants and animals, control the weather, etc. I find it amazing that people actually believed they could be healed by these spiritual men. Also i thought the Navajo Sand paintings were extremely fascinating. They believed that they could restore the balance of life and make a holy person happy by doing this painting. I also cant quite grasp the fact that they thought the Kwakiuti Masks held actual spirits in them, and that they became the spirit when they put the mask on. The article i read was also interesting because it showed the modern side of shamans. However, it seems like they have became much less important and more of a joke. They can simply take a week long class and became a shaman, and they make people pay money for their help. Overall, i think shamans are very interesting and i hope to learn more about their ways.