Hello Students,
In this blog you will have the opportunity to write your entries just like in a journal. The idea is to write twice a week, throughout these six weeks, a reflection/comment related to religion.
Thanks and enjoy your term!
Ligia/11
12 comments:
Since we are asked to blog twice a week, I will begin with my first comment that is in regards to Tuesday's class in relativity to key terms in Hinduism and group discussions that relate to who we are and if we are truly present in a social encounter. Before I go on I must pose the question, what is it to be present? To be physically present would be to show up to class and physically be there --solidly there, like in the states of matter. But how about mentally? I suppose this would mean to be there with your mind in tune to the topic being socially tossed --by that I mean being active in both listening and understanding the material being expressed by the other individual expressing it. This is but my humble opinion but now how about spiritually? What is it to be spiritually present? Is not my mind and physical being enough? What would you describe a someone ring spiritually present? Would it mean to be socially engaged in both mind and emotions? How should we approach this?
For my second comment, I'd like to look deeper into Buddhism. Being that it appears as a philosophy --to me at least, how does this belief deal with origin? Or afterlife? Are we took look at it's parent religion, Hinduism, for these answers? If so, are Buddhists called to worship Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva? Buddhism appears to be not an answer to our more metaphysical questions but apparently a rubric as to how we should live. Also, I am assuming Buddha is real but dare I ask, is there any evidence of the things he has done? Any historical accounts of his teachings? Where was his kingdom located?
Simply curious.
This is my post for what we had studied on Tuesday with Daoism and Confusianism. From what I was able to recollect, I've learned to accept these religions more as philosophies. I notice they do not worship any gods, deities, or make anything of that but in fact, offer a moral code of conduct and offer strategies as to how we should balance ourselves and place ourselves back into perspective of whatever it is we are pursuing. It seems it's intent is to overall help humanity and bring it a sense of peace. I would say that yes, this is more of a lifestyle than a religion.
Excellent Alex! Thank you for posting on the blog.
Have a beautiful day,
Ligia/11
My reflections for the week are as such --mystified. As I've progressed in my education I must admit I've become more and more of a skeptic and logician. At times I find things must make sense to me in order to exist. Yet as of late I've known this to not always be the case. How do you explain evidence of the holy spirit in Christian religion? Sure assumptions were made explaining the possibilities of there being some psychological aspect to the speaking of tongues, the convulsions people go under during prayers but why? I mean, if we acted this way each time we felt strongly about something then who is to stop a man from convulsing while proposing to his wife? It seems that this isn't something we could assume that we fall into by simply telling ourselves that it's our mental psyche getting excited. There needs to be more involved. My assumption? Another element is taking place. There is a spiritual element that coexists with us. Santeria, Christianity, these religions share spiritual connections with what they worship. There is evidence for us to begin to believe that the spirits involved in these faiths in in fact alive. The testimonies are countless. In my own faith, I have seen God heal cancer. How can science or psychology explain this?
Perplexed.
Moreso, in regards to exorcisms, I find more people believing in them than people doubting them. It's a hostile topic. Holloywood has done a great job at exploiting the element of fear behind this. It is scary though. To be possessed under demons? I don't think I'd have a show of hands if I ask anyone to volunteer themselves. Personally I fear no demon. I have a firm Christian background. This isn't to say that I do not acknowledge evil. I am aware of it. I am aware of it's power for if you believe in God then by default, you believe in adversary. Adversary in Hebrew is translated as "Satan". I feel that the father we are from God, the closer his "adversary" is to us. What about those that don't believe in any god? Well then the adversary already won. His goal is to make you faithless. To make your turn your back on God. This is what the bible teaches.
Perhaps invade fallen out of topic. In short --exorcisms are real to me. But I as a Christian believer am immune to them. That is all.
Thank you for your insightful comments. I hoped your classmates posted here so you could engage in a meaningful discussion.
Have a beautiful evening and see you on Thursday!
Remember that tomorrow Joseph is coming to talk about Islam. You will enjoy it!
Ligia/11
Posting for my first class this week, I'm taking into account my experience with Joseph's presentation. I found it refreshing. I was able to see Islam from an angle that not even the Imam I had visited was able to explain to me. I wish I had done my presentation AFTER Joseph's informing lecture. It also helped me clear up a few questions I had about Islam, such as identifying the true meaning of jihad which Fox News has totally distorted. I was also able to solidify my conclusion in identifying that Muslims worship the same god that Jews and Christians worship, just in different ways. In all, I learned a lot that day.
Thank you Professor Houben and thank you Joseph (:
My second journal entry for the week will cover my class experiences when touching upon Christianity. I learned a few biblical terms that I had not known before. I found this helpful. It also had me engaged heavily when we began having class discussions on the topic of Jesus. Perhaps it was because I was a former youth group leader. Many of the topics we covered in class I would explain to young people that I once would mentor. Those days are now over so although I'm very knowledgeable about the Word of God I admit I'm not as involved with the Bride of Christ as I once was. I miss this too. But at times life is a journey we cannot control. This in part makes up what my true weakness is: trust.
Final Entry: The past 6 weeks went faster than what I planned. I did not know that I would be capable of absorbing so much knowledge in such little time. Nevertheless, I learned quite a lot and got to make some new friends. I was able to step out of my comfort zone and travel from within the walls of my classroom to all over the world. I saw culture for it's roots through religion and spirituality. I saw man's quest for answers to the unknown and for the such for a higher being. Thank you professor Houben. I have become more knowledgable and open-minded because of you (:
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I have enjoyed this class so far. Going to a Jewish temple has been an eye opening experience and so has watching a movie in silence! Going to a Buddhist temple this Sunday and I can't wait to experience it!
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