...Religion and Peace 1) 2) 3) The understanding of peace in religious traditions Peace expressed through the sacred texts- principle teachings on peace Contributions to peace (Individual and World) Islam and Christianity The understanding of peace Christianity Concept of peace The New Testament understanding of the word ‘peace’ is living in an idyllic condition and communicating regularly with God, as epitomized by the Garden of Eden. Perfect peace was lost when Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3) but the coming of Christ restored the potential for peace. Therefore belief in Jesus enables humans inner peace in their lives and the looking forward to the day when Jesus will reign supreme on Earth. As Jesus states in John 16:33 peace is found in him. This is multifaceted. 1) His death was for human sin and allows humans and God to become one again. 2) His ministry is full of Jesus providing peace to those he came into contact with. Matthew 11:28-30, he offers peace to those that are troubled, in Mark 1:21-2:12 he casts out demons and forgives sins and in Hebrews 12:14 followers are encouraged to copy Jesus by making ‘every effort t live in peace with all men. 3) When Jesus returns will bring everlasting physical and spiritual peace on Earth for those who believe. The central theme of Jesus’ teachings is the Kingdom of Heaven. The kingdom of God is characterized by peace- there will be no hardships or grief or pain (Revelation). The righteous and faithful will be redeemed and will...
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...Peace can be seen as a perfection which can never cohabit with humanity. Relatively it can be seen that in our modern day society the concept of ‘peace’ is highly unachievable. This is due to contemporary issues which do occur in the present time the third millennium and are problematic include violence (drive by shootings, school shootings), terrorism, slavery (the 250 Nigerian girls) seems to be the most prominent issues which face the world today. Evidently it is highly apparent that religion has an immense role to provide peace amongst various people and cultures. The idea of peace cannot dwell amongst society unless the adherents of the religion exhibit the nature of peacefulness. The religion of Islam tries in many forms to promote peace. Through its founder Muhammad and the message he tried to depict regarding respecting others and treating the less fortunate with kindness. "But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is the One that Heareth and Knoweth (all things)." (Surah 8, Verse 61). This is an imperative scripture as it depicts the way in which Islamic adherents should apply peace in their daily lives. It is also a model for all adherents to follow as it promotes a peaceful, non violent society. This is turn is the words in which Islamic adherents can pertain to in search of peace within religion and hence others can gain a sense of peacefulness and kind relationships through the way an Islamic adherent...
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...Religion and Peace 22 indicative hours ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The focus of this study is the distinctive response of religious traditions to the issue of peace. Syllabus Outcomes: H1 explains aspects of religion and belief systems H2 describes and analyses the influence of religion and belief systems on individuals and society H5 evaluates the influence of religious traditions in the life of adherents H6 organises, analyses and synthesises relevant information about religion from a variety of sources, considering usefulness, validity and bias H7 conducts effective research about religion and evaluates the findings from the research H8 applies appropriate terminology and concepts related to religion and belief systems H9 coherently and effectively communicates complex information, ideas and issues using appropriate written, oral and graphic forms. Incorporating a Catholic emphasis: In approaching the teaching of this unit within the context of a Catholic Religious Education program it is expected that: 1. Each lesson would begin with prayer that is meaningful for students and pertinent to current local...
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...The message of peace is a fundamental universal concern which is relevant throughout our world today. Peace is not merely the ‘absence of war’, but a state of mind in which a sense of tranquillity comes from actively working towards right relationships with individuals and God. To understand the way in which Muslims and Christians view peace it is imperative to understand the source of the teachings for each religion. The principles teachings of peace for Both Christianity and Islam are primarily found in the sacred texts of both religious traditions. Christianity looks to the bible and specifically the New Testament for teachings about peace, whereas Islam focuses’ on the Qur’an and Hadith to guide their beliefs of peace. These sacred texts guide the individual adherents of each religion to achieving inner peace which consequently develops their understanding to take responsibility to achieve peace with those around them, leading to ‘world peace’. An understanding of the Christian belief of peace is gained through a knowledge of the importance of the life of Jesus Christ in the beliefs of adherents. Peace is believed to be at the heart of Jesus' life and ministry and accordingly it is a foundational element of the Christian communities that seek to follow him. In order for Christians to experience the peace of God they must devote themselves to listening to the good news of God revealed through the Bible and commit themselves to following the example of Jesus in his life...
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...Anthropology Anthropology Should Violence & polices be part of Religion Religion means the faith in and love of a superhuman controlling force, particularly an individual God or divine beings. It ought to be recalled that there is no connection in the middle of religion and viciousness, neither in Islam, nor in any religion besides. Brutality is a social and political wonder. Without a doubt there is notice of war in sacred texts such as Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Qur'an. However, this notice is not to set up any basic connection in the middle of religion and roughness yet to depict certain social and political circumstance that won around then. It can be called basic just if these sacred writings command brutality as an alluring arrangement. It is imperative to recognize what is experimental and ideological. The Twain don't generally meet. While viciousness is experimental, peace is ideological. All sacred writings, especially the Qur'an while allowing savagery in some inescapable circumstances, appoint peace as a standard. The considerable religions of the world came to build up equity and peace, not to execute vengeance and viciousness. Requital and brutality can never turn out to be a piece of any religion, considerably less that of Islam. Allah has made both in individuals - inclination for hostility and savagery and magnified feeling for tranquility of peace. Allah, as indicated by the Qur'an, made human individual in the best of mold and...
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...The Semitic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) and the religions of Indian origin (Hinduism, Buddhism) are historically peaceful religions and thus will bring peace to the world today. Essentially, every world religion supports and professes ‘peace’ through their various sacred writings and scriptures. However, war and violence can certainly be recognised historically, and at present within religion. What is the notion of ‘peace’? And how exactly have these religions assisted in the promotion of peace historically? How may these religions help is creating a further peaceful world within the 21st century? This essay will discuss how two major world religions grasp diverse spiritual and religious traditions and how each of these religions has contributed to the future establishment of a global culture of peace. Peace cannot simply be defined as there are many different perceptions of the idea. Wikipedia attempts in defining peace as ‘A state of harmony characterised by the lack of violence, conflict behaviours and the freedom from fear of violence.’ However, Sandy and Perkins (2001) state that: “any attempt to articulate the nature of peace and peacemaking must address those conditions which are favourable to their emergence. Freedom, human rights, and justice are among such prerequisites. Also included are proactive strategies such as conflict resolution, nonviolent action, community building, and democratisation of authority.” The concept of peace must also recognise...
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...Religion and Society Though, when a society is thought about it’s usually about the government, population, schools, and the people who live there. Religion is not usually the first thing on a mind of a person looking at a society or how that society is affected by the religion the country worships. Studies have shown that a secular nation, or a nation with a higher population of atheists than religious peoples have resulted in being a more peaceful nation. However, it has been said that a religious nation has higher rates of murder, teen pregnancy, abortion, sexual promiscuity and war. The things just listed are things that religious nations try so hard to prove are sin. If a religious nation says these things are a sin, then why do they have higher numbers of the societal ills than a nation with a higher number of Atheists? Religion may play a role in peoples’ lives, but religion should not be a part of our growing modern society. In 2009, the Global Peace Index did a study that compares our worlds countries by using six different sections concluding which countries are the most peaceful to the least peaceful. The sections of this study are: foreign war, internal conflicts, human rights, murders, prison population, and democracy. When the study came out, it was said that New Zealand was considered the most peaceful nation of our world. New Zealand is a mostly secular nation and the study shows that is why New Zealand is rated number one in the Global Peace Index’s study...
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...live there. Religion is not usually the first thing on a mind of a person looking at a society or how that society is affected by the religion the country worships. Studies have shown that a secular nation, or a nation with a higher population of atheists than religious peoples have resulted in being a more peaceful nation. However, it has been said that a religious nation has higher rates of murder, teen pregnancy, abortion, sexual promiscuity and war. The things just listed are things that religious nations try so hard to prove are sin. If a religious nation says these things are a sin, then why do they have higher numbers of the societal ills than a nation with a higher number of Atheists? Religion may play a role in peoples’ lives, but religion should not be a part of our growing modern society. In 2009, the Global Peace Index did a study that compares our worlds countries by using six different sections concluding which countries are the most peaceful to the least peaceful. The sections of this study are: foreign war, internal conflicts, human rights, murders, prison population, and democracy. When the study came out, it was said that New Zealand was considered the most peaceful nation of our world. New Zealand is a mostly secular nation and the study shows that is why New Zealand is rated number one in the Global Peace Index’s study. While still talking about these ratings, the United States was rated eighty-third in this study (Cline 1). The Global Peace Index’s study...
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...Debate and public speaking 3rd January 2015 Islam is a religion of peace. Many non-Muslims have a bad image about Islam; they consider Islam as a religion that promotes violence, terrorism and wars. They rely in their view of Islam on the general media, which is not always accurate in reporting the news. In fact the word Islam in Arabic means peace and Islam clearly prohibits all kinds’ forms of aggression and violence. The religion of Islam is the best and most perfect of all religions. Islam is a guide of all Muslims, actually Islam is a religion that promotes peace and understanding among people of all faith and strongly forbids all forms of violence against people regardless of their faith or race. A Muslim society is the best example of solidarity and tolerance between all Muslims, Islam shows us the right path that we have to follow. As Allah said :” and speak to people kindly” and also :” Humanity is but a single brotherhood so make peace with your brethren .” these verses are from the holy Quran show that Islam indeed is a religion of peace and we are all brothers and sisters in this world . Islam has strict laws about those who are violent and also it places very high importance on justice, if someone is wrong he will be punished and at the same time Islam encourages people to forgive those who are wronged them whenever possible, so Islam is a religion of tolerance and mercy but not violence. Many...
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...WHAT IS ISLAM Islam is the final religion with which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him), son of Abdullah, was sent by his Lord to convey it to all mankind. Islam means “peace and submission”, and a Muslim in someone who totally submits himself to the will of Allah. Therefore, it is the same in essence, whether given to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus or to Muhammad (May peace and blessings be upon them). For the message it calls to is the same, namely to worship Allah alone, and the source of unity is the revelation from Allah: “He has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Noah, and that which We have revealed to you, and which We ordained for Abraham, Moses and Jesus: namely that you should establish religion and make no divisions.” (Surah Ash-Shūraa, 42:13) Islam is complete and perfect and is not subject to abrogation for any additions. Allah says: “This day, I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Surah Al-Mā’idah 5:3) Being the final religion which had abrogated religions before it, Islam in the only religion that Allah will accept: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and in the life to come he will be among the losers.” (Surah Al-Imrān, 3:85) When Angel Jibreel asked the Prophet (peace be upon Him) about Islam, he replied, “Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of...
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...recovers from the War. The Peace of Westphalia extended the recognition of Lutheranism and also legalized Calvinism, not only taking away reason to fight over religion, but also taking away the Holy Roman Empire’s ability to dictate religious beliefs throughout Europe. Politically, the Catholic Church loses a lot of influence, likewise to the Holy Roman Empire losing a lot of power when other countries started to take over, especially as France started to emerge. When the treaties of the Peace of Westphalia were signed, Europe brought back the religious peace between Europe. This allowed German princes to govern their territory, and...
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...Tammy Chen Theology 279 - Teachings of the Buddha March 14, 2014 The Sage People who are wise go beyond the negativity, to be calm you have to go beyond the negativity, “Do not grieve for what is lost or be controlled by desire.” This passage could play a positive role in everyone’s lives. If people follow this passage they will be able to control their mind and their emotions. Dhammapada This passage discusses how your thoughts are always in your control and if you can control your thoughts you can control your actions and if we can control our thoughts and actions we can control our own happiness. Harmlessness This passage discusses how people who seek happiness by hurting others will never find happiness and I think this is not so much a religious passage but a passage of advice to help those who are negative along with those who are positive to help the negative. Great Discourse on Blessings This passage tells us all of the great things we should be to make us happy and good individuals. It also tells us what to stay away from such as intoxicants, have an unshaken mind. If we can fulfill all of the supreme blessings, there will be well-being everywhere. Hatred never dispels hate The only way to get rid of hate is to love. Everyone passes away, so why waste your life hating and being angry. Joy Live in joy, in love even among those who hate because how can someone hate someone who is full of love. Be free from fear and attachment because that is...
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...Religion and religious organizations assert a most important impact on international conflicts. To date, religious, ethnic and nationalist conflicts remain ignored in the study of international relations and peace. The end of The Cold War brought an escalation of nationalist violence and many expected an additional escalation of religious conflicts. Despite the attention given to the religious element of conflicts, it exists as an under-inquired subject. No critical study of the impact of religious organizations on conflict behavior or comparative research of peace-making and peace-building efforts of different religious organizations can document the facts we know in our hearts and should execute as human beings. World religious conflicts continue to affect global peace at a rate exceeding economic or political gains. Even the illustrious United States of America avoids engaging in war for “real reasons” of persecution. Using the veils of ability, lack of enemies, volunteer military, entrenched positions of foreign policy and a steady usurpation of power from Congress to the Presidency since the end of The Cold War (Huffington Post), our great nation engages for reasons of employing democracy as an assumption of our historical position. Regardless, the most disturbing form of conflict remains those of religiously tempered ancient struggles. In particular, the enduring and explosive struggle between the Israelis and the Palestinians remains front and center on the world stage...
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...In the book The Sacred Quest: An Invatation to the Study of Religion, the authors discuss how objects, which may be just have a secular meaning to one, become a sacred object to another. The book states “By sacred objects, we mean a number of material items that have, or have had, importance in religious contexts: for example, books, statues, relics, foods. Some communities have perceived sacred reality in rocks, trees, or animals; others have focused on the sky, the earth, or the sun. Even the garments associated with holy persons take on the character of the sacred”. (Cunningham, Lawrence S., John Kelsay, 2013, p. 44) In researching the symbol of a circle it was very interesting the different meaning in different religion, and in a secular world. In Christianity, the symbol has a meaning of eternity. In Christian art, a bright ring or circle is used (halo) to surround the heads of saints and the whole body of the holy persons. This Christianity art has a religious significance. Two other symbols in Christianity is a symbol of three linked circles signifies the unity of God and the crown of thorns symbolizing Christ’s suffering of the cross. The peace symbol was created in a secular meaning. I found how it became on...
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...Muslims in the Philippines: The Mindanao Conflict The Philippines is composed of over seven thousand islands and islets and is the only Christian majority nation in Southeast Asia. Of these islands, Mindanao makes up one-third of the island of the Philippines and is home to twenty one million residents who represent a quarter of the Filipino population. For decades, Mindanao has experienced ethno religious conflict. The Mindanao conflict between the Muslims of the Philippines and the Christian Filipino government dates back over forty years. The Muslims believe that they have never been a part of the Philippines and that the struggle today can be related back to the war of independence from Spanish and then American rule. On the other side, the Filipino government argues that the Muslims have to obtain land that is in accordance with the law and is accepted by the community. This disagreement has been the underlying conflict between the state and the Muslim community. Among the reasons for conflict in Mindanao today, religious beliefs best represent why problems arose, not merely because it was the underlying factor for years, but because of its impact on all aspects of culture: its affect on the comminutes identity, the political roles, and the nationality of the region. The conflict in Mindanao began in the late sixteenth century when the Philippines were colonized by Spain. This colonial rule influenced the ethnic and religious structure of the Philippines, in huge part...
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