Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Religion

Foundations of Hinduism: Texts, Deities, Society

The Vedas: Ancient Sacred Scriptures

The Vedas are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India, considered sacred scriptures in Hinduism. There are four primary Vedas: the Rigveda, the Samaveda, the Yajurveda, and the Atharvaveda.

Vedic Influence on Indian Religions

The Vedas have had a vast influence on later Indian philosophies and religions, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. They also touch upon concepts related to the coordination and order of the universe.

Indian Epics: Heroic Tales and Moral Lessons

Indian epics are long narrative poems, typically recounting heroic deeds, adventurous quests, and often featuring fantastic creatures and divine interventions.

Mahabharata:

Prison Epistles: Letters Written While in Prison

• Philippians
• Ephesians
• Colossians
• Philemon

Two Types of Local Church Leaders

• Deacons
• Elders

High Christology of Philippians 2:5-11

Jesus is Lord; God created Jesus; every knee shall bow. Jesus is the supreme model and chose not to use all powers given.

Basic Pauline Letter Structure

• Opening: Salutation, wealth wish, prayer/thanksgiving
• Body: Ethical institutions, requests, commands
• Closing: Health wish, greetings

Discontinuity View of Paul in Relation to Jesus

Secular views often believe Paul created Christianity, positing that Jesus was just a really good rabbi, not the Son of God (SOG), and that Paul came along and turned him into the SOG.

Most Debated Group of Pauline Letters

• Colossians
• Ephesians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1

Ijma

Consensus, one of the four sources of law in Sunni Islam, along with Quran, sunna, and qiyas.

Ijtihad

The use of personal effort to make a decision on a point of law not explicitly covered by the Quran or sunna; the person with the authority to do this is called a mujtahid.

Imam

The prayer leader in the ßalåt who keeps worshippers' actions in unison during prayer. Also a title for revered Shia leaders and founders of Sunni schools of law.

Islam

The religion preached by Muhammad, meaning 'submission'; adherents are called Muslims.

Isma

A doctrine stating that prophets, especially Muhammad, were protected from sin during their lifetimes.

Isnad

The chain of authorities through whom a hadith report has passed; the list forms the first part of the... Continue reading "Key Concepts in Sunni Islam" »

Literary Context and Parallels

Parallels with Boccaccio’s Decameron

• Dante and Virgil serve as inspirations for the pilgrims.
• Structure and Focus: The narrative employs a linear structure focusing on the journey and the tales told.

Critique of Medieval Society

The work functions as a profound critique of 14th-century English society.

• Characters represent people in specific professions and social strata.
• Religion is a significant theme, often presented through criticism of the Church's corruption.
• The Conflict Between Classes (The Three Estates):
  1. Those who pray: The Church (Clergy).
  2. Those who fight: The Nobles (Aristocracy).
  3. Those who work: Peasants and Commoners.

Liminality and the Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage is presented as a liminal experience: traveling... Continue reading "Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: Structure, Themes, and Social Commentary" »

S

Salaf

The "pious ancestors," the first three generations of Muslims, whom some modern Islamists (also known as Salafis) uphold as embodying the ideal manifestation of Islam.

Salat

The prescribed five daily prayers, one of the "Five Pillars" required of all Muslims.

Sawm

Fasting performed during the month of Ramadan, one of the "Five Pillars" required of all Muslims.

Sayyid

An honorific title denoting people accepted as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.

Shahada

Witness to faith; stating (in Arabic), "There is no god but God and Muhammad is His messenger"; one of the "Five Pillars" required of all Muslims, signifying conversion to Islam and a part of the ritual prayer (salat).

Sharia

The religious law derived from the four sources of law in Sunni Islam... Continue reading "Key Islamic Terms: A Glossary" »

1. **VOC**
2. - **Justice**- The cardinal moral virtue that consists of the firm will to give God & neighbor their due
3. - **Common Good**- The sum total of all social conditions which allow people, either as groups or individuals, reach their fulfillment more fully % easily
4. - **Social Teaching**- the subset of moral theology which is articulated when the church interprets events in the course of history with the help of the Holy Spirit and Revelation
5. - **Social Sin**- The effect that every personal sin has on other; the collectivity of such sins which creates “structures of sin”
6. - **Natural Law**- Moral knowledge that is written in every human heart & is “co-natural” with human nature
7. - **Solidarity**- Virtue of social charity, friendship

Dürrenmatt's *The Visit*: Essential Quotes on Justice and Corruption

Act I: The Price of Revenge

• Schoolmaster: “Like one of the Fates; she made me think of an avenging Greek goddess. Her name shouldn’t be Claire; it should be Clotho. I could suspect her of spinning destiny’s webs herself.”

• Claire Zachanassian: “I’m giving you a million, and I’m buying myself justice.” (Deathly Silence)

• Mayor’s Speech: “You forget, we are not savages. In the name of all citizens of Guellen, I reject your offer; and I reject it in the name of humanity. We would rather have poverty than blood on our hands.” (Huge Applause)

• Claire Zachanassian: “I’ll wait.”

Act II: Temptation and Condemnation

• Policeman: “That screwy millionaire has lost

Theodore Roethke's "My Papa's Waltz"

1. Literal Comprehension of the Poem

The poet's father came home smelling strongly of whiskey. The scent on his breath was potent enough to make a small boy dizzy, yet the poet clung to him desperately, wanting to waltz. They danced together until the commotion caused pans to slide down from the kitchen shelf. This noise was enough to anger the mother. The father's hand that held the boy's wrist had a battered knuckle. The boy's right ear also rubbed against the father's belt buckle. The father tapped the boy's head with his hard, dirt-caked palm and danced him off to bed. Throughout the dance, the poet kept clinging tightly to his father's shirt.

2. Interpretation: Themes of Love and Memory

Theodore Roethke’s... Continue reading "Theodore Roethke's "My Papa's Waltz" Analysis and Themes" »

Journalistic Language and Subgenres

Defining Characteristics of Journalistic Language

Journalistic language adheres to several key characteristics:

• Conciseness

  The volume of text in major news stories requires conciseness, which is an indispensable trait for transmitting as much information as possible within a fixed time or space.

• Special Content Disposition

  The subordination to a determined space, time, or the desire to capture the reader's or listener's interest necessitates a special content disposition for journalistic news articles. Data shows greater interest in secondary aspects following the main news (known as the inverted pyramid structure).

• Tendency Toward Cliché

  The inherent urgency required to write journalistic texts, along with the

Words of Jesus from the Cross

Jesus' Teachings and Final Moments

1. Forgiveness (Luke 23:34)

Even in agony, Jesus' focus remained on others. He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." This reveals his unconditional, divine love.

2. Promise of Paradise (Luke 23:43)

To a believing criminal crucified beside him, Jesus offered grace and eternal salvation: "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

3. Care for His Mother (John 19:26-27)

Demonstrating his humanity, Jesus entrusted the care of his mother to John, saying, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to John, "Here is your mother."

4. Cry of Anguish (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)

In his darkest hour, Jesus cried out, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" meaning,... Continue reading "Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross: Meaning and Significance" »