...Religious studies are a broad, multidisciplinary academic discipline to study the beliefs, and behaviors pertaining to different world religions. According to the author, unlike other major academic disciplines, the study of religion is not based on any unique methodology but is derived from several other fields of academia. This field of study is so broad that any attempt to develop a unique methodology would limit the scope of understanding and further research into the subject. Hence, religious studies derive inputs from several other fields of study and provide its scholars with a plethora of these derived methodologies. The absence of any unique methodology is dealt by incorporating several other academic fields and developing different approaches for interpretation and research. Scholars, who look at religion from the perspective of society, use one such approach. They look at both sides of the coin and study how society shapes religion and how religion has been shaped by the various societal factors. They also try to analyze the changing symbiosis of religion and society by adopting either a quantitative approach of statistical surveys or a qualitative approach. Another such methodology involves anthropological study of religion. The rituals, practices and behaviors of tribal groups provide a deep insight into the oldest form of religious habits, which have been carried for ages. This approach studies the traditions that have been carried by all these traditions from...
Words: 510 - Pages: 3
...The debate for scientific accuracy has been a hot topic for many years. One aspect of study suggests that focusing on logical, ‘proven’ studies of science are the pinnacle of any teaching, while the other says that freedom of speech in an academic capacity is the primary goal. The way an individual looks upon such questions is mainly based on upbringing and social views. Someone raised in a religious household is bound to view the debate on intelligent design, creationism, and evolution in a radically different light than that of someone raised without religion as a basis for understanding. The concerns voiced throughout the article of choice about Professor Hedin are deep and wide. They are mostly based on the principles of freedom of academic speech, generic freedom of speech, sound science principles, and whether or not it is robbing a professor of their freedom of academic speech by forcing them to focus on what the majority of scientific scholars view as legitimate. The idea that Professor Hedin’s teaching on Intelligent Design is somehow a legal dilemma seems to be grasping for traction. That is to say, it is a far stretch of the imagination. It would seem that though it may be a legal dilemma, it is much more an ethical issue. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, but it does not protect nor apply in this situation, because the university does not require Hedin’s course ‘Boundaries of Science’ to be taken. PZ Meyers, a biologist at the University of Minnesota...
Words: 1141 - Pages: 5
...Common Practices in Religion Definition of Religion Religion is often defined as a group of people who get together and practice a set of beliefs. Religion is a common belief in one God. The origin of the word religion means to bind or connect, or review, and re-examine. The focus point of religion is that the majority of humans believe in a higher power. Such power is the fuel that moves humans to join or not join a religion. Overall, religion is a system of beliefs and values that provides its followers with transcendent beliefs. Religion is meant to be unbiased; however, this often depends on the follower’s extreme or complacent belief system (Molloy, 2010). Most religions begin at a local level and eventually grow to a world standing. The local level religious growth often embraces its people, places, local cultures, and common beliefs. Religious growth often comes as a result of world event manifestations. Such events cause doubt, fear, and encourage humans to join a group that will offer advice on how to simplify their lives as they deal with their daily problems. What people often do not realize is that humans, not God, created religions. If religious beliefs get out of control, these can lead to prejudices, biases, hatred, and even murder such as what has been taking place near Israel for the past four decades (Molloy, 2010). Practices Across World Religions There are common practices and experiences across various world religions. The subjective approach believes...
Words: 1003 - Pages: 5
...ENGL 1301 April 29, 2014 American and Mexican Culture Thesis: It is very important to know how México’s and United States’ culture make their principles valued and how they have been influenced through time. ENGL 1301 April 29, 2014 American and Mexican Culture History through the years has changed the development of cultures around the world. Culture is the distinguishing aspects of a specific group of people, defined by everything within it. México and United States share some characteristics and the following are examples: arts, foods, holidays, and religions. It is very important to know how México’s and United States’ culture make their principles valued and how they have been influenced through time. México is a distinctive country that is differentiated by its porcelain, cotton fabrics clothes, and wool scarfs. Their traditional creations of art produced a sense of pride. Artistic legacy has played an important role in Mexican patrimony. “Current research on hybridity in the visual arts helps to tease out Euro-Christian and Mesoamerican forms and meanings in the ritual objects that nuns wore on their bodies” (Cordova 449). Traditional origins with colonial inspirations have continued to influence Mexico’s music. In the United States art involves the history of painting and visual drawings. “German painter Otto Dix reproduced the nightmare of World War I in works so disturbing they were banned from exhibition and destroyed by the Nazis” (Lifson 9). Artists painted...
Words: 1531 - Pages: 7
...teenagers preferably high school students are also engaged in this kind of verve. The effects of after- school jams of students has not been well examined. There has been no previous study that focuses on the effect of after- school jams in the academic performances of students. The tracking of academic performance fulfils a number of purposes. Areas of achievement and failure in a student's academic career need to be evaluated in order to foster improvement and make full use of the learning process. On this premise, this study was conducted. It was designed primarily to provide a view of the level of academic performance of students and its relationship with their preferred after- school jam. The researchers believed that preferred after- school jams of the students influence their academic performance. Thus, the determining of academic performance and frequency of their after- school jams is indeed imperative. Hopefully, the result of this study will serve as a basis for the correlation of after- school jams and academic performance of students. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework This study is anchored on Williams 2001 which states that students having uncontrolled after- school jams have an immerse probability of having a low academic performance. The study also discusses that the personal selection of a certain student in their preferred after- school jams influence or affects their social...
Words: 1124 - Pages: 5
...Prof. Joseph Molleur Office Hours Prall House 101 Mon. and Thurs., 10-11 a.m. Jmolleur@cornellcollege.edu Tues., Wed., and Fri., 3-4 p.m. Office: 895-4237 Or by appointment. Home: 895-8559 (Please, no calls after 9 p.m.) REL. 222: Religions of the World Aim of the Course This course explores the religious dimension of human existence, by introducing students to eight of the world’s major religious traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The aim of the course (through readings, lectures, and discussions centered mainly on selections from each religion’s sacred scriptures) is to gain an appreciative understanding of the basic teachings and practices of the religions, as well as an insight into how they motivate and inspire their adherents. In a “survey” course such as this one, it is inevitable that breadth will be emphasized at the expense of depth. In an attempt to achieve at least some degree of depth, we will read one relatively short sacred text, Hinduism’s Bhagavad-Gita, in its entirety—a little bit each day, all throughout the course. Prerequisite There is no prerequisite for this course. Course Requirements 1. Class Participation (20% of final grade). There are two components to this requirement, each constituting approximately 10% of your final grade. a) Your oral contributions to our class discussions. Formal study questions will be provided for each...
Words: 943 - Pages: 4
...Common Practices in Religion Kayla Warmkessel REL/133 April 25, 2016 R. Dean Davenport Common Practices in Religion Throughout the world there are many forms of religion and each religion has their own beliefs and practices that are deeply rooted in teachings and traditions that are pulled from sacred texts and readings. Each religion is different, some even being indigenous religions that are specific to cultures, areas, and even tribes, which makes it difficult to truly define what religion is. Many people are very guarded when it comes to their religion because they see it as a personal issue, however it is important to study religions so that the world can have a better understanding of the different connections and foundations that have been built up in each religion over its history. The first step in studying religion is finding a definition that works for most if not all religions. Religion Defined “When people begin their study of religions, they bring ideas from the religion in which they were raised or from the predominant religion of society,” (Molloy, 2013). In his writings, Molloy (2013) brings forward a unique way of defining religion, the “linguistic roots” of the word. This breakdown helps to find a simplified definition for religion, “the joining of our natural, human world to the sacred world,” (Molloy, 2016). This definition, however, does not define religion definitively. Most religions have their core beliefs, whether they have one god...
Words: 876 - Pages: 4
...process, and one should be ready to modify one’s method of study according to the need of the time. The development of good study habits is the highway to the goals of an individual, whatever they are. A simple, small change in study habits makes a big difference in goal setting and organization of one’s life. The success of an individual depends upon his study habits. Education is the manifestation of perfection already existing in man. The tool enabling this manifestation is study habits. In order to improve the quality of education we must develop certain innovative strategies, which will enhance the educational standards. In addition to that from the student’s side there must be some important steps, which form the basis for their academic achievement. Students’ needs, requirements, abilities, capabilities, their pattern of studying etc. have been neglected for a long time and they were forced to learn the same thing, by the same method, by the same person in the same environment. Not only is it important that teachers recognize these diversities in their students, but also it is desirable that they value their study habits. Otherwise, even if appropriate...
Words: 13367 - Pages: 54
...Studying Religion Paper Andrea Mateo University of Phoenix World Religious Traditions II REL/134 Rafael Frim October 19, 2015 Today, there is a vast variety of religions and beliefs all around the world. These Religions may have similar and different views and beliefs, but at the end, despite the differences in religious, cultures and practices, certain fundamentals in religion remain the same. The following paragraphs will discuss the essentials in the practices and beliefs for a tradition to be called religion, the commonalities of the three Western religions, how do different fields of study approach religion and some critical issues in the academic study of religion. All religions share the same essential element, the sacred or the holy, is not palpable and cannot be seen or explained by language, it is beyond humans’ imagination. Although they share the same sacred, they may differ in their traditions, organization, and beliefs. Traditions are the grounds and organization in each religion. Some of the key elements found in these traditions are the beliefs, practices, and structure. The Believe system, also known as a worldview, is a group of beliefs that explains the human being place in the universe. The Ethic Rules specifies how the community should live by, and establish how followers should behave based on their beliefs. Myths are the stories that support the religion held as truths are fundamental to their beliefs. A supporting element of religious traditions...
Words: 967 - Pages: 4
...York University College of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Department of Humanities AP/HUMA 1860 6.00 The Nature of Religion: An Introduction Term Y Section A Course Director: Dr. Jason C. Robinson Y: Fall/Winter 2014-2015 Office: 126 Founders CollegeOffice Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment | Email: jasonro@yorku.ca Class Time: Tuesday 4:30-6:30 | Classroom: Curtis Lecture Halls (CLH) C | Tutorial Leaders and Times | Type | Day | | Start Time | Duration | | | Location | Instructor | | LECT 01 | T | | 4:30pm | 120 | | | CLH C | Jason Robinson | jasonro@yorku.ca | TUTR 01 | T | | 7:00pm | 60 | | | ACE 012 | Jason Robinson | jasonro@yorku.ca | TUTR 02 | T | | 7:00pm | 60 | | | SC 220 | Cristiana Conti | menrua19@yorku.ca | TUTR 03 | T | | 7:00pm | 60 | | | SC 223 | Irfaan Jaffer | irfaanjaffer@gmail.com | TUTR 04 | T | 8 | :00pm | 60 | | | ACE 012 | Cristiana Conti | menrua19@yorku.ca | TUTR 05 | T | | 8:00pm | 60 | | | BC 325 | Irfaan Jaffer | irfaanjaffer@gmail.com | TUTR 06 | T | | 8:00pm | 60 | | | MC 215 | Janet Melo-Thaiss | janetmt@yorku.ca | | | Note: This is an approved LA&PS General Education course Course credit exclusions: AP/HUMA 1865 6.00, AP/HUMA 2800 9.00 (prior to Fall 2014), AP/SOSC 2600 9.00 (prior to Fall 2014). PRIOR TO FALL 2009: Course credit exclusions: AK/HUMA 1860 6.00, AS/HUMA 2800 9.00, AS/SOSC 2600 9.00. Camtasia Recording This...
Words: 9291 - Pages: 38
...Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values.[1] Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the universe. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature. The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system, but religion differs from private belief in that it has a public aspect. Most religions have organized behaviors, including clerical hierarchies, a definition of what constitutes adherence or membership, congregations of laity, regular meetings or services for the purposes of veneration of a deity or for prayer, holy places (either natural or architectural), and/or scriptures. The practice of a religion may also include sermons, commemoration of the activities of a god or gods, sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trance, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture. The development of religion has taken different forms in different cultures. Some religions place an emphasis on belief, while others emphasize practice. Some religions focus on the subjective experience of the religious individual, while others consider the activities of the religious...
Words: 399 - Pages: 2
...Teacher Rights and Responsibilities Freddie Cole Grand Canyon University: EDA 555 August 29, 2014 Academic Freedom Academic freedom is defined as the right of teachers and students to express their ideas in the classroom or in writing, free from political, religious, or institutional restrictions, even if these ideas are unpopular (Academic Freedom, N.D.). Teachers and students have rights of academic freedom in various areas that will be outlined in this section: * Appointments and dismissals – Teachers should only be hired based on their ability to perform the tasks related to the job and their knowledge in their particular field of employment. They should not be hired, nor fired based on their sex, race, religion, political affiliation, nationality, or anything not related to their ability to do their job. Teachers may not be fired for holding or expressing an opinion neither, but only for lack of competence and poor performance. * Loyalty Oaths – Teachers have the option to commit to oaths based on whether or not it contradicts the loyalty to their homeland country or religious beliefs. * Curriculum – The teacher has the right to prompt thinking within a lesson, but not to a point that it implies something unorthodox is an acceptable way of living. * Selection of texts & Supplementary Information – Teachers may provide extra resources for students to use as research in order to expand and provide other points of views so that they are not limited...
Words: 1616 - Pages: 7
...define diversity? Open-ended responses from student-conducted survey, 28 April 2010 A wide range of interests, backgrounds, experiences. Differences among groups of people and individuals based on ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, exceptionalities, language, religion, sexual orientation, and geographical area. Diversity of experiences, viewpoints, backgrounds, and life experiences. Tolerance of thought, ideas, people with differing viewpoints, backgrounds, and life experiences. Diversity can be measured across many variables -- age, race, sex, economics, geography, religion, philosophy, etc. variation in race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political leanings, professional and personal background Diversity in graduate school includes a group of people from different backgrounds (this can be many things not just racial). People with different skills and career interests and hobbies. People with different political points of view. Anything that sets one individual apart from another. However, often it is used to specifically reference gender, race, ethnicity, and more recently sexual orientation differences. Diversity is differences in racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, and academic/professional backgrounds. People with different opinions, backgrounds (degrees and social experience), religious beliefs, political beliefs, sexual orientations, heritage, and life experience. dissimilar My definition of diversity would include openness to differences...
Words: 1068 - Pages: 5
...Liberty University The Contribution of Baptists in the Struggle for Religious Freedom A Research Paper Submitted to Dr. Jason J. Graffagnino in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Course CHHI 665 Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary by Brian M. Hyde Lynchburg, Virginia Saturday, December 6, 2014 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 IN THE BEGINNING 2 THE STRUGGLE IN ENGLAND 4 THE STRUGGLE MOVES TO THE NEW WORLD 7 CONCLUSION 11 WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY 14 INTRODUCTION In this nation, and in much of the Western world, the right of each individual to worship as his or her own conscience dictates, or not to worship at all, is one that is all too often taken for granted. Few consider the tremendous lengths gone to and the enormous price paid by so many to obtain and preserve this right. In the United States when one does reflect on this matter his or her thoughts rightfully focus on the many men and women of the armed forces who fought to gain and keep the freedoms the citizens of this nation enjoy. What is often overlooked is the contributions of Baptists in the centuries long struggle to obtain religious freedom. Their struggle began not in the American colonies but rather in England a century earlier. “The freedom of religious belief and behavior which modern Baptists and others take for granted was forged in the crucible of persecution in seventeenth-century England” McBeth adds that, “No group can claim more credit for the Act of Toleration, passed by Parliament...
Words: 3493 - Pages: 14
...Practices in Religion Freddie Snell REL/133 November 10, 2014 Matthew Morrison Common Practices in Religion Many people across the world have various beliefs and practices that are important to them from a religious standpoint. Some people may identify with believing in only one god, which makes them monotheistic, while other individuals may believe in multiple gods, which makes them polytheistic. The concept of the history religion refers to the written record of human experiences and ideas, which spans back since the invention of writing (Insert citation). This paper will discuss the definition of religion, common practices and experiences across various world religions, as well as identify some critical issues to the academic study of religion. Definition of Religion According to Molloy (2013), religion is a way of life founded upon the apprehension of sacredness in existence. Over the years, people have consistently tried to define the word religion with notable tries. The problem that many scholars and individuals face with defining the word religion is that a certain definition may apply to religions of the past, and not be completely suitable for religion in the present or future. It appears that far too many definitions focus only on a few aspects of religion, and tend to exclude those religions that may not fit well. Because of this, defining the word religion can be fraught with great difficulty. Common Practices and Experiences across World Religions Indigenous...
Words: 633 - Pages: 3
