Sikhism cosmogony origin of the universe

Religion- Final Paper

FINAL PAPER: World View Chart Writing Assignment

Due Week 10 and worth 235 points

This assignment uses the information you have gathered for your weekly World View Chart Assignments.

Choose ONE (1) category (origin of all things, nature of god, view of human nature, view of good and evil, etc.) from the chart to focus on for this assignment. Consider how the selected category relates to all of the religions covered and to your own social or work experiences.

Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:

Select ONE (1) category from the completed World View Chart. Provide a rationale for choosing this category. What is compelling about this category? Why is it important in the study of religion?
Describe the selected content and explain the significance of the selected category across all of the religions studied. Show in what ways the category is significant for each religion.
Give an example of how you have noticed this category in your life, town or country. What impact does this category have in the everyday lives of people who practice religion in your area? (You do not have to give examples of all the religions in your area, just one you have noticed besides any you practice). For example, in Cincinnati, Ohio we have Hindu, Greek Orthodox, Catholic festivals in the summer. So if my category were “Festivals and Celebrations” I could use those events as my example.
Use at least three (3) quality resources as references for the assignment and document your sources using APA Style for in-text citations and references. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.
Write clearly and coherently using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics.
Your assignment must:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Analyze what is meant by religion.
Analyze the similarities and differences in the primary beliefs held by major religious traditions and the cultures in which these religions evolved.
Describe the varieties of religious experience and practice in a wide range of cultures.
Recognize how daily life within various religions and current affairs are influenced by religion.
Develop written pieces that demonstrate an analysis of a topic relevant to the course.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in religion.
Write clearly and concisely about world religions using proper writing mechanics.
Please Provide At least 4 Sources

Grading Rubric

Points: 235

Final Paper

Criteria

Unacceptable
Below 60% F

Meets Minimum Expectations
60-69% D

Fair
70-79% C

Proficient
80-89% B

Exemplary
90-100% A

1. Select one (1) category from the completed World View Chart. Provide a rationale for choosing this aspect or category.
Weight: 25%

Did not submit or incompletely selected one (1) category from the completed World View Chart and provided a rationale for choosing this category. Covered 0-1 religions.

Insufficiently selected one (1) category from the completed World View Chart and provided a rationale for choosing this category. Covered only 2-3 religions

Partially selected one (1) category from the completed World View Chart and provided a rationale for choosing this category. Covered only 4-6 religions.

Satisfactorily selected one (1) category from the completed World View Chart and provided a rationale for choosing this category. Covered 7-9 religions.

Thoroughly selected one (1) category from the completed World View Chart and provided a rationale for choosing this category. All Covered all 10 religions.

2. Describe the selected content and explain the significance of the selected category across the religions studied.
Weight: 30%

Did not submit or incompletely described the selected content and explained the significance of the selected category across the religions studied.
Covered 0 -1 religion.

Insufficiently described the selected content and explained the significance of the selected category across the religions studied.
Covered 2-3 religions.

Partially described the selected content and explained the significance of the selected category across the religions studied.
Covered 4-6 religions.

Satisfactorily described the selected content and explained the significance of the selected category across the religions studied.
Covered 7-9 religions.

Thoroughly described the selected content and explained the significance of the selected category across the religions studied.
Covered all 10 religions.

3. Provide one (1) specific example of how the selected category is manifested in the student social environment.
Weight: 15%

Did not submit or incompletely provided one (1) specific example of how the selected category was manifested in your social environment.
Covered 0-1 religions.

Insufficiently provided one (1) specific example of how the selected category was manifested in your social environment.
Covered 2-3 religions.

Partially provided one (1) specific example of how the selected category was manifested in your social environment.
Covered 4-6 religions.

Satisfactorily provided one (1) specific example of how the selected category was manifested in your social environment.
Covered 7-9 religions.

Thoroughly provided one (1) specific example of how the selected category was manifested in your social environment.
Covered all 10 religions.

4. Use at least three (3) quality resources as references for the assignment and document your sources using APA Style for in-text citations and references.
Weight: 10%

No references provided; 0 in-text citations

Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices. Only 1-2 in-text citations.

Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices. 3-4 in-text citations.

Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices. 5-6 in-text citations.

Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices. 7 or more in-text citations.

5. Write clearly and coherently using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics.
Weight: 20%

More than 8 errors present

7-8 errors present

5-6 errors present

3-4 errors present

0-2 errors present

WORLD RELIGIONS – REL 212 World Religions

HINDUISM & JAINISM

WEEK 2

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

In Hindu traditions, there were several theories which explained the origin of the universe. First, the Hindu believed there was nothing at the beginning, and the universe was created by mutual birth or dismemberment of a sacrificial victim. Later, the Hindu developed a belief that universe was created by Brahma or Visnu who was one of their gods. As if not enough, the Hindu came to another idea that universe was created by self where the old material stuff are believed to transform into different parts of the world.

The Jainism on the other end had a detailed and well-structured theory that explained the origin of the universe. They believed in the spatial arrangement of the universe and argued that when individual selves die, they go to heaven or hells to reach the place of bliss and finally gain freedom.

Nature of God/Creator

Jainism does not believe in God as a creator, survivor or destroyer of the universe, but as a perfect being. According to Jainism, when a person destroys his karmas, he becomes a liberated soul and lives in a perfect blissful state in moksha forever. The liberated soul has infinite power, infinite knowledge, and infinite bliss and is believed to have a potential to become a god. The gains, therefore, do not have one god as they believe that the beings who becomes liberated become Gods.

As for the Hindu, the concept of God has a different explanation. The Hindus believe in one God called Brahman. However, the Hindu religion allows its followers to worship the God in various forms such as nature and persons. The nature aspect includes sun, trees, idols and animals. The persons are called deities which are celestial beings believed to control forces of nature but are commonly confused with God.

View of Human Nature

The Hindu distinguishes the self as ego or persona (ahamkara) with the eternal self, the atman. The atman is believed to be a subject of consciousness, and there cannot be treated as an object.

In Jainism however, the soul is uncreated. The Jains believes that all souls are equal but only the human soul has the power to liberate. They believe that the soul has infinite power and knowledge and has the inherent potential of divinity.

View of Good & Evil

According to Hindu scripture, the concept of right is represented by purity (sattva), balance, light, order, immortality, and selflessness. On the other end, evil is represented by impurity (tamas), extremity, darkness, sinful conduct, and selfishness.

The jains belief that just because there exist a god, there should be no evil in the universe. The evil is explained in terms of suffering that exists and the god enables people to explain it.

View of Salvation

The idea of salvation in Hindu is called moksha which means escaping the cycle of life and rebirth and entering a state of completeness.

According to Jains, the path to salvation is achieved simply by attaining the right belief, right knowledge, and light conduct. The Jain believes that when the soul becomes liberated, one attains salvation or moksha.

View of After Life

The Hindu belief in rebirth and reincarnation of the soul. Death is therefore not a big disaster in Hindu as they believe the soul is part of the jiva; the limited being. They believe that after death, the soul reassembles its resources, adjusts its course and returns to earth to continue with its journey.

The Jainism view rebirth from two ends. Good conduct will lead to rebirth and coming back to earth while evil conduct will lead to punishment in one of the eight hells after which the soul is reborn in another form after severe punishment.

Practices and Rituals

The rituals and practices in Hindu are associated with sculptures and images of gods in home shrines. Hindu believe in the path of knowledge or philosophy (jnanamarga), the path of devotion (bhaktimarga) and the path to liberation (margas).

The Jainism religion, however, believes in personal purity and ethical conduct. They practice the lifestyle of a vegetarian as they believe meat has an aspect of the human soul. They run animal shelters and in Delhi they have a bird hospital run by Jain temple.

Celebrations & Festivals

Hindu observe several celebrations and festivals such as Holi, Diwali, and mahashivaratri. Holi is celebrated after the full moon to disregard the social norms while Diwali is celebrated on the final day of Vikram calendar to symbolize row of lights. Mahashivaratri on the other end is celebrated on the 14th day of the lunar month by all Hindus.

The jains have such festivals as Diwali, per yu Shana, and KartikPurnima among others. All these festivals occur between August and November.

Week 2 - Sources

Mills, A. C., &Slobodin, R. (1994). Amerindian rebirth: reincarnation belief among North American Indians and Inuit. University of Toronto Press.

Hay, S. N., & De Bary, W. T. (Eds.). (1988). Sources of Indian tradition (Vol. 2). MotilalBanarsidassPublishers.

Van der Veer, P. (1994). Religious Nationalism: Hindus and Muslims in India. Univ of California Press.

Lipner, J. (2012). Hindus: Their religious beliefs and practices. Routledge.

BUDDHISM

WEEK 3

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Buddhism teaches that the origin of the world is unknowable. It teaches that the universe is one of many that have come before.

Nature of God/Creator

· Do not believe in the concept of a personal God.

· Buddhism rejects the notion of an abstract principle of God operating in the universe.

· They believe that the concept of God is a response to fear and frustration

View of Human Nature

Human existence in Buddhism is viewed as nothing more than a composite of five aggregates (Khandas)_

· Physical forms(Rupa)

· Feelings or sensations(Vedana)

· Ideations(Sanna)

· Mental formations or dispositions(Sankhara)

· Consciousness(Vinnana)

View of Good & Evil

The Buddhist understanding is that good and evil are innate ,inseparable aspect of life that makes it impossible to label a particular individual or group as good or evil

View of Salvation

According to Buddhism, salvation is reaching nirvana which is transcendental , blissful, nothingness or completeness where one finally becomes a Buddha

View of After Life

They believe in a cycle of death and rebirth called samsara

Practices and Rituals

· Bowing

· Chanting

· Lighting incense

· Altar offerings

· Meditation

Celebrations & Festivals

· Vesak(budha day)

· Magha Puja day(Fourfold Assembly)

· Asalha Puja Day(Dhamm Day)

· Uposatha(Observance Day)

· Kathina ceremony(Robe offering ceremony)

· Abhidhamma day

· Songkran

· The festival of the tooth.

week 3 sources

Pyysiäinen, I. (2003). Buddhism, religion, and the concept of ‘god.’. Numen, 50(2), 147-171.

Josephson, J. Ā. (2006). When Buddhism Became a" Religion": Religion and Superstition in the Writings of Inoue Enryō. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 143-168.

DAOISM & CONFUCIANISM

WEEK 4

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Taoism teaches that there is a power in the universe that is higher, deeper and truer than any force. They call it the Tao, The Way

Nature of God/Creator

They only believe in Tao, the way

View of Human Nature

They believe that humans can deviate from the creative rhythm of the universe, Tao, The Way. When they deviate, they destruct those around them including themselves. Daoism focuses on the way of nature and immortality (Lai, 2015). Confucianism focuses on the practice of virtue – setting good examples for others to follow to have a structured society.

View of Good & Evil

With Daoism, the universe is neither good nor evil—it is beyond good and evil. The universe just is. The secret to living a good and harmonious life is through inactivity (Adler, 2002). One of the key concepts of Daoism is Wu Wei who is the accomplishing of tasks without assertion or aggression. According to Daoism, active attempts to conquer nature or improve society are futile and only make things worse.

View of Salvation

In Daoism death is neither feared nor desired instead a person enjoys living.

View of After Life

Daoism holds that both life and death should be in conformity with nature. In no area is the lack of a single unified Taoist belief system more evident than in the case of concepts about the afterlife and salvation (Lai, 2015).

Practices and Rituals

There are two main types of ritual: 1) funeral rites or periodic rites on behalf of ancestors, which are performed only by some sects, sometimes in tandem with Buddhist priests; and 2) rites on behalf of local communities (Adler, 2002).

Celebrations & Festivals

Major festivals last for days, from two or three up to seven or more. Typically each of these rites consists of these stages: purification, invocation of the deities, prayers, consecration and offerings, hymns, dances, and perambulations.

Week 4 - Sources

Lai, K. (2015). Daoism and Confucianism. In Dao Companion to Daoist Philosophy (pp. 489-511). Springer Netherlands.

Adler, J. A. (2002). Chinese religions. N. Smart (Ed.). London: Routledge.

WEEK 5

SHINTO

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

· The Kami are known to have created the universe, this is told in the Kojiki.

· Kami means 'god's although they are not like the traditional concept Gods as in many monotheistic religions.

· The Kojiki tells of the Kami beginning as the center of heaven, then giving birth and growth to all other Kami through the kami brother and sister.

· They also gave birth to Japan's Eight Great Islands.

Nature of God/Creator

· They are polytheistic, meaning they worship or believe in multiple deities.

View of Human Nature

· All of humanity is regarded as "Kami's child." Thus all human life and human nature are sacred.

View of Good & Evil

· Belief that humans are born good. Humans and their actions later in life create anything bad. Usually to rid someone from this is by purification

View of Salvation

· In Shintoism they are always working on oneness with nature and they tend to worship Kami.

View of After Life

· Not much is emphasized on an afterlife. More concern with oneness in nature.

Practices and Rituals

· There are major chronicles of Shintoism, Kojiki, and Nihongi.

· They are greatly influenced by Buddhist, Confucian, Korean and Chinese thought.

Celebrations & Festivals

· Gion Matsuri (Kyoto): Gion Matsuri is one of the most famous festivals in Japan.

· It takes place during the entire month of July, but the highlight is the grand procession of floats called “Yamaboko Junko” on the 17th and 24th.

· The main Shinto rites and festivals are for celebrating the New Year, childbirth, coming of age, planting and harvest, weddings, and groundbreaking ceremonies for new buildings.

Week 5 - Sources

Breen, J., & Teeuwen, M. (2013). Shinto in History: Ways of the Kami. Routledge.

Katu, G. (2010). A study of Shinto: the religion of the Japanese nation. Routledge.

WEEK 6

JUDAISM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

The universe was created by God.

Creation process took place in six days and God rested on the seventh day.

Man took the last position on the creation process.

Nature of God/Creator

God is a God of order. He did the creation in order from first day to sixth day.

He is a loving God, who cares for all that He created. He relieved the people from suffering in Egypt.

He is a good God. Everything He created was good.

View of Human Nature

Man was created in God’s own image thus considered special.

Man was given special gift of reasoning.

All humans share ancestry thus considered equal. They are born with the inherent sin from their ancestor Adam.

View of Good & Evil

The concept of good and evil exists in the Judaism religion.

Everyone has a responsibility of doing good always and avoiding the evil acts.

God gave them ten commandments to help in avoiding evil

View of Salvation

Jews believe in the corporate salvation rather than personal.

Torah teaches that people should work together spiritually and be accountable to one another.

View of After Life

Judaism believes in life after death.

After death, they hope to live with God the creator in His kingdom, where suffering is un available.

The rewards and punishments are awaiting people depending on the one’s deeds before death.

After death, the righteous people shall be allowed to reunite with their loved ones while the wicked shall be denied the reunion.

Practices and Rituals

Circumcision of the male children aged eight days.

Doing of the communal works that are meant to help the strangers, the sick and the needy.

Passive stories narrated in the families.

Celebrations & Festivals

Prayers done communally three times in a day.

Pentateuch is read on the Sabbath and also during the festival services such as the harvest festival and Passover feasts.

Fasting and prayers on the atonement day for repentance reasons.

Week 6 - Sources

Finkelstein, L. (1960). The Jews: Their history, culture, and religion.

Hamilton, V. (1991). In the beginning: Creation stories from around the world. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

WEEK 7

CHRISTIANITY

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Christians believe in the creation story found in the first two chapters of the Genesis.

According to the stories, God is the creator of the universe

God did the creation in six days and rested on the seventh day.

Nature of God/Creator

There is only one God.

Christians believe in the holy trinity in which God comprises of three persons, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All the three are one.

View of Human Nature

Man was created in the image of God thus considered special.

Man is sinful in nature since they went against God’s command in the garden of Eden

Man is born sinful due to the inherited sin from the ancestors.

View of Good & Evil

God is good and that is why He created the universe.

All that is good comes from God since He cannot contradict His inherent character.

Moral evils come as a result of rebellion against God.

Evil deeds results to sufferings and death.

View of Salvation

Salvation is important for all humans since they are born sinful.

Jesus Christ came to save humans from sin by suffering and dying on the cross.

One has to be saved to enter the kingdom of God.

View of After Life

Christians believe in life after death in which the consequences of the sin have to follow them in the new world.

After death, God will do the judgment in which the righteous people shall enter the kingdom of God and the wicked shall be burnt in the eternal fire.

Practices and Rituals

Christians practice baptism with water that symbolizes washing away of sins.

Prayers in the same way Jesus taught them.

They also do fasting when asking for forgiveness of their sins from God.

Celebrations & Festivals

Lent, in which Christians spend forty days in preparation of Easter

Good Friday, commemorating the suffering and death of Christ.

Easter Sunday, in which the resurrection of Christ is celebrated.

Christmas day, in which Christians remember the birth of Jesus Christ.

Week 7 - Sources

McManners, J. (Ed.). (1990). The Oxford illustrated history of Christianity (Vol. 457). Oxford: Oxford University Press

Badham, P. (1976). Christian beliefs about life after death. Springer.

WEEK 8 ISLAM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

According to the modern cosmology, theoretical and observational, there is a clear indication that there was only smoke in the whole universe at one point in time. This smoke was composed of hot gases that were dense and opaque. This principle is one of a kind that is not disputed in the standard modern cosmology. . (Norcliffe, 1999).There are observations made by the scientists about the formation of stars from the smoke remnants. In the Quran, there is a statement by God that the heavens and earth have been formed from this kind of smoke thereby leading to the Muslims believe that the heavens and earth were once an entity that was connected. Then, from their state of similar (smoke form) they were created and split from one another. This is evidenced by God’s words in the Quran that the people who do not believe should be aware of the combined entity of the heavens and earth that were separated by God. (Norcliffe, 1999).

Nature of God/Creator

The Muslims call their God Allah. This name is only meant for one God of the Muslims that is used universally among all the Muslims. However, there is a strong connection between this name and the Hebrew and Aramaic names of their God that are Allah and Elohim. (“Islamic Faith.” 2016). Therefore the simple Arabic name for God is Allah and is singular with no equals or partners. Allah is termed as the creator of the universe and the one who sustains it.God’s purpose for creating the human beings is for them to worship him. God used messengers to guide the people in fulfilling his purpose. Some of these messengers were inclusive of Noah, Jesus, Moses, Adam, and Muhammad. God is regarded as excellent in Islam, and he is the only one to be worshiped.

View of Human Nature

According to the Quran creation of the Human beings by God was from a clot of blood while simultaneously he made Jinn out of a fire. There is a belief that people are the greatest of all the created animals. They have been set up by God’s free will so that they would serve and obey him. There is a mention of Adam and his fall but no conclusions on the original sin as depicted in some Christians doctrines.

View of Good & Evil

Our thinking and perceptions as human beings lead us to have our definition of good and evil. There is, however, a limitation of human thinking in a variety of ways. There are events that may seem to be good, but at last, they turn out to be evil. The only knowledge that is true and has no limitations is with God in the Quran God is defined as the only one who has the authority to determine what’s evil and what’s good. . (Norcliffe, 1999).Therefore through such, there might be a lot of misleading information about our perceptions. The life’s meaning, as well as the creations purposes, are used in defining right and wrong in the Islamic faith.According to Islam, anything that places one or brings one closer to God is termed as good while anything that takes a person far away from God is termed as Evil. (“Islamic Faith.” 2016).

View of Salvation

The doctrine of the Muslims in regards to salvation is that those who do not believe, or else the non-believers and the sinners shall face condemnation but those who repent their sins genuinely to Allah shall be forgiven and be granted entrance to the Paradise after they die

View of After Life

There is great importance in the belief of the Islam about Afterlife. The Muslims have an idea that once a person dies, then their soul continues to exist continuously with their physical existences being transformed too. The teachings in Islam state that there shall be a judgment day where division of the human beings shall occur with some people living eternally in paradise while others being banished to suffer in hell forever. (“Islamic Faith.” 2016).

Practices and Rituals

Some practices and rituals are observed in the Islamic religion. One of them is that of the five pillars of Islam. These refer to the five moral responsibilities and duties that are expected for all Muslims. The mention of the five pillars is common in the Quran while there exists a list of the five component that was compiled by Prophet Muhammad. There is the confession of faith also known as Shahada. These are the two central beliefs that very Muslims professes to make one ton be a Muslim. One of the nuclear activities of the Islam is that of Alms tax that is also known as Zakat. (“Islamic Faith.” 2016).
Celebrations & Festivals

There are only two major festivals that are celebrated by the Muslims which are 'Id Al-Adha and 'Id Al-Fitr. (Norcliffe, 1999).They also celebrate the Ramadan that is characterized by one month period of fasting. There is also observance and celebration of a day of fasting usually known as Ashura. Another critical festival that is observed is that of Mawlid an-Nabi that signals the birthday of Prophet Muhammad though this festival is not adopted by the conservative Muslims who see it as an idolatrous innovation. (“Islamic Faith.” 2016).

Week 8 - Sources

Islamic Faith. (2016). Islam101.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016, from http://www.islam101.com/faith/index.htm

Norcliffe, D. (1999). Islam (1st ed.). Brighton, UK: Sussex Academic Press.

WEEK 9

SIKHISM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Sikhism also termed, as Gurmat by its followers inferring "the Way of the Guru" it is an Indian-native faith instituted in the Punjab area in the late 15th century. With respect to the origins of the universe, Sikhs accept as true the notion of the 'Oneness of Creation' attesting that God (also called Waheguru) is the one who formed the universe and every other living and non-living organism on it. They equally believe that God made human beings and infused in them the ability to understand what is right and what is wrong. The Earth was created for the pleasure of human beings, even though God formed the world within his power, the world is barely God itself, and before the creation of a distinctive cosmos, God was lived solely for ages ( Ahluwalia & Alimchandani, 2013).

Nature of God/Creator

According to Sikhism, God's nature is two-prong the first niche is supreme; meaning God is present beyond of the physical realm and has no form or gender. In this divine form, the deity prevails beyond of dimensions of time and the sequence of demise and renaissance, which typifies existence for members of the Sikh faith. The Sikh God according to their followers is past human conception, because of his divine form; God has no confines and cannot be comprehended by a human mind whose thoughts are based in the confines of the earthly world (Nesbitt, 2016).

View of Human Nature

Sikhs have faith in that human beings spend their earthly life in a sequence of life, birth and renaissance. They take-up this conviction with followers of other Indian religious traditions such as Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Sikhs hold that human nature is engrossed in self-absorption also termed Haumai, contrasted to the celestial consciousness also referred to as Gurmat and compassion called Parupkari. Human beings spend their time in a sequence of life, birth and renaissance on earth and after-life and by way of it help appreciate the essence of deity this affords them the chance to unite with the divine will ( Ahluwalia & Alimchandani, 2013).

View of Good & Evil

Sikhs accept as true in Karma and in rebirth, individuals are rewarded once they do good deeds, and contrastingly are punished once they do appalling deeds, and suffer the repercussions. Doing good, is what propels an individual to realize their perpetual objective, and drifting away from goodness, will engender that passage directed at that objective slightly longer. The perpetual objective they are working towards is the ultimate deliverance. Submitting to any self-seeking desires is equally taken as evil (Nesbitt, 2016).

View of Salvation

Sikhs who live truthful and moral lives believe they undergo a sort of heaven on earth as it is. The holy scripture of the Sikh, referred to as the Guru Granth Sahib, holds that the Almighty is the benefactor of all comfort and peace, there are not none other at all. Good deeds joint with devoted faith results to deliverance over the course of one’s lifetime. Every person is answerable for achieving her inherent deliverance. Relations with others are a key part of this progress, being as chances for Sikhs to get nearer to God (Ahluwalia & Alimchandani, 2013).

View of After Life

They hold that every soul starts out in a lower animal species but moves ahead to be closer to God through a succession of lives. When the soul at last receives a human body, this means that it is getting closer and closer to God. If the person lives a good life, they may be reincarnated as another human, or they may be released from the reincarnation cycle to spend eternity with God (Nesbitt, 2016).

Practices and Rituals

Sikh rituals and practices are quite modest, specific and practical rules laid out by the Gurus for the custom. Such way of life is said as to having been ridded of myths, difficulties, jargon, rituals and misuse of man by man on behalf of faith. Some common practices entail prayers that are reiterated several occasions daily, Sikhs are forbidden from deifying images, idols, or likenesses. The Sikh code of conduct reiterates a Sikh ought not to take any sort of intoxicant similarly taking of alcoholic drinks or smoking is consequently outlawed. One uncommon aspect of Sikhism is that every Sikh man shares the tag: "Singh" which infers "lion." Women hold the name of "Kaur" meaning "princess." This custom seemingly began in the initial years of the faith, and was a depiction of the Sikh's utter rebuff of the Hindu practice of class stratification. Lastly, the five K’s that entail the dressing customs followed by firmer Sikhs; referred to as Khalsa saints first is Kesa meaning extended hair that is at no time cut. The word is occasionally used to mention the head turban that covers the hair. Kangah or a comb, short pants referred to as, Kacha Kara which is a metal bracelet and Kirpan which a ritual blade ( Ahluwalia & Alimchandani, 2013).

Celebrations & Festivals

The Sikhs have a number of rituals and celebrations covering marriage ceremonies termed Anand Karaj inferring 'cerebration of bliss. Prior to the matrimonial day another pertinent ceremony referred Kurmayaee or Shagan typically transpires at the Gurdwara or the bridegroom's house, naming and death ceremony. A Gurpurab is a Sikh holy day or festival a revered celebration, equally referred to as the Guru's remembrance day, Baisakhi or Vaisakhi, is another festival where they celebrate the birthday of the Khalsa or the Pure Ones, Diwali; Sikhs celebrate this day to express the happiness at the return of the sixth Guru. Hola Mohalla feted yearly in memory of the legend of Prahlad. Finally, Sangrand the commencement of another month based on the Sikh calendar, albeit Sikhs barely take this day as a feted day since on the word of Sikhs every day is the same (Nesbitt, 2016).
Week 9 - Sources

Ahluwalia, M. K., & Alimchandani, A. (2013). A Call to Integrate Religious Communities Into Practice The Case of Sikhs. The Counseling Psychologist, 41(6), 931-956.

Nesbitt, E. (2016). Sikhism: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.

WEEK 10

NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

The apostolic church

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

God is the creator of all things.

Creation stories are contained in the bible.

Nature of God/Creator

There is only one God.

God has shown revelation to humankind as the Father who is the creator, the Son who is the savior and the Holy Ghost who dwells in the living.

View of Human Nature

Human is sinful in nature, and therefore, God the Son came to earth for the salvation purposes.

View of Good & Evil

In the daily lives, people are exposed to both good and bad.

The believers are to practice good and godly life in preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Evil deeds are considered immoral and will lead to punishment after death.

View of Salvation

Salvation involves delivering people from their sins through blood of Jesus Christ.

For one to get saved, he/she has to go through repentance and baptism.

After attaining salvation, one is to practice godly life.

View of After Life

There is life after death.

All people will resurrect after death for judgment by God the creator

After judgment, the righteous shall enter the God’s Kingdom while the sinners to face the punishment.

Practices and Rituals

There is baptism through water and holy spirit.

Water baptism is done through immersion in water to symbolize washing away of sins.

Baptism through holy spirit symbolizes the birth of spirit in an individual.

The believers speak in tongues.

Celebrations & Festivals

Easter, to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Palm Sunday, to show peace that Jesus demonstrated in Jerusalem.

Sunday services for worshipping God the only creator of all things on the earth.

There is celebration of Pentecost day symbolizing the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Week 10 - Sources

Hollenweger, W. J. (1972). The Pentecostals: The charismatic movement in the Churches. Augsburg Pub. House.

Van Gelder, C. (2000). The essence of the church: A community created by the Spirit. Baker Books.