...Chris Biala Art History 181 Professor Kennedy September 20, 2012 The Mystery and Reasoning Behind Stonehenge One of Britain’s greatest national icons is the Stonehenge; it is a group of large stone aligned in a circle placed in the middle of large land. To this day it is still a mystery of how this creation was made and what the original purpose was. Unfortunately according to Lacy Norri, over time many of the original stones have broken, fallen or were used for home construction and road repair. This creation is extremely impressive; it had to have required commitment and much time spent on manual labor. There are many speculations for the reasons behind this creation; some believe it was for religion or even as a hobby to spend their time. I do agree with these assumptions but I also believe that it was used as a symbol to communicate with other spectators. Norri states that the Stonehenge was a large earthwork which is a bank and ditch arrangement called a henge. Some theorists have come up with the idea that the ditch was dug with antlers of deer’s and wood. During this time there were not many tools available so I feel that whoever created the Stonehenge relied on nature. I agree with the ideas of the theorist that they must have used antlers, wood, or their bare hands to accomplish this. Since the hole of the ditch was deep they must have had to beat the dirt or use water to soften it so that digging it would be easier. During 2000 BC the first stone circle was assembled...
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... One of the most famous in the cave is of 4 huge black bulls or Auroch’s in the hall of bulls. One of the bulls is over 17 feet long, the largest animal found in cave art. There are many theories surrounding the paintings at Lascaux. Some say that these paintings were a part of some ritualistic way of paying respects or hommage to the animals that they hunted. Maybe it was a record of some of the earliest forms of sacrifice, or maybe even records of actual events of the time. 2) Stonehenge is one of the most impressive wonders of the world. Located in Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England, and created on or around ca. 2550-1600 BC. The unique thing about this structure is It’s made entirely from a stone called sarsen stone. Found in the Preseli Mountains. The stones always warm to the touch and glows blue when wet. The Circular structure is 97' in diameter and approximately 24' high. The structure was so big it was worked on in 5 different stages. Some theories about stonehenge is that it is oriented around solstice, it was possibly a huge calendar, possible religious structure because pointed to east, Possible association of death. One of the...
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...more thorough understanding of differing religions. Additionally, providing several examples from various religious traditions will go one step farther in enhancing that understanding. The foundation to any successful religious belief is to establish a relationship with the divine. The Divine Since the dawn of time spiritual relationships with the Divine have been prevalent as part of the human existence in the natural world. Different religions refer to the sacred by various names such as Great Spirit, the Holy, the Divine, the Great Mother, the Ultimate, and the Absolute. One of the most globally known references to an originating holiness is God. Religions differ in the perspectives from a God, multiple gods, spirits, and even see nature as the Divine. Key to any religion is establishing a relationship with and obligating personal time to share with the Divine. Several methods of accomplishing this is praying, studying the Bible, the Veda, the Quran, or spending time with nature. Specifically, praying is prominent with Christians and is a way to communicate to God on a daily basis. Praying by Christians is just one example of various methods religions can use to foster a relationship with the Divine. Sacred Time Daily lives are seen as moving forward into the future on what is known as ordinary time. Conversely, according to Malloy (2010), One example of sacred time is the sacraments of the Roman-Catholicism religion. As the Patheos, Seek, Understand (2008-2011)...
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...Elements of Religious Traditions Name University of Phoenix REL/134 Instructor Date Elements of Religious Traditions Religion is a big part of today’s society; it has always been a big part of society. What is religion? The dictionary definition of religion is a system of beliefs that involves worship of a god, prayer, ritual and a moral code. Not all religions follow those guidelines, so it is not an accurate definition. Instead we look at a number of characteristics such as a belief system, community, ritual beliefs, and ethics. Below will discuss the relationship with the divine, sacred time, sacred space, the natural world, and how religion affects humans. Religious traditions encourage humans to worship the divine. The divine is another term for a god, great mother or Great Spirit. For example, Catholics often consider Mary the mother of Jesus a saint and holy. Mary is worshiped and considered divine by the Catholic faith. Mary is believed to possess superhuman powers and is a strong role model for women, in the Catholic faith (Molloy, 2010). How do religious traditions describe and encourage Relationships with sacred time and sacred space? Our everyday life happens in ordinary time. Sacred time is the time of eternity. Sacred space is believed to always return to its origins for renewal. Different cultures refer to sacred time differently. For example, the Koyukon people of the Arctic refer to it as distant time. The Australian aborigines often...
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...A) Introduction: my task in this assignment is to investigate visitor attractions and visitors. I will use both books and websites to help with my research in this assignment. The aim of this assignment is to develop their understanding of the importance of both built and natural attractions to the appeal and popularity of destinations or areas within the UK and the world. b) A definition of visitor attraction: “A visitor attraction is a feature in an area that is a place, venue or focus of activities and does the following things: Sets out to attract visitors/ day visitors, Provides a fun and pleasurable experience, Is developed to realise this potential, Is managed as an attraction, Provides an appropriate level of facilities and services, May or may not charge an admission for entry”. (Walsh – heron and Stevens (1990) citied by Swarbrooke (2002) The term visitor attraction can be difficult to define because people can be easily confused as to the purpose of visitor attractions. Because many visitor attractions are different because some are either natural or manmade. Visitor attractions are classified by whether they are purposely built attractions, natural attractions or non-purpose built attraction C) London Eye: The London Eye is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually each year. The London eye is situated in central London and is become a landmark for...
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...EARLY CIVILIZATIONS MATRIX CIVILIZATION | politics | society/ economics | technology | art | music | architecture | philosophy | literature | Prehistoric | Families and Clans were important | Hunter/GatherSocietyHealer/Nurturers | Stone Tools | Cave paintingsDecorated pottery | Drumming | Stonehenge | animism | hieroglyphs | Mesopotamian | Social classesKings | AgriculturalReligious beliefs in gods that are not nature itselfWritten Law | Multiplication tables | Ziggurat | Found musical instruments in royal burial sites | pyramids | Search for immortality | Epic | Ancient Egyptian | 1st pharaoh, Narmer (Menes) | Theocratic socialism | SundialWater clockGlass is produced | Created to replicate the living world | Hymns were chantedHarps, pipes, Sistrums | Great Pyramid of Gizeh | cosmology | Papyrus rolls | Archaic Greek | democracy | City-statesThe Olympic games | Theory of the solar eclipse | Fresco | Ballads of war | Palace of Minos, | AristotleNaturalistsPlatoethics | allegory | CIVILIZATION | politics | society/ economics | technology | art | music | architecture | philosophy | literature | Aegean | Aitolian koinon | | | | | | | | Classical Greek | Alexander the Great | Humanism | Steel is produced | Realistic and stayed true to nature | Ode, museKitharalyre | The Parthenon | Socrates | | Hellenistic | Alexandria | Urbanismtrade | Catapultastronomy | Kritios BoyFriezesNude sculptures | Seikolos songSappho | GableMetopetholos | Skepticism, cynicism...
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... 2/26/14 Understanding religion there are many important characteristics, my emphasis here is to describe how religious traditions explain the relationships with the Devine, sacred time, sacred space and the natural world, and with each other. The essential goal for many of the world’s foremost faith traditions is to be love and be loved by God, to be able to live in a relationship with the Devine reconciliation with the ultimate, and union with the beloved. All religious traditions with the Devine are distinct incomparably based on separate beliefs and faith systems. What they all have in common is that they all share the same interest for the deepest level of reality and for the majority of religions the origin or core of everything is mysterious and sacred. The Dao, Devine Parent, Great Spirit, Great Mother, the Absolute, and Allah are only some examples people use to illustrate the Devine. In the Christian faith the Devine is well defined as the Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit, the Father and the Son. In the Christian religion it can seem like there are more Gods than one, but in fact, they believe that God is one. Sacred time, measured to be the starting point connecting eternity and time with the pulse of human life, is thought to be the holy ancient history in which the Gods worked and lived. Native religions support relationships with sacred time by living through actions of ancestors and the Gods ritually...
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...important cultures across the world on a daily basis. Religions have many differing views on what or who represents the divine and offer many perspectives on exactly how to worship or pay respect to those identified as the divine. The subsequent paragraphs will investigate how religious traditions describe and encourage relationships with the divine, sacred time, sacred space or the natural world and relationships with each other will ensure a more thorough understanding of differing religions. Additionally, providing several examples from various religious traditions will go one step farther in enhancing that understanding. The foundation to any successful religious belief is to establish a relationship with the divine. The Divine Since the dawn of time spiritual relationships with the Divine have been prevalent as part of the human existence in the natural world. Different religions refer to the sacred by various names such as Great Spirit, the Holy, the Divine, the Great Mother, the Ultimate, and the Absolute. One of the most globally known references to an originating holiness is God. According to Malloy (2010), the term God often carries with it the notion of a Cosmic Person; a divine being with the will and intelligence is just, compassionate, and infinite in virtues. Religions differ in the perspectives from a God, multiple gods, spirits, and even see nature as the Divine. Key to any religion is establishing a relationship with and obligating...
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...Traditions and Religious Studies Religious Traditions and Religious Studies Historically, religion has influenced the decision making of humankind throughout the world. The decision of believers has significant impacts on how society is governed. The study of religion in most cases begins at an early age. An individual’s childhood beliefs and values influence their religious practices, as an adult. The predominant religion of a region, also influence an individual to practice a religion. Religion and religious beliefs has received notable attention in an effort to resolve social, ecological and economic issues that plague our nation. Governments around the world understand the need to develop sustainable relationships with religious organizations. Developing sustainable relationships requires defining the term religion in a matter that respects all cultures, and developing an understanding of the common elements of religion. The question of why does religion exist is the premise of understanding human life and life after death. There have been many wars because of religious differences. The beliefs of religious followers argue one religion is right and another is wrong is a critical issue. Some believers think they have been given special gifts and talent that only one religion possesses. Interpretations of religion are studied through the common approaches to religion. The common approaches includes, psychology, mythology, philosophy, theology, anthropology, archeology...
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...Traditions Religious traditions play significant role in the lives of human beings around the world. There are different meanings for religion and the simplest definition of religion is that it is a belief system or cultural system that helps reconnect the human reality with the sacred world by being a moral guide for the way human beings live (CCSU, n. d.). There are eight elements in religious traditions, belief system, a community, central myth stories, rituals, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expression, and sacredness(Molly & Hilgers, 2010). In this paper the following topics will be discussed, religious traditions and its relationships, key critical issues in the study of religion, and examples from various religious traditions. Relationship With the Divine From the beginning of the human life, spiritual relationships with the Divine have been common as part of the human survival in the natural world. Different religions state to the sacred by different names based on their beliefs. They call it as Great Spirit, the Holy, the Divine, and the Absolute. A person’s relationship with the divine depends on many events and teachings that he or she experiences throughout her or his life. Having a relationship with the divine, people are able to reach their ultimate goal of the religion in which a person or culture follows. The divine can be employed in several ways such as by praying, reading the Bible, the Quran, or the Veda...
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...Cultural universality of magic, witchcraft and religion somewhat go hand in hand in some nature. They relatively have the same concept and beliefs of supernatural powers that can be compelled or influenced in certain ways for good or evil purposes by using rituals formulas. Magic was used in ancient Native American tribes for many purposes. An example of this exercise is blowing powdered tobacco up a person nose to get rid of him or her evil spirits. Also magic is used to heal illnesses. Shamans usually go into a trance to find out the answers from their spirit helpers. When witchcraft is a widespread belief in a society, it may be used as a means of social control. Anti-social or otherwise deviant behavior often results in an individual being labeled as a witch in such societies. The linguistic relativity principle, or the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, is the idea that differences in the way languages encode cultural and cognitive categories affect the way people think, so that speakers of different languages will tend to think and behave differently depending on the language they use. The hypothesis is generally understood as having two different versions: the strong version that language determines thought and that linguistic categories limit and determine cognitive categories and the weak version that linguistic categories and usage influence thought and certain kinds of non-linguistic behavior. Cultural paradigm is the elements or traits that make up that culture are not...
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... 02/10/2011 David Quak Religious Traditions Introduction: According to the text (2010), religion is a system of belief that involves worship of God or Gods, ritual, and moral code. There are numerous different religions, several have resemblances, and others do not. Many of these religions are passed from century to century, carrying ancient traditions, and ceremonies. Relationship: Regardless of the differences in religious values and practices certain basics in religion stay the same. Religion has different meanings to different people. The everyday lives of people are made up of rituals and traditions. Christians worship God, who they believe is the creator of the entire world. Muslims believe in one God, who is the sole and sovereign ruler of the universe and Mohammed (peace be upon him) who is his final messenger, Buddhist believe in Buddha, and Hindus believe in Brahma. Religious traditions encourage relationships with the Divine, with sacred time, with sacred space or natural world, and connection with one another. Devine: Since the beginning of time spiritual relationships with the Divine have been widespread as part of the human survival in the natural world. Different religions mention to the sacred by numerous names such as Great Spirit, the Holy, the Divine, the Great Mother, the Ultimate, and the Absolute. According to the text (2010), the term God often...
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...Rudy Morrow Elements of Religious Tradition Many religions believe in a divine being, this means that they believe in one God or many gods. However, not all religions believe in divine beings such as Buddhism. A divine plan is set out for those who believe in this plan. Although humans are exceptional, the meaning of a cosmic plan comes solely from an individual. The belief of a cosmic plan appears to be a struggle between good and evil forces, in which humans are right in the middle (Molloy 2010). Because human actions are so important, they should be directed by a foundation of morals, which is meant to be internalized by the individual. The religious groups that believe in these good and evil forces are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Molloy, 2010). This is one way a certain religion encourages the divine relationship. Molloy, (2010) states “In India, the divine is worshiped in its female aspects as the Great Mother (also known as Kali and Durga) or as other female deities” (p. 17). There are many other religions that believe females are the divine one, such as Catholic and Orthodox Christianity. These religions believe that the mother of Jesus, Mary, is a strong role model for woman’s behavior. Every religion has their own sense of divine relationship this is with the intention that they hold their religion sacred (Molloy 2010). Many religions have their own ways of dealing with sacred time. Some religions believe there is no set time that is sacred; however...
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...Examining World Religions Religion, in many forms, has had the most profound influence on human society throughout history. Religion is the basis for many human traditions, value systems, and conflict throughout the history of human civilization. Most people would generally view religious traditions and moral belief systems to be positive, perhaps with some exceptions. However, conflict is a major part of religious history worldwide. Religious persecution of believers and also persecution of unbelievers by members of religions is still a part of human life worldwide. Some may dismiss this idea based on their ignorance of the subject or their own personal detachment from such situations; however, religion surrounds the American culture and other cultures worldwide. Understanding religious traditions, relationships, and foundational beliefs enables humans to understand their differences and better prepare themselves to make decisions regarding religious interactions in the appropriate context. Religious Foundations C.S. Lewis once said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else,” (C.S. Lewis Foundation, 2010). Lewis expresses the importance that his faith has in his life, just as so many others might view their faith as intrinsic to their lives. Although many religious people might view their faith in this way, religions vary in several ways. Some religions express faith in a singular...
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...Elements of Religious Traditions In striving to understand religious traditions it is important to understand what religion is. The common translation of religion is “to join again,” “to reconnect” (Molloy, 2010, p. 5). Religion cannot be accurately defined with a single definition because there are many differences. Most definitions found in dictionaries are not completely accurate or complete. Dictionary definitions according to Molloy, 2010, p. 5, indicates religion is a belief system that consists of the worship of a single God or multiple gods, ceremony, ethical and moral code, and prayer. To define better religion one should identify the characteristics commonly found and accepted as religions (Molloy, 2010, p. 5). To identify the elements of religious traditions one must explain religious traditions relationship with the divine, sacred time, sacred space, and their relationship with each other. Scholars believe the following eight elements are commonly found in most religions (Molloy, 2010, pgs. 6-7): * Belief System * Community * Central Myths * Rituals * Ethics * Characteristic Emotional Experiences * Material Expression * Sacredness Understanding the key critical issues in the study of religion will help one understand that there is a vast number of religions with a vast number of beliefs (Johnson, 2013). Religions Relationship with the Divine To identify religious traditions relationship with the divine, one must be acquainted...
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