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revpauljbern · 6 years

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Studies from the #realBible with Author Rev. Paul J. Bern....

Peter and the Council At Jerusalem

[Acts chapter 15, verses 1-12]

To view this on my website, click here :-)

Last week when we concluded part 2 of chapter 14, Paul and Barnabas had just returned to Antioch from Iconium, Lystra and Derbe on their first missionary journey together. Their evangelistic crusade had been a rousing success, despite the fact that Paul had nearly been stoned to death at one point in that journey. Many souls had been won for Christ, and that was compensation enough for them both. This week as we move on to chapter 15, we find conflict and dissent taking place within the early Church at Antioch, due primarily to a distortion of the Scriptures by some Jewish converts. So let's begin at verse one:

“1) Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: 'Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.' 2) This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3) The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. 5) Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, 'The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.'” (Acts 15: 1-5)

These first five verses are an argument as old as the Church itself, and it was originally inserted into Christianity by agents of the Sanhedrin as a means to divide the church and start arguments within congregations. This false teaching lives on today, principally in two forms: Jewish congregations who hold dearly to these beliefs call themselves “Messianic Jews”, while Gentile – and almost exclusively Protestant – congregations call themselves “Messianic Christians”, or “Christian Messianic” and other similar variations. Back in 1993, a few months after I first gave my heart to Christ, I joined one of these churches due to an opportunity to be their keyboard player. I've been a piano player all my life, so naturally I eagerly accepted the opportunity. For the next 3 ½ years, I played keys every Sunday morning there, but I also celebrated Passover with Easter, Hanukkah at Christmastime, the Feast of Tabernacles a few weeks before each Halloween, not to mention Yom Kippur and a couple of others.

But I also noticed that I was one of the few who actually read their Bible regularly (Some Christians don't even own one! Shame on you!). It was only when I got to Acts chapter 15 that I began having questions about what was being taught. I ultimately left that congregation after concluding that what they were teaching was incorrect. Like Paul and Barnabas, I too came into sharp dispute with that pastor – who I will decline to name – and moved on to another church. If any of you ever finds yourselves in a similar church, get out of there and find a better one. “So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad.”

Unlike ourselves, the apostles had no written Word at the time of the early Church, and so the “teaching” of the agents of the Sanhedrin was without precedent at that time. There was so much consternation regarding this issue among Jews as well as Gentiles that Paul and Barnabas decided to go to Jerusalem and ask the Twelve this question. “When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, 'The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” Everyone was ecstatic at the news of the rousing success of the missionary trip taken by Paul and Barnabas, but not so much concerning this thern-new assertion of the Pharisees. In the course of converting so many souls, they had drawn a whole lot of new believers into the Church, and a few of them were there for the wrong reasons. It was at this point that the entire group began to grapple with this issue, as we will see in part two of this week's study, beginning at verse 6.

“6) The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7) After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: 'Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8) God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9) He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10) Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11) No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.' 12) The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.” (Acts 15: 6-12)

In verse 7, Peter is referring to Acts chapter 2, or the Day of Pentecost, when a crowd of about 3,000 first heard and embraced the Word of the Lord regarding eternal salvation that can only be found in Christ. There were a lot more Gentiles in that crowd than Jews on that fateful day. Peter, who was what we call an Orthodox Jew today, had some second thoughts about taking the Gospel of Christ to anyone except other Jews like himself. By today's standards, we could say Peter was prejudiced against non-Jews, but political correctness has no place in the Gospel of Jesus. Peter, knowing this, continued on so as to make his point very clear. “8) God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9) He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.” There you have it straight from Peter's mouth. One thing Jew and Gentile, Arab and Jew or Black and white have in common, is that the same Almighty God has made us all. Which is exactly why Peter turns on these phony “teachers” in the very next sentence.

“10) Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11) No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.'” Whether a man has been circumcised or not, a tradition dating back to the days of Abraham (see Genesis 17: 10), is completely besides the point. I'm also quite sure that Peter, remembering the words of Christ at the Sermon on the Mount, reminded them all that Jesus “did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it”. Peter was telling his Jewish brethren that there was no need for them to continue to honor the Law of Moses. The life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus has already done all that. All further discussion about whether Christian and Jewish males needing circumcision – or not – was moot at this point.

But more than that, Peter was calling out his Jewish brethren for imposing Jewish laws and customs on Christians when it was unnecessary, not to mention being contrary to the teachings of Christ (see Matt. 5: 17). If Jews and Christians are to be united in their faith in the salvation of Christ, then that faith must be practiced the same way on both sides. Let Jew and Christian continue to self-identify as such, provided they remain united in their faith. Jesus walked the earth as a Jewish man. Yet the set of beliefs he left behind, which first and foremost is that of the cross, comprises what we call Christianity today. The reason it's not called Judaism is because of Judaism's rejection of the deity of Christ. That's why the two faiths remain separate to this day, and they will remain so until Christ's return for his Church.

Peter related this very sentiment as he witnessed to them all about what Jesus had done. “The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.” If God has done this for the Gentiles through his Son Jesus, Peter preached, then anyone who calls upon his name as they ask for His salvation will be saved. This was radical stuff back in the first century AD. The entire concept of equality between Jew and Gentile, as well as gender equality (Mary Magdalene is my favorite Scriptural example), was unheard of prior to this point in history. And so this discussion continues as we move on to verse 13, which I think will be a good place to close out this week's study for brevity's sake. Be sure and come back next week for part 2 of Acts chapter 15.

#Progressive Christian #the Book of Acts #therealBible #The Apostle Peter #the Pharisees #realChristianity #ultimate truth

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laynebaril1blog-blog · 6 years

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RELI448 full course [ all quiz all assignment paper all discussions but no final

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Religious Experience (graded) Have you ever had an experience that you could properly describe as religious? I have in mind not only dramatic experiences like visions and conversions, but also more commonplace, socially-embedded experiences such as receiving communion, becoming bar mitzvah, serving as a godparent for a young relative, or even simply attending religious services. Think about that experience and ask yourself: Did it put you in touch with the infinite? How would you describe the experience? Was it transcendent? Monotheistic? Elaborate.

The Origins of Religion (graded)

Imagine that you are in a comparative religions class and your professor argues that all religious experience is false. It is nothing more than a projection of childhood fears (sic Freud). How would you answer your professor? Use one of the authors studied this week to counter this claim. Use specific details to support your answer.

This section lists options that can be used to view responses.

week 2 discussion

The Paths to God (graded) The Bhagavad Gita states: “Whatever man give me / In true devotion: / Fruit or water, / A leaf, a flower: / I will accept it. / That gift is love, / His heart’s dedication. / Whatever your action, / Food or worship; / What the gift / That you give to another; / Whatever you vow / To the work of the spirit: / Lay these also / As offerings before me.” What do these verses say about Hindu ethics? Do you see any parallels between these and Jesus’s sayings in the Gospels? Elaborate.

Jainism and Ahimsa (graded) Jainism has five ethical principles, the first of which is ahimsa, or, nonviolence towards all living creatures. Some Jains sweep the ground in front of them to avoid killing small insects. Jains are also strict vegetarians, and some reject the use of any animal products such as leather and jewelry. Do you think this kind of ethic is reasonable for all people or only a minority? Argue the case for or against such strict principles.

The Four Noble Truths (graded) The most important of the Four Noble Truths is the fourth, the Noble Eightfold Path. Did anything in particular strike you about these “paths” (e.g., the idea of “right thoughts,” that we should always try to act with pure motives)? Do you see any similarities between the Noble Eightfold Path and Christianity? Did Jesus say anything similar to Buddha in this regard? Elaborate.

This section lists options that can be used to view responses.

Two Parables: The Prodigal Son (graded) Read the Buddhist and Christian versions of the prodigal son story:http://www.comparativereligion.com/prodigal.html What do you see as the main difference between these two stories? You can start by simply taking one element of the parable and discussing how this element differs in the two parables. For example, how is the role of the father different in the Buddhist and Christian versions of the story? Elaborate.

week 4

Confucius Says… (graded) Confucius was once asked if there was one rule that could serve as the guide to one’s whole life. He replied: “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” How does this rule compare with Jesus’ teaching on the Golden Rule? Look at these Biblical verses to see if you can tell the difference: Matthew 7:12; Matthew 5:21-26, 43-48 (see the Webliography for an online Bible). Is there one rule that you live by?

East Meets West (graded) The ideas of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) have been widely translated into English. Some might recall the delightful children’s version of The Tao of Poo and The Te of Piglet. Consider this saying: “The best man is like water. Water is good; it benefits all things and does not compete with them. It dwells in places that all disdain…The best man in his dwelling loves the earth…” What does this mean to you? Do you agree with this philosophy? Can you see any connection between Taoism and the environmental movement? Elaborate.

Judaism and the Prophetical Tradition (graded) The prophet Amos spoke out against the injustices of the Northern Kings of Israel. He set the tone for centuries of prophetical figures in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. A central theme of the prophetical tradition is social justice. Read Amos 2:6-16; 5:14-15 in this regard (see the Webliography for an online Bible). Do you think churches have done enough with regard to social inequality, poverty, injustice, and so on? What one issue do you think churches should address today?

Biblical Themes: The Problem of Evil (graded) Epicurus is generally credited with first expounding the problem of evil, and it is sometimes called “the Epicurean paradox”: “Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, he is wicked. If God can abolish evil, and God really wants to do it, why is there evil in the world?” The problem of evil poses this question: how can a God who is all-powerful, all-wise, and all-good permit so much pain, suffering, and evil in the world? How would you answer this question?

week 6

Jesus and the Kingdom of God (graded) Describe some of the values Jesus had in mind when he used the phrase “Kingdom of God.” One scholar has called Jesus’s message “ethical apocalypticism.” What do you think this means in light of our discussion of apocalypticism in the text? (You might want to relate this to theBeatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12.)

The Proofs for the Existence of God (graded) Read through the Proofs for the Existence of God carefully (see Webliography). Do any of them convince you? If the answer is yes, then explain one that resonates with you. If the answer is no, then what purpose do you think those proofs serve?Would it make a difference to you if the proofs were somehow made better? How would Jesus have responded to attempts to prove the existence of God?

week 7

The Five Pillars of Islam (graded) In that it recognizes one God who rules the entire world, Islam may be called a universal religion. However, although Islam grew out of a particular seventh-century Arabian context, Muslims claims that its central document, the Qur’an, must be read in Arabic in order to be fully appreciated. How can Islam or any similar religion resolve the tension between the universal and the particular? How can it (or any other faith) be a religion for people of all races and nationalities without giving up its distinctive cultural heritage?

Indigenous Religions (graded) Indigenous religions, such as those of Native American traditions, claim a special relationship with nature. Give an example of this relationship. Some have said that urban people in the modern world romanticize the attitude towards nature held by indigenous peoples. Are there any examples of unnecessary damage made to the environment by native groups of the past?

TCO 1) The word “religion” literally means: to meditate on. to worship. to bind again. to rise above.

Question 2. Question : (TCO 1) The Way of Devotion is characterized by: a strong emphasis on faith. an intense personal relationship to the deity. a practical approach that emphasizes traditional prayers and rituals. some form of meditation practice.

Question 3. Question : (TCO 2) William James makes an important distinction between: personal religious experience and institutional religion. reason and revelation. faith and science. None of the above

Question 4. Question : (TCO 4) The German theologian who held that religions originate in human response to the mysterious side of reality was: Rudolf Otto. Carl Jung. Karl Rahner Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Question 5. Question : (TCO 8) The word “moksha” means: liberation. the moral law of cause and effect. soul/deepest self. illusion. : Question 6. Question : (TCO 9) The Bhagavad Gita is part of a long poem called: The Iliad. The Puranas. Rig Veda. Mahabharata. Question 7. Question : (TCO 8) Karma yoga is: the path to God through knowledge. the path to God through loving devotion. the path to God through work. the path to God through meditation. Question 8. Question : (TCO 8) A Puja is: an object held in the hand during worship. a devotional ritual. a sacred dance. a special powder placed on the images of deities. Question 9. Question : (TCO 10) In Jainism, prayer and worship of the gods is: essential and obligatory. helpful but optional. dangerous and forbidden. worthless and irrevelant.

TCO 6) The Biblical book that tells the story of Abraham and the first patriarchs is: Leviticus. Deuteronomy. Genesis. Exodus. : Question 2. Question : (TCO 7) What Jewish festival celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt (cf. Exodus)? Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Passover Hanukkah Question 3. Question : (TCO 6) The Jewish Sabbath is kept from: sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. sunrise Saturday to sunrise Sunday. sunrise Saturday to sunset Sunday. sunrise Sunday to sunrise Monday. Question 4. Question : (TCO 6) A well-known leader of Orthodox Judaism in America was: Isaac Leeser. Isaac M. Wise. Abraham Cahan. Mordecai Kaplan. Question 5. Question : (TCO 7) The Gospel that is directed towards a Jewish audience and portrays Jesus as fulfilling all the Old Testament prophecies is: Matthew. Mark. Luke. John. Question 6. Question : (TCO 6) Our knowledge of the earliest period of the Church’s history comes from this New Testament book: Paul’s Letter to the Romans The Gospel of Mark The Acts of the Apostles The Book of Revelation Question 7. Question : (TCO 6) The bishop who is considered the leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church is the: Archbishop of Canterbury. Patriarch of Moscow. Patriarch of Constantinople. Bishop of Rome. Question 8. Question : (TCO 6) In AD 1517, the Protestant Reformation began with the reforms of: : Jan Hus. Martin Luther. John Calvin. Henry VIII. Question 9. Question : (TCO 6) The majority of immigrants to America after the Civil War were: Lutheran Protestants. English Protestants. Catholics. Eastern Orthodox.

Homework: Reflection Essay This assignment is due in Week 2 of the course. Scholars conclude that what we ordinarily call religion manifests to some degree the following eight elements: 1) a belief system; 2) community; 3) central myths; 4) rituals; 5) an ethical system; 6) emotional experiences; 7) material expressions of religion; and 8) sacredness. 1. Examine to what extent your religious beliefs fall into this pattern. Do some elements have more weight than others? If you do not have a belief system, interview someone who does and examine their belief system. Provide enough details to support your answer. 2. Then examine one of the “new religions” or alternative paths that are seen in today’s world and apply the same analysis to their beliefs. Do some elements have more weight than others? Are some totally absent? Provide enough details to support your answer. Please limit your analysis to no more than three elements for each section. 3. New Religious Movements: Scientology, Falun Gong, Cao Dai, Wicca and Druidism, the Yoruba Tradition (Santería, Voodoo, and Candomblé), Rastafarianism, etc. Feel free to choose among one of these alternatives or another approved by your instructor. This essay should be 3 pages in length (1050 words). [Note the addition of word count to clarify how long the paper should be if formatted properly in APA.]

midterm

TCO 4) 1 Compare and contrast Carl Gustav Jung’s theory as to the origin of religions with William James’ theory. How does each of these psychologists view religion (positively or negatively)? Now analyze how the insights of Jung or James might illuminate your religious tradition or the tradition with which you are most familiar. How would Jung or James understand that tradition? Use specific examples to support your answer (e.g., a specific belief or ritual).

Question 2. Question : (TCO 8) Identify and describe three paths to God (yogas) in Hinduism. Make sure you use enough detail to support your answer.

Question 3. Question : (TCO 9) Identify and analyze the Theravada and Mahayana forms of Buddhism. Include in this answer: a) specific countries where they are found; b) differing views of the Buddha; and c) differing ideals as to how one should live one’s life. Make sure you use enough detail to support your answer.

Question 4. Question :

(TCO 10) Sikhism began as an attempt to unify Hinduism and Islam. Identify and describe religious concepts that Sikhism took from Hinduism and those that it accepted from Islam? What elements from Hinduism did Nanak reject? Then evaluate Sikhism’s attempt to unify Hinduism and Islam. What makes this attempt problematic? Is it more productive or counterproductive to seek unity between religions by inventing a new religion? Make sure you use enough detail to support your answer

Field Trip Report As part of this course in comparative religions, each student is asked to attend a religious service different from their own. Students are free to visit any church, synagogue, mosque, or temple in their locality. Please answer the following questions as thoroughly as possible in your own words. Since this is an informal report, it does not require documentation unless you use direct quotation within the paper. This paper should be 2–3 pages in length. Feel free to add any thoughts and/or feelings you had after the visit. 1. Did the exterior of the worship facility add to the overall religious feeling of the visit? Describe your first impression as you pulled up to the building. Did the architecture lend itself to worship? Add specific details to support your answer. 2. Describe the nature of the worship facility service you saw. This will probably be the longest section of the report, so be as thorough as possible. For example, what was the overall religious program? What was the theme of the message for that day? Were there any rituals that struck you as different from your own? Elaborate. 3. What was your overall reaction to the service? Was it positive or negative? Did any members of the congregation talk to you, and if they did, what was the nature of the conversation? Please feel free to be personal and honest in this report.

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rabbiandrewrosenblatt · 6 years

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Guns, Rights and Obligations

Yesterday, the news was dominated by the eighth US school shooting of 2018. The eyewitnesses’ narratives – their text messages – were simply heartbreaking. Even those of us who are not epidemiologists or criminologists feel like it is unlikely that two months will pass without a mass shooting. In October it was the Las Vegas massacre. In November there was the mass shooting in a church in Sutherland, Texas. It seems like this glut of evidence on violence has inspired few, if any, epiphanies about how to manage the problem. Predictably, those on the political left are calling for stricter gun limits, and those on the right are calling for harsher justice for those who kill.

It would be easy enough here to condemn political inaction or blame the gun lobby and assault weapon industry. However, such a discussion would hardly advance the discourse. It would simply be another partisan chest thump on my part. Instead, I would like to look at this issue from a different perspective.

There are facts about the shooting this past week which make it seem particularly preventable. They highlight the challenges inherent to public safety in a gun-toting culture. There was this YouTube comment that was posted under the name Nikolas Cruz on September 24th: “I am going to become a professional school shooter.” Mr. Cruz, had been expelled for bringing a knife to school. It would seem that those two facts would not only disqualify Cruz from buying a gun, but would prompt a visit from law enforcement.

The problem in this case is about privacy and autonomy. The YouTube comment was reported to the FBI by a user in Mississippi with no connections at all to Mr. Cruz. I assume there was not enough probable cause for a warrant to compel YouTube to help police find a would-be shooter with a particular name. Legal privacy protections ensured the obscurity of 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz from among hundreds of others named Nikolas Cruz in Florida alone.

Some might argue that a person who demonstrated violent tendencies and other mental health concerns should have been committed to a mental health facility. His actions should have warranted medical intervention against his will. However, committing adults to mental health facilities is very difficult. Perhaps with good reason. Autonomy is a person's most fundamental right. Thus, the evidence and need to commit a person has to be overwhelming.

In sum, we value privacy and autonomy. I know of few who are ready to hand law enforcement the keys to social media or ready access to their internet usage information. There are few who would hand over their autonomy to prying neighbors or overburdened police officers.

What about guns? Some would argue that gun rights are equal to free speech rights. Such a case is not without merit. I have heard rhetorically strong arguments that conflate the right to own an assault weapon with the right to protect oneself from criminals or armed authority run amok. They advocate that the right to carry a gun in public is the guarantor against ever being in a situation where they would be unable to defend the innocent and themselves.

The right to own an assault weapon is not for freedom to take down militarized moose and elk. It is simply part of one’s right to self-defence. Advocates of gun ownership believe that curtailing such a right makes the people vulnerable both to the tyranny of government and of malicious elements, criminals, and thugs. Gun advocates protect that right just like the ACLU protects the right for free speech.

So, what might the Torah have to say about all of this? The first and perhaps most important point in this analysis is that Torah does not advocate for rights. In place of a system of rights the Torah has a system of obligations.

For example, where Western legal systems have a right to privacy, the Talmud has a tort called Hezek Rei’ah – which would translate literally to damage by sight. In practice, this tort is expressed by the court’s ability to compel a would-be voyeur to build a wall to ensure their neighbour’s privacy. Ultimately, the Torah’s law sees privacy as an active responsibility, not a as passive entitlement. The well-known verse “מַה טֹּבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, יַעֲקֹב; מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ, יִשְׂרָאֵל – how great are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!” celebrates how the Jewish people in the desert observed the halachic imperative of privacy in the way they arranged their tents.

The United States Constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment. In Canada, there is no constitutional right to own guns. However, laws and legislation uphold a kind of common-sense notion that guns are private property, and gun ownership is essentially legal.

Jewish law has no such right to own a weapon. It does, however, have a very strong obligation to save lives. The obligation to save a life is paramount in Jewish law. It supersedes every other obligation under the law, except in cases of betrayal of faith, sexual abuse, and the taking of a life in self-defence. Thus, one may violate the Sabbath or Yom Kippur, or suspend property rights in order to save a life. However, one may not jeopardize even one life in practice to potentially, theoretically save many lives.

How does Torah law translate to the question of guns? On the one hand we might be advocates for gun ownership. In Israel, many rabbis and devout individuals carry handguns. The synagogues in areas historically targeted by terrorists might be some of the safest places in the country because of the high number of gun owners. In Israel, then, the Torah injunction to protect innocent lives, and the practice of ‘open carry’ is a deterrent to mass murder.

On the other hand, in the US the many school shootings in the first seven weeks of 2018 would suggest that pervasive gun ownership is not an effective deterrent. Halachically then, this may be a question of facts more than principles. Or, as my editor is fond of reminding me, “in theory, practice always works all of the time, but in practice theory never works all of the time.” If the facts on the ground do not support the principles of the constitution, then we must err to the side of caution based on the facts.

To de-escalate the conflict between rights and restrictions, we might suggest that we approach this epidemiologically. We could consider the case of automobile cruise control. If that technology reduces motor vehicle accidents, we should install more cruise controls and do more to make sure that they are employed. On the other hand, if cruise controls increase accidents, then we should stop using the technology, or improve it.

Such an analysis leads to a startling finding. Nearly two thirds of all gun deaths in the United States have nothing to do with gang violence, inner-city crime, mass-shootings, accidental firings, or terrorism. Two thirds of gun deaths are suicides. Yes, suicides. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, states with more liberal gun laws have higher suicide rates.

It also turns out that it is faulty logic to argue that those attempting suicide will find another method if they cannot get a gun. Guns are efficient at killing quickly. In suicide, time is the ally of saving lives. The longer suicide takes, the greater the chances of survival. Guns are, sadly, the most effective method of suicide. Limiting the sale of guns would reduce deaths by suicide over current levels.

The gun rights policy question is highly charged. I am not going to pursue some false dichotomy between the moral imperatives of the Torah and the legislative imperatives of constitutional government and law enforcement. Therefore, I will refrain from making conclusions about policy. However, to postpone the question of community safety and guns out of respect to victims and families of the latest tragedies would be misplaced. Is the question of school shootings – which garners high coverage in the media – more worthy of our respect than the constant – unreported – stream of suicides?

Mass shootings invite ideological posturing. The Torah obligates us to save lives. We have to ask what the best way is to do that. To know, we have to consider where the evidence leads us. We might also have to ask if we are risking lives to save lives. We might also need to ask if the self defense argument outweighs the inherent dangers of guns, especially when most gun deaths are self-inflicted.

To me, the evidence about suicide reveals that most people have formed opinions based on the observations skewed by media coverage. News media ratings are driven by the public’s appetites for stories about carnage, or for their desire for stories of heroism – like the recent one of a rifle instructor who disabled the Texas church shooter. Yet, most were completely disconnected from the relevant, related issue of suicide. Our obligation is to save lives, how best to do that should be driven by the facts and the science.

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michaelvaldez007-blog · 7 years

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RELI 448 Comparative Religions Entire Course

https://www.studentsoffortunes.com/downloads/reli-448-comparative-religions-entire-course/

devry reli448 week 1 discussion dq 1 & dq 2

dq1

Religious Experience (graded)

Have you ever had an experience that you could properly describe as religious? I have in mind not only dramatic experiences like visions and conversions, but also more commonplace, socially-embedded experiences such as receiving communion, becoming bar mitzvah, serving as a godparent for a young relative, or even simply attending religious services. Think about that experience and ask yourself: Did it put you in touch with the infinite? How would you describe the experience? Was it transcendent? Monotheistic? Elaborate.

dq 2

The Origins of Religion (graded)

Imagine that you are in a comparative religions class and your professor argues that all religious experience is false. It is nothing more than a projection of childhood fears (sicFreud). How would you answer your professor? Use one of the authors studied this week to counter this claim. Use specific details to support your answer.

devry reli448 week 2 discussion dq 1 & dq 2

dq 1

The Faces of God (graded)

Hinduism offers as one explanation for its many gods that humans need concrete representations of the formless absolute. Also, finite minds can perceive the infinite only in a limited way, according to taste and temperament, cultural background, and other factors. Religions such as Christianity or Judaism view God in carefully defined ways that restrict the names and personality that reflect the divine. Yet even here, the way that God is pictured varies. Reflect on the images you have had of the divine, and interview friends about images they have had. How have these pictures in your mind changed since you were a child? Is it possible they will continue to change as you age or as you study religion more deeply? How do you account for this process, and how would you attempt to measure the correctness of one image over another?

dq 2

Jainism and Ahimsa (graded)

Jainism has five ethical principles, the first of which is ahimsa, or, nonviolence towards all living creatures. Some Jains sweep the ground in front of them to avoid killing small insects. Jains are also strict vegetarians, and some reject the use of any animal products such as leather and jewelry. Do you think this kind of ethic is reasonable for all people or only a minority? Argue the case for or against such strict principles.

devry reli448 week 3 discussion dq 1 & dq 2

dq1

The Four Noble Truths (graded)

The most important of the Four Noble Truths is the fourth, the Noble Eightfold Path. Did anything in particular strike you about these “paths” (e.g., the idea of “right thoughts,” that we should always try to act with pure motives)? Do you see any similarities between the Noble Eightfold Path and Christianity? Did Jesus say anything similar to Buddha in this regard? Elaborate.

dq2

Two Parables: The Prodigal Son (graded)

Read the Buddhist and Christian versions of the prodigal son story:

What do you see as the main difference between these two stories? You can start by simply taking one element of the parable and discussing how this element differs in the two parables. For example, how is the role of the father different in the Buddhist and Christian versions of the story? Elaborate.

devry reli448 week 4 discussion dq 1 & dq 2

dq 1

Confucius Says… (graded)

Confucius was once asked if there was one rule that could serve as the guide to one’s whole life. He replied: “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” How does this rule compare with Jesus’ teaching on the Golden Rule? Look at these Biblical verses to see if you can tell the difference: Matthew 7:12; Matthew 5:21-26, 43-48 (see the Webliography for an online Bible). Is there one rule that you live by?

dq 2

East Meets West (graded)

The ideas of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing)have been widely translated into English. Some might recall the delightful children’s version of The Tao of Pooand The Te of Piglet. Consider this saying: “The best man is like water. Water is good; it benefits all things and does not compete with them. It dwells in places that all disdain…The best man in his dwelling loves the earth…” What does this mean to you? Do you agree with this philosophy? Can you see any connection between Taoism and the environmental movement? Elaborate.

devry reli448 week 5 discussion dq 1 & dq 2

dq 1

Judaism and the Prophetical Tradition (graded)

The prophet Amosspoke out against the injustices of the Northern Kings of Israel. He set the tone for centuries of prophetical figures in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. A central theme of the prophetical tradition is social justice. Read Amos 2:6-16; 5:14-15 in this regard (see the Webliography for an online Bible). Do you think churches have done enough with regard to social inequality, poverty, injustice, and so on? What one issue do you think churches should address today?

dq 2

Biblical Themes: The Problem of Evil (graded)

Epicurus is generally credited with first expounding the problem of evil, and it is sometimes called “the Epicurean paradox”: “Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, he is wicked. If God can abolish evil, and God really wants to do it, why is there evil in the world?” The problem of evil poses this question: how can a God who is all-powerful, all-wise, and all-good permit so much pain, suffering, and evil in the world? How would you answer this question?

devry reli448 week 6 discussion dq 1 & dq 2

dq 1

Jesus and the Kingdom of God (graded)

Describe some of the values Jesus had in mind when he used the phrase “Kingdom of God.” One scholar has called Jesus’s message “ethical apocalypticism.” What do you think this means in light of our discussion of apocalypticism in the text? (You might want to relate this to the Beatitudesin Matthew 5:1-12.)

dq 2

The Proofs for the Existence of God (graded)

Read through the Proofs for the Existence of Godcarefully (in the Webliography tab above). Do any of them convince you? If the answer is no (and it usually is), then what purpose do you think those proofs serve? Would it make a difference to you if the proofs were somehow made better? How would Jesus have responded to attempts to prove the existence of God?

devry reli448 week 7 discussion dq 1 & dq 2

dq 1

The Five Pillars of Islam (graded)

In that it recognizes one God who rules the entire world, Islam may be called a universal religion. However, although Islam grew out of a particular seventh-century Arabian context, Muslims claims that its central document, the Qur’an, must be read in Arabic in order to be fully appreciated. How can Islam or any similar religion resolve the tension between the universal and the particular? How can it (or any other faith) be a religion for people of all races and nationalities without giving up its distinctive cultural heritage?

dq2

Indigenous Religions (graded)

Indigenous religions, such as those of Native American traditions, claim a special relationship with nature. Give an example of this relationship. Some have said that urban people in the modern world romanticize the attitude towards nature held by indigenous peoples. Are there any examples of unnecessary damage made to the environment by native groups of the past?

devry reli448 week 2 quiz

1. Question : (TCO 1) Among many reasons, religions exist to help people:

deal with the certainty of death.

find ways to express themselves in art.

select careers that are socially redeeming.

have valuable texts to study.

Question 2. Question : (TCO 1) The Way of Action is characterized by:

a strong emphasis on faith.

an intense personal relationship to the deity.

a practical approach that emphasizes traditional prayers and rituals.

some form of meditation practice.

Question 3. Question : (TCO 2) What psychologist saw religion as a way for people to find their fulfillment as unique individuals, a process he called “individuation”?

Sigmund Freud

Carl G. Jung

Alfred Adler

Erik Erikson

Question 4. Question : (TCO 4) The German theologian who held that religions originate in human response to the mysterious side of reality was:

Rudolf Otto.

Carl Jung.

Karl Rahner

Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Question 5. Question : (TCO 8) The word “moksha” means:

liberation.

the moral law of cause and effect.

soul/deepest self.

illusion.

Question 6. Question : (TCO 9) The word Vedas is related to the English word:

visit.

vision.

vex.

vertical.

Question 7. Question : (TCO 8) Bhakti yoga is:

the path to God through knowledge.

the path to God through loving devotion.

the path to God through work.

the path to God through meditation.

Question 8. Question : (TCO 8) A sannyasin is a:

craftsman.

nature spirit.

warrior-noble.

wandering holy man.

Question 9. Question : (TCO 10) Ahimsa is the policy of:

nonlying.

nonstealing.

nonviolence.

nonattachment.

devry reli448 week 6 quiz

1. Question : (TCO 6) Judaism traces its origins back to this patriarch in the book of Genesis:

Abraham

Isaac

Jacob

Joseph

Question 2. Question : (TCO 7) What Jewish festival celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt (cf. Exodus)?

Rosh Hashanah

Yom Kippur

Passover

Hanukkah

Question 3. Question : (TCO 6) The first kings of Israel were:

Saul, David, and Solomon.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekial.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

James, Peter, and Paul.

Question 4. Question : (TCO 6) A well-known leader of Reform Judaism in America was:

Isaac Leeser.

Isaac M. Wise.

Abraham Cahan.

Mordecai Kaplan.

Question 5. Question : (TCO 7) The authoritative list of the twenty-seven books that make up the New Testament (Christian Scriptures) is known as:

the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Nag Hammadi Writings.

the Apocrypha.

the canon.

Question 6. Question : (TCO 6) Our knowledge of the earliest period of the Church’s history comes from this New Testament book:

Paul’s Letter to the Romans

The Gospel of Mark

The Acts of the Apostles

The Book of Revelation

Question 7. Question : (TCO 6) The bishop who is considered the leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church is the:

Archbishop of Canterbury.

Patriarch of Moscow.

Patriarch of Constantinople.

Bishop of Rome.

Question 8. Question : (TCO 6) This term refers to those Protestant reformers who taught “rebaptism” (e.g., the Mennonites and Amish):

Calvinism

Methodism

Quaker

Anabaptist

Question 9. Question : (TCO 6) The most significant movement in religion since World War I is:

revivalism.

fundamentalism.

Puritanism.

Calvinism.

RELI 448 Week 4 midterm exam

1. Question : (TCO 4) Compare and contrast Sigmund Freud’s theory as to the origin of religions with William James’ theory. How does each of these psychologists view religion (positively or negatively)? Then analyze how the insights of Freud or James might illuminate your religious tradition or the tradition with which you are most familiar. How would Freud or James understand that tradition? Use specific examples to support your answer (e.g., a specific belief or ritual).

Question 2. Question : (TCO 8) Identify and describe three paths to God(yogas) in Hinduism. Make sure you use enough detail to support your answer.

Question 3. Question : (TCO 9) Identify and analyze the Three Marks of Realityin Buddhism. How do these differ from the Hindu concept of reality? Make sure you use enough detail to support your answer.

Question 4. Question : (TCO 10) Identify and describe three ethical mandatesof Jainism. Then evaluate the case for or against complete vegetarianism—eating no fish or animals. Is this reasonable for all people or only a small minority? Make sure you use enough detail to support your answer.

RELI448 Week 2 assignment

Homework: Reflection Essay

This assignment is due in Week 2 of the course. Scholars conclude that what we ordinarily call religion manifests to some degree the following eight elements: 1) a belief system; 2) community; 3) central myths; 4) rituals; 5) an ethical system; 6) emotional experiences; 7) material expressions of religion; and 8) sacredness.

Examine to what extent your religious beliefs fall into this pattern. Do some elements have more weight than others? If you do not have a belief system, interview someone who does and examine their belief system. Provide enough details to support your answer.

Then examine one of the “new religions” or alternative paths that are seen in today’s world and apply the same analysis to their beliefs. Do some elements have more weight than others? Are some totally absent? Provide enough details to support your answer. Please limit your analysis to no more than three elements for each section.

New Religious Movements: Scientology, Falun Gong, Cao Dai, Wicca and Druidism, the Yoruba Tradition (Santería, Voodoo, and Candomblé), Rastafarianism, etc. Feel free to choose among one of these alternatives or another approved by your instructor.

This essay should be 3 pages in length (1050 words). [Note the addition of word count to clarify how long the paper should be if formatted properly in APA.]

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox, located at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these step-by-step instructions.

See the Syllabus section “Due Dates for Assignments & Exams” for due date information

RELI448 Week 6 assignment latest 2016

Field Trip Report

As part of this course in comparative religions, each student is asked to attend a religious service different from their own. Students are free to visit any church, synagogue, mosque, or temple in their locality. Please answer the following questions as thoroughly as possible in your own words. Since this is an informal report, it does not require documentation unless you use direct quotation within the paper. This paper should be 3 pages in length. Feel free to add any thoughts and/or feelings you had after the visit.

Did the exterior of the worship facility add to the overall religious feeling of the visit? Describe your first impression as you pulled up to the building. Did the architecture lend itself to worship? Add specific details to support your answer.

Describe the nature of the worship facility service you saw. This will probably be the longest section of the report, so be as thorough as possible. For example, what was the overall religious program? What was the theme of the message for that day? Were there any rituals that struck you as different from your own? Elaborate.

What was your overall reaction to the service? Was it positive or negative? Did any members of the congregation talk to you, and if they did, what was the nature of the conversation?

Please feel free to be personal and honest in this report.

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox, located at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these step-by-step instructions.

See the Syllabus section “Due Dates for Assignments & Exams” for due date information.

RELi 448 Week 8 final exam

1. Question : (TCO 1) The word religion literally means:

: to bind.

meditate on.

worship.

rise above.

2. Question : (TCO 1) The position that argues that we cannot know whether there is a god or not is known as:

: monotheism.

polytheism.

atheism.

agnosticism.

3. Question : (TCO 2) Who was the German theologian who argued in The Idea of the Holy that religions emerge when people experience that aspect of reality which is essentially mysterious?

: William James

Carl Gustav Jung

Rudolf Otto

E.B.

Tylor

& Page 1 of 6

Student Gradebook Exam

4. Question : (TCO 4) Who was the Scottish anthropologist and author of The

Golden Bough who saw the origins of religion in early attempts by

human beings to influence nature and who identified religion as

an intermediate stage between magic and science?

: James Frazer

Rudolf Otto

William James

Wilhelm Schmidt

5. Question : (TCO 4) What is the name of the Austrian ethnographer and

philologist who argued that all humankind once believed in a

single High God and that to this simple monotheism later beliefs

in lesser gods and spirits were added?

: James Frazer

William James

Wilhelm Schmidt

Carl Gustav Jung

6. Question : (TCO 8) Vedic religion was:

: patriarchal and polytheistic.

matriarchal and polytheistic.

monotheistic.

monistic.

7. Question : (TCO 8) The power of a god is often symbolized by:

: lightening bolts.

rings of fire.

animals.

many arms.

8. Question : (TCO 9) Hinduism, as formulated in the Upanishads,

: encourages meditation to understand the essence of reality.

says we must honor our social obligations and roles.

rejected the authority of the Vedas in formulating new

religious insights.

advocates devotion to any of the many gods.

Page 2 of 6

Student Gradebook Exam

9. Question : (TCO 10) Both Jainism and Sikhism:

: practice vegetarianism.

advocate ahimsa.

are monotheistic.

view the human being as composite of spirit and matter.

10. Question : (TCO 8) According to the Buddha, his teachings must be:

: accepted on faith.

experienced by oneself.

memorized and chanted.

spread by missionaries.

11. Question : (TCO 8) Once a person reaches nirvana:

: suffering continues only for this life.

samsara is attained.

rebirth is finished.

the Pure Land is entered.

12. Question : (TCO 8 ) The Chinese word for “righteousness,” “benevolence,”

“humanity-at-its-best” is:

: Ren (jen).

Li.

Wen.

Hsiao (xiao).

13. Question : (TCO 8) Confucius thought the most important relationship was:

: ruler-subject.

husband-wife.

father-son.

friend-friend.

Page 3 of 6

Student Gradebook Exam

14. Question : (TCO 9) Which is not a Daoist value?

: Simplicity

Spontaneity

Sensing movements of nature

Formal education

15. Question : (TCO 9) In Zhuangzi’s (Chuang Tzu’s) famous dream, he was not

certain that he was not:

: Confucius.

an ox.

a butterfly.

a Daoist.

16. Question : (TCO 5) All of the following ancient world religions are minor

religions except:

: Shinto.

Buddhism.

Taoism.

Jainism.

17. Question : (TCO 11) Sikhism is charaterized by:

: special clothing and religious militarism.

special clothing but not religious militarism.

religious militarism but not special clothing.

special clothing only.

18. Question : (TCO 6) A contract between the Hebrews and their God was

called a:

: mitzvah.

covenant.

yarmulke.

commandment.

Page 4 of 6

Student Gradebook Exam

19. Question : (TCO 6) The sacred core of the Hebrew Bible is called the:

: Torah.

Talmud.

Writings.

Prophets.

20. Question : (TCO 6) A joyful spring festival that recalls the Hebrews’ exodus

from Egypt and freedom from oppression is:

: Yom Kippur.

Passover (Seder).

Purim.

Hanukkah.

21. Question : (TCO 7) Jesus sometimes summed up his teachings in:

: ten commandments.

one commandment.

two commandments.

five commandments.

22. Question : (TCO 7) The most Jewish of the Gospels is:

: Matthew.

Mark.

Luke.

John.

23. Question : (TCO 6) Muhammad’s job before he became a prophet was as a:

: merchant.

date grower.

caravan driver.

camel breeder.

Student Gradebook Exam

24. Question : (TCO 6) The month of fasting, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is known as:

: Id al-Adha.

Kabah.

Ramadan.

Qur’an.

25. Question : (TCO 12) The youngest alternative path studied in this chapter is:

: Santería.

Falun Gong.

Theosophy.

Baha’i.

Page:

1. Question : (TCO 4) Compare and contrast Sigmund Freud’s theory about the

origin of religions with William James’s theory. How does each of

these psychologists view religion (positively or negatively)? Now

analyze how the insights of Freud or James might illuminate your

religious tradition or the tradition with which you are the most

familiar. How would Freud or James understand that tradition?

Use specific examples to support your answer (e.g., a specific

belief or ritual).

2. Question : (TCO 9) Identify and analyze the Four Noble Truths, in particular,

the Noble Eightfold Path. What ideas from Hinduism did Buddhism

essentially keep? Describe them. Include enough details to

Page 1 of 4

3. Question : (TCO 3) Explain and evaluate Thomas Aquinas’ Cosmological

Argument for the existence of God: The first and plainest is the

method that proceeds from the point of view of motion. It is

certain and in accord with experience, that things on earth

undergo change. Now, everything that is moved is moved by

something; nothing, indeed, is changed, except it is changed to

something which it is in potentiality. Moreover, anything moves in

accordance with something actually existing; change itself, is

nothing else than to bring forth something from potentiality into

actuality. Now, nothing can be brought from potentiality to actual

existence except through something actually existing: thus heat

in action, as fire, makes fire-wood, which is hot in potentiality, to

be hot actually, and through this process, changes itself. The

same thing cannot at the same time be actually and potentially

the same thing, but only in regard to different things. What is

actually hot cannot be at the same time potentially hot, but it is

possible for it at the same time to be potentially cold.

It is impossible, then, that anything should be both mover and

the thing moved, in regard to the same thing and in the same

way, or that it should move itself. Everything, therefore, is moved

by something else. If, then, that by which it is moved, is also

moved, this must be moved by something still different, and this,

again, by something else. But this process cannot go on to infinity

because there would not be any first mover, nor, because of this

fact, anything else in motion, as the succeeding things would not

Page 2 of 4

move except because of what is moved by the first mover, just as

a stick is not moved except through what is moved from the

hand. Therefore it is necessary to go back to some first mover,

which is itself moved by nothing–and this all men know as God.

Briefly explain and then evaluate this proof for the existence of

God.

4. Question : (TCO 11) Identify and analyze three basic patterns in indigeneous

religions. Use examples from traditional Hawaiian religion to

support your answer.

#RELI 448 Comparative Religions Entire Course

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