All three of these TED talks really get you thinking about the concept of religion and what it is. One of the TED talks touched on the idea of no religion. Although i do not necesarrilly agree with this idea, because i agree with the main idea Lesley Hazleton incorporated into her TED talk about faith is in every human based off of their doubt. Although I think the idea of religion not being a thing could be a benefit in certain aspects, such as international relations, or politics would make life easier I just do not think the idea of no religion is valid. Speaking on the topic of how no religion could improve international relations and politics the reason i believe that it is a problem is due to the fact that many people receive the minimum information on an outside religion from a bias of another person and then they have that negative view on that religion from that point on, not doing a further investigation for themselves on that religion to maybe understand it better. This is why i really appreciate this class and chose to do my extended essay in world religions because it allows me to create my own thoughts on particular religions, not based on the information being presented to me with the bias of the presenter skewing the information. One way that information is skewed is the language the presenter uses while conveying the information to you. Language has a major affect on faith. Some faith was originally restricted to one language, Islam for example arabic, this meant that the religions had a small pool of people it could reach due to individualized language. The language within religious text also affects faith. How the stories and practices of faith were written down at the beginning of the religion determined how the information from that time period is interpreted today. This is why i think the course of world religions and the religions we study is so beneficial for our generation because we can take a step back from stereotypical bias and find out the truth behind religions that we did not previously understand.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Chapter 3 Questions
1. According to Islam, we are all
born "good" - how does it then explain the "bad” that exists?
·
Islam says that we are all basically born good but we have a
natural weakness due to our physical nature. Through these instincts we have
the ability to obtain sin. This sin is the enemy in Islam that can prey on our
hearts and minds.
2. What are the purposes of the 3
levels of self-development in Islam?
·
The purpose of the 3 levels of self development in Islam is so
that we can work to attain them as we struggle to find the realization that god
is real, and how we were originally sin free but we have obtained it in life
because we are creatures of flesh so these 3 levels help us come to the final
goal as seeing God as real.
3. How does Islam both accept
other religious ideas but is the "last installment of God's will"
·
Islam is accepting of other peoples beliefs because they
believe, that a prophet had to come along in that persons time to discover that
faith. Along with these other beliefs a Muslims goal is to figure out what
remains of authentic guidance from God, which is determined by the Quran which
makes Islam the “last installment of God’s will”.
4. What do you think is the role
of the Tawba? How does this play a role in the daily responsibility
of individuals? How is this different (or similar) compared to other religions?
·
The role of Tawba is to free your soul of the sins you have
committed in order to stay close with God and seeing God as real. This is
similar to the practice of reconciliation in the Christian faith, asking for forgiveness
for sins is a major practice within that religion.
5. Why is Islam not a faith of
"good deeds" even if it superficially may seem to be - or as claimed
in the reading, it is a form of "religious capitalism"
·
Islam is not a faith of good deeds because even though it might
promote good deeds within the religion, these good deeds that are being
promoted and hopefully carry out, would lead to better life for everyone making
Islam more “religious capitalism”.
6. What is meant in the sentence:
"Salvation in Islam comes from making the choice while alive to accept
Allah and mold like according to the way of life He has established." Revisit
/ expand on the concept of the Fitrah
·
This quote means that while still alive
on earth and being able to make a positive impact on others peoples lives, you
should let your Fitrah guide you to accept Allah, so that you can then live
your life in the way that Mohammad did to make the world a better place, which
goes along with the notion that Islam is religious capitalism.
Chapter 2 Questions
1.
What is the purpose of the Ayatul Kursi:
"Verse of the Throne"
·
The purpose of the "Verse of the
Throne" is that it gives a good introduction to the way in which Muslim
followers view God.
2.
What, according to Muslims what are the four
areas that prove the existence of God / Allah
·
In the natural world with all its beauty and
complexity, our human abilities and capacities, the revelation of God's
guidance and existence of religion, and lastly our inner feelings.
3.
What does it mean to "surrender to
Allah"?
·
The word Islam itself means to "surrender
to Allah" and to acquire peace, if you are doing this then you are a
Muslim, or surrendered one.
4.
What is the role of free will in Islam and
following God's will?
·
Free will in Islam is something that God gave to
every living and nonliving thing in the universe. This free will everything and
everyone has helps us learn what is right and wrong, good and evil, so we can
chose to do the right and good actions in our life.
5.
Fitrah: Why is it important to
have this in addition to free will? According to Islam, how is it that all of
us have Fitrah, even if we are not Muslim?
·
Fitrah is our inclination that helps guide us
through life. It is our inner compass and it is
what separates us from animals. All of us are born with the natural
inclination to surrender to Allah which is to be a muslim but our parents are
the ones that turn us to a different faith.
6.
In your own words explain Fitrah
·
Fitrah is our inner conscious that tells us the
difference between right and wrong and what actions we need to do, to live our
life the moral, good, and right way. Ultimately to help us surrender to Allah
in the case of a Muslim.
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