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

Revealed Religions: Divine Manifestation and Dogma

Revelation is a divine manifestation where God displays and transmits hidden and sacred truths to humanity. All religions founded on some form of divine revelation are known as revealed religions. Jean-Jacques Rousseau identifies the following characteristics of revealed religions:

• Inherent Particularism

  An inherent particularism stands in opposition to universality. Revealed religions often condemn individuals for involuntary ignorance, which is not attributable to the individual who suffers. This particularism relates to an intellectual conception of virtue.

• Ethnocentrism, Bigotry, and Intolerance

  Other key features include ethnocentrism, bigotry, and intolerance. Ethnocentrism involves taking

Lent: A Time for Reflection and Renewal

Lent is the fourth liturgical season in the year. It begins on Ash Wednesday (a movable date) and lasts for 40 days. The number 40, 404, or 400 has biblical significance, representing a time of conversion. Humans are imperfect, and we must acknowledge the need for conversion, changing our attitudes to prepare our hearts to celebrate the resurrection.

Ash Wednesday: A Symbol of Life

On Ash Wednesday, we observe the imposition of ashes, a sign of life because our human works never truly disappear (ash is a symbol of life).

Repentance and the Gospel

"Repent and believe in the gospel" are the words of Jesus, helping us understand our reality and inviting us to change attitudes that are not life-affirming.

The essence... Continue reading "Understanding Lent: Meaning, Traditions, and Reflection" »

Understanding Romanesque Art

The style most representative of the art of the feudal era was the Romanesque, between the 11th and 12th centuries. It is named for its likeness to Roman art.

The First European Style

The Romanesque was the first international style, with common features across Europe. The Benedictine Order of Cluny in France played a significant role in disseminating the style, and from there it spread throughout Europe. The crusades also contributed to the spreading of the style: the peregrinations of masons and sculptors whose crews moved through the various European regions. Romanesque art was essentially religious.

Romanesque Architecture

Features:

• The use of stone as the main material
• Thick walls
• Cruciform columns and pillars
• Semicircular

Saint Teresa of Ávila

Saint Teresa was born in Ávila in 1515. Her father, Alonso Sánchez Cepeda, and her mother, Beatriz de Ahumada, were noble Castilians. She was the 6th of 12 siblings. Her father sent her to the convent of the Augustinian nuns in Ávila. Her brother Rodrigo and she had a special sensitivity to loneliness and prayer. At age 20, she ran away to join the Carmelite convent of the Incarnation. A year later, she made her religious vows. Shortly after, she had a serious illness that almost led her to death. She was bedridden for almost 3 years and lost the movement of her hand during that time. After this period, she regained her health. With the economic aid of her brothers, she founded the convent of Saint Joseph in 1562. Teresa... Continue reading "Key Figures and Events in Religious History" »

The Church Community of Believers

• are Christians.
• is the place where Christians gather.
• is an NGO of followers of Jesus.
• is the Pope of Rome, the bishops, and priests.

The word church comes from the Greek ekklesia, which means "meeting or assembly of citizens summoned by a public message."

Thus, in the Church:

• citizens are called Christians.
• the public message that calls is Jesus and his message.

The Church: Mystery of Communion

• Why do we say that the Church is a mystery?
• The Father, from the beginning, thought and wanted the Church.
• The Son was sent to gather the Church by giving his life for her.
• The Holy Spirit animates and continues with its animating force.

The Holy Spirit: Strength of Believers

Pentecost and the Community of Disciples

• Incorporation in

Moral and Religious Literature

1. Crisis: Schism marked the end of the Middle Ages and a spiritual crisis. Cable Religion figures.

2. Francesc Eiximenis: (14th century) Franciscan Order, influential in Europe. Didactic and informational aims. (Exempla) comics (public and secular majority): the Christian, Book of Angels, and women.

3. Saint Vincent Ferrer: Valencia (14th-15th century) Dominican friar, influential. Preached throughout Europe. Intention to reform the moral traditions of society. (Sermons): oral texts designed to preach (280) copied by priests and penitents. Charisma, aldermen, Martin of Aragon, and Jews. Gestures, onomatopoeia.

4. Anselm Turmeda: (14th century) Franciscan friar, converted to Islam (revered), prohibited by the Inquisition.... Continue reading "Medieval Spanish Literature and Humanism" »

Maison Carrée

Located in Nîmes, France, the Maison Carrée (16 BC) is a hexastyle temple, measuring 14 x 28 meters. Elevated on a podium with stairs, it features Corinthian columns embedded within the cell walls, creating a pseudoperipteral design. The temple is constructed of marble.

Pantheon

The Pantheon in Rome, constructed of concrete and brick, boasts a diameter of 43.50 meters at its base. A columned portico leads into the grand, coffered rotunda, capped by a massive dome.

Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater)

Built between 72-80 AD, the Colosseum in Rome is the world's largest Roman amphitheater, measuring 188 x 156 meters and accommodating up to 50,000 spectators. Constructed from concrete, stone, brick, and marble, it features four tiers.... Continue reading "Iconic Roman Architecture and Sculptures" »

Ramon Llull's Literary Works

Evast & Blanquerna

The protagonist of the novel Evast & Blanquerna, written in Montpellier in 1283, is a hero without stain who has the gift of always choosing the best option. He lives life from the Lullian perspective. At eighteen, he leaves his parents, Evast and Aloma, and the proposed marriage to Natana, in search of the spiritual perfection of the hermit. This, however, is the end of a long journey during which he has been a monk, an abbot, a bishop, and the Pope. Throughout the book, there are abundant small instructive moral stories, known in medieval times as eximplis. These examples, used by preachers to embellish sermons on doctrine, served to provide a picture that was plastic, entertaining, and... Continue reading "Ramon Llull's Literary Works: An In-Depth Analysis" »

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane: Key Information

• Location: Rome, Italy
• Architect: Francesco Borromini
• Style: Baroque
• Construction Dates: 1638-1667
• Materials: Brick and stucco
• Distinctive Feature: Dynamic use of architectural elements, including a 'flipped' architrave.

The Baroque Period: Context and Characteristics

Historical Context

The 17th century was a period marked by a complex interplay between crisis and progress. Europe faced numerous challenges, including social conflict, economic stagnation in agriculture and industry, widespread pestilence, and devastating wars. Simultaneously, this era saw the emergence of colonial empires, which sought to alleviate these domestic crises through expansion and resource acquisition.

Cultural and Artistic Developments

Rome... Continue reading "San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane: Baroque Masterpiece" »

The truth of myths is as follows:

• Myths aim to provide a horizon of meaning for building a valid existence. They may offer scientific or historically verifiable truths. For example, the vocation of Mohammed is not only meaningful but also a verifiable historical narrative.
• In the history of religions, myths express sacred truths. Their value depends on how this truth affects those who proclaim or hear it. From this perspective, myths are not formally different from legends or stories. The differences lie in their structure and influence.

Differences Between Myths, Legends, and Stories

Most Important Rituals

• Spells: Their purpose is to avert dangers.
• Rites of Passage: These ensure the future success of important life moments.
• Sacrifice: Individuals