Rel 2250 Religions Of The World Reflection Paper Assi 785029

Rel 2250 Religions Of The Worldreflection Paper Assignment 6christ

These reflection papers are a chance for you to think through and relate to the assigned readings in your own way. Think of this paper as a kind of “journal” in which you reflect on the ideas in the readings. The study and practice of religion is a highly personal experience and each person comes to religious texts in his or her own way. Therefore, you are encouraged to be creative and to write about your own personal experiences, relating them to the faith practices and wisdom traditions we will be studying this semester. However, be aware that creativity and chaos are not synonymous—in other words, you need to make sure the ideas and thoughts expressed in your paper are coherent and understandable, and most importantly, that they directly relate to the readings.

Essays must be typed in 12-point font and should be 2-3 pages (double spaced) in length. When you cite a source, be sure to include the title of the book and page number. If you cite a source other than our class textbooks, include a bibliography at the end of the paper. Some of you may be very familiar with one particular religion we are discussing this semester. If this applies to you, try (if only for the short period of weeks we are in this class together) to look at your own religion with “new eyes.” For example, if you are a Christian, try to consider how a Buddhist might see your religion. If you are an Atheist, try considering life from a Muslim’s perspective. Does this change anything for you? If so, how? Don’t be afraid to experiment with ideas.

Prompt:

Write on 2 of the 5 questions below, OR, you may write about two of your own questions, from the chapter on Christianity, the chapter on Judaism, the chapter on Daoism and Confucianism, the chapter on Buddhism or Hinduism, that were of particular interest to you.

Christianity

1. Discuss the historical life of Jesus, and what information we know about him based on the Gospels. In what sense are the Gospels different from modern autobiography, and what implications does this have in terms of reading them as literally true versus symbolically true?
2. Why do you think that Jesus communicated his teaching primarily through parables? Do parables convey something ordinary language cannot?
3. Reflect on Jesus’ imagery and language in the Parable of the Sower. Discuss the ideas presented in this parable. What is this parable about? What does this parable suggest about the difficulties of the spiritual life? What is your own interpretation of this parable?
4. Reflect on the following saying by St. Gregory of Nyssa: “Concepts create idols; only wonder comprehends anything. People kill one another over idols. Wonder makes us fall to our knees.” How might this be interpreted?
5. Who was Martin Luther and why was he critical of the Church? What was his primary message in regard to the idea that every Christian is his or her own “priest”? How does this idea coincide with the rise of individualism occurring in Europe during the 16th century?

Judaism

1. In broad terms, how does the monotheistic worldview of Judaism differ from the worldviews of Eastern religious traditions we've already discussed (in particular, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism)? How does the idea of a personal Creator God in Judaism differ from Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian ideas about the sacred/ultimate/spiritual?
2. Do you think the stories in the Hebrew bible are “true” literally or symbolically? Can stories which may not be true in every literal detail still be morally edifying?
3. Think about and reflect on some of the most important themes discussed in this chapter in regard to Jewish history—covenant with a transcendent and personal God, exile, suffering, and messianism. How does this history serve to inform the Jewish worldview and experience of faith?
4. According to Judaism, humans are not inherently sinful (as they are understood to be in the Christian worldview), but rather, we as humans have a tendency to “miss the mark.” What in human nature causes us to “miss the mark”? How do we get back on the “right path”, and what role does free will/choice play in this?
5. Reflect on the following saying by 20th-century writer of Jewish heritage Franz Kafka: “The messiah will come only when he is no longer necessary.” What do you think Kafka is suggesting here?

Daoism and Confucianism

1. What is the meaning of Dao? How does Daoism view human nature? What is the human predicament, or problem, according to Daoist teachings, and how do we, as humans, achieve harmony with the Dao?
2. The Daoist philosopher Zhuangzi was reported to have asked, “Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? I would like to have a word with him.” Based on your reading of Young's chapter on Daoism, what do you think Zhuangzi meant by this?
3. Do you agree, based on your reading of Young's chapter, that Confucianism is a secular religion? Why or why not?
4. What are the Five Great Relationships in Confucianism, and how might they contribute toward social harmony? Why is it essential that these relationships are informed by Confucian virtues such as ren, shu, hsueh, and li? What, in your opinion, are the benefits and the dangers of such “roles” or relationships in forming and maintaining a society?

Buddhism

1. Describe the Four Passing Sights. What kind of impact do you think they had on Siddhartha, given that he was raised without any knowledge of pain, suffering, or hardship? Do you agree that every human being experiences these Four Passing Sights, to some extent? If so, how have you experienced them in your own life?
2. Describe how the Buddha’s story can be contextualized within Moody’s five stages: Call, Search, Struggle, Breakthrough, and Return.
3. What are the Buddha’s views concerning human confusion, disappointment, pain, and suffering as expressed in the Four Noble Truths? Can you relate a personal experience that reflects the Buddha’s insights about suffering and the human condition?
4. What are the Buddha’s ideas about the ‘self’ and its impermanence? How do Buddhist ideas of self compare and contrast with the Hindu view of the Self (Atman)?
5. What is the Eightfold Path and how is it meant to remedy or transform the human being and lead him or her towards nirvana?

Hinduism

1. How does Hinduism view human nature and what is the human condition? What prevents human beings from realizing moksha? How does Hinduism view the Self (Atman)?
2. What are the four stages of life in Hinduism and what desires or needs are associated with each stage? Can you identify, in a general sense, with these stages? Do you feel you have passed through one or more of them during the course of your life thus far?
3. Clearly explain the four aims of life, Kama, Artha, Dharma, and Moksha. How might the character Gilgamesh (from last week's lecture) fall into these four categories?
4. What are the three different paths or means of achieving liberation according to Hinduism? Which path, do you think, fits you and your personality best and why?