...They all have certain beliefs, certain rituals and, traditions that they carry. This paper will explain how religious traditions describe and encourage the relationship with the divine; the relationship with the sacred time; the relationship with sacred space or the natural world; and the relationship with each other. This paper will also identify key critical issues in the study of religion. The relationship with the divine is understanding of the divine such as whom or what is sacred. Monotheism meaning one God relates to religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Polytheism meaning many gods relate to religions like Hinduism, Zen Buddhism and, many religions of ancient civilizations. Pantheism which, is drawn from Polytheism means all of nature. God is everything and everything is God. The concept of being or existence is how these religions see their Gods. Most Polytheism beliefs are that their gods come in the form an actually being such as calves, people, statues, physical things. Monotheism believes that God is a spirit, cannot be seen, but felt. They believe that the spirit can hear see and watch you’re observing how these religions have relationships with sacred time. To know the relationship of sacred times, we will need to know what sacred time is. Sacred time is how the religion is observed. Some religions fast or feast, this may include special worship services and regular times of worship. For example Christians normally worship...
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...religions to believe in a divine entity. It may be one true God, multiple gods, nature’s elements, or deceased ancestors and in some religions animals. “This sense of a mysterious, originating holiness is called by many names: Brahman, Dao, Great Mother, Divine Parent, Great Spirit, Ground of Being, Great Mysterious, the Ultimate, the Absolute, the Divine, the Holy” of Holy’s, and Father to mention a few. The relationship with these divine entities, comes in many different forms depending on what each religion believes and an understanding of whom or what is sacred to them. Monotheism meaning one God relates to religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Polytheism meaning many gods relate to religions like Hinduism, Zen Buddhism, and many religions of ancient civilizations. Pantheism which, is drawn from Polytheism means all of nature. God is everything and everything is God....
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... Religions of the world are unique in the sense that every religion has a different understanding of what they believe is god. When closely examined, the Yoruba religion in comparison to Judaism, hold different beliefs on theism. Back in the earlier days, polytheistic religions (the worship of many gods) were the only religions that were known. The Yoruba faith has developed over the worship of many gods, using these different deities to communicate with the supernatural. Followers of the faith can agree that Yoruba’s early polytheistic developments are clear since it is believed that, “… Olorun told the eldest god to climb down from the sky and create other gods,”( ). Thus, it is through the creation of these other gods, that polytheism was established, allowing the Yoruba to worship more than one god. On the other hand, unlike the Yoruba faith, Judaism holds a sole individual as God through the concept on monotheism. This idea of...
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...monotheism is good, and one should follow one god. I have been taught that we should only know “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” The Ten Commandments was an epic film that dramatized the Biblical story in 1956 by Cecil B. Demille. This story relates to the life of Moses, from the time he was discovered. This film was one of the most closely depiction of the actual story of the Israelite’s exodus from Egypt escaping the cruel enslavement by the Egyptians. This film embodies the power and belief in the people of Israel faith in one God (monotheism). The Israelites one God displayed the power and victories over the Egyptians many idol gods (polytheism). Both polytheistic and monotheistic religions have existed for thousands of years. This film was chosen to prove that the belief in monotheism is better than the belief of polytheism. In today’s society many would say that this movie is too long and drawn out but never understand the purpose of this film. This film was not created to make a story but it was a Godly inspired story that should draw the attention of the people....
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...The belief of one God or many gods depends on how one defines and perceives god. Creation is the act of bringing the world into order and existence. Whether it is through creation or evolution all of these religions have a starting point of how they believe the world came to exists. When your life is over, where do you go? That answer depends on faith, religion, and the path one chooses to follow. Even though these religions have different views, they all still share a common ground and believe in something. In religion you have two main beliefs polytheism and monotheism. Polytheism believes in multiple deities called god and goddesses. Monotheism is the belief that only one god exists. Some believers of polytheism include Hinduism, Buddhism, ancient Egyptians, and ancient Mesopotamia. Hinduism believes that all deities are separate entities. Most people believe in different deities expanding from a single God. That one single entity is never defined and for the most part Hindus continue to hold one God above all others. They believe in Brahman he is the universal soul, and it is said that all men are considered Brahmans. Buddhism believes in “the Buddha” Siddhartha Gautama. The Buddha looks with a kind heart equally on all living beings, and they call him father. Buddha can be anything you worship because in Buddhism there is no absolute god. In the ancient Egyptian religion they saw the actions of the gods behind all the elements and forces of nature. However, they...
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...Elements of Religious Traditions Paper Pamelia J. Pointer University of Phoenix World Religious Traditions ll Religion 134 Dr. Johnny Boudreaux July 30, 2010 Elements of Religious Traditions Paper All regions are different some have certain things in common while others are completely different, but there are numerous religious, some of these religion are: Buddhism – this is a means of existing based on the experience of Siddhartha Gautama, Christianity – earth’s largest belief, foundation of Jesus Christ teachings, Hinduism – collection of faiths, embedded in the religious thoughts of India. Islam – discovered by the Prophet Muhammad. These are just some of the many religions that this world consist of, but overall all religions serve a higher purpose. Having a connection with the divine is very important in all religions, without a relationship with God, life as we know it will not be the same. http://www.hqfights.com/media/895/chicks_go_at_it tribulations and experiences encountered daily becomes difficult to handle because the testing of his or her faith and being disobedient to the word of God. The relationship as well as the fellowship with the divine helps him or her to walk in the light and to live in total honesty toward God as well as with each other, without the consistent relationship and fellowship it causes he or she to be out of character and have broken fellowship with the divine. Sacred time is the “time of eternity” (Molloy, 2010, p...
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...Athens to do with Jerusalem?” (Entwistle, 2010). He offers wherever and however truth is found, it is God’s truth. This being his primary presupposition that “All truth is God’s truth.” Building on truth, Entwistle suggests a person’s world view determines how they view the truth in their lives. He also suggests this world view is something learned by our family, experiences, religion and education, not something that is chosen. Our world view ultimately defines who we are. Entwistle explains, the Western World is typically either naturalist or super naturalist. Naturalist believe humans are made from a complex matter and evolved over time. Super naturalist believe humans were made by God. Entwistle offers several world views, Syncretism, Polytheism, Pantheism, Monotheism and Modernism. Syncretism is the adaptation of one belief with...
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...Elements of Religious Traditions Keith Ransom REL/134 December 16, 2013 Dr. Paxton Reed Religion plays a large role in the lives of many whether they are religious or not. Many of the laws that we follow today have their foundation in religious teachings. Some people would argue that society needs religion. We live in a society where interactions between people of different cultures is increasing so it is important that we attempt to understand religious traditions that are not historically our own. In the following text I will explain how religious traditions describe and encourage relationships with the divine, sacred time, sacred space, and between people. Religious traditions vary across the many different religions however some religious traditions include prayer, pilgrimage, ritual, and worship. The study of religion can be very complex. Approximately 21 major religions exist and while some are similar others are very much different. Studying religion almost undoubtedly forces one to ask philosophical question that some of the greatest philosophers have struggled with for large parts of their lives. Often engaging in dialogue involving religion can be unnerving because people tend to personalize conversations about religion. Some believe that discussing religion becomes an issue because of the very nature of some religions. Religion encourages faith, which requires complete confidence and discourages doubt. “All religions are concerned with...
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...During the nineteenth century anthropologists started investigating the remaining “primitive” cultures and some theories of the origin of religion were started. The first theory of the origins of religion was the animist theory. During this time Edward Tylor, who was a leading figure in anthropology came up with a theory that said “primitive” people believed that souls were not only found in people but in all of nature” (1). Things like plants, animals, mountains, rivers, even the entire world itself was seen as being alive with spirits of all kind. People viewed these spirits in many different ways therefore, it became a part of life of “primitive” societies to pray to these spirits, offer sacrifices, and avoid offending them. “Ultimately, this animistic view of the universe produced this religion that would worship the sky, earth, and water” (1). Max Muller, who was also a leading figure in anthropology, had his mind set on another theory, which is the nature- worship theory. According to this theory, “primitive” people became aware of things such as the changing of the seasons, the tides, and the phases of the moon. The people decided to personalize them thus giving names to things such as the sun, the moon, and so on. “They also began to describe the activities of these forces with tales that eventually became mythology” (1). Muller became convinced that he found the key to origin of all religions: “Primitive” people identify the forces in nature, personify them, created...
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...different ways. They all have certain beliefs, certain rituals and, traditions that they carry. This paper will explain how religious traditions describe and encourage the relationship with the divine; the relationship with the sacred time; the relationship with sacred space or the natural world; and the relationship with each other. This paper will also identify key critical issues in the study of religion. The relationship with the divine is understanding of the divine such as whom or what is sacred. Monotheism meaning one God relates to religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Polytheism meaning many gods relate to religions like Hinduism, Zen Buddhism and, many religions of ancient civilizations. Pantheism which, is drawn from Polytheism means all of nature. God is everything and everything is God. The concept of being or existence is how these religions see their Gods. Most Polytheism beliefs are that their gods come in the form an actually being such as calves, people, statues, physical things. Monotheism believes that God is a spirit, cannot be seen, but felt. They believe that the spirit can hear see and watch you’re observing how these religions have relationships with sacred time. To know the relationship of sacred times, we will need to know what sacred time is. Sacred time is how the religion is observed. Some religions fast or feast, this may include special worship services and regular times of worship. For example Christians normally worship on Sunday and...
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...different ways. They all have certain beliefs, certain rituals and, traditions that they carry. This paper will explain how religious traditions describe and encourage the relationship with the divine; the relationship with the sacred time; the relationship with sacred space or the natural world; and the relationship with each other. This paper will also identify key critical issues in the study of religion. The relationship with the divine is understanding of the divine such as whom or what is sacred. Monotheism meaning one God relates to religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Polytheism meaning many gods relate to religions like Hinduism, Zen Buddhism and, many religions of ancient civilizations. Pantheism which, is drawn from Polytheism means all of nature. God is everything and everything is God. The concept of being or existence is how these religions see their Gods. Most Polytheism beliefs are that their gods come in the form an actually being such as calves, people, statues, physical things. Monotheism believes that God is a spirit, cannot be seen, but felt. They believe that the spirit can hear see and watch you’re observing how these religions have relationships with sacred time. To know the relationship of sacred times, we will need to know what sacred time is. Sacred time is how the religion is observed. Some religions fast or feast, this may include special worship services and regular times of worship. For example Christians normally worship on Sunday and...
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...are in harmony with sacred beings and forces. Also, for the view of human nature, Basic Religion emphasizes on the relationship between the living and the dead. For instance, the spirits of the dead will continue to exist, and the living and their ancestors will affect one another. Moreover, Animism is a term that is used to describe the cosmology of Basic Religion. Personal gods, impersonal forces throughout nature, in natural objects, animals, and humans, and spirits in nature are three very important components of Animism. Therefore, Animism is absolutely polytheistic. Monism is a philosophical term that asserts there’s only one ultimate reality that is considered to be the essence of all existing things in the world. As opposed to polytheism that believes in multiple gods, monotheism believes in only one god or the oneness of god. One of the evidence of Indian tradition’s oneness is Upanishads. These texts come at the end of Vedas, providing both monistic philosophy and monotheistic theology. Most of the Upanishads describe nirguna Brahman as mysterious power that is the ultimate reality and moksha as the ultimate goal. Some of the Upanishads describe saguna Brahman as a personal god that creates all things in the world. In reality, most Indians believe that there is no big difference between nirguna Brahman...
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...absolute or relative form, with the occurrence of evil or suffering in the world 3. Theomorphism, The term literally means "God-shaped", corresponding to the Hebrew name Michael. 4. Theophany. This term has been used to refer to appearances of the gods in the ancient Greek and Near Eastern religions. While the Iliad is the earliest source for descriptions of theophanies in the Classical tradition 5. Religion. A religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. 6. Atheism, is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities.[1][2] In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. 7. Polytheism. refers to the worship of or belief in multiple deities usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own religions and rituals. 8. Monotheism, as belief in the existence of one god or in the oneness of God. 9. Mysticism. is "a constellation of distinctive practices, discourses, texts, institutions, traditions, and experiences aimed at human transformation, variously defined in different traditions."[web 1]...
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...Akhenaton was the first pharaoh to introduce the concept of monotheism, the worshipping of only one god, as opposed to polytheism, the worshipping of many gods. The people of Egypt had usually depicted gods in either animal or human form in their paintings and sculptures in order to help give them a physical form that they could worship. However, under Akhenaton's new ideas, the only god was Aton, which was represented with the form of a sun disk. Artwork also changed in sync with this change in religion. The statue of Akhenaton incorporated these new changes, and the statue itself acts like a symbol for Akhenaton's revolutionary ideas. The statue has many interesting and defining characteristics. The statue of Akhenaton is made of sandstone and is approximately 13 feet high. Upon seeing it for the first time, the first thing that becomes apparent is that one of the arms is broken off. Aside from this, the statue has almost perfect symmetry. Because of the position of the hands, it can be safely assumed that both arms mirrored each other. The statue has good balance. It does not vary much in width. The headdress is almost twice has tall as the face, and the headdress surrounds the entire face, almost acting like a frame for it. This gives importance and draws focus towards the face. This is significant because the entire statue, especially the face, uses many feminine characteristics. In this statue of Akhenaton, the thighs are wide, the hips are narrow, the face is elongated...
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...Globalisation is the idea that the world is getting smaller, through inter connectedness, different societies are becoming a lot closer to each other through technology and the media as well as transport. Fundamentalism, according to some sociologists such as Huntington, is the challenge to globalisation, returning to the roots of their religion where the core beliefs are still in practice. Some people associate fundamentalism with violence, as was the case with the 9/11 attack, but this view has been criticised by many, because not all fundamentalist groups adopt violent methods, for example creationists. Anthony Giddens argues that fundamentalism is in fact a reaction to globalisation because with globalisation comes what’s called, cosmopolitan religion which provides choice in many different areas of life, such as diversity, sexuality, careers etc, and because of this choice there is an element of uncertainty. Globalisation provides the necessary components to adapt to a postmodern world, and the fundamentalism is to refuse the adaptation, and return to the roots of their faith, and their faith only. Fundamentalism provides certainty where there is none in a globalising world, by referring back to the scripture of their religion where there are strict doctrines interpreted by chosen ministers of that faith. Without globalisation, there wouldn’t be such an emphasis on fundamentalism as Giddens argues it is a relatively new term, indicating that it’s use is largely used to...
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