...Religious and Ethnic Groups ETH/125 Religious and Ethnic Groups Paper Jehovah’s Witnesses primarily use one version of the bible, which is their own translation. The New World Translation text was translated by a committee of five men, four of which had no Hebrew or Greek training, and has been characterized as grossly misleading, and twisted to meet the Society’s own doctrine. Some of the beliefs of the Jehovah’s witnesses that differ from other religions include they have no ordained clergy. It is their belief that having a clergy person that directs their services creates a class and a special title that is improper, so they instead use Elders, or Overseerers. They also have no blood transfusions, not even to save a life. They will go as far as to allow themselves or a loved to die rather than accept a transfusion of another’s blood. The Witnesses also believe that there is no eternal life to be lived out in hell. If you are one of the wicked when you depart from this world, you are punished with eternal destruction. Unlike, many other religions, Witnesses believe that the cross is a pagan symbol and therefore is not displayed or used in worship, nor do they celebrate what they term as pagan holidays that include Christmas and birthdays. Because of these differences of beliefs and values, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are typically thought to be strange or different, and are avoided. The witnesses consider anyone that is...
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...ETH/125 Donna Elaine Mann November 29, 2013 Religious and Ethnic Groups Hinduism is a complex religion. It is the world’s largest religion, after Christianity and Islam, with over a billion followers. It originated in India and is a mixture of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and practices. Hinduism is characterized by the belief in reincarnation (Samsara), the multiplicity of deities, the laws of cause and effect (Karma), following a path of devoutness, and the desire for freedom from the cycle of births and deaths (Moksha). It is a way of life called Dharma, which is the law that governs all action. Hindus regard their religion as eternal (Sanatama). Hinduism is thought to have gotten its name from the Persian word Hindu, meaning river. It has no founder or date of origin. Scholars believe that Hinduism may have existed in circa 10000 B.C. with the earliest scriptures, The Rig Veda, composed well before 6500 B.C. The word Hinduism is not found anywhere in the scriptures. The term Hindu was introduced by foreigners referring to people living across the River Indus or Sindhu, in the north of India where the Vedic religion is believed to have originated. Christianity and Islam consider Hinduism as evil because it is a humanistic religion permitting enormous liberties within a few rational and humane boundaries. Because Hinduism is thought to worship and perform rituals to many gods, it is considered paganism. Hinduism gained popularity...
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...Religious and Ethnic Groups ETH/125 Religious and Ethnic Groups In the world there have always been many different religious and ethnic groups with varying views and ways of life. Here one from each category will be looked at. Buddhism has origins in Indian subcontinent with shared and unique beliefs. These beliefs have no doubt have caused discrimination and conflict throughout time. The same is true for Asians. They are people that were vary separated from the world, and when trade lines were opened so were their differences. What makes these groups different has caused pain, but their experience has been much like any other group through history. Buddhism has a unique set of beliefs and principles that are adhered to by its followers. The religion is nontheistic that is comprised of many practices, traditions, and beliefs based on Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha (Buddhism, 2014). Buddha itself means the enlightened one. Gautama had a privileged upbringing and eventually grew tired of that life style. He searched for a greater meaning of life, and in that search he developed the four noble truths. They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering (Basics of Buddhism, 1999). Suffering and how to end that suffering are the center ideas of the religion. Buddhists meditate in search of nirvana, the higher state of understanding...
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...Associate Program Material Religious and Ethnic Groups Paper Instructions Part I Select at least 1 religious and 1 ethnic/racial group not your own from the list below. Religious groups (based on http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/affiliations-all-traditions.pdf) Christianity Evangelical Protestant Mainline Protestant Historically Black Churches Roman Catholic Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) Jehovah’s Witnesses Orthodox (Greek, Eastern) Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform) Buddhism (Theravada or Mahayana) Islam (Sunni, Shia, Sufism) Hinduism Racial/ethnic groups (based on divisions in U.S. Census Bureau documents) Asian (Asian descent) Black (African descent) Hispanic and Latino (South or Central American descent) Pacific Islander (Polynesian descent) White (European descent) Part II Write a 750- to 1,400-word paper in which you consider the following regarding the religious group and racial/ethnic group you selected: Religious group: How does your selected religious group differ from other religious groups (such as in their beliefs, worship practices, or values)? According to social and political views, the Mormon religion is different and therefore, is most noticeable than that of the population in general, and other religions. Their conservation towards political and culture issues are different. A vast amount of Mormons say that definite rulings of right and wrong are strongly held. The Mormons feel that the values they have are felt threatened often by...
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...Religious and Ethnic Groups The U.S. a melting pot of people from various backgrounds. One would think given our country’s rich variety of people that our culture would be rather tolerant and appreciative of different schools of thought and races. While there are many individuals out there that have this attitude, there are also many that do not. Granted, our country is still much more accepting when compared to many others. However, discrimination against and persecution of those that don’t fit in or follow the rest of general society is quite a problem. When I think about this problem in our country, there are two groups of people that immediately come to my mind: Muslims and African Americans. Though these two groups are in completely different categories, they face many of the same problems in terms of discrimination in America. Within the scope of this essay, we will learn about some differences between Muslims, African Americans, and various other groups. We will also take a look at their overall experiences, as well as some specific examples of discrimination. Islam and Its Followers in America A Muslim is someone who follows the teachings of Islam, a religion believed to have originated in Saudi Arabia in the 7th century (Pecorino, 2001). What is interesting about Islam is that its roots are in the Middle East and it has stayed very influential there (Pecorino, 2001). Christianity, the predominant religion in America, also has its roots in the Middle East. However...
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...Religious & Ethnic Groups Latoya Ibanez ETH/125 08/21/2015 Ms. Debra Bloom Religious and Ethnic Groups America has changed from the nation it what it was once, a Nation where Christianity was the primary religion and our borders were not open to outsiders. Through the years many have migrated to America making our Nation today, the most diverse Nation, and not just in regards to ethnicity but religion as well. What is it that differs from one religion to the other? What causes people to discriminate against other races? Could it be the lack of information regarding other religions and ethnicities? We can start by comparing Buddhism and Asian decent and see what differences they have compared to other religions and ethnicities. Buddhism has made it’s was to America, and although many have already accepted much of its teaching others stand skeptical and feel it threatens their own beliefs. One of the differences between Buddhism and many of the other known religions is that they do not have a higher being, or one that they answer to (“Buddhism-Differences,1996). They do not believe that they need a higher being to make amends for their wrongs. These specific beliefs are very different from those of other beliefs, whereas they have a god, higher being and believe you must do something to atone for your wrongs. The fact is that there are major differences between each religion, whether we choose to accept them is another thing. Although many are unaware...
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...Boyce ETH/125 7/19/2013 Religious and Ethnic Groups: Buddhist and Asians For my Religious and Ethnic Groups Paper I have chosen to write about Asian and Buddhism (Theravada). I chose to write my paper on the Asian community, because I have always been curious to their culture and their way of life. I find the Asian community to be very intriguing, colorful and vibrant. I decided that since I was going to research about Asian culture I would do my religion portion of the paper on Buddhism, the Theravada beliefs. The religion of Buddhism is based off of the teachings of a man named Siddhartha. This man was born in Nepal about 500 years before Jesus; destine to be a great ruler or a holy man. He was sheltered from the outside walls of the palace by his father, a king in India, who thought that by doing so he would go down the path of being a ruler. Little did the king know that the sheltered life only brought him more towards the road of enlightenment. Siddhartha experienced 4 events when he finally left the palace for daily outings. The first of the events was an older man, and he’s never seen old people before, his servant called it change and told him how everyone gets old. The second event was a sick man, the servant told him everybody gets sick, and your father will get sick you will get sick. The third event was seeing a dead body; this event affected him the most when he realized that in the end everybody dies. On the fourth trip he sees a religious person meditating and trying...
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...Religious And Ethnic Groups April Foshee ETH/125 March 10, 2013 Tabitha Miller Religious And Ethnic Groups The group that I selected is the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The reason I chose Jehovah’s Witnesses is because they are the only religion that is completely against war and politics, and they do not even vote. This makes them different from most religions. Another thing that makes them different from other religions is that they all use the same Bible, not different versions of the Bible. Also Jehovah’s Witnesses all preach the same thing no matter where they are in the world. Jehovah’s Witnesses also believe there are no hell, and that you will either go to haven or paradise earth when it becomes rebuilt, or just die. Jehovah’s Witnesses have experienced much discrimination over the years. Many other religions think of Jehovah’s Witnesses as a cult and they want everyone else in their cult. The things I have heard people say about the Jehovah’s Witnesses they don’t know what they are preaching about, they are all about money, they harass people at their homes. These are just some of the things I have heard about them. After searching the web I have found that the French government has branded Jehovah’s Witnesses as a dangerous sect. In 2006, 71 kingdoms Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses were, bombed, burned, shot at, and vandalized. The French government ha publically called Jehovah’s Witness criminals. South Korea has imprisoned one thousand Jehovah’s Witnesses ministers...
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...Religious and Ethnic groups Robert W. Ramirez ETH/ 125 Colleen Gold 2/8/2014 I do not know much about religion except that not everyone believes the same. I will not pretend to know all about the different religions. Being a Christian I believe there is a God and if you believe in him you can do anything you set your mind to. Judaism believes that God created the world for the purpose of having people upon whom to bestow kindness. He gave us commandments in order that they should deserve the kindness he bestows and that it not be charity. Judaism has the Torah which is five books of Moses and is the primary text of Judaism, whereas Christianity has the bible. Some experiences Judaism has had was being marked and imprisoned or even killed for being a Jew as during the Nazi regime during the war. Considering that the Jewish people constitute a mere one half of one percent of the world’s population, Jewish contributions to religion, science, literature, music, medicine, finance, philosophy, and entertainment is staggering. In the field of medicine alone, Jewish contributions are staggering and continue to be so. It was a Jew who created the first polio vaccine, who discovered insulin and who discovered that aspirin dealt with pain among a few. Today, Israel a nation only sixty years old has emerged at the forefront of stem cell research, which will, in the near future, give humanity unprecedented medical treatment for degenerative diseases. Anti-Semitism...
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...The religious group of Buddhism has a lot of differences then other religious groups. Buddhism “is an 800 year old religion and a way of life dedicated to manifesting the endowed purpose of every human being to realize enlightenment”( Shinran Shonin, BASIC BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES). One thing that I learnt that stood out about the differences of Buddhism is that they are not concerned about labels. Buddhists don’t worship an idol, but do sometimes pay respect to images of Buddha. All though not in worship nor to ask favors, but more of a gratitude for their teaching. Some basic concepts of Buddhist teaching are the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Two differences between Buddhism and other religions are god and the concept of hell. Buddhism do not believe Buddha is a God, they say it’s more like a teacher student relationship. Buddhist concept of hell is way different than other religions. They believe in realms and Hell is the worst of the three undesirable realms, not that Hell is a place of eternal damnation. Buddhism is still new in American culture but you still see Buddhist, just not as common as other countries. The biggest thing that they have contributed to American culture is the politeness and caring not for themselves but for other human beings. They have brought to the American culture that wealth is not the way to happiness. Actually, if you look at a lot of Buddhist countries, they are poor looking because they believe that...
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...The religious group of Buddhism has a lot of differences then other religious groups. Buddhism “is an 800 year old religion and a way of life dedicated to manifesting the endowed purpose of every human being to realize enlightenment”( Shinran Shonin, BASIC BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES). One thing that I learnt that stood out about the differences of Buddhism is that they are not concerned about labels. Buddhists don’t worship an idol, but do sometimes pay respect to images of Buddha. All though not in worship nor to ask favors, but more of a gratitude for their teaching. Some basic concepts of Buddhist teaching are the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Two differences between Buddhism and other religions are god and the concept of hell. Buddhism do not believe Buddha is a God, they say it’s more like a teacher student relationship. Buddhist concept of hell is way different than other religions. They believe in realms and Hell is the worst of the three undesirable realms, not that Hell is a place of eternal damnation. Buddhism is still new in American culture but you still see Buddhist, just not as common as other countries. The biggest thing that they have contributed to American culture is the politeness and caring not for themselves but for other human beings. They have brought to the American culture that wealth is not the way to happiness. Actually, if you look at a lot of Buddhist countries, they are poor looking because they believe that wealth...
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...Religious and Ethnic Groups: Buddhism and Asians Cultural Diversity in the United States Religious and Ethnic Groups: Buddhism and Asians The world is a melting pot of people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds. The religious and ethnic groups I have chosen to focus on, are Buddhism and Asians. I selected these groups, because of my curiosity and intrigue for the ancient traditions and mystique surrounding these two groups. The Asian culture is very colorful, fascinating, and dynamic. Buddhism is a religion based on spiritualism and the development of one's spiritual growth toward enlightenment. Even though my culture is not Asian, and Buddhism is not my chosen religion, I do find the discipline, art, and the adherence to traditional values kindred to my own. I also find the Buddhist practice of meditation relaxing and very effective at calming one's mind and in refocusing your energy. Over the course of this paper, I will offer a brief insight into the religious and cultural similarities and differences between the Buddhist religion, the Asian culture, and the rest of the world, as well as the discrimination endured by both. Buddhism: Similarities, Differences, and Discrimination The Buddhist religion is unique because they do not worship a deity, as other faiths do. Buddhist followers believe that each being shall reach enlightenment without the guidance of a God or Gods (BBC Online Services, 2014). Contrary to what most people think or believe...
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...Rosa Teal ETH/125 August 24, 2014 Religious ad Ethic Groups About 80 percent of India’s culture consider their selves to be of the Hindu faith. Hinduism is a religion like no other known in fact it is not actually considered to be a religion, but actually as a belief and practice. Hinduism is believed to have gotten its name from the perin word Hindu which means river. Hindu’s refer to their belief as Sana tama dharma which means Eternal Religion. Hinduism actually pray and worship to many gods and in their belief they believe a practice such things as reincarnation, karma, and that each person’s body dies and is reborn several times until their life duties are exhausted. Some of the experiences that I researched that people of the Hindu faith have encountered are the reprehending of being idiolist. In Hindu faith many gods are reverend and prayed to there is no one god as it is in other religions. Another aspect of this religion that is not understood or accepted by other religious groups in the caste system and the treatment of Hindu women. Hindu women are often looked at by other followers in their beliefs as witches or sorcerer’s and are put to death. Domestic violence and rape are also an occurrence that happens in Hindu’s and a lot of young girls are married before the age of 18. Women’s literacy rites are very low for this culture and...
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...Material Religious and Ethnic Groups Paper Instructions Part I Select at least 1 religious and 1 ethnic/racial group not your own from the list below. Religious groups (based on http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/affiliations-all-traditions.pdf) Christianity Evangelical Protestant Mainline Protestant Historically Black Churches Roman Catholic Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) Jehovah’s Witnesses Orthodox (Greek, Eastern) Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform) Buddhism (Theravada or Mahayana) Islam (Sunni, Shia, Sufism) Hinduism Racial/ethnic groups (based on divisions in U.S. Census Bureau documents) Asian (Asian descent) Black (African descent) Hispanic and Latino (South or Central American descent) Pacific Islander (Polynesian descent) White (European descent) Part II Write a 750- to 1,400-word paper in which you consider the following regarding the religious group and racial/ethnic group you selected: Religious group: How does your selected religious group differ from other religious groups (such as in their beliefs, worship practices, or values)? What has been the experience of your selected religious group with others that do not share its beliefs or practices? In what ways has the religious group you selected contributed to American culture? Provide specific examples of prejudice or discrimination your selected religious group has experienced. What were the sources of this prejudice or discrimination? Does what you’ve learned about this religious group help you...
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...Assess the view that, for minority ethnic groups, the practice of religion and membership of religious groups in mainly a form of cultural defence. (33 marks) A question on religion is very hard to answer as religion and how religious ethnic groups are is difficult to measure. For example, when investigating as to whether someone is religious or not we may use a questionnaire that involves questions like, "How often does someone visit a sacred place?” This question can be criticised because a child may go to church every week but only because their parents make them, this doesn't mean that they are religious. Equally a person may not be able to attend for practical reasons but they would still consider themselves religious. Religiosity is not like height, where we have set measurements. It is subjective and not easily operationalised. Ethnicity describes ancestry, heritage, religion, nationality and language. Ethnic groups are sub groups that share cultural characteristics and individuals can decide as to whether they like those characteristics and want to join their group or not. An ethnic minority groups is one which is different from the majority population and whose cultural identity and beliefs differ from the main set of religious practices. Cultural defence is where religion serves to unite communities against external threats. In these situations religion is significant, the reason for this is that religion symbolises groups of collective identity defending communities...
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