Religion and Identity Essay Example for Free

Religion and Identity Essay The question often arrived what is religion? There are more than one answer to this depending on one’s culture, identity, ethics and beliefs. Religion can be found in different cultures and throughout the whole period of human history. There is evidence that shows signs of religion such as animal spirits in art and human burials that suggest the belief in life after death. There have been many different answers and definition to what religion is (Van Voorst, 2013). According to Robert E. Van Voorst (2013), religion is â€Å"Pattern of beliefs and practices that expresses and enacts what a community regards as sacred and/or ultimate about life (pg.5). In addition to that, there is the separation of church and state. In America, the right to freedom of religion is very central to the American democracy that it was preserved in the First Amendment to the Constitution along with other rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of press. The country’s founders restrict the separation of church and state. This is due to the prohibition against government regulation or endorsement of religion. According to American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (2012), the standard of separation has been regularly tested. In early America, even after church establishment ended, some state legislators sought to revive the compulsory taxation of citizens to support religious institutions. In this century, public schools were once required to teach the biblical version of the earths and humanitys creation, while the scientific theory of evolution was prohibited. Throughout our history, sectarian advocates have tried to inject religious exercises, such as daily prayer, into the public schools. At times, religious minorities, including members of cults, have been discriminated against because of their beliefs. And today, many citizens in many communities disagree about whether a model of the infant Jesus in the manger, which officially promotes certain religious beliefs over others, should be displayed on the steps of City Hall. The courts must frequently consider where to draw the line that separates church and state ( ¶5). Religion is one of our most critical tradition and constitutional rights and must stand against anything that would challenge the standard of separation, which protects that freedom. Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church was the group that I visited. Though it is not my own religious practice, it qualifies as a religion. Driving up to the church there is a sign that has the name of the church boldly written in LED lights. The welcome message display in red across the board says â€Å"All Are Welcome†. Inside of Reid Temple church they have a Cross as their symbol posted high where all can see. The service was nice with the choir singing praises to God and special prayer request were taken. After the service, I spoke with the Senior Pastor about his church and what exactly do they believe in. I was informed that their slogan is â€Å"Aiming to Please through the 5 E’s. This came from II Corinthians 5:9 which states â€Å"So whether at home or away, we make our aim to please Him. (RSV). The 5 E’s were described to me as â€Å"Evangelism which is sowing the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of all people. Empowerment which is bestowing love and guidance on believers to disciple them in fulfilling their purpose. Education which is knowing the will of God through study and obedience of His Word. Economics which is flowing in financial prosperity according to God’s wealth principles and Expansion which is growing in all ministry areas to reach the growing harvest of souls† ( Washington, L. Personal interview January 13, 2013). The cross is a reminder of their pledge and it also reminds them that Jesus died for their sins and to Him all praise is given. Buddhism also has a symbol such as the Dharmachakra which is the wheel of the law. The eight spokes on the wheel represents the eightfold path. The wheel is one of the most important Buddhist symbols because it symbolizes the teachings of Buddha. According to Thames Hudson (2004), The wheels motion is a metaphor for the rapid spiritual change engendered by the teachings of the Buddha: the Buddhas first discourse at the Deer Park in Sarnath is known as the first turning of the wheel of dharma. His subsequent discourses at Rajgir and Shravasti are known as the second and third turnings of the wheel of dharma. The eight spokes of the wheel symbolize the Noble Eightfold Path set out by the Buddha in his teachings. The wheel also represents the endless cycle of samsara, or rebirth, which can only be escaped by means of the Buddhas teachings. And some Buddhists regard the the wheels three basic parts as symbols of the three trainings in Buddhist practice: The hub symbolizes moral discipline, which stabilizes the mind. The spokes (usually there are eight) represent wisdom which is applied to defeat ignorance. The rim represents training in concentration, which holds everything else together ( ¶ 2 3). In the early days, the Dharmachakra not only symbolizes the teaching of Buddha but also Buddha himself. Today, it appears in the art of every Buddhist culture (para 5). Practicing religion can shape an individual and group identity. Take Buddhism for example that is followed by many Indians. This religion practices the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths teaches that: 1. All life is suffering- this suggests that all beings experience suffering and that it can be ranged from great physical and mental pain to mild emotional unhappiness. Suffering originates from anger and sadness but then happiness is also suffering because it comes and goes. 2. The cause of suffering is desire- This suggests that humans want what they do not have and should not have. Humans’ personal desire for happiness is the cause of the suffering. 3. To end desire is to end suffering -which suggests that putting all craving and personal desires to an end will therefore end the suffering. This breaks the negative karma which leads to the 4th Noble Truth 4. To end desire- one must follow the Noble Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is : 1. The right to understanding which ends the concept of what one think is reality and see reality as it is. 2. The right to intention is where people must want to change before they can actually be change. 3. The right to speech which is speaking the truth at all times. 4. The right to conduct which means no killing, stealing, drinking, intoxicants and being sexual. 5. The right to livelihood which is working and living a life that does not cause others harm. 6. The right to effort which is developing a conscious free from craving. 7. The right to mindfulness which is to be aware and mindful and 8. The right to contemplation which is the deepening of mindfulness that leads to concentration and insight may be obtained (Van Voorst,2013). Practicing the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path teaches and shape the followers of Buddhism. It is a way of life for them which teach them to take time to find out who they are and what they are all about. It is a guideline to ethical and menta l development. Shinto culture is another example of how practicing religion and shape individuals or groups. The people of Japan practices Shinto and is rooted in the people there and their traditions. The Shinto gods that are called kami are sacred spirits. These spirits can take form in things such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility. Shinto religion believes that when a human dies they become a kami and is given back to their families and ancestral kami. There not a right from wrong in Shinto and their faith is based on being optimistic. The Shinto faith is blended with other beliefs such as that of Buddhism and Daoism. It does not have a founder, written documents, formalized ethics, system of beliefs, scripture or an organized system of theology but with the blend of Buddhism and Daoism, the Japanese culture now have a system of beliefs, written documents, founder, ethics and all that it was lacked before. It is still a central religion of Japan (Carroll, 2012). Shinto grounds are very sacred and behavior must be proper at all times. There are no food or drink allowed and there must be silence or hushed voices. Purity is important in Shinto and there is a certain procedure in washing your hands on mouth. Purity is important in pleasing the kami which brings a happy life. Van Voorst wrote that â€Å"Cleanliness in particular signifies a good character and freedom from bad external influences. In Western societies one hears the proverb â€Å"Cleanliness is next to godliness.† In traditional Japanese society cleanliness—of body, mind, and spirit, both ritual and practical—is godliness. To be in harmony with the kami, one must keep one’s person, home, and business clean† (pg 198). Religion has always been connected with government and politics. The Western world has a history of influence from Catholicism and Protestant rift. It is very similar to the history of some parts of Southern Asia that have been influenced by Islam. The interconnection of both religion and government is to be expected because both are regulating social behavior. During the past century, religion has been less influential. Modern governments have been influenced by Democratic philosophy which put importance of the average man and a sharing of the world’s resources. These ideas continue to shape modern society in different ways. For example, technology has drastically changed the nature of life and work. Traditional religious systems are gradually becoming less important. The trend towards secularism continues but has not been nearly as pronounced in the United States and regular church attendance started to decrease in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. It increased again post World War II period. There is only a small majority of Americans who thinks religion is of any importance in their lives (Federal Funding of Faith-Based Services, 2011). Many people know what religion is until they are asked to define it. Religion is a worldly thing, across many boundaries in human experience and so that makes it a bit hard to define. There are a few different definition of religion and many have different religious experience and understanding of Ultimate Reality. At Reid Temple, I asked the lady sitting next to me if she could tell what Ultimate Reality means. She said to her Ultimate Reality meant a personal relationship with God. In a different culture Ultimate Reality could mean spiritual growth or spiritual path. Not everyone is all about religion though. There are some cultures who prefer that their beliefs not to be subject as a religion but as a faith or teaching. There are some who argue that they are not religious but they are spiritual. References American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. (2012). Church and state. Retrieved from http://www.aclufl.org/take_action/download_resources/info_papers/3.cfm Carroll,B.J. (2012). Shinto basics. Retrieved from http://www.world-religions-professor.com/shinto.html Federal Funding of Faith-Based Services. (2011). Religion and public policy. Retrieved from http://www.newsbatch.com/religion.htm Thames Hudson. (2004). Reading Buddhist Art: an illustrated guide to Buddhist signs and Symbols. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/symbols/wheel.htm Van Voorst, R.E. (2013). World relg. Student edition. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. USA Washington, L.P. (2013). Reid Temple Senior Pastor. Personal Interview January 13, 2013.

Aztecs 5 :: essays research papers

Analysis of an Aztec Encounter   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Spaniard and Aztec civilizations were two completely different worlds whose fated encounter caused some surprising reactions from both parties. Neither of these nations knew exactly what to expect or how to react to each other’s behaviors. Differences in religion, customs and weaponry became the deciding factors of who would be the dominant aggressor in these encounters. Even though both parties were unsure of what to expect, the Spaniards had already set a goal for themselves before they set foot in Mexico. They wanted to conquer the other nation and exploit them for anything of value.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The climax of the Aztec Empire and the conquistadors occurred when Motecuhzoma and Cortes met face to face for the first time. The Spaniards as well as the Aztecs had no clue what to expect. Motecuhzoma told Cortes, “Our lord, you are weary. The journey has tired you, but now you have arrived on earth… to sit on your throne, under its canopy.'; This was due to the fact that the Aztec religion told of a god, Quetzalcoatl, who would come from the heavens and take his place as ruler of the Aztec Empire. Thus Motecuhzoma showered the Spaniards with many fine gifts. Unlike the Spaniards believed, these fine gifts were not really a sign of Aztec submission but rather as a sign of wealth and power. In order to give proper respect to their so-called god, the Aztecs had to show that they were a worthy and powerful nation. The Spaniards took this as a weakness. They thought the Aztecs feared them, which boosted up their confidence level even though they were gre atly outnumbered.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Spaniards had to communicate with the Aztecs by using La Malinche as an interpreter. She basically made the Aztecs believe that Cortes was a good man and would be cause them no harm. They also had other indigenous people who were allied with the Spanish. The Aztecs must have viewed this as a sign that these strangers would be peaceful since they had others of their kind on the Spaniard’s side. La Malinche translated all that Motecuhzoma had said to Cortes. On page sixty-four of The Broken Spears it says, “Cortes replied in his strange and savage tongue…'; In other passages in the book it depicts the Spaniards as wild and uncivilized. This brings up another point that just as the Spaniards thought of the Aztecs as being barbaric, some Aztecs felt the same way about the Spaniards.

Is deception ever justified

Deception is sometimes justified. People shouldn't be satisfied with themselves sees when they play this card every time they can, but it is true that sometimes it is require red. It shouldn't be used following a mean purpose as human ethic dictates; Actually it dictate s that lies shouldn't even exist in our thoughts. However people deceive, ignoring with t hat action this principle. The best relationships are based in always telling the truth.That can get us star Eng ointment towards friends or causes, so strong that we would be willing to lie to protect them. Lying in order to cover a friend or an important cause is often consider De as a good action depending on the scenario. Jose Marti, the most remarkable character I n Cuban History, once said that there are some things that in order to realize them you have to keep them in the shadows. Moreover, probably he had to lie one or two times to ca err on with the Cuban revolution after all, but no one would dare to say that he was a mean an just because of that.The feeling of guiltiness when you lie must not be lost. If that happen You'll g et used to the shortcuts that a lie can provide, and therefore become ‘addict' to it. Yes, lying deliberately can get those who don't know when it's better to say the truth in a hole eve hard to come out . Like a friend I have that is always customizing his stories making g them so glorious that seem out of this world. At the end we always discover that those stories are lies, ND he is trying to make us think that he is amazing. Ultimately we just stoop De believing what he said; whether it is true or not. Now, it is so hard to trust in whatever came out of his mouth. There is the difference between using deception because it's necessary and f or a major good, or because you like it. I would like to believe that will always tell the true the, unless there is a life or death matter on the table that requires me to lie, of course.

Battle of Naseby - English Civil War

Social Media And Its Effect On Communication - 1269 Words

Social media and social networking seems to be play an imperative part in individuals lives around the world. Not only is it part of your everyday life, but it is also about of the workforce world as well. Many can debate whether social media is crippling or in fact improving our communication skills. Perhaps sitting behind a computer communicating with our family and friends seems to be getting easier. However, what happen to the days where one would have to pick up the phone and reach out to their family friends? Rather they now use Facebook, snapchat, email or even more popular with the millennials is sending a text message to say what they want to or to ask a question. Social media may be a fun to communicate of keep up with your†¦show more content†¦It is a constant source of news, entertainment, and education for users around the world. Furthermore, technology, and social media did not achieve its popularity until about ten to fifteen years ago, Twitter, Facebook, Inst agram and other similar social media outlets have become the most visited destinations on the internet. They are now accessible at the click of our thumbs. These said websites allow its users to quickly and easily share pictures, send an invite to a party or have a conversation whether it is with pictures or words with other users; theoretically simplifying social interaction. These services, through a combination of accessibility, simplicity, and intuitive design promote positive social behavior by encouraging interaction among our relatives, acquaintances and our colleagues. Social media is being utilized by businesses, whether it is for recruitment reasons, to promote a product or an event they will be hosting. Social media is vastly utilized by students, for example when taking an online course that is the only way really to communicate with their classmates. Parents have now had to come to terms with the times and learn to use social media, whether it is to keep tracker of their kids, or to solely communicate with their children. Social media is being used in various forms by numerous platforms for many reasons. I find the role social media plays throughout the world when it comes to communicationShow MoreRelatedSocial Media And Its Effect On Communication1361 Words   |  6 PagesDuring a crisis, social media channels such as blogs, Facebook pages and instant messages can be used to keep stakeholders updated, stay connected with stakeholders, and collectively find a solution to overcome a crisis (Ulmer et al., 2015). 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The Classification Tree Is A Model That Uses Both...

Classification tree is a model that uses both categorical and numeric inputs to predict categorical or binomial outputs. The software draws a graph composed of nodes and leaves representing different groups of data with same characteristics based on the model. The output looks like a tree, which provides viewers with a direct exhibition; therefore, it is a good tool we can use to make a statistical analysis. The classification tree model allows both numeric and categorical inputs, both of which appear in the data set, that can be utilized to predict our categorical targeted output: workday alcohol consumption level. The model’s ability to handle both numeric and categorical input was the main reason why we decided that classification trees would be a good model to analyze our data. One of the most important changes to our data set, mentioned previously, was converting the workday alcohol consumption column into two levels: zeros, representing low workday alcohol consumption, a nd ones, representing high workday alcohol consumption. Moreover, since this data set contains the results of over one thousand questionnaire surveys, often times numbers recorded in the data set have more meaning than the number they represent. Take the â€Å"Health† variable as an example. If a respondent recorded a one for their health, it meant that their health was extremely poor; therefore, in this case one does not represent the actual number but rather extremely poor. 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Killing the Cherry Tree free essay sample

Beads of cooling sweat speckle my forehead and drip off my nose as I run down the court. Hints of salt pinch my dried tongue. My muscles burn as my limbs push through maple syrup. Sneakers squeak, red-faced coaches bark and stomp, players yell and grunt, the crowd cheers and whoops. But I cannot hear any of that. A silence of concentration and focus envelops me. I look back and forth between the player I’m guarding and the player dribbling the ball, knowing she’s going to pass it. I stare between them to see them both, and think, â€Å"You’re not getting the ball.† She passes. I whack the ball away midair, sending it towards the other end of the court. With a surge of adrenaline, I leap forward, waving my arms as if to use the thick air to push myself, and sprint towards the ball. I snatch it up and run as fast as I can towards the basket, towards scoring. We will write a custom essay sample on Killing the Cherry Tree or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I feel someone coming behind me and I tense slightly. But I’m at the basket. I pick up my dribble. Step. I lower my shoulder. Step. Layup. I’m sent flying from the shove behind me and smack into the wall like an angry judge’s gavel commanding order in the court. I growl, thinking there’s no way the shot went in. The whistle blows, the crowd stands and roars. I raise my eyebrows in surprise. I made the shot, and she fouled me. I cannot help the formation of a smirk as I pass her on my way to the foul line. The ref passes me the ball. Pure silence hangs in the humid air. Bounce, drop-spin, bounce, spin. Pause. Shoot. Swish. I look up at the excited crowd and scan for him. I see an overweight mom from the other team pouting. I see an old man calmly enjoying a mustard covered hot dog. I see a little girl counting out Skittles for her friend. I see the parents of my teammates obnoxiously cheering. I see my mom, who smiles and waves, sitting with my younger brother and sister. But he’s not with them. I glance by the doors at a photographer and a couple players from the game before. I think, â€Å"No surprise there.† Countless children experience the absence of a parent, much like I did. Parents may haveto work so much that they forget about the loved ones they are working for. Parents work hard for their family: to pay for a house, pay for education, give their kids the good life they deserve. Children deserve a healthy relationship with a parent. It is crucial to their development. Therefore, parents should spend as much time with their children as their job permits and cherish the time, as they only grow up once. My dad and I used to be as close as a father and his firstborn son. He used to give me toy cars and superhero action figures to play with in addition to my Barbies and Polly Pockets. He would take me with him to the office or a construction site, where I’d quietly sit in a corner playing with my purple teddy bear. He would carry me on his shoulders wherever we went so I could see over everyone’s head. He would do anything for me, including when I desperately wanted a cherry tree. After reading the George Washington cherry tree fable, I wanted to be just like George Washington. So my dad bought me a cherry tree. We spent hours together digging dirt, gathering stones, and planting the tree in the backyard. Little did I know that after years of sickness, the tree would die. Once I started sports, he supported me and coached me even if he had no idea what he was talking about. He would videotape all of my games, and even though I was pretty terrible at the start, he was proud. He was a great dad. He did work tirelessly, running his own small company, but he still found time to be with his family and attend dinner daily. When I was in fifth grade, however, when the economy took a hit, he started to work more often and began to drift away from us. Eventually, he had to shut down his company and start working for others. He first worked for a company stationed in Maryland, which required him to have an apartment there while the rest of us stayed home in Pennsylvania. Initially, he struggled to spend as much time as he could with us. The first thing to go was Sunday mass. Next were parent-teacher conferences, back to school night, basketball games, and opening presents on Christmas morning. And finally, my high school graduation. I came to think that my dad’s absence from my games was normal. I was used to it. His failure to show up didn’t upset me; many parents are unable to go to their children’s games due to work. So when he missed art showcases, talent shows, and awards ceremonies, I could have cared less. Eventually, he took a job with a different company specifically so he could work from home and spend more time with us. It sounded promising, but that’s not what happened. After years of choosing work over family I realized the absence wasn’t only from my activities, but from my whole life. Whenever he was actually home, there were only yelling, anger, and slamming doors. I couldn’t confide in him anymore. He didn’t know me or my siblings. There was an invisible, indestructible wall between us, blocking emotions and any chance of being close again. He was never mentally present in conversations unless he was giving a monologue on current politics. So whe n I left for college, it didn’t really feel like I was leaving him because he was never there. When my family dropped me off, he gave me a hug. I grew stiff and my eyes darted back and forth as my eyebrows knit together in confusion. I understand the necessity to provide for loved ones, and that for some jobs there is no way around long hours or traveling. But focusing on work can ruin the relationships with the very people one is trying to support through their job. The countless weekends my dad worked to impress clients were countless weekends my siblings and I missed going to the lake, playing board games, or going out for breakfast with him. Relationships, once broken, are very hard to rebuild. Because I know the importance of working, I am not discouraging it, but encouraging maintenance of parent-child relationships. Eventually, the economy improved, giving my dad more free time. Instead of spending his time with his kids, he spent it playing video games. Parents have a crucial role in the development and well-being of a child. The times my relationship with my dad were the worst were also the most miserable times of my life. I cannot tell if he feels the same way, but my mom constantly tells me, â€Å"He ’s going to regret it.† Parent-child relationships are important. Having a relationship with a parent is almost automatic; not much effort is needed to maintain it. Maintaining a relationship with a child is like caring for a cherry tree. It takes a lot to kill a cherry tree, but once it’s dead, it’s dead. Trees pretty much grow on their own and don’t need care. But if a tree becomes sick, it is up to the gardener to save it. If the gardener neglects the tree, it will die, and the fresh springtime cherries are lost forever. But if the owner gives the tree some of their free time and nurses it back to health, the tree flourishes and produces endless fruit.