Religious Experience and Ethics/Moral Conduct

What is the group or individual experience in the faith?

• In christianity a follower has points in their faith where they have group experiences as well as individual experiences. The firs obvious group experience within Christianity would be when a follower attends church. Often church is experienced as a group that is lead by the presider. On the contrary sacraments within Christianity are more individual experiences within Christianity. However some of these sacraments are received in groups like First Communion and Confirmation the experience that a follower has is more on an individual basis because the experience followers have is individual to them and them only.

The role gender plays in religious experience

• Christianity does not have much bias on gender when it come to religious experience within the church. Every sacrament in Christianity is open to both genders except Holy Orders. The sacrament of Holy Orders is only allowed to be experienced by a man because this sacrament is how one becomes a priest. However this could evolve in the future to being open to women as well. However every other aspect of religious experience within Christianity is open to both sexes. Also there is no difference in how the different genders have their religious experiences it is more personal to yourself not based on your gender.

What are the core ethical teachings of the religion and what significant interpretations of them exist?

• There are many teachings within Christianity but all of these teachings can be traced to the teachings of the Bible and the Church. Both the Church and the Bible have great importance within Christianity. The Church is the community within the religion and is not just the gathering on Sundays. It is more than that. It is a full time community a follower is a part of. The church and the members help motivate fellow Christians to spread Gods word and be a better disciple of God. Speaking of spreading God's word, his word can be found in the Bible. The Bible are the stories of the time before Jesus and also after Jesus and God gave the Christians the Bible as almost like a text book that helps them learn how to be a Christian and how to be a follower/disciple of God. Even though the Church and the Bible are the core teachings of Christianity there are different interpretations of these within Christianity which is seen in the various denominations of the religion however the church and the Bible remain as important and core teachings for all denominations.

Conflict in Christianity HW

Field Trip Reflection

The first site we visited was the Islamic center. This was very different from all the other sites because it was not only a place of worship but also the school. This brought back many memories of my childhood. I attended a private catholic school from kindergarten through 8th grade and the Islamic center reminded me much of my school. Students would attend school and take normal classes but also take classes that helped study the religion. This was exactly what my school did so it almost felt like home for me. It was awesome being able to here some of the students from the school recite the Quran. When we were listening to that all i could think about was the Quran by heart documentary we watched. Ever since then i have thought Arabic is one of the most beautiful languages to listen to.

The next stop the Buddhist temple was much different then the the Islamic center. The Buddhist temple was much more vibrant and had many more decorations. Although one thing that was different about this stop is that we got to see all of the sight not just certain parts. My favorite part of this stop was being able to see and walk around the stupa. This was suppose to give you good energy in your life. The big golden statue of the Buddha was also a very cool sight to see. I wish however this stop would have been a little more interactive.

Next we made our way to the Hindu temple. This stop was very interesting. The temple itself was a beautiful structure. Our tour guide also did a great job of explaining the outside structures that surrounded the main building. This was probably the best sight at giving us students the opportunity to see ritual of the religion in practice. This was one of the coolest parts of the field trip for me because on multiple occasion we got to see both priest and followers participating in prayer while on the field trip.

Finally, we made our was to the Jewish Synagogue. Personally this was my favorite stop of the entire field trip. I thought that the Rabi was very energetic and kept us intrigued and that was the main reason this stop was my favorite on the field trip. It was cool for me to compare what he taught us about Judaism and compare it to Christianity because they are always compared to each other because when Jesus was alive he was a Jew so how can Christians say that he was the main person of their religion when he didn't even practice. In conclusion i think that the field trip was a great experience to witness some of the religions we have studied and person and examine and compare them with each other even further after our study of them was finished.

Sacred Text and Doctrines and Beliefs

Sacred Text: Bible

What gives the text authority?

The bible is believed to be a gift from God to his people on earth as a tool to recount the times before his son Jesus came to earth, the time Jesus was on earth, and the time after Jesus was on earth. All of the stories of these times were given to us in the book known as a bible so that followers and believers in Christ could understand God's and Jesus' story and shape their faith around the messages God included in these stories.

Who can interpret sacred text and why?

Any follower of Christianity has the opportunity to interpret the Bible. It is whether they put effort into interpreting the Bible. Many followers of Christianity have Bible study where they gather with other followers of Christ, and they study and interpret the teachings of the Bible. However many Christians rely on the presider of their church to interpret the Bible even deeper and then share their interpretations with the members of the church on Sundays.

What are the links between sacred text and key figures?

The Bible is the combined stories of all the major figures from the past that God felt was necessary to include to teach his people on Earth the life of Jesus. Some main characters that are included in the Bible would be the first people on Earth Adam and Eve, Jesus the son of God, Mary and Joseph the parents of Jesus, as well as many more. Specifically the Gospels are included in the Bible to give insight into the entire life of Jesus Christ and what God's intention of sending Jesus to Earth was, which was to die for the sins of all people.

Has interpretation changed as the religion has developed?

Yes the interpretation has changed has Christianity has developed. This is due to a few factors. The first factor being that there is a vast number of different translations of the bible. The different words within these different translations can lead to very polar interpretations of the Bible. Also there are also very many different denominations within Christianity and all these denominations can interpret the Bible in various ways depending on their individual beliefs.

Doctrines and Beliefs: Jesus' Purpose on Earth

God gave the Earth his only son to come and die for the sins of the world, so that we the people of earth could live our lives without being persecuted. Jesus came and was crucified by Pontius Pilate but three days later he rose from the dead, and later ascended into heaven where he joined his eternal father. This is meant to show how after our death, our soul can rise from the dead and have eternal life with the eternal father as well.

Do Doctrines unite of divide the faith? How?

The belief that Jesus came and died for the sins of the people of earth is a common belief through out the varying denominations of Christianity. While some other beliefs within these varying denominations differ the belief that Jesus came to earth and died for our sins is a belief that unites all denominations of Christianity together. Some denominations of Christianity have overlapping beliefs but there are certain nuances that differ in their beliefs and that is why these denominations were created. In a way these varying denominations divide the faith because it is not just one body, but it also makes it stronger because for something to grow stronger it needs to adapt and change. The adaptation and change of Christianity is the varying denominations.

What is the link between specific doctrine and ritual?

One very common belief among Christianity is that all humans are born with original sin. We are born with original sin because Adam disobeyed God and was tempted by the devil in the Garden and are some of the fruit. To rid themselves of original sins followers are baptized to get rid of their original sin. This is a common practice throughout many denominations within Christianity.

To what extent are core doctrines affected by different social, political, or cultural contexts?

I think that the core doctrines are affected differently by social political and cultural context based on where you are living. For example in the United States the different denominations of Christianity are much more visible than other places around the world. I believe this is due to the freedom that citizens are given within the country. Due to their freedom new ideas spring up whether socially politically or cultural which lead to these varying denominations of the religion. Where as if you are in Rome, Roman Catholicism is majorly practiced and other denominations of Christianity are not very evident.

Sacred Text Analysis

Genesis 1:1-2:7

This excerpt outlines how God created the world in the beginning of time and how he created all the animals, people, trees, and all things we know today. This except from the Old Testament is important to Christians because it allows them to trace the beginning of time and learn what they came from by how God shaped the earth how he saw fit.

Matthew 1: 18-25

This excepts highlights the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God, and how he was born in a stable from his mother's virgin womb. This is very important to Christianity because it outlines the birth of the Son of God Jesus that God sent to the earth to spread his good word and for his son to die to save us all from our sins.

Luke 24: 1-34

This excerpt from the gospel of Luke is one of the most important points in Jesus' life. This gospel highlights when Jesus rises from the dead on Easter Sunday to prove to his disciples that he had to die to save them from their sins and to reassure them in their mission to preach the word of God after his death. Without Jesus rising from the dead Christianity might not exist today.

Daoism Huston Smith Questions

1. Lao Tzu and the Tao are interesting aspects of Daoism. Lao Tzu is known to have founded Daoism, but was also known to have been born a wise old man after conceived by a shooting star and in his mother's womb for 82 years. Lao Tzu, created the religion with it's sacred text, the Tao Te Ching. The sacred text is focused on the someones path and the way of ultimate reality. The concept that the Tao is too difficult for a human being to understand. If the main ideals of a religion are to hard to comprehend for a follower why follow that religion.

2. My understanding of the Tao is that it is the back bone of Daoism. It is the way of ultimate reality and it cannot be perceived as it is too complex for a human to comprehend. The Tao makes Daoism what it is, due to the fact that it is something that all followers of the religion believe in and follow. 

3. Ch'i is a major concept within Daoism and it is someones inner vital energy and is used for the energy of life. I do not believe that there is a direct equivalent in the western culture to ch'i. Diet, exercise, and health practice affect our everyday life greatly. However I do not think they affect our inner Ch'i however they do provide 

4. I do not believe in magic when it comes to any extent of magic. I believe that things happen due to science and natural causes and that nothing happens just due to magic. Even though I do believe in God I do not believe that things he makes happen are magic.

5. My understanding of Wu Wei is that it is the practice of doing nothing. Wu Wei allows one to have a inactive self and brings them closer to meditation and closer to themselves. The mind must relax so that it can let go of negative energy and increase a persons ch'i. Personally, Wu Wei is nice because sometimes during tennis my mind gets cluttered with thoughts and i try and make my mind do nothing just to relax and then I can focus back in after. 

6. Yin is a dark, negative force and yang is a light, positive force. Yin is feminine and yang is masculine. I believe that it is not a hinderance when referring to these in the two opposite sex due to the fact that it is spiritually because how can we determine what "sex" is spiritually superior or if they're equal.

7. I believe that there are certain evil things and then certain good things. I relate this to sinning in Christianity. You have actions that are not sins that are considered good, and then you have sins which are considered evil and devil driven.

8. I think life is a combination of both going out to reach a goal, and then once that goal is reached a person returns to its origins. So i guess i believe more that life is a circle because the goal that is strived for could just be a point within the circle. 

9. I believe religion in general takes having a kind heart because the majority of religions that i have studied talk about love for other around you and those within the same religion but what if you don't like these people you have to be lighthearted to still love them as a religion intends you to.

Key Concepts and Rituals of Christianity

Key Concepts

1. Repentance- Repentance is being serious about turning away from your old life and the sin that is in your life and putting your full trust in God and how he saves you though your faith in Jesus. Repentance is about meaning you're sorry when you say it just not saying sorry so you can get off the hook.

2. Sin-Sin is a major aspect of the christian faith. Christians believe that sin is the best weapon of the devil because sin is from the devil and lead a Christian away from Jesus.

3. Grace- Grace is God's unmerited favor that we truly get when a Christian repent. Christian believe that God's grace is something that a Christian can't earn but it is a gift from God.

4. Faith- Christians believe that faith is turning to Jesus Christ. A Christian has to know who Christ is and what Christ has done for all people. Faith just isn't knowing this, or knowing and believing, but knowing, believing, and depending on Jesus as their savior. Faith is really having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

5. Salvation- Christians believe that salvation occurs when Christians depend and come to faith. Salvation is having all your faith in Jesus to save you from your earthly sins. You do this by repenting and riding yourself of sin and having obedience to Jesus.

6. Forgiveness-Something promised to Christians in the gospel message of Jesus. It is the promise from Jesus is that if we come to Jesus with faith and repent then a Christian will be forgiven for their sins.

7. Justification-Justification for a Christian occurs when we are saved by our acts of faith and repentance. Justification for a Christian is that they are forgiven for their sins by God and that God declares a Christian as righteous in his sight. Almost like a Christian has been fully purified.

8. Old Testament- The part of the bible that is written before the birth of Jesus. Made up of the first 39 books of the Bible. It contains the story of creation, as well as other stories of major people that came before Jesus Christ. Believed to be the word of God.

9. New Testament- The remaining 27 books of the Bible. These are the stories of Jesus' life and the time after that.  It is encouraged for all parts of the Bible to be read because it is all considered to be the word of God.

10. Baptism in the Holy Spirit- Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not anything like the sacrament of Baptism. This is when a Christian who is a follower and believer in Christ is filled with the Holy Spirit.

http://www.fuelingfaith.org.uk/concepts-of-christianity/key-christian-concepts/

Ritual

Lifetime rituals/ rites of passage

Rituals within Christianity are known as the sacraments

Sacraments performed by almost all Christians are baptism, Eucharist, and Marriage.

Within Catholicism there are seven distinct sacraments

• Baptism- Where a Catholic becomes a member of the Church. Often at a young age
• Reconciliation- Made before first Eucharist where a Catholic ask forgiveness of their sins
• First Eucharist- The first time a Catholic receives the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
• Confirmation- Much like a second baptism where a follower pronounces their full faith in Jesus Christ
• Holy Orders- The process in which a male becomes a priest in the Catholic faith
• Marriage- The sacrament where a man and women are bound in marriage by the church
• Anointing of the Sick- Sacrament where the priest blesses a sick follower of Christ often on their death bed, before a follower enters the purgatory 

Most Christian denominations also often attend weekly services on Sundays. The practice of these sacraments are performed by Christians to help guide them to a closer relationship with Christ with the ultimate goals of reaching heaven after death in mind.

Gender and ritual.

All of the previous stated rituals within Christianity are open to both genders minus the sacrament of Holy Orders in the Catholic faith. This is different compared to many denominations of Christianity because in many denominations both genders are able to be preachers in the church but Catholicism has it limited to only males. The male exclusiveness within Catholicism is not supported by all Christians.

http://www.catholic.org/prayers/sacrament.php