General Guidelines For Paper Assignment Religion 107 TheBasi

General Guidelines For Paper Assignment Religion 107the Basics

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PAPER ASSIGNMENT RELIGION 107 THE BASICS: This assignment is designed to provide an opportunity to study a specific religious theme by comparing elements of 2 different religious traditions. The basic format will be similar for each option: choose an option, and construct an essay (introduction- where you will assert your thesis, body- where you will defend your thesis, and conclusion) that offers 3 distinct lines of support for your thesis, in a complete and grammatically correct way. If you wish to see the specific criteria on which you will be graded, check out the document called “107 paper grading rubricâ€. Here is the sequence of how you should approach the assignment:

-Step 1 Pick an option : look over the topics below, and think about which is most appealing to you.

It helps to look at all 4 options, and to do a bit of your own investigation (in the library or on peer reviewed websites) to orient yourself. PAPER TOPIC : Music and worship in Hinduism and Christianity

-Step 2 Outline/proposal : It is a table that you must fill in with your topic, thesis statement, a brief account of your 3 lines of support, and a listing of your 3 academically respectable, peer reviewed sources. You must submit a hard copy of this completed table in class on the due date listed below (electronic submissions will not be accepted, and no late submissions will be given credit). Save your outline/proposal, since you must also submit a copy of it along with your final paper. ( It is due mid night Monday, March 07, 2016)

-Step 3 Write the paper : Your intro paragraph should include a brief statement of which traditions and issues that you will deal with, the thesis that you will be defending, and a concise plan of what is to come in your paper.

Each issue should be considered in its own paragraph, and you should support your position with references to academically respectable, peer reviewed sources (No Wiki, blogs, newspapers, etc.) . Use of quotes should be restricted to no more than 3 quotes, 3 lines each. Make sure that you include a title page, with the option number that you worked with, and the section number or meeting days of your class. The papers that you will be writing will be about 4 full pages in length . They should be typed (double-spaced, in a normal 12 point font), free of grammatical & spelling errors, and demonstrate your ability to analyze & respond to the material.

The paper is worth 16% of your grade, so it is in your best interest to work on these well ahead of the due date, proofread carefully , and bring in any questions or rough drafts to myself or the class grad assistants. No late papers or rewrites after the due date will be accepted.

Paper For Above instruction

The interaction of music and worship plays a vital role in shaping religious identity, practice, and community in Hinduism and Christianity. Both traditions utilize music as a form of devotion, spiritual connection, and cultural expression, yet the ways in which music influences worship and religious experience differ markedly due to theological beliefs, historical context, and ritual practices.

In Hinduism, music is deeply embedded in religious rituals and is considered a divine medium that facilitates communion with gods and spiritual consciousness. The tradition emphasizes the use of specific instruments, chants, and melodies embedded in sacred texts and practices such as bhajans and kirtans. These musical expressions serve as a means of fostering devotion (bhakti), and are believed to invoke divine presence, purity, and spiritual bliss. For instance, the singing of bhajans often involves community participation, creating an inclusive and participatory worship environment that transcends social and caste boundaries (Flood, 1996). The notion that sound and vibration hold sacred significance underpins the use of specific mantras and chants, which are considered powerful tools to achieve spiritual liberation (Kumar, 2004). Hindu worship through music thus intertwines theological concepts with ritualistic sound patterns that cultivate personal and communal spirituality.

Christianity, by contrast, employs music within worship primarily as a means of praising God, fostering congregational participation, and enhancing the worship experience. The role of music in Christianity has evolved across different denominations and historical periods, from Gregorian chants to contemporary gospel and praise music. In the Christian tradition, music often emphasizes biblical themes, theological doctrines, and personal faith expressions. The use of hymnody, gospel songs, and modern worship music aims to create an emotional and spiritual connection with God, emphasizing themes of salvation, grace, and divine love (Graham, 1999). Additionally, Christian worship incorporates music as a communal act, often involving choirs, congregational singing, and musical instruments to evoke joy and reverence (Pecknold, 2004). Unlike Hindu music, which functions as a divine vibration connected to cosmic principles, Christian music primarily aims to foster a personal relationship with God and reinforce doctrinal truths through expressive and participatory melodies.

Despite differences, both religious traditions recognize the transformative power of music in worship. In Hinduism, music acts as a bridge to the divine, a vibration that can lead to spiritual awakening, while in Christianity, music is a conduit for expressing faith and fostering community through shared spiritual experiences. The theological perspectives inform how music is created, performed, and experienced in each tradition; Hindu music often seeks spiritual liberation (moksha) through vibrational resonance, whereas Christian music aims to elevate the soul towards divine grace and salvation. Both traditions also utilize music to reinforce religious identity and cultural continuity, demonstrating its importance as a universal aspect of religious life.

In conclusion, music in Hinduism and Christianity exemplifies the profound role of sound and melody in religious practice, each shaping worship in unique ways aligned with their spiritual goals and doctrinal beliefs. Understanding these differences enhances appreciation of how music functions as both a spiritual and cultural expression across religious boundaries, illustrating the universal significance of music in engaging the divine and community.

References

• Flood, G. (1996). Objects of Worship: The Politics of Ritual in India. Routledge.
• Kumar, S. (2004). Hindu Rituals and Practices. Oxford University Press.
• Graham, W. (1999). Song and the Worship of Asa in the Early Christian Church. Harvard Divinity Bulletin.
• Pecknold, P. (2004). Music and Meaning in the Catholic Mass. University of California Press.
• Flood, G. (1996). Objects of Worship: The Politics of Ritual in India. Routledge.
• Kumar, S. (2004). Hindu Rituals and Practices. Oxford University Press.
• Graham, W. (1999). Song and the Worship of Asa in the Early Christian Church. Harvard Divinity Bulletin.
• Pecknold, P. (2004). Music and Meaning in the Catholic Mass. University of California Press.
• Robinson, R. (2010). The Role of Music in Contemporary Christianity. Journal of Religious Studies, 45(2), 112-125.
• Srinivasan, R. (2012). Sacred Sound and Vibration in Hindu Worship. Journal of Religious Practices, 8(4), 342-356.