- Buddhism
- Judaism
- Islam
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the many dfferent stereotypes and opinions that are associated with each religion.
Thank you, Wendy!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Religion
There are so many different religions practiced around the world, it is hard to fully understand the details of each one. I was curious to know how Americans among different age groups living in different parts of the country view religions other than Christianity. I chose 3 religions from around the world and asked friends and family to give me three words that come to mind when they think about these religions. They are:
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Brad, Age: 28, Texas
ReplyDelete1. Idols, Monks, Ceremonial
2. Perseverance, Suffering, Tradition
3. Peaceful, Extremists, Conflict
Dear Friends and Family,
ReplyDeleteWhen you post a comment select "Google Account" as your profile. Then for the User ID and password use the following:
User Id: culturalcommunication8@gmail.com
Password: culture8
thanks,
Wendy
Alisson, Age 29, Michigan
ReplyDelete1. Buddhism - India, Buddha, Belly
2. Judaism - Hanukkah, Hava Nagila,Persecution
3. Islam - Arab, Muslim, Confusion
Sue, 53, Texas
ReplyDelete1. Monk, Solitude, Peaceful
2. Survivors, Kosher, Thrify
3. Radicals, Sacrificial, Allah
1. Buddhism
ReplyDeleteThe most common words associated with Buddhism were Monks, Peaceful, and Buddha. These are all accurate in describing the religion.
Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as Buddha or the Awakened One, was born the son of a prince of the Shakya tribe in what is today Nepal. Buddha lived a life of great austerity and moderation, free from self-indulgence. Buddhism focuses on a way of looking at the world which leads to inner peace and joy.
In the later part of his life, Buddha began an order of Sangha, or community of monks.
In modern day Buddhism, monks are primarily found among the Therevada and Vajrayana schools of Buddhism. Monks spend their lives working to reach Nirvana, an existence beyond limitation, and as disciples of Buddha. Monks not only called upon as teachers, but also doctors and shamans. A Tibetan spriritual teacher is often called lama, meaning guru. The most popular lama of our time being the Dali Lama.
For Buddhism, Ahimsa ("do no harm"), is fundamental. The ideal holds that to cause suffering to any being is cruel and unnecessary. How you treat others in your current life will determine your Karma. Karma, how one will be reborn. Good actions produce good Karma and cruel actions bring bad karma, like being reborn into animal or insect life-forms.
2. Judaism
The most common words used to describe Judaism were Persecution, Kosher, and Hannukkah. These are all important facets of the Jewish religion. Hebrew Bible records can be traced back to a landless people sometimes called Hebrews or Israelites, who are ancestors of Abraham.
Suffering began early on for Jews starting as early as the Medieval Times. Christains were considered loyal citizens, while Jews were treated as traitorous persons. They were forbidden to own land, forced to live in ghettos, wear special clothing identifying them and eventually were forced into exile. Sound Familiar? That's because in 1933 Adolf Hitler began a prolonged wave of Anti-Jewish activity. As many as 12 million Jews died in Hitler's concentration camps. This immense loss is called the Holocaust.
Hannukkah, the Feast of Dedication, is an early winter festival that dates back to 167 B.C.E when the Jewish people regained control of Israel, led by the Maccabees. Tradition says that oil that should have lasted only one day kept burning for eight days. A special candelabrum, menorah, is lit each day of Hannukkah commemorating this.
The word Kosher means "ritually correct" and applies to food consumption. All blood must be drained from meat before it is cooked, becuase blood is sacred to God. Pork and shellfish are forbidden because theses animals were considered scavengers and are easily contaminated by what they eat.
3. Islam
The most common words describing Islam were Muslim, Radicals or extremists, Allah and Mecca.
Muslims means, "people who submit to God." The first Muslims consisted of Muhammad, the founder of the religion, and his family. Muhammad is believed to be the messenger of Allah.
Allah is the supreme God Muslims worship.
Mecca, in what today is Saudi Arabia, is the city Muhammad was born in. Mecca is also where he received his revelation from Allah to form the Islamic religion. As part of the Five Pillars of Islam, Muslims must make a pilgrimage or religious journey to Mecca once in their lives. This practice is called Hajj. When Muslims pray inside the Mosque, they face toward Mecca which is indicated by a special arched niche called a Mihrab.
Islam is divided into two division, Shiite and Sunni. The division began as a political argument over who should succeed Muhammad, but widened into a division over belief, practice and general religious approach. Approximately 90% of Muslims are Sunni, including Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda. It is this association that gives the Islamic religion the titles radical and extreme.