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

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

counter reformation:

 to stop the spread of lutheranism , the catholic church began its own reform 

The pope Paul III called THE COUNCIL OF FRENT  to correct the mistakes of catholics 

-prohibition of the sale of indulgences

- creation of seminaries to improve the eduation of the clergy

- obligation of the clergy to lead an exemplary life

- creation of the cathetism(basic teachings)

the pope created the INQUISITION  in1542 , a tribunae that persecured and punished those who did not follow the catholic doctrine . And THE INDEX PROHIBITORUM was written, with the list of forbidden books. For example "95 theses"

the society of Jesus (jesusitas) spread the ideas of the counter reformation

The Exodus: Israelites' Journey from Egypt to Canaan

The Israelites' Enslavement in Egypt

The book of Exodus describes the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan, which lasted 40 years. The last chapters of Genesis describe a famine that occurred in Canaan. As Jacob's descendants grew in number, the Pharaoh became increasingly distrustful of them. Exodus details how the Pharaoh mistreated the Israelites, ultimately enslaving them.

Moses and the Exodus

Moses was an Israelite who was adopted by the Royal Family. God appeared to Moses and instructed him to rescue his people from slavery in Egypt. Moses asked the Pharaoh to free the Israelites, but he refused. God then brought terrible hardships upon Egypt, such as sickness and swarms of insects.... Continue reading "Israelites' Journey from Egypt to Canaan: Exodus Story" »

At the beginning of the Early Modern Age, the authority of the Catholic Church was being challenged. People believed that the Catholic Church was failing to adapt to the times.

Humanism emphasized the value of human beings and promoted individual interpretation of the Bible. With the development of authoritarian monarchies, monarchs had more control over the Church, weakening the authority of the pope.

In addition, the selling and buying of indulgences was introduced. This meant that sins could be pardoned in exchange for money given to the Church. This practice was criticized by priests and humanists. There were many other harmful practices at the heart of the Church, so some people called for reforms:

Essential Vocabulary List: Definitions and Meanings

• Abase: To humiliate; to lower in esteem or dignity; to humble.
• Abet: To support someone who has done something wrong.
• Abeyance: Temporary cessation.
• Abjure: To formally renounce or take back (a belief or claim).
• Abomination: Extreme loathing or disgust.
• Aboriginal: Native; indigenous.
• Abound: To be numerous or plentiful.
• Abrogate: To repeal or nullify (a law, right, or agreement).
• Accede: To give in; to agree.
• Accentuate: To emphasize or make more noticeable.
• Access: The right or means to approach or enter.
• Acclaim: To praise publicly and enthusiastically.
• Accord: To agree; to be in harmony; to grant or bestow.
• Accouterment: Personal clothing or equipment; trappings.
• Accrue: To accumulate over time.
• Acquisitive:

Change and religious conflicts. Reformation and Counter-Reformation

The causes of the Reformation

• Disdain for the papacy and clergy: People believed that popes were concerned with their own interests; bishops lived a life of luxury and didn't reside in their dioceses; lower-ranking clergy lacked education, didn't preach and failed to set a moral example; and religious orders didn't adhere to the established rules.
• The abuses of the Church: Nepotism, favouritism by the high-ranking clergy towards members of their own family when allocating ecclesiastic positions; nicolaism, marriage practiced by priests; simony, the sale of ecclesiastic posts. Pope, bishops and cardinals sold forgiveness for sins to whoever bought a document of indulgences.

Reforms

What is Virtue?

Virtue is an acquired habit and firm disposition to do good.

Theological Virtues:

• Faith: Belief in God and all that He has revealed to us. It is a theological virtue by which we believe in God and all He has revealed to us.
• Hope: Firm confidence in eternal life.
• Charity: Love God above all things and all neighbors as ourselves.

Moral Virtues:

• Prudence: Practical reason to discern in all moments.
• Temperance: Moderates the attraction to sensual pleasures.
• Justice: Consists in the constant and firm will to give to God and neighbor what is due to them.
• Fortitude: Firmness and constancy in the practice of good.

The Seven Deadly Sins

The deadly sins, or capital vices, are those to which fallen human nature is mainly inclined. The deadly sins... Continue reading "A Guide to Catholic Virtues, Sins, and Commandments" »