An overview of common world religions, as well as animism, secular humanism and communism. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormonism are mentioned
Gandhi believed that all religions contain both truth and error, and that the goal of religious followers should not be to convert others but rather to improve themselves and their own faith. He felt Hindus should strive to be better Hindus, Muslims better Muslims, and Christians better Christians.
This document provides an overview of key anthropological concepts related to the study of religion. It discusses how anthropologists view religion as part of culture rather than focusing on its truth claims. Religions are examined as social and individual phenomena that provide systems of meaning. Gods, spirits, and various beliefs are reviewed as are myths, cosmologies, and altered states of consciousness used by shamans. Rituals, ceremonies, and beliefs are identified as core components of religions.
Buddhism originated over 2,500 years ago in India when Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment and insight into the nature of life. There are over 376 million Buddhists worldwide who follow a spiritual tradition focused on personal development and attaining deep insight through teachings like the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Buddhists believe that nothing is permanent and change is always possible, and they aim to escape suffering through enlightenment.
Hinduism originated in South Asia and has several key characteristics and beliefs. It believes in an absolute reality called Brahman that is both immanent in the material world and transcendent. Hinduism is also very diverse, with communities centered around local deities and temples. Central beliefs include dharma, karma, samsara (the cycle of rebirth), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). Hindus worship many deities but see them as manifestations of the one absolute reality, Brahman.
Jainism originated in India and was founded by Jinas, or conquerors, who rediscovered the teachings of non-violence and asceticism. Followers believe in non-violence towards all living beings, and that the soul can achieve liberation from rebirth through ascetic practices and ethical living according to the teachings of the Tirthankaras. There are two major sects, Digambara and Shvetambara, who differ in practices such as ascetic nudity and idol worship. The goal of Jainism is the liberation of the soul from karmic bonds through ethical conduct, asceticism, and spiritual development.
This document provides an overview of several Eastern religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. It describes their ancient origins, key beliefs, scriptures, and spread. It also discusses approaches to witnessing to Theravada Buddhists by finding common ground and lifting up Jesus Christ while discipling new converts.
The document provides information about several major Asian religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, Sikhism, and Taoism. Buddhism focuses on spiritual development and compassion, teaches reincarnation, and uses meditation and mantras in spiritual practice. Hinduism believes in reincarnation governed by karma and has over 900 million followers. Shinto involves nature spirit worship and shrines in Japan. Sikhism emphasizes good deeds and equality. Taoism focuses on living in harmony with the natural flow of the universe.
The document provides information on several major Asian religions including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto. It discusses the origins, basic beliefs, sacred texts, and other key aspects of each religion. The religions covered originate from different areas in Asia and have varying beliefs, but all have been historically and culturally influential in Asia.
Gandhi believed that all religions contain both truth and error, and that the goal of religious followers should not be to convert others but rather to improve themselves and their own faith. He felt Hindus should strive to be better Hindus, Muslims better Muslims, and Christians better Christians.
This document provides an overview of key anthropological concepts related to the study of religion. It discusses how anthropologists view religion as part of culture rather than focusing on its truth claims. Religions are examined as social and individual phenomena that provide systems of meaning. Gods, spirits, and various beliefs are reviewed as are myths, cosmologies, and altered states of consciousness used by shamans. Rituals, ceremonies, and beliefs are identified as core components of religions.
Buddhism originated over 2,500 years ago in India when Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment and insight into the nature of life. There are over 376 million Buddhists worldwide who follow a spiritual tradition focused on personal development and attaining deep insight through teachings like the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Buddhists believe that nothing is permanent and change is always possible, and they aim to escape suffering through enlightenment.
Hinduism originated in South Asia and has several key characteristics and beliefs. It believes in an absolute reality called Brahman that is both immanent in the material world and transcendent. Hinduism is also very diverse, with communities centered around local deities and temples. Central beliefs include dharma, karma, samsara (the cycle of rebirth), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). Hindus worship many deities but see them as manifestations of the one absolute reality, Brahman.
Jainism originated in India and was founded by Jinas, or conquerors, who rediscovered the teachings of non-violence and asceticism. Followers believe in non-violence towards all living beings, and that the soul can achieve liberation from rebirth through ascetic practices and ethical living according to the teachings of the Tirthankaras. There are two major sects, Digambara and Shvetambara, who differ in practices such as ascetic nudity and idol worship. The goal of Jainism is the liberation of the soul from karmic bonds through ethical conduct, asceticism, and spiritual development.
This document provides an overview of several Eastern religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. It describes their ancient origins, key beliefs, scriptures, and spread. It also discusses approaches to witnessing to Theravada Buddhists by finding common ground and lifting up Jesus Christ while discipling new converts.
The document provides information about several major Asian religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, Sikhism, and Taoism. Buddhism focuses on spiritual development and compassion, teaches reincarnation, and uses meditation and mantras in spiritual practice. Hinduism believes in reincarnation governed by karma and has over 900 million followers. Shinto involves nature spirit worship and shrines in Japan. Sikhism emphasizes good deeds and equality. Taoism focuses on living in harmony with the natural flow of the universe.
The document provides information on several major Asian religions including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto. It discusses the origins, basic beliefs, sacred texts, and other key aspects of each religion. The religions covered originate from different areas in Asia and have varying beliefs, but all have been historically and culturally influential in Asia.
This document discusses various aspects of religion including its key characteristics, functions in society, differences between religion and magic, and theories on the origins of religion. It also provides overviews of several major world religions including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and discusses the ideology and role of religion in modern society.
The document discusses the caste system during the Vedic and early Buddhist periods in India. It defines caste and explains how the four main castes - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras - originated from different parts of the primal man's body according to the Rig Veda. The Bhagavad Gita supported the caste hierarchy and defined the duties of each caste. There were rules around inter-caste marriage. Buddhism emerged as an alternative that was against the Hindu caste system and provided more equitable treatment.
This document provides an overview of world religions, beginning with an introduction. It then discusses Hinduism in depth, covering its origins, scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads, concepts like samsara and karma, major texts like the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita. It also explains the caste system, yoga, and popular Hindu deities. The document then summarizes Buddhism, including the life of Siddhartha Gautama and how he was raised in luxury but driven to enlightenment by witnessing human suffering.
The document provides an overview of key concepts in Hinduism, including its scriptures, concept of God, concept of the individual soul, and major doctrines. Some of the major ideas discussed are that Hindus believe the ultimate reality called Brahman can be both personal and impersonal, the individual soul or Atman is eternal, and concepts like karma and dharma are important principles. Hinduism also emphasizes unity among all religions and freedom of thought.
Jainism is an ancient Indian religion founded in the 6th century BC by Vardhamana Mahavira. It believes in a plurality of souls and that liberation can be obtained through nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possessiveness. Jainism emphasizes individualism and achieving enlightenment through ascetic practices and detachment from worldly pleasures to be free of karma and attain nirvana. It rejects the idea of a creator god and believes reality is complex, with many perspectives.
The document provides an overview of major world religions and philosophies, including their origins, founders, core beliefs and texts. It summarizes information on Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Shinto, Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism, noting dates of origin, founders, holy books, core beliefs and symbols for each.
Humss introduction to world religions & belief systems cgJonathan Labsan
This document outlines the curriculum for a course on Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems. The course explores the main tenets and practices of nine major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shintoism. The curriculum is divided into 8 content areas that cover definitions of key terms, the historical and geographical contexts of religions, the positive and negative effects of religions, and examinations of the specific elements and doctrines of the major religions including comparisons. Students are assessed through recitation, analysis, explanations, interviews, group activities, research and simulations.
Religions - Jainism: Jainism at a glance.
"Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma "
Jainism originated in northeastern India as a rejection of aspects of Hinduism like animal sacrifice and the caste system. It is centered around 24 great teachers called tirthankaras, with the most important being Mahavira. Jains believe in nonviolence, nonattachment, karma, and reincarnation. They seek to purify the soul through moral behavior and spiritual discipline to achieve liberation from rebirth.
This document provides an introduction to world religions, comparing and contrasting aspects of Shintoism and Buddhism. It begins with objectives and vocabulary for exploring religious beliefs. Early forms of religion included animism and shamanism. Modern religions developed concepts of gods and the first had customs and practices centered around understanding gods. Many early civilizations had religion integrated with government. The document then compares Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan, and Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, focusing on their origins and histories, beliefs about gods and the human situation, practices, afterlives, and important texts.
Jainism is an ancient Indian religion whose followers are called Jains. It was founded by Rishabhdev over a million years ago according to Jain beliefs. The main principles of Jainism are non-violence, acceptance of multiple viewpoints, non-attachment and asceticism. Jains believe in rebirth and karma and follow ethical rules like non-violence and truthfulness to achieve spiritual liberation from the cycle of rebirths. There are two major sects - Digambaras and Svetambaras, as well as several smaller sub-traditions. Jainism has influenced Indian culture and between 4-5 million followers today, mostly in India.
This document provides an overview of religions and philosophies in ancient India, China, and Southeast Asia. It discusses Hinduism and Buddhism in India, and how the caste system and concept of reincarnation shaped society. In China, it examines Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism and their influence on government. It also outlines how Hinduism, Buddhism, and later Islam spread in Southeast Asia and affected the region's major religions. The document seeks to explain key concepts like dharma, karma, and the Five Pillars of Islam.
Religions of south,southeast, east asiajohnharrell
This document provides an overview of several major religions of South and East Asia, including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism. It describes the origins, beliefs, practices, and geographic regions of each religion. Hinduism originated in India and believes in reincarnation. Islam was founded by Muhammad in the Middle East and follows the teachings of the Quran. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama and teaches that suffering can be ended by ridding attachments. Shintoism is the indigenous religion of Japan that teaches supernatural beings live in nature. Confucianism was developed by Confucius in China and is based on social harmony through virtue and proper behavior.
Hinduism is one of the world's oldest religions, originating in India over 5,000 years ago. It is a diverse system of beliefs that shares core concepts including dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha. Hindus believe in one supreme being, Brahman, who takes various forms and is worshipped in homes and temples through rituals and devotion. The religion is based on ancient scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads and incorporates concepts such as the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and the caste system.
This document provides an overview of key concepts in the study of religion, including:
1) Belief systems, community, stories, practices, and aesthetics are some of the main characteristics of religions.
2) Religions are concerned with understanding ultimate reality or the sacred. Theism, atheism, and non-theism describe different views on the existence of God or gods.
3) Religious experiences can be social, sensory, or interior experiences that take place in the mind. Rudolf Otto and Sigmund Freud provided influential theories on the nature of religious experience.
This document provides an overview of the rise of Buddhism and Jainism in India in response to issues with the vedic religion at the time. It summarizes the key teachings and philosophies of both Buddhism founded by Gautama Buddha and Jainism founded by Mahavira. Buddhism emphasized escaping suffering through following the four noble truths and eightfold path while Jainism focused on non-violence, belief in the soul, karma/rebirth, and achieving salvation through strict adherence to ascetic practices and the five main vows. Both religions rejected the rigid Hindu caste system and promoted social equality.
The document provides an overview of different religions and philosophies in Asia, including their origins, beliefs, practices, and locations. It discusses Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Shintoism, Animism, Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and the Doctrine of the Mean. For each, it summarizes their origins and history, current number of adherents worldwide, beliefs about gods and the universe, views on human purpose and the afterlife, common religious practices, and areas where they are commonly practiced.
Jainism is one of the most beautiful and peaceful religion. In this presentation, we get he overview of the principles and the philosophy of this religion.
This document provides an introduction to world religions, beginning with an overview of major religions to be covered which include Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Shinto, early African religions, Judaism, Confucianism, and Taoism. It then discusses various definitions of religion before providing more details on the origins and beliefs of Hinduism, including its concepts of Brahman, Atman, karma, samsara, and the paths of moksha. The summary concludes with some common questions and answers about Hindu beliefs and practices.
This document discusses traditional religions and their interaction with Christianity. It notes that colonial missionaries often ignored the religious heritage of local groups and introduced Christianity in a way that reflected Western culture. This has led to reactions against non-indigenous forms of Christianity. It describes characteristics of African traditional religions, comparing them to Christianity. Specifically, it notes that traditional religions are local and myth-based while Christianity is universal and history-based. When Christianity fails to address needs from within traditional systems, it can provoke separatist religious movements.
Social structure consists of status, role, and institutions. Status can be ascribed based on traits like age or achieved through efforts. A master status greatly impacts one's life. Roles define expected behaviors for a given status and are often reciprocal. Role expectations may not always match performances due to conflicts between roles or strain fulfilling a single role's demands. Institutions were created by societies to meet basic needs.
This document discusses various aspects of religion including its key characteristics, functions in society, differences between religion and magic, and theories on the origins of religion. It also provides overviews of several major world religions including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and discusses the ideology and role of religion in modern society.
The document discusses the caste system during the Vedic and early Buddhist periods in India. It defines caste and explains how the four main castes - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras - originated from different parts of the primal man's body according to the Rig Veda. The Bhagavad Gita supported the caste hierarchy and defined the duties of each caste. There were rules around inter-caste marriage. Buddhism emerged as an alternative that was against the Hindu caste system and provided more equitable treatment.
This document provides an overview of world religions, beginning with an introduction. It then discusses Hinduism in depth, covering its origins, scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads, concepts like samsara and karma, major texts like the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita. It also explains the caste system, yoga, and popular Hindu deities. The document then summarizes Buddhism, including the life of Siddhartha Gautama and how he was raised in luxury but driven to enlightenment by witnessing human suffering.
The document provides an overview of key concepts in Hinduism, including its scriptures, concept of God, concept of the individual soul, and major doctrines. Some of the major ideas discussed are that Hindus believe the ultimate reality called Brahman can be both personal and impersonal, the individual soul or Atman is eternal, and concepts like karma and dharma are important principles. Hinduism also emphasizes unity among all religions and freedom of thought.
Jainism is an ancient Indian religion founded in the 6th century BC by Vardhamana Mahavira. It believes in a plurality of souls and that liberation can be obtained through nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possessiveness. Jainism emphasizes individualism and achieving enlightenment through ascetic practices and detachment from worldly pleasures to be free of karma and attain nirvana. It rejects the idea of a creator god and believes reality is complex, with many perspectives.
The document provides an overview of major world religions and philosophies, including their origins, founders, core beliefs and texts. It summarizes information on Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Shinto, Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism, noting dates of origin, founders, holy books, core beliefs and symbols for each.
Humss introduction to world religions & belief systems cgJonathan Labsan
This document outlines the curriculum for a course on Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems. The course explores the main tenets and practices of nine major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shintoism. The curriculum is divided into 8 content areas that cover definitions of key terms, the historical and geographical contexts of religions, the positive and negative effects of religions, and examinations of the specific elements and doctrines of the major religions including comparisons. Students are assessed through recitation, analysis, explanations, interviews, group activities, research and simulations.
Religions - Jainism: Jainism at a glance.
"Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma "
Jainism originated in northeastern India as a rejection of aspects of Hinduism like animal sacrifice and the caste system. It is centered around 24 great teachers called tirthankaras, with the most important being Mahavira. Jains believe in nonviolence, nonattachment, karma, and reincarnation. They seek to purify the soul through moral behavior and spiritual discipline to achieve liberation from rebirth.
This document provides an introduction to world religions, comparing and contrasting aspects of Shintoism and Buddhism. It begins with objectives and vocabulary for exploring religious beliefs. Early forms of religion included animism and shamanism. Modern religions developed concepts of gods and the first had customs and practices centered around understanding gods. Many early civilizations had religion integrated with government. The document then compares Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan, and Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, focusing on their origins and histories, beliefs about gods and the human situation, practices, afterlives, and important texts.
Jainism is an ancient Indian religion whose followers are called Jains. It was founded by Rishabhdev over a million years ago according to Jain beliefs. The main principles of Jainism are non-violence, acceptance of multiple viewpoints, non-attachment and asceticism. Jains believe in rebirth and karma and follow ethical rules like non-violence and truthfulness to achieve spiritual liberation from the cycle of rebirths. There are two major sects - Digambaras and Svetambaras, as well as several smaller sub-traditions. Jainism has influenced Indian culture and between 4-5 million followers today, mostly in India.
This document provides an overview of religions and philosophies in ancient India, China, and Southeast Asia. It discusses Hinduism and Buddhism in India, and how the caste system and concept of reincarnation shaped society. In China, it examines Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism and their influence on government. It also outlines how Hinduism, Buddhism, and later Islam spread in Southeast Asia and affected the region's major religions. The document seeks to explain key concepts like dharma, karma, and the Five Pillars of Islam.
Religions of south,southeast, east asiajohnharrell
This document provides an overview of several major religions of South and East Asia, including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism. It describes the origins, beliefs, practices, and geographic regions of each religion. Hinduism originated in India and believes in reincarnation. Islam was founded by Muhammad in the Middle East and follows the teachings of the Quran. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama and teaches that suffering can be ended by ridding attachments. Shintoism is the indigenous religion of Japan that teaches supernatural beings live in nature. Confucianism was developed by Confucius in China and is based on social harmony through virtue and proper behavior.
Hinduism is one of the world's oldest religions, originating in India over 5,000 years ago. It is a diverse system of beliefs that shares core concepts including dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha. Hindus believe in one supreme being, Brahman, who takes various forms and is worshipped in homes and temples through rituals and devotion. The religion is based on ancient scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads and incorporates concepts such as the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and the caste system.
This document provides an overview of key concepts in the study of religion, including:
1) Belief systems, community, stories, practices, and aesthetics are some of the main characteristics of religions.
2) Religions are concerned with understanding ultimate reality or the sacred. Theism, atheism, and non-theism describe different views on the existence of God or gods.
3) Religious experiences can be social, sensory, or interior experiences that take place in the mind. Rudolf Otto and Sigmund Freud provided influential theories on the nature of religious experience.
This document provides an overview of the rise of Buddhism and Jainism in India in response to issues with the vedic religion at the time. It summarizes the key teachings and philosophies of both Buddhism founded by Gautama Buddha and Jainism founded by Mahavira. Buddhism emphasized escaping suffering through following the four noble truths and eightfold path while Jainism focused on non-violence, belief in the soul, karma/rebirth, and achieving salvation through strict adherence to ascetic practices and the five main vows. Both religions rejected the rigid Hindu caste system and promoted social equality.
The document provides an overview of different religions and philosophies in Asia, including their origins, beliefs, practices, and locations. It discusses Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Shintoism, Animism, Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and the Doctrine of the Mean. For each, it summarizes their origins and history, current number of adherents worldwide, beliefs about gods and the universe, views on human purpose and the afterlife, common religious practices, and areas where they are commonly practiced.
Jainism is one of the most beautiful and peaceful religion. In this presentation, we get he overview of the principles and the philosophy of this religion.
This document provides an introduction to world religions, beginning with an overview of major religions to be covered which include Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Shinto, early African religions, Judaism, Confucianism, and Taoism. It then discusses various definitions of religion before providing more details on the origins and beliefs of Hinduism, including its concepts of Brahman, Atman, karma, samsara, and the paths of moksha. The summary concludes with some common questions and answers about Hindu beliefs and practices.
This document discusses traditional religions and their interaction with Christianity. It notes that colonial missionaries often ignored the religious heritage of local groups and introduced Christianity in a way that reflected Western culture. This has led to reactions against non-indigenous forms of Christianity. It describes characteristics of African traditional religions, comparing them to Christianity. Specifically, it notes that traditional religions are local and myth-based while Christianity is universal and history-based. When Christianity fails to address needs from within traditional systems, it can provoke separatist religious movements.
Social structure consists of status, role, and institutions. Status can be ascribed based on traits like age or achieved through efforts. A master status greatly impacts one's life. Roles define expected behaviors for a given status and are often reciprocal. Role expectations may not always match performances due to conflicts between roles or strain fulfilling a single role's demands. Institutions were created by societies to meet basic needs.
This document provides an overview of key concepts in the anthropological study of religion, including animism, souls, mana, magic, rituals, types of religious cults (individualistic, shamanistic, communal, ecclesiastical), revitalization movements, and the relationship between religion and society. It discusses definitions and examples of concepts like animism, souls, mana, magic, rituals, the sacred/profane distinction, and how religion relates to political economy, social structure, and environmental/ecological factors.
This document provides an introduction to a unit on religion and non-religion. It outlines the relevant syllabus points students need to be familiar with, including different expressions of religion throughout history such as animism, polytheism, and monotheism. Students are instructed to recap core beliefs, texts, rituals, and ethics of different world religions. Key definitions are also provided for animism, polytheism, and monotheism. Activities are suggested for students to research examples and describe hypothetical societies based on these expressions of religion.
This document summarizes several major world religions including their origins, beliefs, and distributions. It discusses Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam providing details on their founders, core beliefs, numbers of adherents, and geographical spreads. It also covers some other eastern religions like Confucianism and Taoism as well as topics like the relationship between religion and politics, society, economics, environment, and language.
This document discusses how religious intolerance arises from viewing differences as absolutes rather than relatives. It notes how Hindus, Muslims, Christians all criticize each other's practices like dress, diet, and religious symbols but these are relative rather than absolute. There is no universally agreed definition of concepts like being overdressed or underdressed, idol worship, or which religion is oldest or most Indian. Seeing others' practices as equally valid rather than wrong can help overcome religious intolerance that otherwise leads to cycles of violent retaliation and threatens all religions and societies.
The document discusses evangelizing animist tribes. It notes that some anthropologists praise aspects of animist cultures like the Mayans that engaged in human sacrifice and slavery. However, Christian missionaries have helped tribal people by ending practices like warfare, cannibalism, and polygamy, and providing literacy, medicine, and the gospel. Animism involves spirit worship and is the primary religion of over 100 million tribal people. It is characterized by fear, lack of love/hope, no moral absolutes, and fatalism. The Bible condemns practices of animism like divination. Christian missionaries aim to bring tribal people the freedom and hope found in Christ.
A Hypothesis is a supposition or explanation (theory) that is provisionally accepted in order to interpret certain events or phenomena, and to provide guidance for further investigation. This presentation elucidates hypothesis in research.
Folk religion deals with evil spirits often with a shaman, etc. All major religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism have both a formal traditional religion and also some form of folk religion. This outlines some of the folk religion found in a variety of places among the more than 1,000,000,000 Muslims.
The ANC's centenary celebrations sparked controversy by invoking ancestral spirits and ritually slaughtering an animal. While the ANC defended these practices as part of tradition, Christians opposed dedicating South Africa to dead ancestors. The Bible warns against occult practices like spiritism and divination. Examples like Haiti, heavily influenced by voodoo, suggest dedicating a nation to ancestral spirits can have devastating long-term consequences. South Africa should only be dedicated to the one true God as revealed in the Bible.
World religion powerpoint presentation slides ppt templatesSlideTeam.net
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The document discusses traditional and animistic religions. It notes that while Christianity has been successful in reaching some populations, the number of adherents to traditional ethnic religions is increasing. It explores concepts like spirits, the afterlife, divination and sin within an animistic framework. It also discusses challenges missionaries previously faced in addressing issues in the "excluded middle" domain of daily life and offers suggestions on how Christianity can provide alternatives.
Animism and Shinto are polytheistic, animistic religions. Animism believes that all natural elements have spirits, and spirits of ancestors are worshipped. Shintoism is Japan's native religion where nature spirits called Kami are worshipped at home altars and shrines through prayer for safety, health, and success. A torii is a Shinto shrine gateway that marks the entrance to the realm of the Kami spirits.
The document discusses the concept of animism, which refers to the belief that spiritual beings exist in nature and that all objects have an inner psychological being. Animism was a primitive form of religion that believed in spiritual forces localized in different natural areas and objects. For many indigenous groups, animism involved showing respect to the spirits of the land, animals, plants and asking permission before disturbing or taking from nature to maintain balance. The document also discusses how animism relates to polytheism and the belief in many gods, as well as how certain groups still incorporate animistic beliefs with other religions like Christianity.
This document provides an overview of world religions. It begins by listing the 12 major world religions: Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Daoism, and Zoroastrianism. It notes there are approximately 4,200 religions total. The document then discusses what religion seeks to answer, including questions about God, the afterlife, and salvation. It defines religion as an organized system of beliefs and practices centered around gods, and distinguishes between monotheistic and polytheistic religions. The document concludes by outlining a group project where students will create a web presenting the key aspects of one
This document discusses nonverbal communication. It begins by defining nonverbal communication as messages transmitted without words through vocal sounds, body language, touch, eye contact, space, time, appearance and objects. It then discusses several key points about nonverbal communication:
- 65% of communication is nonverbal. Nonverbal cues can reinforce, contradict or substitute verbal messages.
- There are several characteristics of nonverbal communication including that it is often ambiguous, continuous and multichannel.
- Nonverbal communication plays important roles in relationships, workplace performance and can cause intercultural friction if misunderstood across cultures.
- Specific types of nonverbal cues like kinesics, proxemics, paralanguage and
Este documento presenta una introducción a la cosmovisión cristiana. Explica que la cosmovisión cristiana ofrece una perspectiva integral del mundo que incluye tanto la fe como la razón. A diferencia de otras cosmovisiones, no separa lo espiritual de lo secular sino que busca consagrar toda área del conocimiento al servicio de Dios.
The document discusses different worldviews and how they shape culture. It defines worldview as a culture's perspective on existence and reality, which often operates unconsciously. The key expressions of worldview are attempts to answer life's big questions. Forms of worldview discussed include religion, secularism, and spirituality. Specific religions covered are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and their core assumptions, cultural influences, and views on death.
The document discusses different worldviews and how they shape culture. It defines worldview as a culture's perspective on existence and reality, which often operates unconsciously. The key worldviews discussed are religion, secularism, and spirituality. Religion is nearly universal across cultures and defines groups through beliefs about life's purpose and the afterlife. Secularism denies gods and prioritizes science, while spirituality is a personal search for meaning not defined by external authorities. Different cultures express their worldviews through answers to fundamental questions about origins and morality.
Folk religions are localized spiritual expressions of pre-scientific and pre-technological cultures with a deep link to nature and oral tradition. They are characterized by being localized to a particular geography, viewing the world in a holistic sense where the sacred and mundane are interconnected, relying on oral traditions rather than written texts, incorporating rituals, shamanism, animism and other beliefs. When folk religions encounter universal religions, they may die out, be affirmed in a modified form, or actively appropriate elements of the new religion according to their own cultural ways of thinking.
Religion has played an important role throughout history. It helps provide answers to fundamental questions about life's meaning and the afterlife. While some argue religion has played a negative role, others believe it positively influences morality, community engagement, and cultural identity. In ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, early religions focused on appeasing gods that controlled unpredictable natural forces like floods. Priests and kings communicated the gods' will. Egyptians also developed burial rituals demonstrating their beliefs about the afterlife. As the world grows more multicultural, understanding different religious traditions has become increasingly important.
Belief systems and worldviews shape people's perspectives on reality and their place in the world. A worldview is a set of beliefs that guide how one understands the world, while belief systems are the stories people tell themselves to make sense of reality. Major belief systems include naturalism, pantheism, theism, spiritism, and polytheism. Religions typically incorporate worldviews and shape belief systems through their elements, which usually include a belief in supernatural powers, sacred texts or objects, rituals, concepts of sin and salvation, modes of worship, places of worship, and ideologies or liturgies. These elements help religions perpetuate their particular worldviews and beliefs over time.
World ReligionsReligionOrigin of All ThingsNature of GodCreatorVi.docxericbrooks84875
World ReligionsReligionOrigin of All ThingsNature of God/CreatorView of Human NatureView of Good and EvilView of "Salvation"View of After LifePractices and RitualsCelebrations and FestivalsMost indigenous peoples have creation stories where they believe the Creator or Great Father in the Sky made the earth, the animals and all humans. Many believe that they have lost touch or even forgotten about a Creator that their ancestors knew, but disobeyed. They believe the dark gods of the spirit world are the ones to be afraid of or to placate. Thus they believe that the Creator God, if there is one, is distant, removed and angry with them.Humans are often seen as lost or wandering from a true path that was lost to the ancestors long ago. Humans are seen as capable of good or bad and under the influence of curses, vows, incantations, or evil spirits. In this sense, they may be animistic. Many have a special shaman or witch doctor who is supposed to help them connect to the spirit worldGood and evil are seen as forces that compete for dominance in a person and in the world. Sometimes there is an ethnocentric idea that ‘our’ group is the good one and all outsiders are ‘bad’. This idea can lead to wars and conflicts.The idea of the path or the way or a lifeway is their main idea of salvation. It is the path to the good. This idea is closely aligned with a responsibility for nature and this world. Oneness with nature is for some seen as a goal of life. Others see ‘salvation’ as surviving and not being defeated by the dark spirits, thus having a long life.Some groups have a notion of an afterlife, but others do not. For example, some Native American groups believe in a “Happy Hunting Ground’ or that one goes to be with the ancestors and/or the Great Spirit. Many indigenous peoples are terrified of death and use their rituals to ward it off.Varies by country or group. Some have animal sacrifices or smoke various substances in a ritualistic manner. Dance is often used to express stories and tales of the tribe or group or the gods. Body decoration, paint, garments and drums are often used in the ritual dances. To placate the spirits, they may also cut themselves or in some cases engage in cannibalism or headhunting. An example: the Sawi people of New Guinea make peace with an enemy by swapping infants between the tribes. As long as the children live there will be peace between the two tribes. One family per tribe agrees to take in the other child and give up their own. Varies by country or group. Some have celebrations tied to the seasons of the year. Others have celebrations of victory in war or at weddings. The birth of children is often a time of great celebration. Death is universally observed in various ways depending on the culture and local beliefs. The finding of good prey when hunting would be a cause for celebration as well. Communal meals are common. For example: the Native Americans shared food with the Pilgrims who came to America. .
Dr. John Oakes taught a six-week class on World Religions on six consecutive Saturdays beginning on 2/23 9:00-11:00. See below for suggested reading and schedule.
This chapter provides an overview of worldview and the six major world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Confucianism. It defines worldview as a model that guides people in their reality and discusses how religion addresses questions of mortality. The religions are then compared based on their core assumptions, numbers of followers, and other key characteristics.
The document provides information on several classical religions including Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. It discusses the emergence of Confucianism and Daoism in China, with Confucianism emphasizing social order, filial piety, and respect for elders, while Daoism focused on balance with nature. In India, Hinduism developed beliefs in reincarnation and dharma while Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, taught the four noble truths and eightfold path to end suffering. Both religions spread along trade routes from India to East Asia.
This document discusses worldviews, belief systems, and religion. It defines worldviews as a set of beliefs that shape a culture's understanding of reality, importance, and sacredness. Belief systems are the personal stories that define one's sense of reality and are shaped by religion in most cases. Religion is defined etymologically as something that binds people together into a system of attitudes and beliefs. The document outlines five main worldviews regarding the perspective of God: naturalism, pantheism, theism, spiritism, and polytheism.
This document discusses worldviews, belief systems, and religion. It defines worldviews as a set of beliefs that shape a culture's understanding of reality, importance, and sacredness. Belief systems are the personal stories that define one's sense of reality and are shaped by religion in most cases. Religion is defined etymologically as something that binds people together through a system of attitudes and beliefs. The document then outlines five main worldviews regarding the perspective of God: naturalism, pantheism, theism, spiritism, and polytheism.
The document provides an overview of major religions in Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Shinto, Shamanism, and Animism. It discusses the origins, founders, sacred texts, deities, beliefs, and practices of each religion.
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world originating in India over 4,000 years ago. It is a diverse religion with many gods and goddesses and beliefs in concepts such as dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha. Hindus believe in a supreme being known as Brahman and reincarnation. The religion is closely tied to the caste system and traditionally includes practices such as vegetarianism. Buddhism originated in India as a reform of Hinduism based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Key Buddhist concepts include the four noble truths and the eightfold path as a means to end suffering through enlightenment and escape the cycle of rebirth.
1. The document discusses different belief systems including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. It describes their core beliefs and practices such as rituals, sacred texts, and festivals.
2. Rituals are patterned symbolic acts based on arbitrary rules that express religious beliefs. They are found in all human societies and can be religious or secular.
3. Logotherapy is a psychotherapy developed by Viktor Frankl that believes finding meaning is the primary motivator for humans. Meaning can be discovered through work, experiences, relationships, and having the right attitude towards suffering.
- Religion and spirituality are related but distinct concepts, with religion focusing on beliefs and rituals and spirituality focusing on the process of becoming attuned to unworldly affairs.
- New developments in physics have found common ground between religion and science in the concept of quantum consciousness or spirituality as the essence of both.
- Spirituality is a more personal experience than religion and focuses on love over fear, independence over dependence, discovering truth directly rather than through concepts like heaven and hell.
- While religion promotes specific beliefs and codes, spirituality is more abstract and focuses on spiritual practices like prayer and meditation over dogma.
The document discusses various world religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Kalama Sutta. It provides overview information on the origins, beliefs, practices, and key figures of each religion. It also summarizes the Kalama Sutta where the Buddha instructs people to not blindly accept religious teachings but to investigate and decide based on their own experience and wisdom.
This document provides an overview of key concepts related to understanding religion. It defines religion and discusses worldviews, different belief systems like monotheism and polytheism, the nature and origins of religion, elements and theories of religion, and the differences between religion and spirituality. It also includes reflection questions and an enrichment activity. The key points are: religion involves organized beliefs and practices for worshipping gods, social environment and upbringing shape religious views, and the four common elements among religions are belief in deity, doctrine of salvation, code of conduct, and rituals.
This document provides an introduction to world religions and belief systems. It defines key concepts like worldview, belief systems, religion, and spirituality. A worldview is the basic way a person interprets reality based on their culture and upbringing. Belief systems shape one's worldview and are influenced by religion. Religions have common elements like belief in supernatural powers, sacred texts or places, rituals, concepts of sin and salvation. The document differentiates religion from spirituality and provides examples of different types of belief systems like theism, pantheism and naturalism.
Similar to World Religions, including Secular humanism, Communism, and Animism (20)
This document provides an introduction to spiritual warfare from a biblical worldview. It begins with examples of demonic encounters in Suriname. It then discusses the need for missionaries to understand spiritual warfare from the biblical perspective rather than a western worldview that denies the supernatural. The document outlines the biblical view of Satan, demons, and angels. It discusses the origin, nature, and defeat of Satan and demons according to the Bible. It also addresses some faulty beliefs about demons and the need to have a biblical worldview of the spiritual realm and spiritual warfare.
The document summarizes various instances of religious persecution throughout history, from colonial America to modern times. It describes how Baptists were persecuted for their beliefs in America before the Constitution through punishments like whipping, banishment, and fines. It also discusses prominent figures like Roger Williams who fought for religious freedom and founded the first Baptist church. Several missionary martyrs are outlined, such as Jim Elliot who was killed reaching out to the Auca tribe in Ecuador and John and Betty Stam who were murdered by communist bandits in China.
This document provides details about persecution faced by early Christians from the time of the apostles through the present day. It describes how many of the apostles and early Christian leaders, such as Polycarp, Perpetua, and others faced torture and martyrdom for their faith. It discusses reasons the Roman Empire persecuted Christians and the spread of Christianity despite persecution. The document also outlines theological deviations that arose after Christianity was adopted by the Roman Empire and the persecution of dissenting groups like the Albigenses and Waldenses by the Catholic Church.
Witnessing to Muslims using the Any3 method, or that advocated by such evangelists as Bachman, and the problems with the CAMEL method. Contrast of Islamic beliefs with the Bible and truth.
The Islamic and Christian prophecies of last things are in many ways similar, but come to radically different conclusions as to the identity of the main players, especially the Madhi, Isa, and al Dajjal.
There are incompatibilities between Islam and Christianity in the Qur'an (Koran) and Bible. We study the theological problems, the underlying philosophy, and support for Biblical truth
This document provides historical background on Islamic terrorism and analyzes the ideology and goals of ISIS. It traces the roots of terrorism back to the founding of Islam and discusses how various terrorist groups have interpreted Islamic scripture over time. The document also examines ISIS's totalitarian rule, use of violence, and long term plans to establish a global caliphate through continued military conquest and terrorist attacks in Europe and America.
This is a summary largely taken from a book called Faith That Endures. The author has done more than document persecution. He explores the causes of persecution, their manifestations, and how to help rather than aggravate persecution. His book is very important and revealing
The document discusses Christian and Islamic eschatological beliefs. It outlines the Christian view of the tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist who will sign a seven year contract with Israel before breaking it, and the final battle of Armageddon. It then covers Islamic beliefs including the coming of the Mahdi to defeat the Dajjal, Jesus returning as a Muslim to kill the Dajjal and rule for 40 years, and signs that believers look for regarding the coming of the Mahdi such as lunar and solar eclipses. Both traditions discuss an end-times ruler who opposes God before being destroyed, though they identify this figure differently.
Attempts to compromise by using the Muslim friendly Bible and for the Muslim convert to stay within the umma, performing the salat, zakat, Hajj, etc. The Muslim convert is thus cut off from the benefits of the Christian church fellowship
Modern approaches to Muslim evangelism include the so called Insider Movement and Common Ground. Both compromise the truth of Christian faith in an attempt to win over Muslim converts. My contention is that one must trust Biblical truth, stand firm in the faith and present the gospel in a clear form to Muslims. Contextualization is fine to make a subject understandable, but the truth of the message must never be compromised. This compromise distorts the faith, undermines the position of true converts, and deprives Muslim converts to Christianity of the truths they need to experience the power of the truly committed Christian life.
This document discusses key aspects of Arab culture and how it influences concepts like honor, shame, community, and right and wrong. It emphasizes that Arab cultures are highly group-oriented and conformity is valued. Honor must be maintained at all costs to avoid shame, which is deeply stigmatized. The community (umma) is also extremely important in Islam. When planting churches among Arabs, it is crucial to establish a valid Christian community that can meet the social and spiritual needs usually filled by the umma. Transparency and dealing openly with struggles is important to demonstrate the community's authenticity.
This section and the following are largely adapted from Roland Muller's text on reaching the Muslim community through the messenger, message, and community. Each area is briefly outlined.
This document provides guidance on how to win Muslims to accepting Jesus Christ as Lord through respectful discussion of the Bible and Quran. It recommends starting with passages emphasizing monotheism and God's love for all people. It notes some irreconcilable differences between the texts, such as accounts of Noah's sons and Jesus' death. It encourages living out Christian principles of morality and family while clarifying misunderstandings about the Trinity and Virgin Birth. The document stresses showing love, answering questions patiently, and inviting Muslims to church to experience Christian fellowship.
The Qur'an and Bible agree in many places, but also directly conflict. Islam uses the law of abrogation to handle places where the Qur'an changes from one position to another. The Qur'an also denies the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, the deity of Christ, the rellationship between God the Father and the Son, and the trinity, all of which are vital to the Christian faith.
The Muslim family is strong, as is the umma, or Muslim community. Such characteristics as loyalty, honor, avoiding shame, hospitality, and the relationship of man and women are key. One's identity is tied to the family group. In addition to the father, the eldest son has great responsablity. Women's chastity is vital for family honor.
The five pillars of Islam are mandatory for every serious Muslim. They include the shahada (creed), the salat (prayers), zakat (alms), Ramadan (the fast), and the Hajj (trip once in a lifetime to Mecca). Here is a brief explanation of teh Islamic five pillars
PHASE-IV
The very deep experience of silence helps to expand from the 3 - dimensional awareness of the body to all pervasive awareness. The bed of silence becomes deeper and more expansive - an ocean of silence with waves on it merge into complete silence called Ajapa state of the mind. This silence is the source of Creativity, Power, Knowledge and Bliss.
PHASE V
From this deep ocean of silence in the heart region, let one OM emerge as an audible sound which diffuses into the entire body and the space all around. Enjoy the beautiful vibrations.
Blink the eyes slowly, gently open the eyes and come out of meditation.
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Astronism, Cosmism and Cosmodeism: the space religions espousing the doctrine...Cometan
This lecture created by Brandon Taylorian (aka Cometan) specially for the CESNUR Conference held Bordeaux in June 2024 provides a brief introduction to the legacy of religious and philosophical thought that Astronism emerges from, namely the discourse on transcension started assuredly by the Cosmists in Russia in the mid-to-late nineteenth century and then carried on and developed by Mordecai Nessyahu in Cosmodeism in the twentieth century. Cometan also then provides some detail on his story in founding Astronism in the early twenty-first century from 2013 along with details on the central Astronist doctrine of transcension. Finally, the lecture concludes with some contributions made by space religions and space philosophy and their influences on various cultural facets in art, literature and film.
The Book of Revelation, filled with symbolic and apocalyptic imagery, presents one of its most striking visions in Revelation 9:3-12—the locust army. Understanding the significance of this locust army provides insight into the broader themes of divine judgment, protection, and the ultimate triumph of God’s will as depicted in Revelation.
Introduction
Mantra Yoga is an exact science. "Mananat trayate iti mantrah- by the Manana (constant thinking or recollection) of which one is protected or is released from the round of births and deaths, is Mantra." That is called Mantra by the meditation (Manana) on which the Jiva or the individual soul attains freedom from sin, enjoyment in heaven and final liberation, and by the aid of which it attains in full the fourfold fruit (Chaturvarga), i.e., Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. A Mantra is so called because it is achieved by the mental process.
Tales of This and Another Life - Chapters.pdfMashaL38
This book is one of the best of the translated ones, for it has a warning character for all those who find themselves in the experience of material life. Irmão X provides a shrewd way of describing the subtleties and weaknesses that can jeopardize our intentions, making us more attentive and vigilant by providing us with his wise pages, reminding us between the lines of the Master's words: "Pray and watch."
The Revelation Chapter 7 Working Copy.docxFred Gosnell
John witnesses the sealing of God's 144,000 witnesses, and he hears the crying out or shouting of an unnumbered multitude of those who have been saved during the great tribulation.
This is an intermission scene before opening the seventh seal. We have seen six seals opened revealing of the events that would shortly occur. The first 4 reveal what was to occur in the great tribulation during the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD70.
The fifth seal reveals the question from those slain as to when the Lord would avenge their death. The sixth seal reveals the answer to them from the One on the throne and of the Lamb which would be the punishment of their persecutors and accomplices. John sees four messengers/angels holding back the four winds of the earth & keeping them from blowing on the earth, the sea or any tree. In this figurative language, these are not heavenly messengers/angels. These represent those who are trying to restrain the word of God everywhere. Their efforts are restrained by the messenger in verse 2, preventing them from holding back the 4 winds, the spread of the gospel of Christ by His messengers/angels. These 4 winds stand on the four corners of the earth, Rome’s worldwide influence to stop its spread. But the gospel will be preached in all the earth. See the study for the Bible passages that support this. John hears the commands given relating to the sealing of the servants of God and the figurative number representing them. John sees a great multitude standing before the throne of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues who are clothed with white robes. All the messengers/angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four beasts fell before the throne and worshipped God. One of the elders asks John what those were that were wearing white robes. John said he knew and the elder identifies them. The chapter ends with his explanation.
taittreya upanishad - tradition of yoga and Upanishads, this concept of panch...Karuna Yoga Vidya Peetham
In his search towards reality or the unchanging fundamental unit of this universe, a scientist started with the external gross world of solid matter which is simple and easy to see, divide, and do experiments with.
This search led him through steps of understanding of this entire world of matter starting from elements, molecules, atoms, protons, neutrons and electrons;
He further understood that it is all packets of energy.
The atoms conglomerate together to form various chemicals; our body is therefore a permutation and combination of various chemicals. (Packets of energy in various configurations) When they join together they form molecules, cells, tissues organs, etc.
These follow certain well defined laws of nature and are controlled by nervous (electrical) and chemical (hormones) mechanisms to bring about movement and action in each and every cell.
Thus annamaya kosha is the physical frame which the grossest of the five Koshas.
Lesson 13 – The Celestial City - CPAD.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 13 – The Celestial City
SBS – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
"Lift off" by Pastor Mark Behr at North Athens Baptist ChurchJurgenFinch
23 June 2024
Morning Service at North Athens Baptist Church Athens, Michigan
“Lift Off” by Pastor Mark Behr
Scriptures: Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:6-11.
We are a small country Church in Athens Michigan who loves to reach out to others with the love of God. We worship an Awesome God who loves the whole world and wants everyone to see and understand what He has done for us. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) We hope you are encouraging by our Sunday Morning sermon videos. If you are ever in the area, please feel free to attend our Sunday Morning Services at North Athens Baptist Church 2020 M Drive South, Athens, Michigan. If you have any question and would like to talk to Pastor Mark, or have prayer request please call the church at (269) 729-553
Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.
Morning Service: 10:45 a.m.
Full Morning Service on Facebook Live at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nabc2020athensmichigan
Sermon Only Live on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@NABC2020AthensMI
Sermon Only Audio of Morning Sermon at: https://soundcloud.com/user-591083416
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Lucid Dreaming: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
The ability to control one's dreams or for the dreamer to be aware that he or she is dreaming. This process, called lucid dreaming, has some potential risks as well as many fascinating benefits. However, many people are hesitant to try it initially for fear of the potential dangers. This article aims to clarify these concerns by exploring both the risks and benefits of lucid dreaming.
The Benefits of Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming allows a person to take control of their dream world, helping them overcome their fears and eliminate nightmares. This technique is particularly useful for mental health. By taking control of their dreams, individuals can face challenging scenarios in a controlled environment, which can help reduce anxiety and increase self-confidence.
Addressing Common Concerns
Physical Harm in Dreams Lucid dreaming is fundamentally safe. In a lucid dream, everything is a creation of your mind. Therefore, nothing in the dream can physically harm you. Despite the vividness and realness of the dream experience, it remains entirely within your mental landscape, posing no physical danger.
Mental Health Risks Concerns about developing PTSD or other mental illnesses from lucid dreaming are unfounded. As soon as you wake up, it's clear that the events experienced in the dream were not real. On the contrary, lucid dreaming is often seen as a therapeutic tool for conditions like PTSD, as it allows individuals to reframe and manage their thoughts.
Potential Risks of Lucid Dreaming
While generally safe, lucid dreaming does come with a few risks as well:
Mixing Dream Memories with Reality Long-term lucid dreamers might occasionally confuse dream memories with real ones, creating false memories. This issue is rare and preventable by maintaining a dream journal and avoiding lucid dreaming about real-life people or places too frequently.
Escapism Using lucid dreaming to escape reality can be problematic if it interferes with your daily life. While it is sometimes beneficial to escape and relieve the stress of reality, relying on lucid dreaming for happiness can hinder personal growth and productivity.
Feeling Tired After Lucid Dreaming Some people report feeling tired after lucid dreaming. This tiredness is not due to the dreams themselves but often results from not getting enough sleep or using techniques that disrupt sleep patterns. Taking breaks and ensuring adequate sleep can prevent this.
Mental Exhaustion Lucid dreaming can be mentally taxing if practiced excessively without breaks. It’s important to balance lucid dreaming with regular sleep to avoid mental fatigue.
Lucid dreaming is safe and beneficial if done with caution. It has many benefits, such as overcoming fear and improving mental health, and minimal risks. There are many resources and tutorials available for those interested in trying it.
Lesson 12 - The Blessed Hope: The Mark of the Christian.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 12 - The Blessed Hope: The Mark of the Christian
SBS – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
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World Religions, including Secular humanism, Communism, and Animism
1. World Religions and Missions
Robert D. Patton
Missionary to Suriname,
South America
2. To effectively present the
gospel…
We must understand the beliefs of
the individual – His world view
This world view is the filter
through which he interprets all of
life, and especially religious
meanings
3. A number of world views
Monotheism – only one God
Christianity
Judaism
Islam
Polytheism – many gods
Hinduism
Older religions – Romans, Greeks, etc.
4. World views
Monism or pantheism
Buddhism
Hinduism
Animism or folk religion
Probably 40% of all people in the
world believe in folk religion though
they may list their belief as Christian,
Hindu, Islam, etc.
6. Toward a Biblical Worldview
Worldview = the assumptions we
hold as to the basic makeup of the
universe
Some believe that demons never
do anything to a “good Christian”
so it is better to ignore them.
This is not from the Bible - we
must resist, stand against, etc.
7. ―Western‖ world-view
Although some are atheists and deny any
supernatural, the majority have this worldview:
The supernatural - God, angels &
demons, - Religion and mysticism
separated from
The natural - science –
Faulty conclusion: No contact above. Therefore the
supernatural can be basically ignored.
This is a faulty worldview
8. Modernism is built on
Rationalism
Empiricism
Market-driven economy
Science & technology
9. Modernism came from the
―enlightenment‖
The enlightenment separated
Science and materialism - public truth
Religion and faith - private faith &
personal choice
There was no place for spirits, etc
– superstition
10. Results of modernism
There was colonialism which assumed
the superiority of Western culture, and
also cultural evolution advancing from
primitive to polytheistic to monotheistic
to science
Assumed - magic was the thought of
pre-logical thinking that will die out
with science. No need to study it
11. Missions leaders worked with
the same assumptions
They debated the religious leaders
of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, etc
comparing it to Christianity
Missionaries also assumed and
taught the split world view
Science answers questions on earth
.Religion answers those of heaven
12. Missions leaders worked with
the same assumptions
The middle region was ignored
Converts were reluctant to discuss them
with missionaries
The old ways were continued in secret
Thus there was a great deal of
syncretism – combining outward
Christianity with an underlying
animistic world view
13. We realize that we must
rethink our attitudes
We must not assume that Western ways
are necessarily Christian
New beliefs must replace the old ones -
but we must be careful that it is not the
foreignness that keeps people from
getting saved
We must neither reject old ways
automatically, or accept them
uncritically when there is sin & leads to
cultural relativism
14. Critical contextualization:
Study the local culture
phenomenologically.
Understand clearly the old ways
We must also study our own culture.
Our own world-view is difficult for us
to comprehend. Like others sin, we
see their problems more clearly than
our own
15. We must study…
What the scripture says.
Note - the church’s purpose is
missions - to call others to Christ
We must be theologians & cross-
cultural evangelists
Reality testing - what really is.
We must avoid ethnocentric judgment
16. We must study…
Critical evaluation in terms of
culture and the Bible
.Some may need to be rejected, or
given a Christian meaning
Our goal must be transformation of
lives to what Christ wants
Remember God loves variety – and
made the world so…
17. Remember…
Worldviews are implicit assumptions of
reality - rarely examined or questioned
Satan also uses social structures to
inhibit persons from salvation –
structure of society, persecution, etc
Bush-Negro family structure is very anti-
Biblical in its matriarchal structure
Their folk religion is strongly opposed to
Biblical Christianity
18. Dimensions of religion
Beliefs: For most people, this is
reality - we need to know these
clearly
Feelings - powerful, pervasive
walls protecting beliefs. They are
important too
Values - these are basic
Dimensions of religion: All the
above are important
19. There is often a scale of
transcendence
Things on this earth
Seen
Unseen - spirits, gods, restricted to earth
Other worlds unseen: There may be a
high god - often all-powerful but
distant and not interested. Rarely
placated or offerings made to him (like
deism)
20. Often there is a pantheon of lesser
gods without eternal existence
There may be multiple other lesser
beings as well - like angels and
demons. They may come to earth,
go back into “heaven”
Often felt to have other beings on
earth, and limited to certain areas.
They may ask pardon of trees they
chop down, or animals they kill
21. Half-Gods, etc
Some emperors were considered divine
Some were supposed to be the marriage
of a god and a human
Some are human with some relationship
to spirits or live spiritual lives
Some believe that people have spirits
or souls apart from the bodies; others
that they have multiple souls
22. Ancestor ―worship‖
Ancestors are believed to have a part in
the society, and must be treated as such
- food, telling them when you leave, etc.
They can bless or curse the entire family
Witches - usually those with antisocial
behavior may be accused - sending their
spirits on trips
There may be belief in subhumans
(trolls,etc)
23. Other world views…
Many believe that animals and
plants have spirits that interact in
the world. Nature is seen as alive
.Mana - the power in everything
that can be given, removed,
strengthened, etc
24. Other world views…
Life-force surrounding things - this
is more local
.You can attack the individual with
curses
There is a reason for everything -
spiritual or influence of other
25. Other world views…
Mechanical other-worldly forces
Fate or fortune -
numbers, horoscopes, etc
Cosmic moral order - with results
depending on your good deeds or
evil deeds - karma
31. Hinduism
Books – Upanishads, Puranas,
Bhagavad Gita, and many other
scriptures
Diverse belief system – no single
creed and no final truth
Pagan background with forces of
nature personified as gods and
goddesses- give offerings
32. Hinduism divided into
Popular Hinduism – worship of
gods through offerings, rituals and
prayers
Philosophic Hinduism – these few
understand ancient texts, meditate
and practice yoga
33. Hinduism – Non-reality
The physical material world is an
illusion – called Maya
Personality & thinking and feeling
cause suffering
Karma holds you bound
Comment – no wonder science
never developed!
34. Hindu Monism – Reality
Brahman-Atman
Impersonal spiritual cosmos
Absorption into the One
Loss of personal identity
Peace, fulfillment, bliss
The goal is to transcend maya to
reality
35. Thus…
God and the cosmos are one
We are God
In saving the world, we are saving
ourselves, so to speak
The state of enlightenment is
called, moksa, samadhi, kayvala
In Buddhism – Nirvana
Zen – satori
36. In the west, different names
for the same thing
Cosmic consciousness
Unified field of Creative consciousness
Absolute Bliss
One with Self
37. Yoga – yoke with God
Astanga yoga – 8 steps to God
Hatha yoga – first 5 steps –
isometrics and breathing exercises
to make you unaware of the
physical world
Raja yoga – last 3 steps
39. Raja yoga
1. Concentration – on a mantra,
often a name for a Hindu god
2. Dhyana – continuous meditation
on the mantra
3. Samhadi – Absorption into the
universe – like a drop of water in
the ocean
40. What is God?
Tozer stated that no people rise
greater than their religion
Here there is no difference
between a person and dirt, or
animals. Then what is God?
Humans become the same level as
nature, and impersonal as well
41. Loss of personality
No love or compassion, because
these are personal. Thus no
hospitals, etc.
The monk is really a parasite who
does nothing, and lives off begging
There is no basis for morality
There is no basis for human will
and freedom of choice = Karma,
which is fatalism…
43. Reincarnation
Part of karma – you can come back as
a lower form
Therefore you do not kill cows or rats
All who believe in reincarnation deny
a personal intelligent creator
44. Christianity vs. Hinduism
Christians believe in a personal creator
Christians believe in the atonement of
Jesus Christ, freeing us from sin
Christians believe in the resurrection of
Jesus Christ, and the resurrection of the
body – as a real person
45. Hinduism
In India, there are distinct castes which
you may not come out of. A high caste
Brahman will not associate with a Dalit,
or untouchable, and in fact may wash
the road behind one. One who had a
Dalit eat a meal was totally ostracized
by the entire community.
Christianity appeals especially to the
Dalits
46. Worldview – India & USA
American worldview
Empiricism – the world is
real, and can meet our
needs and give us
position, worth
Real world is absolute,
true categories. Those
who cannot distinguish
dreams and reality are
mentally ill
Indian worldview
Maya – the world is
subjective, not objective.
Real meaning is within
Meaning is relative.
Morals are relative.
Dreams are a part of
reality of the person
47. Worldview – India & USA
American worldview
Naturalism – the real world
is natural and can be
investigated by the senses.
Spiritual experiences are
subjective and personal –
This is the world of science
Linear time: We live & die.
Religious prepare for
heaven; secular enjoy life
today
Indian worldview
No sharp distinction
between natural and
supernatural. All are
blurred together
Cyclical time – The
universe repeats itself
countless times. People
are reborn many times
48. Worldview – India & USA
American worldview
Order and immutability –
the universe is orderly
with set rules
Knowledge: the human
mind can understand and
control the universe
around. Often judged by
knowledge rather than
life
Indian worldview
Unpredictability – a
beggar can be a king; a
lion can be a god.
Wisdom – intuitive true
understanding of reality.
Wisdom comes with
sudden insight radically
changing the person, so
that he has peace and
can be released from
cyclical rebirths
49. Worldview – India & USA
American worldview
Particularized and
categorized world. They
can be ordered and
placed in order
Basic equality of things in
a same category
Indian worldview
Unity of all things with
gods, saints, people, etc.
OK to worship saints as
they are higher on the
scale than humans
Hierarchy: all persons
and things are ranked –
and this is good (caste,
etc) Spiritual insight
best, then metaphysical
wisdom, then offerings,
then wealth
50. Worldview – India & USA
American worldview
Individualism. Freedom
of choice rather than
restriction. Free
enterprise and capitalism
rather than communism
or socialism. Democracy
& choose your own
leaders
Indian worldview
Specialization and inter-
dependency. Each
person has his own role
in society. Diversity and
cooperation
51. Hinduism & avatars
These are godlike personalities who
come to help mankind to escape from
karma and the wheel of life and
eventually find release, samsara…
One of the most popular is Krisna
54. Hinduism in Suriname
We see the multiple temples, and the
multiple gods which they worship
They are actually worshipping demons
They will sometimes devote their
children to demons to gain power,
money, etc
The demons will drink milk, etc from
their Hindu Pandits…
55. What does the average Hindu
understand?
I once went to a Hindu wedding.
The two individuals heard the
Pandit saying things in what I
assume may have been a sacred
language, and occasionally
throwing objects into a fire. The
others were sitting talking to each
other, oblivious of the ceremony.
56. Many Hindus have idols at
home
We have seen “god-houses” in
front of some Hindu homes. They
apparently have idols which they
worship with flowers, food, etc.
They often have a number of flags
(often red) on bamboo poles
planted there by the Pandits
57. Hinduism in practice
I have seen a snake and Kali
painted on the entrance gate of a
home. Sometimes idols will be on
the wall – such as frogs
I have seen idols of the monkey
god Hanuman on the top of Hindu
temples
62. Transcendental Meditation
This is basically a form of Hinduism
adapted to US or western culture
Initially you must bring 6 flowers,
3 fruit and a white handkerchief
You come in a darkened room with
incense and candles
Before a picture of Guru Dev, a
priest will give a Puja – a Hindu
Sanskrit song
63. Transcendental Meditation
You are given a mantra, which is
the name of a Hindu god. When
you meditate, you try to come one
with him.
Doing so, you are really opening
yourself to demons
64. Initiation puja includes
Whosoever remembers the lotus-eyed Lord
gains inner and outer purity. To Lord
Naryan, to Lotus-born Brahman the creator,
to Vaishistha, to Shakti, to Shankaracharya
the emancipator, hailed as Krishna, to the
Lord I bow down and down again. At
whose door the whole galaxy of gods pray
for perfection day and night.[46]
65. It is expensive
n 2009, fees in the US were reduced for a
one-hour-a-day, four-day course to $1,500
for the general public and $750 for college
students.[62][63] Fees in the UK were also
reduced, and a tiered fee structure
introduced, ranging from £290 to £590 for
adults, and £190 to £290 for students,
depending on income.[64]
66. Save money
Around 1995, Dr. Deepak Chopra created
the primordial sound meditation, that
is very similar to Maharishi's TM.
Unfortunately Maharishi's and
Chopra's techniques are very
expensive ($2500.00 and $325.00).
68. Save money…
By the way, the original TM, that was
taught by Maharishi in 1958, was also
based on a single mantra (around 1968
the TM organization started to prescribe
different "mantras").
69. Transcendental Meditation
I Tim. 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils.
70. Transcendental Meditation is
demonic worship
I Cor. 10:19-20 What say I then?
That the idol is any thing, or that
which is offered in sacrifice to idols is
any thing? But I say that the things
which the Gentiles sacrifice, they
sacrifice to devils (demons) and not
to God: and I would not that ye
should have fellowship with devils…
71. TM is dangerous
Any time you allow your mind to go
blank, you can open yourself to
demonic deception. Meditating on the
name of a false god (demon) is even
more dangerous!
72. Hinduism in practice
There is a great deal of the
demonic in Hinduism
It is no wonder that there is great
opposition to true Christianity
79. Popular Hinduism
The temple is the place the gods stay
- not primarily worship. The priests
carry the offerings of the people
They often worship one of the 10
incarnations of Vishnu – especially
Krishna or Rama
83. Popular Hinduism
Women’s situation is a little better
now that suttee and the selling of
young girls as temple prostitutes is
basically gone.
William Carey worked against suttee
Amy Carmichael rescued many girls
from being temple prostitutes
91. Folk Hinduism makes even
human offerings
Children were thrown into the Ganges
River as an offering
Other locations, babies were killed
previously in Suriname
Sometimes children have been
dedicated to the gods
92. Many Hindus have been
oppressed by evil spirits
Being freed from demonic oppression is
one of the ways that many are coming
to Christ
93. There is persecution of
Christians
There are radical fundamentalist
movements in Hinduism to totally
eradicate Christianity and Christians
Recently a burial was interrupted and
the body thrown into a tractor – they
said that the body would contaminate
Hindu soil
94. Persecution
Persecution is especially heavy now in
Orissa state, but also in other areas
A number of pastors have been killed
A missionary doctor and two sons were
burned to death while sleeping in their
car – the doctor worked with lepers
95. Gandhi against conversions
Mohandes Gandhi stated that
conversion to Christianity is changing
their nationality.
The accusation is ―forced conversions‖
by which they mean anyone that finds a
benefit to convert (especially seen with
the untouchables)
98. Christian response to
Hinduism
God – if God is God, and impersonal,
then impersonal is greater than the
personal – but we always give more
attention to the personal
God of the Bible is personal – He thinks,
does, has emotions, etc. No idol can
represent God, and Christians are
forbidden to worship idols
99. Christian response to
Hinduism
The material world is real. God is
present in creation but apart from it.
Don’t confuse God and his creation
(Romans 1 – worship the creature
instead of the creator)
Time is not cyclical – God created the
world at a specific time and will
consumate it also
100. Christian response to
Hinduism
The incarnation of Jesus Christ occurred
within historical time, as well as His
crucifixion and resurrection
101. Christian response to
Hinduism
People are created in God’s image
The human body will be resurrected
physically and has eternal worth
There is no rebirth – Heb. 9: [27] And
as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment:
102. Christian response to
Hinduism
All men are resurrected: Jn. 5: [28]
Marvel not at this: for the hour is
coming, in the which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice,[29] And
shall come forth; they that have done
good, unto the resurrection of life; and
they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation.
103. Christian response to
Hinduism
Sin is not ignorance of the union with
Brahman, but is rebellion against a holy
personal God.
Romans 3:23 All have sinned and come
short of the glory of God.
104. Christian response to
Hinduism
Salvation for the Hindu:
Yoga & meditation under a guru
Good works (karma marga)
The way of knowledge (jnana marga)
The way of love and devotion (bhakti
marga)
105. Christian response to
Hinduism
Salvation is through a personal relationship
by faith with Jesus Christ throughout
eternity. Salvation is NOT by good works.
Religious deeds cannot save: Eph 2: [8]
For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God:[9] Not of works, lest any man should
boast.
106. Witnessing to Hindus
Short personal testimony of faith in Jesus
Christ
Pray for the Holy Spirit to work
Share that Jesus Christ is God’s revelation
of Himself to mankind
Follow Jesus – no other deities
Emphasize salvation by faith without works
107. Hare Krishna – Krishna
Consciousness: A Hindu Sect
They believe that anyone can chant the
magic words and block the power of
Kali, the God of destruction
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna
Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
111. History of Buddhism
In contrast to Hinduism, there is a
founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha
Gautama, known as the Buddha
Although precise dates are not clear,
and the history is mixed with much
tradition, there is a basic history which
can be used
112. Buddhism
Sidhartha Gautama, 564-483 B.C.)
was a wealthy Hindu saw the
suffering of the world, left his wife
and son, and became an ascetic.
After 6 years, he became enlightened
and was “the enlightened one”
Gautama was born into a wealthy
family. His mother died after his
birth
113. Traditions of Gautama
His mother’s conception was considered
miraculous – saw a 6 tusk elephant
come into her side
Many miracles are traditionally
attributed to Gautama, though they are
probably not historical
115. Sidhartha Gautama
His father wanted him to be a great
king, but hid suffering from him
When he finally started seeing his
people at age 29, he met old age,
suffering and death
He tried asceticism, and nearly died –
almost drown washing himself
116. Buddha – the ascetic and then
the enlightened one
117. Siddhartha Gautama
During his wanderings, he was recognized,
and offered a kingdom. Others wanted him
to become a general
He found that neither wealth or asceticism
was proper, but sought out a middle way
He had many followers. One tried to
assassinate him 3 times
119. Buddhism
613,000,000 worldwide
1,000,000 in USA
Buddhists are trying to convert those in
the USA
It is a major force in the New Age
Movement
121. Buddhism: Four noble
truths:
1. Life is suffering (dukkha)
2. Suffering is caused by desire
(samudaja)
3. The cessation of desire causes the
cessation of suffering (nirodha)
4. The cessation of desire comes
from the “middle way” between
sensuality and asceticism
122. Buddhism – the 8 fold path
to achieve the middle way…
Right view – understanding the 4
noble truths
Right resolve – determining to follow
them
Right speech – action to avoid desire
Right action – action to avoid desire
123. Buddhism: the 8 fold path
to achieve the middle way
Right livelihood
Right effort – emptying the mind
Right concentration – mind & body
control
Right ecstacy – cessation of all
sense experiences and obtaining
universal knowledge
124. Buddhism
Become free from Karma – the law
of good and bad deeds which is an
impersonal law of monal causation
Obtain Nirvana – like blowing out a
candle – nothing…
125. Buddhism
Nothing in life is permanent
(annica)
Individual souls do not really exist
(anatta)
129. Buddhism
Theravada – “salvation” limited to
monks alone – Thailand, Burma, Sri
Lanka, Laos, Cambodia 38%
Mahayana – “salvation” open to all true
seekers –
Nepal, China, Tibet, Japan, Vietnam, Kor
ea – and the west 56%
Tantrismor Lamism, 6%
Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia
139. Hinduism vs. Buddhism
Wheel of life
Karma
Maya (illusion)
Atman (individual
soul)
Rebirth by
reincarnation
Wheel of life
Karma
Maya
No atman
Rebirth without
reincarnation
140. Hinduism vs. Buddhism
Moksha (realization)
Pantheistic
Caste system
Asceticism
Nirvana (oblivion)
Atheistic-
pantheistic
Caste system
The middle way
141. Buddhism
Sidhartha Gautama wanted to reform
Hinduism which had thousands of
gods. He was an atheist in fact.
But now Buddhism has many idols.
The golden pagoda has 3500 idols of
Buddha
144. Buddhism
Each man is an island to himself. To
help him is to interfere with his karma
Christianity gives the true worth of a
soul made in the image of God, and
worth saving…
Religion is man reaching toward God,
but Christianity is God reaching down
to man
145. Buddhism vs. Christianity
God shows that this will happen in
Romans 1:18 ff. Man who rejects God
will make idols
God shows the foolishness of idolatry
in Jeremiah 10:3-15
147. Romans 1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from
heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the
truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of
God is manifest in them; for God hath
shewed [it] unto them.
148. Romans 1
20 For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made,
[even] his eternal power and Godhead; so
that they are without excuse:21 Because
that, when they knew God, they glorified
[him] not as God, neither were thankful; but
became vain in their imaginations, and their
foolish heart was darkened.
149. Romans 1
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they
became fools,23 And changed the glory of
the uncorruptible God into an image made
like to corruptible man, and to birds, and
fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.24
Wherefore God also gave them up to
uncleanness through the lusts of their own
hearts, to dishonour their own bodies
between themselves:
150. Romans 1
. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile
affections: for even their women did change
the atural use into that which is against
nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving
the natural use of the woman, burned in their
lust one toward another; men with men
working that which is unseemly, and receiving
in themselves that recompence of their error
which was meet.
151. Romans 1
28 And even as they did not like to retain
God in [their] knowledge, God gave them
over to a reprobate mind, to do those things
which are not convenient;29 Being filled with
all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy,
murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers,
152. Romans 1
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud,
boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient
to parents,31 Without understanding,
covenantbreakers, without natural affection,
implacable, unmerciful:32 Who knowing the
judgment of God, that they which commit such
things are worthy of death, not only do the
same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
153. Jeremiah 10:3-15
3 For the customs of the people [are] vain: for
[one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work
of the hands of the workman, with the axe.4
They deck it with silver and with gold; they
fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it
move not.5 They [are] upright as the palm
tree, but speak not: they must needs be
borne, because they cannot go.
154. Jeremiah 10:3-15
5b Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do
evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.
6 Forasmuch as [there is] none like unto thee,
O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is]
great in might.7 Who would not fear thee, O
King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain:
forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the
nations, and in all their kingdoms, [there is]
none like unto thee.
155. Jeremiah 10:3-15
8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish:
the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.9 Silver
spread into plates is brought from Tarshish,
and gold from Uphaz, the work of the
workman, and of the hands of the founder:
blue and purple [is] their clothing: they [are]
all the work of cunning [men].
156. Jeremiah 10:3-15
10 But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the
living God, and an everlasting king: at his
wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations
shall not be able to abide his indignation.11
Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that
have not made the heavens and the earth,
[even] they shall perish from the earth, and
from under these heavens.
157. Jeremiah 10:3-15
12 He hath made the earth by his power, he
hath established the world by his wisdom, and
hath stretched out the heavens by his
discretion.13 When he uttereth his voice,
[there is] a multitude of waters in the
heavens, and he causeth the vapours to
ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh
lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the
wind out of his treasures.
158. Jeremiah 10:3-15
14 Every man is brutish in [his] knowledge:
every founder is confounded by the graven
image: for his molten image [is] falsehood,
and [there is] no breath in them.15 They [are]
vanity, [and] the work of errors: in the time of
their visitation they shall perish.
161. Practical Buddhism in
Cambodia
Cambodians are definitely weaker in their
adherence to Buddhism than their Asian
neighbors.
Thailand is firmly fixed on Buddhism’s path as
well as animism. Cambodians are also very
Buddhist.
At present, Cambodians are more open to the
gospel than other Buddhist nations in the area.
Several generations of war and conflict and the
resulting poverty have brought greater openness
to the gospel. Many are willing to listen to the
gospel.
164. Practical Buddhism in
Cambodia
Though persecution is alive and well for those
that believe, it is less severe than in some
Buddhist countries, especially those
influenced by Communism (China, Laos, and
Vietnam) or military dictatorships
(Myanmar/Burma).
Thailand has open religious freedom, but
Thais are more hardened against the
gospel—even with centuries of Christian
mission influence.
165. Practical Buddhism
Most Buddhists here do not believe anything like
what the books say they do! One might get the
impression that Buddhists here are deeply
committed to Buddhism from the many Buddhist
temples dotting the countryside and seemingly
on every block in the cities. Monks are
everywhere. It is true that belief in
reincarnation, karma, and nirvana are firmly held.
But where does their true devotion lie? How is
most of their religious energy spent? What types
of beliefs influence every day living?
168. Karma…
Certainly the belief in karma is a strong
motivator to follow the Buddhist path. Karma
teaches that one’s circumstances in this life
are the direct result of good and bad deeds
committed in one’s previous life. Of course,
no one wants to return in their next life as an
animal, slave, poor person, etc. when they
could return as a prince or wealthy merchant.
169. Nirvana – basically
unobtainable
Almost no one considers the possibility of ever
achieving nirvana, that state of non-existence so
coveted by truly committed Buddhists. Nirvana is a
state that no Buddhist seems to understand or be
able to describe. Life is to be understood simply as
endless suffering. To end this endless cycle of
suffering, one must follow the Four Noble Truths and
the Eight-Fold Path of Buddhism. If one is
successful, he will cease to exist and become one
with the universe. Most people desire merely to
return in the next life to better circumstances.
170. Folk religion in Buddhism
I believe that most religions have folk religion
as well. We have seen this in the Muslims and
Hindus in Suriname.
The next section will show this vividly in terms
of Cambodia
171. Practical Buddhism
It is widely believed that our spirits will go to
hell after death and suffer torment. Once a
certain amount of the sin debt is paid, the
person will then be reincarnated. Some
believe that good people will go to heaven for
a while before returning to the earth in
another form. Forms of reincarnation might
include animals, ghosts, gods, and humans.
Human life is most coveted, for only a human
can achieve non-existence (nirvana).
173. Ancestor Worship in Buddhism
Ancestor worship, which is not central to Buddhist
doctrine, has become a central part of Folk
Buddhism. Every year Pachum Bun is celebrated.
During this festival, Buddhists must go to the
temples and give money and rice to the monks in
exchange for blessings and prayers to help their
ancestors be released from hell. If money and rice is
given and prayers are offered, it is believed that the
spirits of the ancestors are set free until the end of
the festival, only to return once again to hell until
their debt is paid.
174. Ancestor worship in Buddhism
People are fearful that if they do not
worship their ancestors, these spirits
will one day curse their lives and cause
great suffering.
Parents also have power over their
children after their death before they
are reincarnated. The same is true for
grandparents, etc.
176. Ancestor worship in Buddhism
Parents are perceived as ―gods‖ and
actually referred to as such (in
teaching, anyway). The parent gave
the child life and sustained them and
raised them. Thus, they earned much
merit that must be acknowledged by
the children.
177. Inconsistency in belief
. Buddhism is not the focus of most
Cambodians. Even though all of the
festivals, including weddings and
funerals have Buddhist trappings, most
Cambodians believe much more
strongly in the spirit world. Belief in the
spirits should be contradictory to
Buddhist thought, but to the average
Buddhist, these two very different forms
of religion just work together in ways
not to be understood.
178. Inconsistency in belief
. As a matter of fact, even many
monks are heavily involved in
spiritism. What is most important
to ask of those that you are trying
to reach in a Buddhist country is
not “What does Buddhism teach?”
but rather “What do people really
believe?”
179. Syncretic religion except…
Buddhism accommodates all other
religions except, of course, true
Christianity.
Buddhists can add any god or spirit to
their belief system, as long as Buddhism
is not denounced.
It becomes very important, then, to press
upon them the exclusivity of Christ.
181. Tattoos
Throughout Cambodian history, the primary
reason for getting tattoos etched in the skin was
to bring the owner of the tattoo protection in
battle. For those with tattoos, bullets would miss
their mark; swords will not cut, etc.
All soldiers in Cambodia, no matter their station,
had these tattoos and many do today. Tattoos
are not merely pictures. Tattoos are filled with
spiritual significance, and, when received,
supposedly communicate spiritual power to the
owner.
182. Tattoos
Another popular reason for getting tattoos is
their ability to cause attraction and
admiration. They increase the likeability of
an individual, especially in reference to the
opposite gender.
For some seeking spiritual power or influence
over others, tattoos are attractive. They
cause others to respect or fear them. Others
just get tattoos because others have them. It
seems that all sorcerers are tattooed heavily
as well
184. Tattoos
The tatooist must be a spiritually powerful
individual. His work is extremely difficult to
accomplish and it is done is an entirely
spiritual manner. Those who come to him
worship the spirits upon entry. The
tattooist’s shrine is full of idols:
Buddhas, Vishnus, hermit
spirits, symbols, incense, bones, etc. There
are spiritual laws that govern the diet and
manner of practice that the man must
maintain.
185. Tattoos
For instance, they cannot put a curse on the
individual. They do not sacrifice animals.
Drums are played throughout the process.
Those who receive a tattoo receive spells and
instructions to maintain the power of the
tattoo. These tattooists are honored in their
practice but not in every day life as
authorities in other matters. However, monks
may do this also.
186. Tatoos
Tattoos are usually symbols, ancient
Pali writing (the language of the
Buddhist writings and that used by
monks in rituals), drawings of the
Buddha, Vishnu (a Hindu deity), a
mythological bird or snake, or
sometimes human beings.
188. Amulets & Charms
One object highly regarded for its influence is a
kind of belt charmed by a sorcerer or holy man.
Nearly all Cambodians wear these. The chief
reason for this item is protection—protection
from the spirits--from harm, sickness, poor
business, etc. These are worn about the waist
and are made from nylon. Attached to the nylon
are flattened metal pieces with Pali writing and
other symbols which are rolled up and then put
on the belt. Of course, all such items are paid
for.
189. Amulets & Charms
Elaborate rules are given for how to
maintain the power of the belt. For
example, when entering the rest room, the
belt must be taken off a certain way and
hung in a certain fashion. To forget to do
this would negate the power of the belt.
190. Amulets…
Amulets, or objects of spiritual significance,
hung from a necklace, are also revered.
These too are obtained for protection from
evil workings of the spirits. Some hang
Buddha figurines or Vishnu on these.
Buddha figurines are to influence the
wearer to do good works. Others put
animal horns, though these are considered
less powerful.
192. Amulets…
Some may have a bone from an
ancestor. In Thailand, amulets are
extremely popular and large amounts of
money spent of ancient or artistic
amulets or amulets blessed by well-
respected monks.
194. Amulets…
At least in Cambodia, the amulet known to have
the most power is a human baby fetus. The
method of obtaining this is varied. Some insist
that this is done through murdering a pregnant
woman. Others insist that the woman be asked
permission to have it taken from her by knife, not
telling the woman that it meant death for her
and the child.
195. This amulet contains the
powder of a chosen baby who
died (amulet enlarged greatly)
197. Amulets…
Yet others claim that it is done ―above board‖ by
the woman’s consent and that she does not die
in the process. It appears that if the woman
does not give consent than the fetus has no
power. It is then grilled and dried then hung
from the necklace. This amulet gives the power
to know whom and when a person plans to harm
you, even premonition of evil that will happen to
you.
198. Building rituals
Before a house can be built, a monk or sorcerer
must first come to the property and give counsel
as to the place to build the house—the exact
place. Why? Every house built has its own spirit.
Also, the land has a spirit. If the house were built
in the wrong spot, a spirit would be angry and
cause evil to the house owner. Somehow too, the
rituals are meant to trick the spirits into thinking
different ways.
200. Building rituals
The night before building begins a monk or
sorcerer must be invited to a party held in the
home to perform certain rites. While the poles are
being put in the next day, a tattooed cloth must be
placed in order to hang from the ceiling. ALL
Khmai homes have one (until Jesus came here!)
202. Spirit houses
Within the house is found either a Buddha statue or
the bones of the grandparents. Buddhism encourages
the bones to be brought to the Wat, so many have a
Buddha within instead.
The purpose of the house is to worship the spirit of
the ancestors. Buddhism teaches that ancestral spirits
need to be placated. There is an annual festival
devoted to this. The more money given to the temple
in honor of the ancestors and other deeds greatly
raise the chances that spirits will do good deeds
towards the doer.
203. Spirit houses
Four times each month, Khmais are to leave
a flower and fruit offering at the spirit house.
Every day prayers are offered to the spirits of
the ancestors and/or Buddha. These prayers
are accompanied by incense burning.
Buddhism no where teaches the worship of
Buddha’s image. As a matter of fact, the
Buddha does not exist because he achieved
nirvana!
204. Territorial spirits
Just as every house has a spirit, so does
every area. The village has a spirit, the
forest nearby has one, the river does, etc. It
is most important to be in favor with the spirit
of your area. If you travel outside the
territory of your spirit it is wise to offer
worship at its altar there or at least have an
amulet or belt for protection.
205. Territorial spirits
This spirit can be represented by idols such
as a stone, skull, amulet, animal figure, etc.
Every Buddhist pagoda/wat has an altar to
the territorial spirit. Altars are often found
underneath great trees or on small hills.
207. Holy men
The Monks are sought for in all Buddhist ceremonies
and generally hold the respect of the people. There
is an ever growing number of monks in the
monkhood for natural reasons—saving up money,
learning English or computer skills (especially in
Phnom Penh), showing respect for one’s parents,
earning merit for one’s parents, and others. Most of
these are ―short-term‖ monks. The older and more
seasoned men command great respect. These
monks are the ones most appealed to in matters
dealing with spirits. They can tattoo, bless charms,
cast out demons, give holy water, etc.
208. Sorcerers
Sorcerers are those whose main occupation is
knowing how to placate and manipulate, even
trick, the spirits. These are most often
appealed to for blessings and receiving of
powers in amulets, giving herbal medicines,
and directing those suffering how to placate
the offended spirits. Sometimes these are
involved in animal sacrifices. Sorcerers also
are involved in exorcisms. Many go to them
for cures even after given treatment or
prescriptions from a doctor!
209. Sorcerers
Monks who throw rice at possessed
individuals in a certain manner can perform
exorcisms. Sorcerers or monks may splash
individuals with holy water also. The
Sorcerer may just go to the house and
discover the reason why a spirit is angered
and give a remedy.
210. Sorcerers
Sorcerers are also paid to curse people. Those
angry or seeking revenge will appeal to them for
assistance. I am told that many Khmais do this
for revenge. These men are said to be able at
times to cause foreign object to appear in the
stomachs of the cursed. Other sorcerers who are
aiding the cursed then draw out the foreign
object which is usually a piece of buffalo skin,
nail, or a needle.
211. Importance of cultural
understanding…
Understanding our audience is of utmost
importance. Though we cannot assume that
every person believes the same way, we can
assume that many, if not most, of our hearers in
Cambodia will be listening to the gospel through
this theological grid. It reveals the necessity to
spending time with people introducing to them
the nature of the One True God.
212. Importance of cultural
understanding…
There is no Creator in Buddhism. Buddhism
leaves room for an unlimited number of gods. If
a person does not understand Divine revelation
about who God is, there is no possibility of them
grasping the gospel. The cross and the
resurrection, heaven and hell, etc. have no real
meaning apart from the person of God the
Creator and the promise of a Savior.
213. The power of the gospel
The Biblical teachings of the Kingdom of God
and the kingdom of Satan take on much more
significance in this context. The realities of
spiritual powers become a daily reality rather
than theory. Missionaries must be aware of this
and be intimate with passages of Scripture on these
issues.
214. The power of the Gospel
. New believers will need much help
understanding the importance of the
Holy Spirit indwelling them and how it
relates to these matters. As we grow in
these ways, we begin to realize that the
Bible was written in such a context and
addresses these issues often
215. We need a proper background
In both Hinduism and Buddhism,
understanding God as the creator is
vital. They need to understand that He
is a person – and not an impersonal
force. He is a God of love, who
interacts with His creation.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God
created the heavens and the earth.
216. Other important concepts
We automatically assume the reality of
the created world, but this needs to be
communicated to the Hindu and
Buddhist
217. Bridge to suffering
Our suffering as Christians is only
temporary – the seen. But the future is
without suffering, because Jesus Christ
has won the victory over the cause
of suffering, which is really sin
Sin is rebellion against a personal creator,
and Jesus has restored the relationship
218. Victory over sin and suffering
[17] For our light affliction, which is but
for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory;[18] While we look not at the
things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen: for the things
which are seen are temporal; but the
things which are not seen are eternal.
219. Jesus gives worth to life
Romans 5: [6] For when we were yet
without strength, in due time Christ
died for the ungodly.[7] For scarcely for
a righteous man will one die: yet
peradventure for a good man some
would even dare to die.
220. Jesus gives worth to life
Romans 5: [8] But God commendeth
his love toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now
justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him.
221. The moral law and karma
Karma is impersonal – they try to earn merit
with good deeds
Jesus gives us His merit: Romans 8: [1]
There is therefore now no condemnation to
them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit.[2] For the
law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
made me free from the law of sin and death.
222. Suggestions for witnessing
Avoid terms like new birth, regeneration
Talk about endless freedom from
suffering, guilt and sin
Talk about new power to live a holy life
Talk about Jesus’ gift of unlimited and
unearned merit
223. Buddhism
Be careful to avoid syncretism
Share your testimony
Freedom from guilt
Assurance of heaven without pain
Personal relationship with Christ
Pray – do not witness in your own
strength
224. Radical Buddhism is
persecuting Christians
Where the Buddhists predominate,
there are places where they try to
eliminate Christians and Christianity
225. China – some have Buddhism,
Confucianism & Taoism
226. Many Chines have all three
religions
Confucianism
Taoism
Buddhism
They view them as complementary, and
not as conflicting
227. Confucianism
Not confined to China
Also in Japan, Korea and Vietnam
It is an ethical and moral system as
much as a religion
229. Confucius
Chinese sage 551 BC – 479 BC
Initially many of his ideas were not
accepted
He was expelled from various states
His ideas were best outlined in Analects
230. Summary of Confucianism
In Confucianism, human beings are
teachable, improvable and perfectible
through personal and communal
endeavour especially including self-
cultivation and self-creation.
A main idea of Confucianism is the
cultivation of virtue and the
development of moral perfection.
232. Analects of Confucius
Often very condensed sayings,
conversations,
His disciples later codified and
organized his thoughts
Rites were very important
People need to know their place and
role in society -
233. Rites and rituals
Gives balance between extremes
Politeness, harmony
One must learn to control himself
They developed a civil service system
where one could rise to importance and
honor the entire family
234. Confucianism and society
Confucianism has been used as a kind
of "state religion", with
authoritarianism, legitimism,
paternalism and submission to authority
used as political tools to rule China.
235. Confucianism and the roles of
people
Relationships, and the differing duties arising
from the different status one held in relation
to others. Individuals are held to simultaneous
stand in different degrees of relationship with
different people, namely, as a junior in
relation to their parents and elders, and as a
senior in relation to their children, younger
siblings, students, and others.
236. Confucianism and the roles of
people
While juniors are considered in Confucianism
to owe strong duties of reverence and service
to their seniors, seniors also have duties of
benevolence and concern toward juniors. This
theme consistently manifests itself in many
aspects of East Asian culture even to this day,
with extensive filial duties on the part of
children toward parents and elders, and great
concern of parents toward their children.
237. Loyalty
Loyal is the equivalent of filial piety on
a different plane, between ruler and
minister. Like filial piety, however,
loyalty was often subverted by the
autocratic regimes of China
We can see how this can support a
totalitarian regime
238. Ruler and those ruled
If the ruler lacks rén, Confucianism holds, it
will be difficult if not impossible for his
subjects to behave humanely. Rén is the
basis of Confucian political theory: it
presupposes an autocratic ruler, exhorted to
refrain from acting inhumanely towards his
subjects. An inhumane ruler runs the risk of
losing the "Mandate of Heaven", the right to
rule.
239. Ruler and those ruled
A ruler lacking such a mandate need not be
obeyed. But a ruler who reigns humanely and
takes care of the people is to be obeyed
strictly, for the benevolence of his dominion
shows that he has been mandated by heaven.
Confucius himself had little to say on the will of
the people, but his leading follower Mencius did
state that the people's opinion on certain
weighty matters should be considered
240. Five fundamental relationships
The Five Bonds
Ruler to Ruled
Father to Son
Husband to Wife
Elder Brother to Younger Brother
Friend to Friend
241. Relationships are important
Specific duties were prescribed to each of the
participants in these sets of relationships.
Such duties were also extended to the dead,
where the living stood as sons to their
deceased family. This led to the veneration of
ancestors. The only relationship where respect
for elders wasn't stressed was the Friend to
Friend relationship. In all other relationships,
high reverence was held for elders.
242. Filial piety
The idea of Filial piety influenced the Chinese
legal system: a criminal would be punished
more harshly if the culprit had committed the
crime against a parent, while fathers often
exercised enormous power over their children.
Now filial piety is also built into law. People
have responsibility to provide for their elder
parents according to law.
243. The ideal man
They were to:
cultivate themselves morally;
show filial piety and loyalty where these
are due;
cultivate humanity, or benevolence.
The ―small man‖ is petty, interested in
only materialism, greedy
246. Difficult to know how many
participate
Often Chinese will have 3 religions, or
mix with Chinese folk religion
Estimates from 20,000,000 to
400,000,000!
The number has declined since
communism
248. The essence of Taoism
Taoism refers to a variety of related
philosophical and religious traditions with
the word Tao meaning– path or way.
Three Jewels of the Tao:
compassion,
moderation,
humility,
249. The essence of Taoism
Taoist thought focuses on nature,
the relationship between humanity and
the cosmos (天人相应),
health and longevity,
wu wei (action through inaction),
These produce harmony with the
Universe.[
251. Tao is almost indefinable
In reading descriptions, it is like a flow
of basic energy
A basic concept is that of effortless
effort – that the master aligns himself
with this flow ―qi‖ accomplishes things
without effort
252. Pu – the state when you follow
wu wei (effortless effort)
It is believed to be the true nature of the
mind, unburdened by knowledge or
experiences.
In the state of pu, there is no right or
wrong, beautiful or ugly. There is only pure
experience, or awareness, free from learned
labels and definitions. It is this state of being
that is the goal of following wu wei.
255. Islam
Rapidly growing religion
Dominates in 52 countries
Total population of Islam – about
1,000,000,000 – 1/6 world population
Although we think of the middle
East, only 20% are there. The largest
Muslim country is Indonesia
258. Islam
Rapidly growing in Europe – now the
second largest religion in Europe
However, only a small percentage of
missionaries have been working with
Muslims
259. Islam
It is tied with 7th century Arabian
culture, and is a deification of that
culture.
You cannot separate the culture
and the religion – they are tied
together in politics, family structure,
food, clothing, religious rites, etc.
260. Islam – submit
Islam = submission of body and soul to
Allah
Muslim = those who submit
263. Islam
Culture – the authority was in the
Sheik, who had absolute authority
Therefore, democracy is basically
incompatible with Islam. You can
expect a ―strong man‖
There is no concept of personal
rights or civil rights per se
264. Contact with the West
Some western ideas have been
implemented in some places
Veil not always worn
Law of apostacy not always enforced
Western goods bought
Some places polygamy is reduced or
even against the law
265. Conflict with western
civilization
Western racial problems
Colonialism
―peace-keeping‖ wars
Moral degeneracy
N.B. – Conflict is mostly where the west
has abandoned Jesus’ teachings
266. Islam
Very difficult to win
More difficult to remain faithful and
grow
Opposition from family
Ridicule from friends
Social and economic pressures
267. Main areas of theologic
problems
The innate sinfulness of man
The Sonship of Jesus Christ
The doctrine of the trinity
Jesus’ death and resurrection
268. Further inconsistencies
They believe that there were 124,000
prophets, all sinless
This actually contradicts the Qur’an,
where God tells one or another prophet
to confess and repent of his sins
To them, a prophet is an authentic
messenger of God to bring God’s true
revelation
269. Signs of respect to a Muslim
Take off shoes when entering a home
Shake hands both coming and going
Never sit cross-legged in a chair (don’t
show bottom of feet)
Be careful of petting dog (unclean)
No alcohol, pork, certain seafood
Be careful how you handle the Bible;
not on the floor
270. Signs of respect
Avoid
Being free with the opposite sex
Joking about sacred things
Religious jewelry
Pictures of Jesus
271. How to witness
A devout life with deeds of love and
service – especially schools and
medicine
Sharing common interests
Disaster relief
Teaching English
Selling literature, especially Bible
correspondence courses
272. Witness to Muslims
Where permitted, public evangelistic
meetings with much prayer and printed
invitations
Radio & TV may penetrate as well
Be sure to relate the convert to
Jesus, and not just to yourself
273. Islam
Background information:
Just before Mohammed, Arabia was animistic
with worship of stones. The tribe of Mohammed
had the black stone put in the Ka’ba
Sabianism was dominant, worshipping the
heavenly bodies, with a lunar calendar and the
moon as the male deity. They fasted with the
appearance of the crescent moon
274. Allah
Allah was originally the name of the moon
god for Mohammed’s tribe, represented by
the black stone which was believed came
from heaven.
The sun was female, married the moon,
and produced three daughters of Allah,
which were the top of 360 idols.
Mohammed later destroyed all idols but the
black stone
275. Muslims and the Ka’ba
Believe it was first built by Adam, but
destroyed by the flood
Rebuilt by Abraham and Ishmael
277. Mohammed – 570-632 AD
His father died before he was born, and his
mother died when he was six
He was reared by uncle, became a camel
driver at age 25 met a wealthy 40 year old
woman, Khadijah, and lived happily. He lived
only with her, but had at least 9 wives after
her death.
He apparently heard about Jesus both from
the Bible and extra-Biblical sources
278. Muhammed’s call
Age 40, while meditating, the angel
Gabriel came and gave a revelation
from God.
First messages – one God there; repent
from idolatry before the day of
judgment
About 40 people initially accepted his
teaching
279. Opposition grew
He started sending groups of leaders to
Yathrib (Medina), and finally fled with
Abu Bakr on June 20, 622
This is the Hijra – the beginning of
Islam
In Medina, he plundered rich caravans
and had military success.
280. Successful re-entry in Mecca
With 10,000 soldiers, he entered Mecca
without a fight, cleared the Ka’ba of
idols, and made decree for an annual
pilgrimage there – the Hajj
282. Five pillars of Islam
The creed – there is no God but Allah
and Muhammed is his prophet‖
Prayers in Arabic 5 times per day
Alms to the poor
Fasting, esp. Ramadan, with no food,
drink or sex from sunrise to sunset for
one month
Hajj once in a lifetime
283. Some benefits of Islam
No idolatry
No burying live baby girls
Uniting Arabian tribes
Civil brotherhood among Muslims
Some rights of women were improved
284. Qur’an
Believed to be the very words of God
Muhammed did not write them, but
followers memorized them
Caliph Uthman ordered their assembly –
114 suras (chapters) a little more than
the New Testament
Some memorized the entire book
285. Qur’an
Used in Arabic in the services
Private believers may have bilingual
editions
Some read the entire Qur’an during
Ramadan
It reads as poetry in Arabic
286. The spread of Islam
Abu Bakr consolidated the Arabian tribes and
won a number of victories
There was rapid spread over 100 years –
taking over the Persian empire, much of the
Byzantine, north Africa, Spain, and were
finally stopped at Tours in France by Charles
Martel – 732
90% became Muslim. Countries slowly lost
their advanced civilization
289. Initially Islam brought
advances
Golden era – great advances in
medicine, science & art
1300-1600 Ottoman empire expanded,
as did the Moghul empire in India with
expansion to East Indies and Philippines
294. 20-21st century advances
Initially the Arabian slave traders were
hated. However, colonialism stopped
the slave trade, and colonialism
replaced the hatred for the slavers
Much expansion in Africa, and also in
Europe and to a lesser degree in
America
296. Ahamdiyya movement
Very anti-Christian, using anti-Christian
western critics to argue their point
Black Muslims initially were political, but
later more orthodox Muslims
297. Sunni & Shi’a groups
Shi’a say that Muhammed’s son-in-law,
Ali was supposed to be his follower, but
Uthman suppressed 3 sections of the
Qur’an which showed that Uthman was
not legitimate.
Ali was assassinated, and there was a
struggle between two successors
leading to the split
298. Shi’as have Imam
Imam is a successor to Muhammed and
an infallible guide – at least 12 so far.
The last, the Madhi, disappeared in
878, but they believe that he is still
alive, will return at the end of the age,
and convert the world to Islam
Sunnis have a caliph
90% are Sunni; 10% Shi’a
301. The Hadith
These traditions of what Muhammed
said were brought together and cover
virtually every action of life, including
the most intimate
To the Shi’a, the authorized interpreters
of the law are called Mudtahids
302. Qur’an and the Bible
Muslims accept 4 books as inspired:
Taurat (Law) given to Moses
Zabur (Psalms) given to David
Injil (Gospel) given to Jesus
Qur’an given to Muhammed
303. Qur’an and the Bible
In Surah 5:44 it implies that the Jewish
scriptures are still valid and unaltered
[5.44] because they were required to guard
(part) of the Book of Allah, and they were
witnesses thereof; therefore fear not the
people and fear Me, and do not take a small
price for My communications; and whoever
did not judge by what Allah revealed, those
are they that are the unbelievers.
304. Qur’an and the Bible
Surah 5:68 – Christians must obey the
book: [5.68] Say: O followers of the
Book! you follow no good till you keep
up the Taurat and the Injeel and that
which is revealed to you from your
Lord; and surely that which has been
revealed to you from your Lord shall
make many of them increase in
inordinacy and unbelief; grieve not
therefore for the unbelieving people.
305. Qur’an and the Bible
The Qur’an is sent to guard the scriptures
[5.48] And We have revealed to you the
Book with the truth, verifying what is before
it of the Book and a guardian over it,
therefore judge between them by what
Allah has revealed, and do not follow their
low desires (to turn away) from the truth
that has come to you; you differed;
306. Qur’an and the Bible
[5.48] for every one of you did We
appoint a law and a way, and if Allah
had pleased He would have made you
(all) a single people, but that He might
try you in what He gave you, therefore
strive with one another to hasten to
virtuous deeds; to Allah is your return,
of all (of you), so He will let you know
that in which you differed;
307. Qur’an and the Bible
On the other hand:….
Surah [5.51] O you who believe! do
not take the Jews and the Christians for
friends; they are friends of each other;
and whoever amongst you takes them
for a friend, then surely he is one of
them; surely Allah does not guide the
unjust people.
308. Qur’an and the Bible
Surah 3:78 the Muslim must believe the
scriptures
[3.78] Most surely there is a party
amongst those who distort the Book
with their tongue that you may consider
it to be (a part) of the Book, and they
say, It is from Allah, while it is not from
Allah, and they tell a lie against Allah
whilst they know.
309. Qur’an conflicts with the Bible
Jesus spoke to men from his cradle (Surah
[19.23] And the throes (of childbirth)
compelled her to betake herself to the trunk
of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I
had died before this, and had been a thing
quite forgotten![19.24] Then (the child)
called out to her from beneath her: Grieve
not, surely your Lord has made a stream to
flow beneath you;
310. Qur’an and the Bible
Jesus was not crucified, but one who
resembled him: Surah 4:157. But Jesus
himself predicted his death, all the
disciples saw it; he had marks on his
hands and feet, Jesus prayed for his
persecutors, and this was the purpose
of his coming and his death
311. Qur’an and the Bible
[4.157] And their saying: Surely we have
killed the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, the
apostle of Allah; and they did not kill him nor
did they crucify him, but it appeared to them
so (like Isa) and most surely those who differ
therein are only in a doubt about it; they
have no knowledge respecting it, but only
follow a conjecture, and they killed him not
for sure.
312. Jesus did not die according to
the Qur’an
[4.158] Nay! Allah took him up to
Himself; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.
313. Qur’an conflicts with the Bible
Qur’an states one of Noah’s sons drowned
(Surah [11.42] And it moved on with them
amid waves like mountains; and Nuh called
out to his son, and he was aloof: O my son!
embark with us and be not with the
unbelievers.[11.43] He said: I will betake
myself for refuge to a mountain that shall
protect me from the water. Nuh said: There
is no protector today from Allah's punishment
but He Who has mercy; and a wave
intervened between them, so he was of the
drowned.
314. Qur’an conflicts with the Bible
Because they called Isaac his only son,
the Arabs believe that it was Ishmael
who was offered but God sent a
substitute, although the Qur’an
mentions Isaac a few verses later, and
does not say which son. (when
discussing, focus on the main point, a
substitute)
315. Conflict with supposed
Christian teaching
Christ is the son of God – they think that
Christians believe that God had intercourse
with Mary:
The trinity – that Christians believe in three
Gods, one of which is Mary: Surah 5:116, 79
Answer with Jesus words in Mark 12:29:
Here, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord
316. Qur’an suggests Christians
believe in three gods
[5.116] And when Allah will say: O Isa son of
Marium! did you say to men, Take me and my
mother for two gods besides Allah he will say:
Glory be to Thee, it did not befit me that I
should say what I had no right to (say); if I
had said it, Thou wouldst indeed have known
it; Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I do
not know what is in Thy mind, surely Thou art
the great Knower of the unseen things.
317. Assertion that the Bible
predicts Muhammed
Surah 61.6] And when Isa son of Marium
said: O children of Israel! surely I am the
apostle of Allah to you, verifying that which
is before me of the Taurat and giving the
good news of an Apostle who will come
after me, his name being Ahmad, but when
he came to them with clear arguments they
said: This is clear magic.
318. Assertion that the Bible
predicts Muhammed
They claim this for John 14-16
concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit
(name resembles a name given to
Muhammed), as well as Deut. 18:15-18
319. They believe that the Bible
has been corrupted
In fact, the Qur’an does not state that the
scriptures were corrupted, but that some
Jews and Christians denied and perverted
that truth, and that the Jews had changed
some scriptures. Surah [2.75] Do you then
hope that they would believe in you, and a
party from among them indeed used to hear
the Word of Allah, then altered it after they
had understood it, and they know (this).
320. They believe that the Bible
has been corrupted
They believe that the 4 gospels were not
from the mouth of Jesus directly as speech
from God like the Qur’an
321. The Jews alter the Bible
according to the Qur’an
[4.46] We have heard and we obey,
and hearken, and unzurna it would
have been better for them and more
upright; but Allah has cursed them on
account of their unbelief, so they do not
believe but a little.
322. The Jews alter the Bible
according to the Qur’an
[4.46] Of those who are Jews (there
are those who) alter words from their
places and say: We have heard and we
disobey and: Hear, may you not be
made to hear! and: Raina, distorting
(the word) with their tongues and
taunting about religion; and if they had
said (instead): a little.
323. Answers to Muslims re Bible
No true believer would dare tamper with the
Bible. Gal. 1: [8] But though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel unto
you than that which we have preached unto
you, let him be accursed.[9] As we said
before, so say I now again, If any man
preach any other gospel unto you than that
ye have received, let him be accursed.
324. Revelation 22:18-19 Don’t
tamper with the Bible
[18] For I testify unto every man that heareth
the words of the prophecy of this book, If any
man shall add unto these things, God shall
add unto him the plagues that are written in
this book:[19] And if any man shall take away
from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book
of life, and out of the holy city, and from the
things which are written in this book.
325. Answers to Muslims re Bible
The Bible had spread to many different
lands in different translations long
before Muhammed was born and these
are the same as the texts we have now
326. Answers to Bible tampering
charge by Muslims
There are many manuscripts before the
birth of Muhammed today, and they are
essentially the same as ones after his birth
Translations are not different Bibles
The Qur’an basically believes in the truth of
the scriptures
327. The truth of scriptures
Its own testimony that it is God’s word
The wonder of its unity in diversity
The power to reveal God and change
the lives of the readers
Its scientific and literary accuracy
328. Muslim concept of God
All powerful and the only truly active
force in the universe. However, the
God of the Bible
Cannot do anything to violate His own
nature = He cannot lie
Has given us free will, but acts upon our
will to accomplish His own purposes
329. Muslim concept of God
Omnipresent – same as Christianity, but
not the concept that God can live in a
person. He is more distant
Omniscient – God knows everything.
However the God of the Bible knows
our inner thoughts, and He promises to
forget the sins of those He forgives
330. God is Holy
Quite a difference – for the Muslim,
holy is used only once, and means
really wholeness, completeness
No concept of moral righteousness and
purity. He is said to create from Adam
one group for heaven, and one for hell
331. God’s Justice
Christian – we face a righteous God who will
be faithful to His own Word
Muslim – no such thing as an absolute
principle to which God must adhere. Right or
wrong is what Allah commands at a particular
time, and it can change.
There are 225 commands in the Qur’an which
have been cancelled. They feel that binding
God to any principle makes Him less than
God
332. God Forgives Sins
But God of the Bible forgives sins and
gives the GIFT of salvation – not earned
Forgiveness extends to changing the
heart of the believer and restoring a
proper relationship with God
Only an outside power can save us from
the power of sin
333. The love of God
Muslim concept – God is too far away to have
a feeling for man. They feel that love comes
from a sense of need – and God needs
nothing
Also – the existence of pain and suffering
Also – man is insignificant in the vast universe
Christian – God loves because it is His nature
to love, and His love extends to sinners
334. Muslim belief of sin
Adam & Eve forgot God’s command. It was
satan’s fault
Their sin did nothing to others, and they can
reform as Adam did
The muslim looks at man as good but
imperfect. The prophets are to remind us
not to sin, and man can avoid sin. Muslims
do not see sin as a major problem…
know what to do, and do it…
335. Muslim concept of Jesus
The Qur’an accepts the virgin birth &
sinlessness – a direct creation of God
like Adam.
He is given special titles showing his
unique relationship to Allah
He is considered a man, a prophet and
an intercessor.
Allah gave him a book as a boy
336. Muslim concept of Jesus
His teaching confirmed previous
revelation
He told of an apostle who comes after
him
His ministry was to the people of Israel
His message was a word of truth
He healed and raised the dead
337. Muslim teaching re
Muhammed
Nothing about a miraculous birth
Although they believe he did miracles,
this is denied in the Qur’an
Muhammed’s teachings came from
visions – later compiled in the Qur’an
and also the Hadith – traditions
Muhammed’s ministry was enforced by
the sword – Jihad
338. Their deaths
Muslims believe that God changed Jesus and
they only thought they killed him, but God
raised him to heaven, where he lives today.
The Qur’an talks about Jesus’ death, but they
say this is in the future. He will return 40
years on the earth, marry and have children,
die, and be raised in the general resurrection
339. The death of Muhammed
Muhammed was sick several days, and
then died. He left no instructions for a
replacement. Abu Bakr took over the
prayers, and was chosen as the first
khalifah
340. The prophets and sinlessness
The Qur’an agrees that prophets
sinned.
The Qur’an also supports that Jesus
was sinless.
341. Conversion
Muslim – simply a heart-felt repetition
of the creed is enough
Christian – you must receive Christ in
you as your new life – later shown by
baptism
342. The value of the individual
Jesus is unique – He placed the highest value
on all mankind
The value of something is what you are
willing to pay for it. Jesus paid for our
salvation with His own life.
Muslims & children
Don’t kill children
Care for orphans (Muhammed was one)
Jesus placed great value on children
343. Woman and the Qur’an
Men are superior to women. You can beat
them, but rod no thicker than your thumb
Legalized polygamy – but you must treat your
women the same – in material things
Some places are opposing polygamy now
They allow ―temporary wives‖ also
Wives veiled – sometimes a burka
Only men could divorce – after saying it three
times…
344. Women and the Qur’an
Women get ½ inheritance of men
Woman’s testimony = ½ a man
Majority of women were illiterate
Jesus made basically no difference in
treating men and women
345. Qur’an and brotherhood
Brotherhood of all believers – but don’t
make friends of Jews or Christians
Still many consider non-Muslims
unclean
Jesus standard was higher than that of
the Pharisees – love even your enemies
346. Jesus & Qur’an & apostates
Surah 4:89 – kill apostates [4.89] They
desire that you should disbelieve as they
have disbelieved, so that you might be (all)
alike; therefore take not from among them
friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's
way; but if they turn back, then seize them
and kill them wherever you find them, and
take not from among them a friend or a
helper.
347. Jesus & Qur’an & apostates
Jesus prayed for Peter knowing he would
deny him. He showed love even to Judas,
who betrayed Him.
God loves all; Jesus died for all; each
individual is priceless
348. Jesus death
Surah 4:157 states that the Jews did not kill
Jesus, but God protected him. However, it
says ―we have slain the Messiah, Jesus, the
son of Mary, the apostle of God‖
Problems – They claim Jesus did not claim to
be God. Then why would the Jews kill him?
Further, if they called him the messiah, they
would have followed him, not killed him. So
the teaching is inconsistent…
349. Jesus atonement
Denied by Islam – first, he didn’t die,
and second, no need for atonement
God has decreed the fate of all men
from the beginning, and they cannot
change it.
God does not truly love man.
However, each man’s deeds are
weighed in the balance…
350. Christian predictions about
Muhammed
Surah 61:6 says that Jesus predicted
Muhammed. ―Ahmed‖
Deut. 18:15-19, which refer to Jesus
Jn. 14-16, where they believe that parakletos
(the comforter) was originally periklutos –
which means praise, as does Ahmed
Hundreds of copies written long before
Muhammed all had parakletos (comforter)
351. Answers
Muslims claim brothers = Muslims
But brother is used in Deut. 17 referring
to kings, who were Jews, and Samuel
anointed Saul, a Jew
Peter in Acts 3:22-23 shows that the
reference is to Christ
352. Answers
The comforter was to comfort the
disciples on Jesus’ death. How would
someone born 500+years later comfort
them?
Jesus called the comforter a ―spirit
whom the world shall not see.‖
The spirit was to be in the disciples
The spirit would come ―not many days
hence‖
353. The gospel of Barnabas
Two are there – one rejected in 496 of
which no copies have been found
One written in Italian found in 1709
Many faults
Calls Barnabas one of the disciples
Accuses Paul of being deceived & refuted him
Quotes Jesus as saying he is not worthy to
untie the sandals of the messiah – instead of
John the Baptist
354. Gospel of Barnabas
Historical & geographic blunders
Year of Jubilee every 100 years
Wine stored in barrels, which had not yet
been invented
Wearing stockings – done by Italians,
never by Jews in Palestine
Had Jesus arrive in Nazareth by sea
Pilatus governor at Jesus birth rather than
at his death…
355. Epistle of Barnabas
The Muslims were interested because it
claims that Jesus did not die, and that
he predicted Muhammed
But it is clearly a fraud and not related
to the earlier book
356. Jesus predictions vs. Qur’an
Many of Jesus predictions have already
been fulfilled
Jesus predicted many times that He
would return personally on earth in glory
Muslims claim he will return to live as a
man 40 years, become a muslim, make
children, and die to arise on the
judgment day to be judged as all men
357. Jesus and Qur’an – the future
Both predict a judgment time unknown,
with good in heaven and evil in hell
Qur’an looks at paradise strictly in
materialistic terms – food, drink, sex
358. Folk religion dominates also in
Islam
What magic must he use
What demons must he placate?
What fetishes must he use
We have seen obvious demonic
involvement
His world is dominated by the evil eye,
sorcery & curses, sickness and death
359. Jihad
Used to talk about physical war against
apostates
Used to talk about control of desires
The most severe persecutions against
Christians now occur in communist and
Muslim lands
360. Roman Catholicism
About 620,000,000 people worldwide;
50,000,000 in the USA
Dominant figure in the middle ages in
politics, art, literature, education
Many of the central beliefs of the faith –
virgin birth, trinity, sinlessness of Christ,
atonement, deity of Christ
361. Problem is what is added
Church built on Peter, who was the first
pope
Purgatory after death to clean from sin
Prayer to Mary and dead saints
Images to kneel to
Confession to a priest, who absolves
Mass as a saving sacrament
362. Added…
Veneration of Mary
Holy Water
Canonization of dead saints
Rosary
Celibacy in the priesthood
Tradition of the church = the Bible
363. The Pope
Based on Mt. 16:18 [18] And I say also unto
thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church; and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it.
The wrong Rock – not Peter but Christ
We are commissioned to preach the gospel –
those who receive it are forgiven of their sins
365. Traditions of Mary
Mother of God & Queen of heaven
Immaculate conception – born without sin
– contradicted in Luke 1: 46] And Mary
said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God
my Saviour.
Assumption (raised directly to heaven)
367. Traditions of Mary
Perpetual virginity – no: Mt. 1:19-20, 24-
25; [24] Then Joseph being raised from
sleep did as the angel of the Lord had
bidden him, and took unto him his
wife:[25] And knew her not till she had
brought forth her firstborn son: and he
called his name JESUS.
368. Traditions of Mary
Perpetual virginity – Mt. 13:[55] Is not
this the carpenter's son? is not his mother
called Mary? and his brethren, James,
and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?[56]
And his sisters, are they not all with us?
Whence then hath this man all these
things?
370. Traditions of Mary
Co-redeemer & co-mediator with Christ –
I Tim. 2:5 [5] For there is one God, and
one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus;
Jn. 14:6 [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am
the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.
371. Doctrine of Purgatory
Sale of indulgences to shorten the time
in Purgatory
Saying masses & prayers for the dead
Further the Catholic church believes
that you must be subject to the Pope
and come through the church for
salvation.
372. False ―Christian‖ and Non-
Christian cults
Christian cults:
Jehovah’s Witnesses – Jesus is Michael, the
archangel
Mormons – Jesus is the son of Elohim, a
man who had sex with Mary, and the
brother of Lucifer
Christian science – Jesus is a divine idea
Etc…
373. Oriental Cults
Some type of Hinduism or Buddhism
Hare Krisna
Divine Light
Transcendental meditation
Hindu pantheism, we are part of an
impersonal universe, the world is an
illusion, we must get rid of the illusion
and be part of the impersonal universe
374. New Age combines
Western secular Humanism
No personal God or creator
Evolution
Man is supreme
Man is basically good
Humans have potential to become god
375. New Age…
Eastern Hindu Mysticism
Pantheism
We are one with nature
We are part of the impersonal cosmos
Yoga, TM
Reincarnation
378. Jehovah’s Witnesses
Largest publisher in the free world –
44 million books & 550 million magazines
in a single year!
Plan to have every home visited 1-2
times per year in the USA
Started by Charles Taze Russell, taken
over in 1917 by Joseph Rutherford
385. Jehovah’s Witnesses
God’s theocratic government – all other
governments are satanic
No Christmas because they deny the
incarnation, and no Easter because they deny
the bodily resurrection
Under Knorr, they developed a strong
missionary outreach
They continue to grow under Franz &
Henschel
386. Jehovah’s Witnesses
The organization is the prophet of God
The organization is God’s sole channel of
the truth
To reject the organization is to reject God
Only the organization can properly
interpret the Bible
The Watchtower has God’s truth directed
through the organization
390. Jehovah’s Witness teaching
denies:
The trinity
The bodily resurrection of Christ
The deity of Christ
The visible return of Christ
The person of God the Holy Spirit
The promise of heaven to all believers
The necessity of the new birth for all
believers
391. Jehovah’s Witnesses deny:
The Lord’s supper for all believers (not
144,000)
Eternal security of believers
Eternal conscious punishment of the
lost
392. False teachings of the JW
Jesus is a created being, actually
Michael the Archangel
Jesus is just a spirit being
Jesus was not resurrected bodily, but as
a spirit being
Jesus returned invisibly in 1914
Jesus was only a man on earth
393. False teachings of JW
Hell is simply the grave
The Holy Spirit is simply an active force
Heaven is only for 144,000
The majority of JW’s will remain on earth
Salvation is found only through the organization
Salvation is maintained through working hard for
the organization
Satan is the author of the trinity
Do not worship Jesus, just honor him
394. Ways to witness to Jehovah’s
Witnesses
One method is to attack the power of
the Watchtower by demonstrating that
it is a false prophet. There are some
books which duplicate the prophecies of
the witnesses, which are patently false
395. Ways to Witness
Another method is to ask if Jesus is
really an angel
The 5 references in the Bible do NOT
show that Jesus is Michael the arkangel
Then go to Hebrews 1, which contrasts
the Son with angels in a very clear way.
Then – who is Jesus? Is the
Watchtower truly God’s organization?
396. Witness to Jehovah’s Witness
Couple the various verses concerning
Jesus and Jehovah
Isaiah 44:6 [6] Thus saith the LORD
the King of Israel, and his redeemer the
LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am
the last; and beside me there is no God.
397. Witness to Jehovah’s Witness
Revelation 2:8 [8] And unto the angel
of the church in Smyrna write; These
things saith the first and the last, which
was dead, and is alive;
398. Witness to Jehovah’s Witness
Revelation Revelation 1:[17] And when
I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And
he laid his right hand upon me, saying
unto me, Fear not; I am the first and
the last:[18] I am he that liveth, and
was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of
hell and of death.
400. Mormon church
One of the wealthiest churches around
– profits $3,000,000 per day! Value is
in the billions
They claim to be the fastest growing
church, although not true in the USA –
most growth is overseas
402. Mormonism
The law of eternal progression:
―As man is, God once was; and as God
is, man may become‖
They believe that there are a vast
number of planets scattered through
the universe ruled by men-gods who
were once like us. And so we work to
become a god and have our own planet
403. Mormon teaching…
One god & goddess made a spirit child
called Elohim, who was later born to
human parents and given a human
body. In obedience to Mormon
teaching, he proved himself worthy and
was elevated to godhead like his father.
He lived with his wives on a planet near
the star Kolob, making billions of spirit
children.
404. Then
The head of the mormon Gods decided to build
planet earth where the spirit children would be
sent to take mortal bodies and learn good and
evil. Lucifer, one of Elohim’s sons, wanted to be
the savior of the new world, but planned to force
everyone to become gods. The Mormon Jesus
wanted to give man the choice like on other
planets. They voted and chose Jesus. However,
Lucifer rebelled with 1/3 of the spirit children,
who became demons, and were denied the
possibility of having bodies of flesh & bone.