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

Historical Contexts of the Bible

A) Old Testament Origins

• Geographical Region: Ancient Near East
• Dates: 1000–150 BCE
• Languages Used: Hebrew and Aramaic
• Writing Materials: Scrolls and parchments
• Sources: Oral tradition, prophecy, legal, and liturgical materials

B) New Testament Origins

• Geographical Region: Greco-Roman world
• Dates: Mid-1st to early 2nd century CE
• Language: Greek
• Writing Materials: Papyrus and codex
• Sources: Oral traditions, Old Testament, apostolic writings, and liturgical materials

The Biblical Apocrypha

The term Apocrypha denotes a collection of ancient books found in some editions of Christian Bibles, typically placed in a separate section between the Old and New Testaments or as an appendix. Some Christian churches include these texts...

The five pillars of Islam

Prayer- Salat. Giving of alms- Zakat. Ramafan- Sawm. Pilgrimage to Mecca- Hajj. Faith-

The three events that signify the end of the Middle Ages

Holy Roman Empire: This title was given by the pope to a Carolingian king in 800 AD.

Charles Martel: “The Hammer” This Frankish king halted the Muslim invasion of Europe at the Battle of Tours.

Mecca: Holy city destination of pilgrimage.

Carolingian Renaissance: Named for the dynasty during which it occurred, this period of revitalization attempted to standardize language and another liturgy. All church followed same policies.

Gregory VII: Responsible for instituting a number of reforms, this pope clashed with the Holy Roman Emperor in the Investiture Controversy.

Toleration argument:...

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...

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

They Live in You

Chorus

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Shenzi & Banzai

Night
And the spirit of life calling
Mamela
And a voice
With the fear of a child asking
Mamela

Wait
There's no mountain too great
Hear these words and have faith
Have faith

They live in you
They live in me
They're watching over
Everything we see

In every creature
In every star
In your reflection
They live in you

They live in you
They live in me
They're watching over
Everything we see

In every creature
In every star
In your reflection
They live in you

Chorus

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

ITEM 1: Church: "The Church is one," has only one Lord, confesses one faith, and one baptism. The Church is holy: through it, you reach the message of Jesus and his saving power. The Church is catholic because Christ is present in it. The Church is apostolic, founded on the apostles and attached to the same tradition. ITEM 2: Vocabulary:

• Beaten: pagan religion, that is, people who are not baptized and worship idols or other representations of divinity.
• Edict: mandate or decree issued by a competent authority.
• Caesaropapism: situation in which the head of state assumes the powers of the religious leader.

The Church faithful to the apostolic tradition: the heresies are misinterpretations of Christian doctrine. The Church leaders tried to clarify...

The Theatre of the Absurd

The Theatre of the Absurd was born in the 1950s. It sought to witness the disenchantment of the writers of the time against society and a world that did not have much to offer, allowing the theater to express itself through art. It demonstrated the problems of communication, loneliness, and despair affecting men and women in this nonsensical era. It employs rupturist schemes, breaking pre-established norms. It is a non-selective, mass theater, where approaches lead to different understandings.

The term Theatre of the Absurd was coined by the English critic, Martin Esslin. He used this term for all playwrights of the 1950s characterized by establishing a break with traditional theater. Ionesco, however, was instrumental...

The Evolution of Women's Rights

The most significant social change of the past century is the recognition of equal rights for all human beings, specifically the liberation of women from discrimination and their access to education, employment, and political participation.

Common Historical Prejudices

• Intellectual Inferiority: The belief that women were intellectually inferior to men, unable to control their emotions, and required the tutelage of a male figure, such as a father or husband.
• Dangerous Seduction: The prejudice that women possessed a dangerous power of seduction that could lead men to despair. To mitigate this, women were often confined to the home, hidden behind veils, or placed in monasteries.

Defining Feminism

Feminism is a social...

Comparing Kant and Hume's Ethical Philosophies

Kant and Hume, despite both being Enlightenment thinkers, presented contrasting ethical frameworks. While Hume, influenced by empiricism, argued that morality stems from emotions, Kant grounded ethics in reason.

Hume's Emotivism

Hume believed that reason cannot dictate behavior. Instead, our actions are driven by passions. Morality arises from sentiments; we deem something good or bad based on the feelings it evokes. Reason helps us analyze situations, but emotions ultimately guide our actions.

Kant's Deontology

Kant argued that humans are unique in possessing both reason and emotions. He warned against being solely guided by passions, advocating for rational autonomy. Kant's ethics are rooted in reason,...

Hail Mary Prayer

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory Be Prayer

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb,...