...religions or faiths, what they have in common, and what makes them different. To begin my paper I am going to discuss the faiths of Paganism and Christianity. In today’s world Approximately 400,000 people practice Paganism and seventy five percent practice Christianity. Paganism is the base religion or faith of all faiths that have become of the world. Paganism dates back to the Roman Empire. It is a faith that is based on nature and its practices are used every day. Paganism has many gods or goddesses that they look to. Paganism nowadays is believed to be evil but in all controversy it is not and actually shares its faith and practices with Christianity. It has its own stories that are similar to the stories of Christianity such as the Garden of Eden, forbidden fruit, the snake in the Garden of Eden as well as the great flood. Paganism also shares holidays with Christianity such as Easter, Christmas and Halloween. Paganism and Christianity are very similar faiths and both believe their gods or leaders were born on December 25, both were crucified for mankind, and both were resurrected on the third day. Pagans and Christians also perform similar rituals calling to their gods. Even though these two religions or faiths are very similar they are also different. The Christian faith is...
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...Evil | View of “Salvation” | View of After Life | Practices and Rituals | Celebrations and Festivals | Week 2Hinduism and Jainism | Collective Indian religions grouped together. | There are three major groupings: Shaktas who worship a Mother Goddess, Shaivites who worship the god Shiva, and Vaishnavites who worship the god Vishnu | The view of human nature is based on the Vedas. | When it comes to good and evil, everything comes down to Karma. Action and the consequences of those actions. Every thought, desire and act shapes future experiences. | There are many paths to salvation. They work to achieve moksha (liberation) from time, matter, and space through realization of the immortal absolute. | Depending on their karma and spiritual development, death may result in being reborn in another physical form in the earthly realm, suffering in one of eight hells, or joining other liberated souls in the highest level of heaven. Suffering in one of the eight hells is not eternal, once a soul is severely punished it is reborn in another form. | There are sixteen Hindu rites prescribed in the Vedas to purify and sanctify the person in their journey through life, including rites at conception, the braiding of the pregnant mother’s hair, birth, name-giving, beginning of solid food, starting education, investing boys with a sacred thread, first leaving the family home, starting studies of Vedas, marriage and death.Jain daily rituals include prayer, repenting for sins and violence, self-control...
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...this higher power that brought birth to Christianity. Review of Literature Religion is a controversial topic that has been debated with great enthusiasm by sociologists, theologians, and even students; some argue that the belief in religion is for closed minded individuals. One sociologist aimed to defend the fact that religion is an act of close minded thinking, he explains “if one religion is right then it means the entire world of religions are wrong”, as bizarre as it sounds, this view of religion is true notwithstanding the fact that someone has to be right and the others wrong. With the rise and fall of many religions, common questions are asked about the origins, the beliefs, their way of life (rituals),...
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...Responding to this contextualization issues The big question is what should people do with their old cultural ways when they become Christians, and how should the church respond to African traditional beliefs and practices? Mainly the gospel is preached to people who already have a system of beliefs and practices that make sense to them, about the worldview and about ultimate realities. The Adventist Church must discourage this practice and help church members to follow the biblical principles. The Adventist members are wrestling with the conflict between African traditional beliefs and Adventist biblical beliefs. Since the church has not adequately addressed these problems, the danger of syncretism can easily undermine true Christian living....
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...Practices & Rituals I selected rituals and practices because I feel as though it varies so much in many different religions and many people don’t fully understand what other religions practice or why. Religious rituals are not just window dressing for the core beliefs of a religious tradition; ritual practices form identity and sustain tradition. In Christianity, which is the religion I study, we have worship services that include singing, prayer and a sermon. At home, most practicing Christians pray regularly and many read the Bible this helps Christians maintain our relationship with God, maintain their faith in God and peace of mind. However, People who practice Hindu religion have a completely different form of devotion that usually takes the form of rituals and practices associated with sculptures and images of gods in home shrines. With regard to the latter, traditional Hindus are expected to pass through four stages (ashramas) over the course of their life, in which they practice different forms of yoga. Rituals are also important to the Jain faith because it is through rituals that beliefs and values are expressed. The Jain religion practice monasticism; a specific way of living, worship, and meditation. Buddhism incorporates a variety of rituals and practices, which are intended to aid in the journey to enlightenment and bring blessings on oneself and others. For example, the practice of meditation is central to nearly all forms of Buddhism, and comes directly...
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...thought and every desire we have shapes our future experiences. P.Jainism: Until it frees itself from karma the mundane soul wanders through the universe in an endless cycle of deaths and re-births. P.125 | View of Good & Evil | Hinduism: Good, light, balance, order virtue; Evil: darkness, impurity, imbalance, selfishness.Jainism: Karma: Minute particles that accumulate as we act and think. P.123 | View of Salvation | Hinduism: Moksha-The liberation from the cycle of life and death and become one with God. P101Jainism: | View of After Life | Hinduism: Samsara-Cycle of death and rebirth ends when the soul realizes it’s true nature P.101Jainism: Believe we are born again and again until we free ourselves of samsara. P.133 | Practices and Rituals | Hinduism: Birth, name giving, time of conception, braiding of pregnant mother’s hair, birth, starting education, beginning of solid foods. Puja: Honor Veneration, Murti: Representation of a Deity, Kumbha Mela – largest pilgrimage event in the world Jainism: Pilgrimages to sacred sites in Bihar, south of the Indian border with Nepal. P. 133 | Celebrations & Festivals | Hinduism: Holi-Death of winter, return of colorful spring, Divali -The happy four day festival of lightsJainism: Paryushan Mahaparva: annual...
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...Christian Death Rituals Modern Christian death rituals have changed over time. Previous customs are being abandoned for today’s vision of praising the deceased. It can be stated that Christians are some-what celebrating the death of a loved one. A new pattern has developed drifting away from burial, moving towards cremation. Technically there is no set routine for a death, due to the fact that personal modifications and customs can change an arrangement. This new pattern is not firmly fixed (indeed, variations, improvisations and personal customizations are marks of the new rituals) but it generally includes the following characteristics: • a memorial service instead of a funeral (i.e., a service focused on remembering the deceased, often held many days after the death, with the body or the cremated remains of the deceased not present) (Thomas) • a brief, simple, highly personalized and customized service, often involving several speakers. (as opposed to the standard church funeral liturgies presided over primarily by clergy) (Thomas) • a focus on the life of the deceased (often aided by a physical display of photos and other mementos) (Thomas) • an emphasis on joy rather than sadness, a celebration of life rather than an observance of the somber reality of death. (Thomas) • a private disposition of the body, often done before the memorial service, with an increasing preference for cremation. (Thomas) Burying the dead is a corporal work of mercy because Christians...
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...believe in one God and follow practices and rituals to praise that God, however, if they were the same they’d be named the same thing. Therefore, they all have contained unique traits that set them apart from one another. In this essay, we will review the similarities and differences between the three and discuss the concept of God. A similarity the three have is different divisions. For Judaism-Hasidic, Conservative and Reform Judaism. Ethnic groupings include Ashkenazi (The majority) and Sephardi Jews. For Christianity- Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic. Lastly, Islam- Sunni and Shia. However, the beliefs are where most differences are found but do have several similarities. Jews believe every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship. They believe that God continues to work in the world, affecting everything that people do. The Jewish relationship with God is a covenant relationship. (Judaism: Jewish Beliefs) Christians believe Christians recognize Jesus as the Son of God who was sent to save mankind from death and sin. Also, they believe in the Trinity - that is, in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And...
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...Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity Jenna Franz Grand Canyon University HLT-310V Andre Mooney November 7, 2013 Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity There are many different religious faiths throughout the world; with many different belief systems each has its own view of health care. Health care professionals, nurses, physicians and other providers should be aware of any religious beliefs that their patients may practice in order to provide competent medical care. Providing medical care should include cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs and values of the patient, in order to provide holistic care for the patient. The belief systems of Buddhism, Native Americans and Jehovah’s witnesses will be reviewed to determine similarities and differences and compared to Christian beliefs as well as the views and beliefs of the author of this paper, and provision of health care and care providers. Spiritual Perspective on Healing Even though the definitions and expressions vary most Americans consider religion and spirituality a large part of who they are. (Klilewer, 2004, p. 4) In Jehovah’s Witnesses and Native American and Christianity there is belief in God as the creator of Heaven, Earth, and the universe, where as with Buddhists this speculation is rejected. ("What do Buddhists Believe?," 2013, p. 3) Buddhists and Native Americans do not believe in prolonging life by artificial means, death should be peaceful. (Bhikshu, 2010, para. 4) For Native Americans...
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...study and sang in the choir. Not to mention, as a young child sometimes I was confused where home was being at the church more than at home with adult choir rehearsal, junior choir rehearsal adult, and junior Bible study. It was a lot but with each teaching whether it was the gospel in song or scripture you learn and your faith was enhanced, strengthened with understanding. Furthermore, the church I attended promoted missionary and principles by feeding the hungry, by treating people how I would want to be treated and conducting yourself as a Christian and following the covenant. Christian practices may vary due to the multitude of denominations, all include the elements ritual beliefs, a belief systems, and community are three elements my religious background follows the most. Significantly encompassed in Sunday worship services, private and communal prayer, study and reading of the scripture. As mentioned in Molley, M. (2010) “Ritual beliefs are enacted and made real through ceremonies”(P.6). For example, a reenactment of ceremonies known as the Lord’s Supper and the Eucharist such as baptism and communion instituted by Christ himself. These rites are significant and are considered vital sacraments or devotions. Moreover being raised in a traditional Southern Baptist church, with a belief system of the holy trinity that is a monotheistic belief in one God.which can be a confusing concept. Most compelling a simple analogy of a stream that is splits three ways as still...
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...fundamental and the major text for Christianity and still today is the Bible. From its very beginnings in Jerusalem, Christianity has been profoundly influenced by various events. Christianity suffered many early persecutions but by 381 CE, it had been confirmed as the central religion of the Roman Empire. However, the collapse of the Roman Empire and its eventual division into the Eastern and Western Empires brought more conflict, and by the 11th century the Christian Church has become the Church of the West- the Roman Church- and the Church of the East- the Orthodox Church, known as The Great Schism. The sixteenth century brought more division with the Reformation in Europe and in England, with dividing into Protestant Churches and the Catholic Church, due to inadequacies in the Medieval Church such as the selling of indulgences and clerical concubinage. In addition, from the Protestant Churches, the many variants, which sub-divided from that helped created the concept of Pentecostalism- Variations of all Churches. The Christian Bible is a...
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...from different ethnicities, religions and beliefs. Working with such a diverse group of people can be rewarding and yet challenging. Health care providers should always acknowledge that there is a great responsibility when dealing with the public. We are responsible for providing optimal health care regardless of an individual’s religious beliefs and practices, and also we are required to maximize the effectiveness of the care provided. An individual’s religious beliefs and practices should be respected and accepted. Although there are different religions that have parallel perspectives, they also have contrasting perspectives that can affect the way care is provided. Today, the religions of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Muslim will be discussed and compared to the beliefs and practices of Christianity. The Buddhist religion is a religion that focuses on the ethical and spiritual well-being of individuals and in turn helps the individual develop wisdom and compassion for all mankind. Buddhist believes in taking a holistic approach when facing health and disease. This practice includes the principles of practice, meditation, technique, and discipline. From a Buddhist perspective, there is no personal God to serve. They believe that optimal health is strongly associated with the effects of good karma. Karma is considered the action and the results of an action. Buddhist believes that nothing is permanent, and that how a person lives their life is how a person goes...
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...philosophies depending on culture, varying teachings and practices. Although there are countless religions, each different from the other, they all have the same purpose. It helps give us purpose and meaning to our lives. There are many similarities as well as differences between all religions. Religions have some sort of icon or symbol that they worship, but cannot see. All religions teach non violence, and have sacred rituals of which they perform. They all worship a God or Gods and all believe they have a final destination. Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: First Draft Introduction Healing is often thought of as something that comes from modern medical science, but many religions are now focusing on varying religious or spiritual beliefs to assist the healing process. For healthcare providers, it is important to understand basic religions and their beliefs, as it will provide more insight into how patients perceive and process their illness or disease. Christianity There are many different religious beliefs and practices depending on the denomination, church and individual Christian. Despite the varying principles, there are several common practices among Christians today. Most Christians have been baptized, either as an infant or an adult, and receive Holly Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper. These are sacred rituals which most believe Christ instituted himself. The use of or support for religious rituals...
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...Cross Culture Business Bereavement Leave Judy Sheats ETH/316 October 14, 2013 Dawn Chisholm Cross Culture Business Bereavement Leave It has been said, ‘the only sure things are death and taxes.’ Though taxes may not always apply to global businesses, death of an employee is a global occurrence every company must deal with. Death is a permanent loss and is dealt with differently from culture to culture, mostly based on religious beliefs or traditional rituals. A global company must consider these cultural differences when initiating bereavement leave policies. According to "Studymode.com" (2008), “Grieving and funeral rituals vary greatly across cultures and, in most cases, are associated with religious practices and beliefs. People tend to look at the death phenomena through the scope of their religious beliefs and often relate their personal experiences with death to cultural norms and traditions” (para. 2). Death to a Salesman “When managers consider whether or not to develop a business relationship with those from a different culture, their decision may be affected by actual differences in ethical profiles, but potentially even more so by their perceptions of ethicality in the counterpart culture” (Gift, Gift, & Zheng, 2013, para.1). A worldwide company for instance, has corporate facilities around the globe, which employs Americans and those raised in the country where the business resides. Everyone has their cultural traditions they must follow when...
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...Christianity is a faith based religious tradition, of which the follower is considered to be a Christian adherent. Thus, being a living tradition, Christianity is continually subject to change in accordance to the needs of the adherent and reaffirming the Christian tradition within a contemporary context. The aspects, which attribute the present existence of Christianity and its dynamism therein, include sacred texts and writings, ritual and ceremonies, beliefs and believers, and ethics. Ultimately, the aforementioned characteristics strive to form and continually validate answers to the enduring questions of life through a process of change, which simultaneously highlights Christianity as a living tradition. Sacred texts and writings are materials that are held significant by a religion as they contain key information that explains how people are connected to the supernatural dimension (Coleman, 2006). The significance of the sacred texts of Christianity is necessarily their ability to timelessly connect the adherent to the divinity of Christ, through which enduring life questions are answered allowing their contents to be expressed and lived differently (Our Lady of Mercy College, 2014). The Bible is given fundamental centrality in Christianity, as the supreme scared text, and it is an essential guide for the Christian adherent to model their life on the ministry of Christ. Christ’s golden commandment, embodied within the verse, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart...
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