The document discusses the key characteristics shared by most major world religions throughout history. These characteristics include belief in deities or supernatural powers, doctrines of salvation, moral codes of conduct, use of sacred stories, and religious rituals. The essential teachings of each religion are passed down through authoritative sources like scriptures, writings of religious leaders, and oral traditions. Most religions are either monotheistic with one god, polytheistic with multiple gods, or henotheistic recognizing a supreme deity alongside other spirits. Religions offer paths to salvation from dangers like sin or rebirth through acceptance of teachings, moral behavior, and ceremonies.
This presentation only covers:
Puja
Hindu Festivals
Swami Vivekanda
Prevedic Beginnings
Hare Krishna
I hope this could help. Thank you for having time to read.
Download if you like.. :D
This presentation only covers:
Puja
Hindu Festivals
Swami Vivekanda
Prevedic Beginnings
Hare Krishna
I hope this could help. Thank you for having time to read.
Download if you like.. :D
Religion and Society7ReligionOrigin of All ThingsNature of.docxdebishakespeare
Religion and Society7
Religion
Origin of All Things
Nature of God
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 People
They have several questions about the creation and arrangement of the universe. The answers to these questions give the way for explaining everything we know (Shoko, 2007).Understanding the universe allows us to make sense of the world that we live in, but the attempt to understand it and the underlying nature of all things is difficult.
Their existed a god beyond the natural world, who was responsible for the creation of the universe (Radhakrishnan,1947).This perspective is based on the idea that a supreme being exists beyond our visibility. That, this god watches over everybody’s actions and that he is the ultimate solution that people run to while seeking help in times of crisis
Human beings must be in a position of creating a just environment that ensures comprehensive existence of individuals (Shoko, 2007). Human beings should act as rational beings in the process of making decisions pertaining creation of justice, correcting the wrongdoings and education of the upcoming generations on the correct norms and values that should be adhered to.
An individual who doesn’t conform to the societal norms and customs is considered as an outcast, and might even be disowned by the community members. Such a person is seen as an evil doer who should be stigmatized in the entire community. So this means that the good deeds are rewarded while the evil ones are punished (Radhakrishnan, 1947).
Salvation is an ultimate element. They are committed on the strict adherence to the preset norms and beliefs. The belief system is very strict such that they have to adhere to so as to ensure their prosperity in the society.
There is existence of life after death. This is due the perspective that, the children who are born into the society are often renamed after their ancestors so as to extend their lineage. They have got the belief that those ancestors are watching over them and protect them from any evil deeds.
The practices and rituals are unique in that, they are considered as being sacred, and that is why they are handled in a very responsible manner (Radhakrishnan,1947). Such practices and rituals are performed by specific people who are considered as being holy and goodhearted.
Are performed each and every season at specified time frames depending on the type of celebration. The ultimate aim is to bring together the society members.
Week 2
Hinduism and Jainism
Hindus believe that the nature and origin of all thing were from their main god called Brahma
They believe in the existence of one main god other gods with different descriptions that is being polytheistic
They view human beings as creatures of God and that creation take place after a new universe is created. Brahma gave rise to 7 sages which later populates the world.
Good ...
Main content17-1The Sociological Study of ReligionLO 1Define.docxendawalling
Main content
17-1The Sociological Study of Religion
LO 1
Definereligion and identify its key components.
What is religion? Religion is a social institution composed of a unified system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals—based on some sacred or supernatural realm—that guides human behavior, gives meaning to life, and unites believers into a community. Based on this definition, religion is a stable institution that exists independently from individuals who attend religious services or officials (such as priests, pastors, or other clergy) in the administrative hierarchy. Religion is sometimes thought of as a platform for the expression of spirituality—the relationship between the individual and something larger than oneself, such as a broader sense of connection with the surrounding world. As such, spirituality involves the individual’s inner, subjective feelings and experiences rather than the act of giving devotion to external beliefs, rituals, and deities that are set forth in established creeds or religious communities.
In the final analysis, both religion and spirituality require that persons engage in a leap of faith—a confident belief that cannot be proven or disproven but is accepted as true. Religious beliefs require faith because religion provides answers for seemingly unanswerable questions that underlie human existence. According to the sociologist Peter Berger (1967), these questions are Who am I? Why am I here? How should I live? What happens when I die? Berger suggests that religion provides a system of meaning that connects people to society and provides them with a sense of purpose that transcends the ordinary realm of life (Figure 17.1). Consequently, religious beliefs bind people together and establish rites of passage through various stages of life, such as birth, marriage, and death. People with similar religious beliefs and practices gather together in a moral community (such as a church, mosque, temple, or synagogue), where they engage in religious beliefs and practices with similarly minded people.
Figure 17.1
Hanukkah, a major holiday in Judaism, provides worshippers with the opportunity to come together and worship their Creator and celebrate their community.
Noam Armonn/ Shutterstock.com
Given the diversity and complexity of contemporary religion, how is it possible for sociologists to study this social institution? Most sociologists studying religion are committed to the pursuit of “disinterested scholarship,” meaning that they do not seek to make value judgments about religious beliefs or to determine whether particular religious bodies are “right” or “wrong.” However, many acknowledge that it is impossible to completely rid themselves of those values and beliefs into which they were socialized.
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17-1aReligion and the Meaning of Life
Because religion seeks to answer important questions such as why we exist and why people suffer and die, Peter Berger (1967) referred to religion as a sacred canopy—.
REL133 v8Hinduism, Jainism, and SikhismREL133 v8Page 2 o.docxcarlt3
REL/133 v8
Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism
REL/133 v8
Page 2 of 4
Religion Comparison
Part 1: Hinduism Overview
Hinduism has no founder, but an integration of different beliefs. Its development was influenced by the nomadic Aryan Indo-European races that occupied Northern India. The religions originated from Russia and Central Asia as they attacked the Harappans residing in the area. Veda is the oldest scripture in Hindu that means wisdom and knowledge. It has hymns, prayers and ritual texts introduced during in the ancient times. The secret teachings in Hindu are known as the Upanishads, and it includes the mystical concepts of man and the universe.
Hinduism has a term known as Ramayan and is one of the significant Indian tales. Puranas is a vital source used to understand Hinduism, and it includes the legends, gods, and demons. A common feature between Hinduism and other religions is that most of its festivals fall in two classes (Doniger, 2010). There are those who celebrate saints and others celebrating notable scriptural events. Om is a symbol in Hinduism and used in meditation. The swastika is another symbol associated with a negative connotation in other parts across the world while in Hinduism, it is a sign of luck and fortune.
Part 2: Compare and Contrast Two Religions
Religion 1
Hinduism
Religion 2
Jainism
Similarities
Differences
Points of origin
Jainism and Hinduism came from India. Moreover, they are all knows as the traditional faiths of the Indians.
The existence of Atma
The two religions accept the reality of Atma, also known as the soul. They believe in the immortality of the soul. In the contexts of both religions, the physical body can die, but the spirit that inhabits it lives on and leads to reincarnation.
The ideas of Moska, Karma, and Reincarnation
Jainism and Hinduism both believe in Karma. Karma can refer to the good or bad. They also believe in reincarnation, the idea of life after death (Babb, 2015). Both religions also believe in moska, the liberation from the cycle of life and death. However, the meaning of these concepts is different in each religion.
Temples and Idols
The religious activities in both religions are similar. They both have temples and conduct idol worshiping. They also have times when they fast as a way of worship and purification of the soul.
The concept of Karma
In Hindu, Karma is an essence of transgression to atone for blessings to get in the next life. Jains consider Karma a kind of activity that attaches to the soul in each life. While Hindus try to do the right thing to atone for the spiritual debt, Jains follow actions intended to clean the soul of a polluting nature.
The idea of Moksha
Hindus believe that Moksha and liberation take place where the soul meets the universal soul and results to eternal life in Vishnu’s territory. The Jains considers moksha an activity-less and tranquil that is said to take place in Siddhabhumi.
Animal Sacrifices
Jainism do not engage in ani.
[Type text][Type text][Type text]Halil Ibrahim GozumReligi.docxhanneloremccaffery
[Type text] [Type text] [Type text]
Halil Ibrahim Gozum
Religion 212
Week 10
Religion
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
Nature of God
View of Human Nature
View of Good and Evil
View of “Salvation”
View of After Life
Practices and Rituals
Celebrations and Festivals
Week 2
Hinduism and Jainism
Hinduism does not have a single founder.
Fisher, 2014, p 95
In Jainism, Rishabba, who is the first of the tirthankara is the founder.
Fisher, 2014 pp. 121, 124
In Hinduism, their Gods include Vishnu, the supreme God in Hindu;s Vaishnavite tradition. Krishna, either one of the Supreme Being and/or and avatar of Vishnu. Brahma is the Hindu creation God.
Shiva is one of the live primary form of God in Smarta tradition. Shakti is the form of divine feminine creative power is worshiped as the Supreme being.
Fisher, 2014 pp 84-90
In Jainism, Jains believe that they are the ones who are in control of their destiny. They believe in the power of life. They view demons as being subject to the same passions of humans. One may achieve complete liberation only in a human form.
Fisher, 2014 p.124
In Hinduism all the human beings are considered as the extension of the Brahma, the supreme being
In Jainism, the soul is not created and it has an infinite knowledge and power.
In Hinduism, the sanskirt word karma means “ actions” and refers to the fundamental Hindu principal that one’s morel actions have unavoidable and automatic effects on one’s fortunes in this lie and condition of rebirth. Fisher, 2014 p.77
Jainism teaches the two kind of karma; Ghati (Destructive)
And Aghati (Non-destructive). The soul is affected by the former and the body is affected by the latter.
In Hinduism, Salvation is the freedom from this cycle of birth and death.
Fisher, 2014 p.77
In Jainism, the main prayer, salutes the five special categories of souls that have consciousness or are on their way to achieving it to match.
In Hinduism, they believe in the rebirth and reincarnation of souls and souls are immortal.
Fisher, 2014 p.77
In Jainism, Death may be same as reborn in another physical appearance in the “earthly realm”, suffering the punishment in one of the eight hells or joining the other liberated souls in the heaven.
Fisher, 2014, p.125
In Hinduism, the central Hindu worship is Puja. Puja is a ritual to engage the senses of both devotee and the Gods. Darsham is the act of seeing and being seen by the deity to attain grace. Fisher, 2014 p.95
In Jainism, rituals are important to the Jain faith because beliefs and values are expressed through them.
In Hinduism,
Holi happens at the end of Winter and beginning fo spring.
Janmashrami is Krishna;s birthday. Ganesh is the removal of obstacles celebration
In Jainism, Divali Paryushan Mahaparva is the celebration with meditation, fasting and spiritual study.
Fisher, 2014 pp 108-111, 131-133.
Week 3
Buddhism
Alternative to the ritual oriented Brahmanism if India
There is no personal god.
Buddha was not pessimist or.
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1. Characteristics of Religion
Most of the leading religions throughout history have shared characteristics. The
chief characteristics include (1) belief in a deity or in a power beyond the individual,
(2) a doctrine (accepted teaching) of salvation, (3) a code of conduct, (4) the use of
sacred stories, and (5) religious rituals (acts and ceremonies).
The essential qualities of a religion are maintained and passed from generation to
generation by sources, called authority, which the followers accept as sacred. The
most important religious authorities are writings known as scriptures. Scriptures
include the Bibles of Christians and Jews, the Koran of Muslims, and the Vedas of
Hindus. Religious authority also comes from the writings of saints and other holy
persons and from decisions by religious councils and leaders. Unwritten customs
and laws known as traditions also form a basic part of authority.
Belief in a deity. There are three main philosophical views regarding the existence
of a deity. Atheists believe that no deity exists. Theists believe in a deity or deities.
Agnostics say that the existence of a deity cannot be proved or disproved. Most of
the major religions are theistic. They teach that deities govern or greatly influence
the actions of human beings as well as events in nature. Confucianism is the most
important atheistic religion.
Religions that acknowledge only one true God are monotheistic. Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam are examples of monotheistic religions. A religion that has a
number of deities is polytheistic. The ancient Greeks and Romans had polytheistic
religions. Each of their many gods and goddesses had one or more special areas of
influence. For example, Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, and Mars was the
Roman god of war. In henotheistic religions, the worship of a supreme Deity does
not deny the existence and power of other deities. For example, Hinduism teaches
that a world spirit called Brahman is the supreme power. But Hindus also serve
numerous other gods and goddesses. Many peoples in Africa and the Pacific Islands
also worship a supreme power as well as many other deities.
The followers of some religions worship deities that are or were people or that are
images of people. The ancient Egyptian people considered their pharaohs to be
living gods. Before World War II (1939-1945), the Japanese honored their emperor
as divine. Taoists believe in deities that look and act like human beings. They also
worship some deities that were once human beings and became gods or goddesses
after death.
Many people worship nature deities—that is, deities that dwell in or control various
aspects of nature. The Chinese in particular have worshiped gods of the soil and
grain. Followers of Shinto worship kami, spirits that live in nature. Many American
Indian tribes worshiped a spirit power, a mysterious, magic force in nature.
A doctrine of salvation. Among the major religions, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism,
and Hinduism teach a doctrine of salvation. They stress that salvation is the highest
goal of the faithful and one that all followers should try to achieve. Religions differ,
however, in what salvation is and in how it can be gained.
2. A doctrine of salvation is based on the belief that individuals are in some danger
from which they must be saved. The danger may be the threat of physical misfortune
in this world, such as a disease. Christianity and several other major religions teach
that the danger is spiritual, is centered in each person's soul, and pertains mainly to
life after death. If a person is saved, the soul enters a state of eternal happiness,
often called heaven. If the person is not saved, the soul may spend eternity in a state
of punishment, which is often called hell.
Most religions teach that a person gains salvation by finding release from certain
obstacles that block human fulfillment. In Christianity, the obstacles are sin and its
effects. In most Asian religions, the obstacles are worldly desires and attachment to
worldly things. Salvation in these religions depends on whether believers can free
themselves from the obstacles with the aid of a savior. The savior may be the
individual on whose teachings the religion is based, a god, or some other divine
figure. People must accept the savior. They must also accept certain teachings,
perform certain ceremonies, and abide by certain rules of moral conduct—all of
which were inspired by the savior.
Some religions consider salvation to be a gift from the Deity or deities. For example,
many Christian denominations believe that individuals are saved by the grace of God
and not by their own merit.
Most religions teach that salvation comes only once and is eternal. According to
Buddhism and Hinduism, the soul lives on after the death of the body and is reborn
in another body. This cycle of rebirths is called reincarnation. The doctrine of karma
is closely related to reincarnation. According to this doctrine, a person's actions,
thoughts, and words determine the kind of animal or human body the soul will live in
during the next reincarnation. The process of reincarnation continues until, through
good deeds and moral conduct, a person finally achieves a state of spiritual
perfection, which is salvation. Buddhists call this state nirvana, and Hindus call it
moksha.
A code of conduct is a set of moral teachings and values that all religions have in
some form. Such a code, or ethic, tells believers how to conduct their lives. It
instructs them how to act toward the deity and toward one another. Religious codes
of conduct differ in many ways, but most agree on several major themes. For
example, they stress some form of the golden rule, which states that believers
should treat others as they would like to be treated themselves. A religion's code of
conduct also may determine such matters as whom believers may marry, what jobs
they may hold, and what kinds of foods they may eat.
The use of sacred stories. For thousands of years, followers of religions have
believed in sacred stories, called myths. Religious leaders often used these stories
to dramatize the teachings of their faith.
Originally, people told myths to describe how the sacred powers directly influenced
the world. As the stories developed, they showed how some feature or event in the
world was indirectly caused by the sacred powers. Many stories described the
creation of the world. Others told how the human race or a particular people began.
3. Some of the stories tried to explain the cause of natural occurrences, such as
thunderstorms or the changes in seasons.
Today, there are scientific explanations for many of the subjects dealt with in sacred
stories. But some religious groups still insist that the stories are true in every detail.
Other groups believe only in the message contained in the stories, not in the specific
details. Still other religious groups regard sacred stories as symbolic expressions of
the ideals and values of their faith.
Religious rituals include the acts and ceremonies by which believers appeal to and
serve God, deities, or other sacred powers. Some rituals are performed by
individuals alone, and others by groups of worshipers. Important rituals are
performed according to a schedule and are repeated regularly. The performance of a
ritual is often called a service.
The most common ritual is prayer. Through prayer, a believer or someone on behalf
of believers addresses words and thoughts to an object of worship. Prayer includes
requests, expressions of thanksgiving, confessions of sins, and praise. Most major
religions have a daily schedule of prayer. Meditation, a spiritual exercise much like
prayer, is important in Asian religions. Buddhist monks try to be masters of
meditation.
Many religions have rituals intended to purify the body. For example, Hindus
consider the waters of the Ganges River in India to be sacred. Every year, millions of
Hindus purify their bodies by bathing in the river, especially at the holy city of
Varanasi.
In some religions, pilgrimages are significant rituals. Pilgrimages are journeys to the
sites of holy objects or to places credited with miraculous healing powers. Believers
also make pilgrimages to sacred places, such as the birthplace or tomb of the
founder of their faith. All devout Muslims hope to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, the
birthplace of Muhammad.
Many rituals are scheduled at certain times of the day, week, or year. Various
religions have services at sunrise, in the morning, at sunset, and in the evening. The
different religions have special services to mark the beginning of a new year. Many
religions celebrate springtime, harvesttime, and the new or full moon.
Many rituals commemorate events in the history of religions. For example, the
Jewish festival of Passover recalls the meal the Israelites ate just before their
departure from slavery in Egypt. Various Christian celebrations of Holy Communion
are related to the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples before His death.
Rituals also mark important events in a person's life. Various ceremonies make
sacred occasions of birth, marriage, and death. Rituals accept young people into the
religion and into religious societies. In Judaism, the ritual of circumcision is
performed on male infants. Some Christians baptize babies soon after birth. Other
Christians baptize only youths or adults.
http://webspace.webring.com/people/fs/stonehavencircle/beliefs/basicbeliefs2.html