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

Chapter 21: The Hermit's Solitude

They finally reached the hermit's cell. The hermit tells them that he had lived for fifteen years in solitude to avoid all evil. After a conversation about his experience, the hermit decides to return to Cairo with them.

Chapter 22: The Assembly of Learned Men

Sometimes Rasselas joined an assembly of learned men, where they shared their opinions and thoughts. There, Rasselas exposes his meeting with the hermit. One of them suggests that happiness can be found in life according to nature. Rasselas is interested in his explanation and asks him to explain what he has quoted; however, he cannot explain to Rasselas how to live in accordance with nature.

Chapter 23: Dividing the Search

Rasselas and his sister, Nekayah,... Continue reading "Rasselas's Pursuit of Happiness: A Journey Through Chapters 21-27" »

44. In this chapter they talk about the power of imagination and everyone talk about their dreams. Pekuah imagines herself as the queen of Abyssinia, the princess wants to be shepherdess  and the prince dreams of a perfect government. They decide to stop thinking about it because Imlac warns of the danger that some day those dreams may prevail over reality and reason.

45. They decide to return home and they meet an old man who shows his sadness at being alone because all his loved persons have died. The princess tries to cheer him up but responds that no praise can animate his soul because he cannot share that pride with their loved ones. Finally the old man abandons them and they are thinking about old age. On the other hand the princess and... Continue reading "Exploring Happiness: A Journey Through Rasselas" »

Early Christian Beliefs and Art

The Life and Miracles of Jesus

According to tradition, Jesus of Nazareth lived 33 years, with his supposed birth considered year 0. Christian tradition holds that Jesus, the Son of God, came to Earth to save humanity from their sins. Many miracles are attributed to Jesus during his lifetime, including turning water into wine, walking on water, healing the sick, and rising from the dead. Even his birth is considered a miracle, as he was born from a virgin.

Early Christian Art and Symbols

The style in early Christian paintings was very similar to Roman art, but infused with Christian ideas. Christians used specific symbols to identify themselves and escape Roman persecutions. One prominent symbol was the fish, known... Continue reading "Early Christian Faith and Renaissance Artistic Revolutions" »

Key Concepts in Social Justice and Ethics

Foundational Terms

Hunger

Lacking access to the basic nutrition needed to live and work.

Sabbatical Year

In the Law of Israel, every seventh year was a year of rest during which no agricultural labor was done.

Jubilee Year

In the Law of Israel, every fiftieth year was a time of liberation from servitude and debt.

Prophets

From the Greek "one who speaks for others," these were God's messengers who rebuked Israel's idolatry and greed.

Understanding World Hunger

Four Contributing Factors to Global Hunger:

• Corruption: Government officials redirect resources meant for the populace.
• Foreign Loans: First World investors loan money at high interest rates, burdening developing nations.
• Land Degradation: Inefficient farming

... Continue reading "Defining Social Justice: Key Ethical Principles and Global Issues" »

1. The Written and Oral Torah

Which part of the Torah was always in a written form?

The Written Torah, תורה שבכתב

Which part of the Torah was not committed for public broadcast?

תורה שבעל פה - The Oral Torah

2. Pre-Mishnaic Transmission

What would the leading Torah authority write during each generation prior to the Mishna being organized?

He would make personal notes of the teachings he received from his master, which he then would teach orally to people.

3. Rebi and the Mishna

Who was “Rebi”?

רבי יהודה הנשיא - Rabbi Judah the Prince

What did “Rebi” collect and compose?

All the decisions, laws, interpretations, and explanations that had been heard from Moshe, or that the Sanhedrin innovated. From this material,... Continue reading "The Oral and Written Torah: A Comprehensive Guide" »

The definition of נזיקין, is

-Damages

Which following tractate is NOT included in סדר זרעים?

-Tahara -Shabbat

Which following tractate is NOT included in סדר מועד?

-Demai -Maasrot

Seder קדשים included the following three tractates?

-Zavachim, Menachot, Chullin.

The words משנה למלך mean

-Deputy to a King

Why are these tractates referred to as משנה?

-It is similar to the words משנה למלך, since the written Torah is the king and the Mishnah is subordinate to it.

The sages of the Gemara are called

-אמוראים

1. בית שמאי lived during the time of the- תנאים
   
2. בית הלל lived during the times of the -תנאים
   
3. חנניה was an -תנא

The meaning of תנא is

-Teacher

The definition of an אמורא is

-

... Continue reading "Introduction to the Mishnah and Talmud" »

End of the War of the Roses (1485) - Battle of Bosworth

Houses of Lancaster and York

The War of the Roses was a 30-year war between the Houses of Lancaster and York. Richard III fought against Henry Tudor.

Henry Tudor's Reign

Henry Tudor married Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, in 1486. They had several children, including Arthur in 1486 and Henry in 1491.

Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses

Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, published in 1517, marked the beginning of the Reformation. This movement spread rapidly thanks to two main factors: the printing press and the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages.

The Printing Press

William Caxton's introduction of the printing press to England in 1476 was a significant development. It... Continue reading "The Reformation in England: From War of the Roses to Henry VIII" »

Hello class, my name is Felix, and today I'm presenting: Uruguay's vision of death.

Death is a topic of immense concern for humankind because it will sooner or later affect everyone. Often it comes very suddenly and unexpectedly and can therefore be very tragic; in other cases, it may simply be a relief. Every culture has a different way to approach and deal with death. What are the different funerary rituals, burial practices, and strategies for body disposal? Do all people belonging to a certain culture deal the same way with death and the funeral? How does religion influence a culture with death? These are questions that pique my interest, and for this investigation, I will mainly concentrate on the Uruguayan culture's view of death.

Firstly,... Continue reading "Uruguay's Cultural Approach to Death: Funerary Rituals and Religious Influence" »

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your letter, it was great to hear from you. I'm sorry I haven't written for ages, but I've been really busy preparing for my exams.

If I were you, I would visit Spain because we have good traditions and special days in my country. One special day is the Day of the Resurrection of Christ. On that day, Jesus rose from the dead, and we celebrate this religious event. We also have another day where we eat special food, but for us, it is a common day and we eat any type of food.

Here in Spain, we eat potato omelette with onion, which consists of eggs, oil, garlic cloves, and potatoes.

See you soon,

Ruben

Causes of the Protestant Reformation

The 16th century witnessed significant religious conflicts, primarily driven by the Reformation and subsequent Counter-Reformation. Several factors contributed to the widespread desire for change within the Roman Catholic Church.

Disdain for the Papacy and Clergy

The Roman Catholic Church held immense power across Europe. However, many perceived that popes were primarily concerned with their own interests, bishops lived lives of luxury without fulfilling their pastoral duties, and many religious orders failed to adhere to their established rules. This led to a growing disillusionment among the populace.

Abuses Within the Church

Widespread abuses further fueled discontent. These included:

• Nepotism: High-ranking

... Continue reading "Religious Upheaval: The Reformation and Counter-Reformation Era" »