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

First, the definition of a human person as the church sees it is that they see men and women as the living image of God himself, the image of his plan, they have received a part of God's dignity. The church invites all people to recognize in everyone a brother or sister 'for whom Christ died'. 'Human society is therefore the object of the social teaching of church since this is neither outside or nor over and above socially united men, but exists exclusively in them and for them.' The human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communication with other persons. He is called by grace to offer his creator... Continue reading "The Church's View on Human Dignity and Freedom" »

The Crusades

The Crusades were a series of religious conflicts between Muslims and Christians between the 11th and 13th centuries for control of the Holy Land, especially the city of Jerusalem, which was sacred to both religions. The official cause of the Crusades was the conquest of the Holy Land by the Turks, who practiced a stricter interpretation of Islam, which forbade the pilgrimage of Christians to the Holy Land. However, the real cause lay in the economic and demographic expansion that Christendom experienced after the 10th century. To avoid conflicts between Christians and accommodate the growing population, religious leaders decided to direct that expansion against the Muslims.

The First Crusade and the Rise of the Crusader States

The... Continue reading "The Crusades: A History of Religious Conflict and Cultural Exchange" »

Andrew the Apostle: Life and Biblical Significance

The name "Andrew" (Greek: manly, brave, from ἀνδρεία, Andreia, "manhood, valour"), like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews, Christians, and other Hellenized people of Judea. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him.

Early Life and Background

Andrew the Apostle was born between AD 5 and AD 10^[5] in Bethsaida, in Galilee.^[6] The New Testament states that Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter,^[7] and likewise a son of John, or Jonah. He was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. "The first striking characteristic of Andrew is his name: it is not Hebrew, as might have been expected, but Greek, indicative of a certain cultural openness in his... Continue reading "Andrew the Apostle: Life, Significance, and Biblical Accounts" »

Robert Bolt's Man for All Seasons (1960)

This is a fragment of the play “A Man for All Seasons”, written by Robert Bolt in 1960. It deals with events from the 16th century, specifically concerning **Thomas More**.

Bolt was a socialist and agnostic playwright who considered More a hero because he was a man of conscience, who defended his principles under every circumstance; that is what the title of the book means.

Historical Context: Henry VIII and the Schism

When the scene happens, **Henry VIII**, of the House of Tudor, is the King of England. He ruled England from 1509 to 1547. He made a very controversial move by marrying Princess Catherine of Aragon, the widow of his brother Arthur, despite the disapproval of the Church, since the Bible... Continue reading "Robert Bolt's Man for All Seasons: Thomas More's Stand" »

1. Killed an Egyptian and cut a person’s life short, so his life is cut short. Moses strikes the rock more than once to make sure he’s doing it right because he messed up so many times and wants to make sure.

Moses sends 12 spies to find out their weaknesses.

Moses' successor: Joshua

2. Rahab; width

She provides shelter and food. She hides two spies in her house because Canaanite soldiers come for them.

Tells her to put a red ribbon outside her house to not get killed.

Her fate: safety of her and her children.

Not sure why she takes them in, but it's guessed it is because she was abused by Canaanites.

3. Surrounds the Canaanites. Starve them out. Walls originally supposed to protect, now a trap.

Ark of Covenant - circling the city with it. God is... Continue reading "Key Events: Moses, Joshua, Rahab, and the War of Ai" »

Humanism

Humanism was the philosophical and cultural movement that spread through Europe in the 15th and early 16th centuries.

Astronomy

In 1543, the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus published On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, presenting his heliocentric theory. According to Copernicus, the sun was the center of the universe, not the Earth. All the planets revolve around the Sun. However, the church continued to insist that the Earth was the center of the universe.

Medicine

In 1543, the doctor Andreas Vesalius published On the Structure of the Human Body. Based on direct observation, this book was a big step forward in the knowledge of human anatomy. It became the manual for students of medicine at that time. Ten years later, the doctor... Continue reading "The Renaissance: A Cultural and Scientific Revolution" »

The Worm: Symbolism of Repression and Fallenness in William Blake's Poetry

Metaphorical Meanings of 'Worm'

• Death and decay
• Snake or serpent (alluding to the Fall of humankind)
• Christian teaching of the devil's unseen presence
• Phallic associations, representing the impact of the Fall on sexual ecstasy

'Flies in the Night' and 'Howling Storm'

* Night symbolizes the time when fears and fantasies are most active. * 'Howling storm' suggests ungovernable turmoil and passion.

'Has Found Out'

* May echo Psalms 90:8, referring to the exposure of 'secret sins.'

'Crimson'

* Denotes passion, blood, shame, and sin in the Old Testament. * Suggests that ideas of shame, sin, and secrecy have reached the innermost part of the person, infecting their capacity for joy.

Effects

Conradin Personality Essay

Conradin was a ten-year-old with a very particular and mental personality. He is 'protected' by Mrs. De Ropp. Conradin has been given less than five more years to live. He hates Mrs. De Ropp, and all he is left with is his imagination, which lets him live. Without his imagination, Conradin would have died long ago.

Introduction: A Summary of the Body

Conradin had a very particular personality; he felt hate, sadness, and the only thing he could live with was his imagination. He hated his cousin and imagined her dead when angry. His cousin was supposed to support and love him, but she only made him suffer, leading to his intense hatred.

He followed a religion and performed ceremonies far from the house to avoid his cousin.... Continue reading "Conradin's Unique Personality and Desires" »