...Contemporary Issues in Western Religions Jennifer, Josafina, Lucas, & Wendy Lemons REL 134 02/24/2011 Mikel Del Rosario Contemporary Issues in Western Religions There are many religions in the world today. It is possible to study many individual religions and never fully understand one religion completely. In this paper only three religions will be discussed. The three religions discussed are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The primary focus religion that will be discussed is Christianity, the second religion will be Judaism, and the third religion will be Islam. In this paper the historical connections between these three religions will be explored. Questions will be answered such as; what makes these three religions similar? How are they connected? The theological similarities and differences between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam will also be thoughtfully brought up. The contemporary struggles within Christianity today will be explored. It will also be discussed what contemporary struggles Christianity has with Judaism and the contemporary struggles between Christianity and Islam. In this paper it is the expressed hope that the reader will be able to learn about these three religions and gain knowledge. The paper is to help the reader learn something new about Christianity, Judaism, and Islam and with curiosity want to explore these individual religions further. With this hope in mind this paper will start with the historical connections between...
Words: 1060 - Pages: 5
...Judaism festival of Passover Abstract In this paper we will be discussing the Jewish festival of Passover, what makes this day(s) considered a “Holy Day”. We will determine the types of religious practices do the differing sects of Judaism part take in during this festival. We will cover the origins of this festival citing the Hebrew Bible in reference to the origins of Passover and the Exodus of Egypt. Determining the time in which this celebration will also be discussed in this paper. This paper is meant to cover the Jewish celebration of Passover and what this festival symbolizes. Keywords: Passover, Judaism, Pesach, Karaite, Samaritans, Nisan, Passover seder. In every society there are times of great tradition and celebration. Religion is made up of several different societies or beliefs however they have deep rooted traditions and celebrations that may be considered holy days. The Jewish faith celebrates several holy days such as Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and many other holy days. In this paper we will be looking deeper in the holy day of Passover. Passover or Pesach as it is called by the Jewish people is a celebration in honor of the Jewish people being granted their freedom from slavery and the Egyptian people. There are a few problems with actually determining when this festival or celebration actually takes place. It is said that Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan which would typically fall in the month of March or April according...
Words: 912 - Pages: 4
...Studying Religion Paper Andrea Mateo University of Phoenix World Religious Traditions II REL/134 Rafael Frim October 19, 2015 Today, there is a vast variety of religions and beliefs all around the world. These Religions may have similar and different views and beliefs, but at the end, despite the differences in religious, cultures and practices, certain fundamentals in religion remain the same. The following paragraphs will discuss the essentials in the practices and beliefs for a tradition to be called religion, the commonalities of the three Western religions, how do different fields of study approach religion and some critical issues in the academic study of religion. All religions share the same essential element, the sacred or the holy, is not palpable and cannot be seen or explained by language, it is beyond humans’ imagination. Although they share the same sacred, they may differ in their traditions, organization, and beliefs. Traditions are the grounds and organization in each religion. Some of the key elements found in these traditions are the beliefs, practices, and structure. The Believe system, also known as a worldview, is a group of beliefs that explains the human being place in the universe. The Ethic Rules specifies how the community should live by, and establish how followers should behave based on their beliefs. Myths are the stories that support the religion held as truths are fundamental to their beliefs. A supporting element of religious traditions...
Words: 967 - Pages: 4
...Elements of Religious Traditions REL/134 May 13, 2013 Elements of Religious Traditions Religious traditions share many common elements. First, religious traditions often describe and encourage a relationship with the divine. Further, religions frequently describe and encourage relationships with sacred times and events, for example, a holy birth. Additionally, religious traditions may possess common beliefs concerning sacred space and the natural world. For example, many religions teach earth is sacred, whereas others teach earth is imperfect. Moreover, religious traditions frequently define relationships with other religions, for example, as good or bad. People who study religion often encounter key critical issues, including limited data, unwritten information, and preconceived ideas. Though many religious traditions share common elements, beliefs, and relationships, religion can be difficult to study. Religious traditions often define their relationship with a divine. Religions usually portray their relationship with a scared as a superior-inferior relationship, where people are inferior to the sacred (Molloy, 2010). Some religions describe their relationship with the divine as special, where other religions do not define their relationship at all. For example, Christians teach the Earth’s inhabitants are a main concern of the sacred, whereas Confucians teach people have no relationship with the divine (Molloy, 2010). Still, Buddhists contend sacred’s...
Words: 1076 - Pages: 5
...Islam Worksheet When studying Islam, it is important to understand the essential elements of the faith, how they are practiced, and the distinctions among the three branches: Shiite Islam, Sunni Islam, and Sufism. Write a 1- to 2-paragraph response for each of the following directives and note where there are differences among the three branches of Islam. 1. Explain the meaning of the name, Islam. Response: Islam means surrender or submission, signifying whole hearted surrender to God. The word Islam also signals the community of all believers, suggesting inclusion in a large family. The word Islam and Muslim are related to several words of peace. The Islamic religion suggests inner peace that is gained by surrendering to the divine. 2. Explain the basic concepts of Islam. Response: Islam is a precisely monotheistic religion. It directs the existence of one God, his prophet Muhammad who is the Last Prophet in a long line of prophets sent throughout time to cultivation. The Quran as the Word of God revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibrael. Muslims believe that God is one and unequaled and the purpose of life is to worship him and to adhere to his word, as laid down in the Quran, and in Sunnah, as closely as possible. They believe that Islam is the final, completed and universal version of a faith revealed too many prophets before; most notably Abraham, Moses and Jesus, but whose message has now been distorted. 3. Describe the practices of Islam. Response:...
Words: 544 - Pages: 3
...Elements of Religious Tradition UoP Student REL/134 October 24, 2011 UoP Facilitator Elements of Religious Tradition Religious traditions influence people and even more important cultures across the world on a daily basis. Religions have many differing views on what or who represents the divine and offer many perspectives on exactly how to worship or pay respect to those identified as the divine. The subsequent paragraphs will investigate how religious traditions describe and encourage relationships with the divine, sacred time, sacred space or the natural world and relationships with each other will ensure a more thorough understanding of differing religions. Additionally, providing several examples from various religious traditions will go one step farther in enhancing that understanding. The foundation to any successful religious belief is to establish a relationship with the divine. The Divine Since the dawn of time spiritual relationships with the Divine have been prevalent as part of the human existence in the natural world. Different religions refer to the sacred by various names such as Great Spirit, the Holy, the Divine, the Great Mother, the Ultimate, and the Absolute. One of the most globally known references to an originating holiness is God. According to Malloy (2010), the term God often carries with it the notion of a Cosmic Person; a divine being with the will and intelligence is just, compassionate...
Words: 1008 - Pages: 5
...REL 134 Entire Course (UOP Course) For more course tutorials visit www.tutorialrank.com Tutorial Purchased: 6 Times, Rating: A+ REL 134 Week 1 Individual Assignment Elements of Religious Traditions Paper (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 1 DQ1 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 1 DQ 2 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 1 DQ 3 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 1 DQ 4 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 2 Individual Assignment Jewish Holy Days Paper (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 3 Learning Team Assignment Christianity and the Arts Presentation (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 3 DQ 1 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 3 DQ 2 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 3 DQ 3 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 3 DQ 4 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 4 Individual Assignment Islam Worksheet (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 4 DQ 1 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 4 DQ 2 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 4 DQ 3 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 4 DQ 4 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 5 Learning Team Assignment Contemporary Issues in Western Religions Paper and Presentation (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 5 DQ 1 (UOP Course) REL 134 Week 5 DQ 2 (UOP Course) ------------------------------------------------------------- REL 134 Week 1 Individual Assignment Elements of Religious Traditions Paper (UOP Course) For more course tutorials visit www.tutorialrank.com Tutorial Purchased: 3 Times, Rating: A+ Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that does the following: Explains how religious traditions describe and encourage the following relationships: Relationship with the divine Relationship...
Words: 832 - Pages: 4
...The False Claims Act The False Claims Act, enacted by Congress in 1863 to protect the Union troops from profiteers providing shoddy goods and rotten food during the Civil War, prompted Abraham Lincoln's drive to empower private citizens with the ability to file suit on behalf of the government against corrupt contractors. The act was revitalized in 1986 to combat fraud in the defense contracting industry. Today, the False Claims Act is the government's principal weapon in the prosecution of health care fraud. One may be held either civilly or criminally responsible for knowingly or recklessly submitting a fraudulent claim to the government. The statute permits private citizens, or relators, to file a civil action against any entity or individual violating its provisions. Violators are subject to treble damages plus civil fines of not less than $5,500 but not more than $11,000 per claim. Under the criminal statute, false claims are punishable by fine or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, for knowingly submitting a false statement for reimbursement. To prevail under the False Claims Act, the government or its relator must establish that: the defendant presented or caused to be presented a claim to the government for payment or approval; the claim was false or fraudulent; and the defendant knew that the claim was false or fraudulent. "Knowing" means actual knowledge of false information, or acts in deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the...
Words: 651 - Pages: 3
...TermPaperWarehouse.com - Free Term Papers, Essays and Research DocumentsThe Research Paper FactoryJoinSearchBrowseSaved Papers Home Page » Religion Topics Elements of Religious Tradition Rel/134 In: Religion Topics Elements of Religious Tradition Rel/134 Elements of Religious Tradition UoP Student REL/134 October 24, 2011 UoP Facilitator Elements of Religious Tradition Religious traditions influence people and even more important cultures across the world on a daily basis. Religions have many differing views on what or who represents the divine and offer many perspectives on exactly how to worship or pay respect to those identified as the divine. The subsequent paragraphs will investigate how religious traditions describe and encourage relationships with the divine, sacred time, sacred space or the natural world and relationships with each other will ensure a more thorough understanding of differing religions. Additionally, providing several examples from various religious traditions will go one step farther in enhancing that understanding. The foundation to any successful religious belief is to establish a relationship with the divine. The Divine Since the dawn of time spiritual relationships with the Divine have been prevalent as part of the human existence in the natural world. Different religions refer to the sacred by various names such as Great Spirit, the Holy, the Divine, the Great Mother, the Ultimate, and the Absolute. One of the most...
Words: 472 - Pages: 2
...REL/134 1 Course Syllabus College Of Humanities REL/134 World Religious Traditions Il Copyright © 2010, 2006 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course provides a survey of the major historical developments, structural cosmolo gy, symbolic interpretation, and values of the Judaic, Christian, and Islamic religious traditions. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Molloy, M. (2010). Experiencing the world’s religions: Tradition, challenge, and change (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. All electronic materials are available on the student website. Week One: The Nature of Religion Details Objectives 1.1 Describe the common elements of religion. 1.2 Identify issues in the study of religion. 1.3 Describe the sacred in indigenous traditions. Reading Read Ch. 1 of Experiencing the World’s Religions. Reading Read...
Words: 1821 - Pages: 8
...Dear Members of REL/134, Hello, שלום, Salvete and مرحبا. My name is Phil Gaethe and I will be the facilitator for REL/134 beginning April 16, 2012. Our first session is right around the corner which means the first assignment due date is fast approaching. Below you will find the instructions needed to complete the assignment as well as some suggestions to help you write a well prepared paper. I am available by E-mail or phone to answer any questions you may have, before or after our first session. Phil Gaethe • ASSESSMENT: Elements of Religious Traditions – Due Week One • Write a 700 -1050-word paper that does the following: o Explains how religious traditions describe and encourage the following relationships: • Relationship with the divine • Relationship with sacred time – Ex. Sabbath, Holidays, etc. • Relationship with sacred space or the natural world • Relationship with each other (within that faith and outside the faith) o Includes specific examples from the various religious traditions described in the Week One readings—such as a belief in one God or many gods and goddesses, church on Sunday, holy mountains, etc. You may also include examples from your own religious tradition or another religious tradition with which you are familiar. • Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Things to remember before turning in this assignment: 1. In order...
Words: 376 - Pages: 2
...Continuation of and Break from Judaism REL/134 December 12, 2012 Christianity as a Continuation and Break from Judaism Christianity is a continuation of Judaism both theologically and historically. Jesus and members of the early Christian churches were Jews. Jesus followers obeyed Jewish ways and Jesus commonly cited the Hebrew Bible. Followers of Jesus believed for Jesus to be the messiah, a Jewish image presumed in the Jewish Bible. Judaism and Christianity both believe in a God, who is righteous, holy, and just. Also Judaism and Christianity both believe in a God, who is forgiving, merciful, and loving. The Hebrew scripture, also known as, “the Old Testament,” are shared by both religions. Both Judaism and Christianity believe in the reality of heaven and hell. Judaism and Christianity primarily have the same ethical law known as the Judeo-Christian (Geoffrey Wigoder, Christianity, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org). Despite Christianity Jewish ancestry, it was not long before Christianity became to break from Judaism. Apostles and the first Christian committee ruled that pagan changes to Christianity did not have to abide by Jewish ritual rules. Changes to Christianity were mostly pagans and Christianity broke apart from Judaism. Christians were outraged with Jews for denying Jesus their messiah. Jews were outraged with Christians for praising an improper messiah and destroying the theory of one God. Jews were the first to torment Christians, says New Testament, and...
Words: 318 - Pages: 2
...Elements of Religious Traditions AnaMarie Houston REL/134 version 2 February 27, 2013 Professor: Judith J. Johnson Elements of Religious Traditions In the following paper the explanation of religious traditions will be provided and a description and encouragement of related relations. You have the relationship with the divine, the relationship with sacred time; there is also the relationship with sacred spaces or the natural world. The last relationship that will be discussed is the relationship with each other as human beings. The discussion of the identification of critical issues in the study of religion, and examples from various religious traditions will also be discussed. The tradition of practiced religion has been around for centuries. Many people from different background all over the world come together from time to time and that is for religious perpuses. References Zavadskas, E. K., Turskis, Z. Z., & Tamosaitiene, J. J. (2011). Selection of construction enterprises management strategy based on...
Words: 321 - Pages: 2
...Festival of Shavuot Audrey Brown-Sissoko REL/134 May 15, 2014 Kevin Schemuga Festival of Shavuot As like many religions, Judaism has many different holidays they celebrate around the Hebrew calendar. There are many religious practices, scriptural readings, and family events centered on all holy days. The Jewish holiday. I selected is Festival of Shavuot. Shavuot is a Jewish holiday meaning festival of the weeks that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (late May or early June), it goes by the lunar cycle. It is the second of the three major Jewish Festivals. There are seven festivals or holidays celebrated by the Jewish faith: Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Purim, Hanukkah, Sukkot, Yom Kippur, and Shavuot. It usually is 50 days or seven weeks after Passover, hence its name. It is a two- day holiday celebrated here in the United States, and one day in Israel. It starts at sundown on the fifth day of Sivan, and last until nightfall on the seventh of Sivan.It began as a summer grain-harvest festival. “Later regained special meaning as an invitation to renew the covenant” (2010, para 10). Shavuot originated around 3300 years ago at Mount Sinai, commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the entire nation of Israel. “Biblical times, Shavuot originated as an agricultural Festival, celebrating the beginning (the first fruits) of the wheat harvest in Israel that continues through summer and ends with Sukkot in the fall” (October 2009, para 3). In times...
Words: 515 - Pages: 3
...moder Challenges in Modern Islam Francisco Delgado REL/134 October 24, 2014 Mark Pursley Challenges in Modern Islam One of the biggest enemies of the religion of Islam is its followers as it is their behavior and ways of engagement with the rest of the world which shapes its outward image. Today whether we admit it or not, the fact is that Islam’s name has become intertwined with terrorism, misogyny and intolerance towards the followers of other religions. Muslims or even those who are perceived to be Muslims are on the rise. Religious minorities like Sikhs are today being attacked for their proximity in appearance with Muslims. Moreover, whenever any instance of terrorism occurs the first perception is always that a Muslim is involved. The deterioration of Muslim society is the result of deviation from Islam, while the deterioration of Western society is the result of putting into practice the very principles in which it believes. The evils of Muslim societies stem from the gap between principle and practice, whereas the evils of Western society are the result of a clash between principles and realities. The Western civilization of modern times has formed principles independent of religious principles, to govern social life, and has maintained that modern principles were superior to older principles. Islam and Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) The group began in 2004 as al Qaeda in Iraq, before rebranding as ISIS two years later. It was an ally of...
Words: 482 - Pages: 2
