Week 10 Assignment 1 Religion
Assignment 1: 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 aspect relates to each 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.
Describe the selected content and explain the significance of the selected category across the religions studied.
Provide one (1) specific example of how the selected category is manifested in your social environment.
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.
Click here to view the grading rubric.
attachment
religion_4.docx
WORLD RELIGIONS – REL 212 World Religions
HINDUISM & JAINISM
WEEK 2
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
The cosmogony of Hindus points out that the present cycle is not the beginning of everything but the very cycle is preceded by various infinite number of universes and that another infinite number of universes will succeed it.
Jainism cosmogony claims the universe is an uncreated entity that existed since infinity and that it has the shape of a man standing legs apart and the hands resting on the waist.
Nature of God/Creator
Jainism claims that all constituents and actions are governed by the universal natural laws.
The concept of God is complicated in the Hinduism religion as it depends on particular tradition.
View of Human Nature
Human nature is related to divine nature
View of Good & Evil
Selfish actions are regarded as evil and leads to suffering whereas the religion recognizes selfless and sacrificial actions as good and leads to peace liberation and happiness.
View of Salvation
Jainism concept of salvation is action-less and peaceful existence whereas Hinduism views salvation as the merging of soul with universal soul or eternal stay in paradise
View of After Life
They both belief in reincarnation
Practices and Rituals
Rituals are critical to Jainism and Hinduism because they aid express beliefs and values. They include; monasticism, worship, meditation,
Celebrations & Festivals
Hinduism and Jainism embraces festivals largely in tandem with the Indian culture and they comprise the holi, holika dahan, gangaur, ram Navami etc.
Week 2 - Sources
Scullard, H. H. (1981). festivals and ceremonies of the roman republic. Cornell university press.
BUDDHISM
WEEK 3
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
Buddhism asserts that the universe comes into existence dependent on the actions of its inhabitants. The religion postulates neither final end nor ultimate beginning of the universe; however it sees the universe as continuously undergoing change passing in and out of existence. It views the universe as being parallel to other infinite universes undergoing the same flux.
Nature of God/Creator
Buddhism neither denies nor accepts a creator
View of Human Nature
Human nature is related to divine nature
View of Good & Evil
Buddhism believes that good and evil are innate, not separable tenets of life. Every man is capable of great good as well as worst evil. There are however consequences.
View of Salvation
Salvation in early Buddhism was nirvana, the extinguishing of all the Karma that constitutes the self.
View of After Life
In accordance to Buddhism after death one is reborn or enters nirvana.
Practices and Rituals
The religion observes a number of practices and rituals to aid the journey to enlightment and bring blessings on oneself or others. They include religious cultures of India, Asia, Tibet etc. and meditation
Celebrations & Festivals
Celebrations and festivals in Buddhism include; Buddhist new year, Vesak,magha puja day, asalha puja day etc.
Week 3 - Sources
Mbithi, J. S. (1990). African religions & philosophy. Heinemann.
DAOISM & CONFUCIANISM
WEEK 4
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
The universe is self-generating and interrelated
Nature of God/Creator
There is no creator.
View of Human Nature
Human nature is inherently good
View of Good & Evil
The universe is either good nor evil, it is in fact beyond good and evil
View of Salvation
Do not hold beliefs about salvation
View of After Life
After life is beyond human comprehension and they should live and behave in such a manner to promote ideal social relations.
Practices and Rituals
They comprised music, charioteering, archery, ancestor worship etc.
Celebrations & Festivals
Involve most of Chinese culture and includes; new year celebrations, tomb sweeping, folk religion etc.
Week 4 - Sources
WEEK 5
SHINTO
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
The Shinto people believe that the universe was created for them by their gods. The universe was unified at creation.
Nature of God/Creator
The creator was a sun goddess called Amaterasu of numerous kami uniting the beliefs of several clans or tribes.
View of Human Nature
The religion views humans as being part of the natural arena which sacred.
View of Good & Evil
Shinto asserts that humans are born pure sharing in the divine soul and that evil come in the course of life and it can be eradicated by cleansing.
View of Salvation
The concept of salvation among Shinto people is rooted on the belief that all living creatures have a soul which does not live in heaven but among us.
View of After Life
Shinto follower place little regard on death and what happens after it.
Practices and Rituals
Include; shrine Shinto, imperial household Shinto, folk Shinto, sect Shinto etc.
Celebrations & Festivals
Comprise the celebrations for the new year, child birth, planting, coming of age, harvests, weddings etc.
Week 5 - Sources
Casanova, J. (2011). Public religions in the modern world. Chicago: University of Chicago. .
WEEK 6
JUDAISM
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
Judaism content that a single, uncreated God was responsible for the creation of the universe.
Nature of God/Creator
God according to Christianity is a supreme being with no beginning or end and has power over everything. God is unchangeable and unaffected by earthly forces or anything else within the creation.
View of Human Nature
Human nature is distinct from dine nature in that humanity is seen as dependent upon God and God’s will.
View of Good & Evil
According to Judaism all evil in the world is as a result of man or is permitted by God for it’s a fair option than crushing human kind. Good and evil have consequences just as they are subject to free will of choice.
View of Salvation
Judaism has always asserted that we do not need that sort of salvation bearing in mind that we are doomed or damned at birth.
View of After Life
Judaism believes that death is not the end of life but leave wide open room for personal opinion as it concerns itself the least with after life.
Practices and Rituals
Judaism rituals and practices are provided for by the Jewish law and dictates the daily life of individuals in honor of God. Some of the practices include; mitzvoth, the 613 commandments, rabbinic law, the synagogue, Jewish worship and prayer, keeping kosher etc.
Celebrations & Festivals
Most of the Jewish celebrations and festivals are to recall the might work of God in history. This vital days are the Sabbath, the three pilgrimage and the two high holy days.
Week 6 - Sources
Smith, H., & Marranca, R. (2009). The world's religions. New York: Harperone.
WEEK 7
CHRISTIANITY
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
The heaven and earth and all that is found in it were created by a supreme being called God by word of mouth a part from man who was created in God’s image and from dust. The creation of everything in the Universe took six days and happened in a given chronological order.
Nature of God/Creator
God according to Christianity is a supreme being with no beginning or end and has power over everything. God is unchangeable and unaffected by earthly forces or anything else within the creation. He exists in a holy trinity comprising God the father, son and Holy spirit who work in understanding and together.
View of Human Nature
Human being in relation to Christianity were created in the image of God for the sole purpose of worshiping him.
View of Good & Evil
Christianity views evil as a result of Satan who uses human beings by way deceiving and devouring so as to win them to hell. Good on the other end is perceived as living according to Gods commandments and will and carries an eternal reward after salvation, eternal life.
View of Salvation
Salvation according to Christianity is the key to going to heaven and is only received via believing in Jesus and confessing that he died for your sins and that he resurrected and ascended to heaven.
View of After Life
There is life after the life on earth. Them that are saved and live according to God’s commandments will inherit eternal life in heaven whereas those who do evil will face eternal wrath in a hell.
Practices and Rituals
Christianity offers great attention to practices as prescribed by the bible for example tithing, the Sabbath day, marriage, divorce, salvation. Failure to adhere to this practices is sin. The bottom line ritual in Christianity was the death of Jesus on the cross and therefore not many rituals are entertained.
Celebrations & Festivals
Every celebration and festive is significant to Christians. Notably are the Easter and Christmas which signify the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Birth of Jesus Christ consecutively. Other celebrations and festivals are tied to the commandments and instructions given to the Israelites by God as well as the life of Christ Jesus.
Week 7 - Sources
Beard, m., North, J. A., & price, S. (1998). religions of rome (Vol. 2). camprige university press.
WEEK 8
ISLAM
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
Islam educated that the universe was created by God to include the physical environment and human beings. The religion considers the earth as a prison from which the soul of human beings must escape to get true freedom in spiritual journey to God.
Nature of God/Creator
God according to Christianity is a supreme being with no beginning or end and has power over everything. God is unchangeable and unaffected by earthly forces or anything else within the creation.
View of Human Nature
Human nature is distinct from dine nature in that humanity is seen as dependent upon God and God’s will.
View of Good & Evil
Evil can either be caused by natural factors or human actions therefore they are either moral or natural. Muslims are expected to follow Allah’s example of justice mercy and forgiveness. Everyone is born with natural instinct to understand good and evil and therefore they have a free will to choose.
View of Salvation
According to Islam salvation is achieved through sincere worship. The doctrine of salvation contents that those unbelievers, ungraceful and sinners will be condemned but genuine repentance results in Allah’s forgiveness and entrance into paradise upon death.
View of After Life
Islam posits that the present life is a trail in preparation the next real of existence.
Practices and Rituals
Sacred rituals and practices are very vital to Muslims as they assist them intensify in devotion, remember history and even express conviction. The five pillars of Islam are characterized by the five practices and are very important to the faith.
Celebrations & Festivals
Most Islam holidays commemorate events in life such as the Ramadhan fasting, Ashura, the birthday of Muhammad, the festivals of ‘Id Al-Aha and ‘Id Al-Fitr are very respected and important to Muslims.
Week 8 - Sources
Smith, H., & Marranca, R. (2009). The world's religions. New York: Harperone.
WEEK 9
SIKHISM
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
Sikhism cosmogony asserts that God created the entire universe including the earth which has been undergoing evolution since then. It is also believed that God created all the life in the universe,
Nature of God/Creator
God is the omnipotent cultivation of all the Hindu gods and goddesses
View of Human Nature
Human nature according to Sikhs is attached to self-centeredness as juxtaposed to divine consciousness. Humans are believed to be at the apex of the creations and live to merge with the divine will.
View of Good & Evil
Sikhism teaches that people are rewarded and obtain their goals easily and successfully when they do well but suffer and endure longer and tough journey in achieving their objectives when the engage in terrible, evil things.
View of Salvation
The concept of salvation portrayed by this religion is having faith, reciting the name of God and remembering Him always.
View of After Life
The religion stresses on a life free of worry about the after-life because the experience is felt in this very life.
Practices and Rituals
Sikhs participate in temples, prayer, worship and the five ‘s. the religion also embraces rituals such as naming of child, initiation, funerals/deaths, Akhand path and marriages. Some rituals such as fasting are prohibited
Celebrations & Festivals
The religion has celebrations and festival activities such as gurpurbs, Baisakhi, maghi, bandi chhor divas, divali, hola mohalla
Week 9 - Sources
Beard, m., North, J. A., & price, S. (1998). religions of rome (Vol. 2). camprige university press.
WEEK 10
NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS
Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe
There God created the universe that contains unique and precious objects
Nature of God/Creator
Some believe in No god, atheism and others believe in a god polytheism. God is sometimes viewed as the unlimited and un-manifested boundless being beyond comprehension from which a supreme being proceed. Others believe that He is the highest state of consciousness a man can reach
View of Human Nature
They view humans as evolutionary Godhood and global unity. Human being are as well viewed as being divine within themselves.
View of Good & Evil
Good and evil do not exist and therefore there are no absolutes in morality
View of Salvation
They view salvation as a personal decision and life
View of After Life
There are multiple views on life after death.
Practices and Rituals
There lacks a clear-cut distinction in practices and rituals. some include worship etc.
Celebrations & Festivals
Celebrations and festivals including weddings, religious festivals like Christmas,
and other emerging one
Week 10 - Sources
Smith, H., & Marranca, R. (2009). The world's religions. New York: Harperone.
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