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

Sikhism: Core Beliefs and Practices

Key Figures and History

• Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Lifespan: 1469 to 1539.
• Role: A teacher in a religious school for Sikh children.
• Origin/Language: Punjabi.

Spiritual Goals and Concepts

• The ultimate goal is to attain Mukti (spiritual liberation).
• A desired state is being in the presence of God.
• One of the five vices (sins) is Sloth.

Symbols and Institutions

• Sacred Scripture: The Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib).
• Place of Worship: The Gurdwara.
• Symbolic Attire: A turban, indicating allegiance to the Sikh community.

Judaism: History, Scripture, and Tradition

Foundational History and Texts

• Approximate Early History: 1200 BCE.
• Historical Evidence: The Merneptah Stone/Stele.
• Jews commonly refer to their Scriptures as the “TaNaKh.”

God's Motivation for Creation

God creates all things out of a perfectly free act of love to share happiness with creatures and manifest His glory. Reason and revelation agree God is the creator; time began with creation, and all God creates is good. God preserves and guides creation according to His wisdom toward the end He has in mind.

God's Creative Functions

Preservation: Refers to the continued existence and maintenance of created things. Unlike a sculptor and a statue, God's creation constantly depends on Him.

Providence: God's plan for all creatures, leading them to their intended purpose. Every creature is guided by grace and nature according to God's will, which is fulfilled when we seek and conform to it.

Divine Governance: God's work of... Continue reading "Divine Creation: Love, Purpose, and Grace" »

Common Good

The sum total of all social conditions which allow people, either as groups or individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and easily.

Social Sin

The effect that every personal sin has on others; the collectivity of such sins which create “structures of sins.”

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 & Revelation.

Natural Law

Moral knowledge that is written in every human heart and is “co-natural” with human nature.

Solidarity

Virtue of social charity, friendship, and responsibility whereby interdependence among all people is recognized.

Stewardship

The proper use of God’s gift; the care for recreation that... Continue reading "Catholic Social Teaching: Key Concepts and Principles" »

Architectural Identity of Al-Andalus

Architecture in Al-Andalus followed traditional Islamic models but adopted several distinct features:

• The horseshoe arch, often framed by an alfiz.
• The simple or interlaced lobed arch.
• A variety of complex vaults.

Historical Periods of Andalusian Architecture

1. Emirate and Caliphate Period (756–1031)

The most useful technical contributions were made, and the most richly ornamental buildings constructed, during this period.

Examples: The Great Mosque of Córdoba and the Palace of Medina Azahara (Córdoba).

2. Taifa and Almohad Period (1031–1212)

This period saw a more austere architectural style.

Examples: Alcazaba in Málaga, Aljafería in Zaragoza, and the Giralda and Torre del Oro in Seville.

3. Nasrid Period

Humanism and the Reformation: Key Movements in Europe

Humanism was a philosophical and cultural movement that spread in 15th and 16th-century Europe. It marked a shift from:

• The medieval theocentric viewpoint, where all activities revolved around God.
• The anthropocentric viewpoint, where human intelligence was the key to understanding and interpreting the universe.

Humanists emphasized:

• The use of reason and experience.
• A deep curiosity about the world.
• Inspiration from the cultural inheritance of antiquity.

Most medieval texts were written in Latin.

Key Figures of Humanism

• Erasmus of Rotterdam: A Dutch humanist who admired ancient Greece and Rome. One of his most famous works was *The Praise of Folly*.
• Thomas More: Born in London, he was executed by

William Blake's *Infant Joy*: Analysis and Interpretation

Context

Infant Joy is often interpreted by critics as an imaginary dialogue between a newborn baby and its mother. The baby asserts that its name, and therefore its nature, is joy. The mother wishes that joy will continue to characterize the infant's life.

Many critics view the poem's dialogue as a lullaby a mother is singing to her newborn child, assuming both their voices. The child's words celebrate the baby's present innocence and joy (“I happy am”). Her response, “Sweet joy befall thee,” is both a blessing and a recognition that what may befall the baby will include other, less joyful, experiences.

Some critics also remind us that Blake wrote at a time of very high infant mortality.... Continue reading "William Blake's Infant Joy: Analysis and Interpretation" »

Key Concepts and Characters in A Midsummer Night's Dream

Essential Vocabulary and Definitions

• Defiant: Showing aggression or independence by refusing to obey someone.
• Faines: Used to emphasize that if someone does not know something, you also do not know it.
• Trick: An action intended to deceive someone.
• Out of the Woods: If something or someone is not out of the woods yet, they are still having difficulties or problems.
• Quarrel: An angry argument between two or more friends or family members.

Major Character Profiles

Nick Bottom (The Weaver)

Bottom is a weaver and one of the Athenian craftsmen referred to as "the Mechanicals." Puck transforms his head into that of a donkey, leading to his brief affair with Titania. In his free time, he is an actor who... Continue reading "Character Analysis and Plot Summary of A Midsummer Night's Dream" »

Elements of Body Language You Can Consciously Work On:

• Posture:

  This will enhance your positive aura and help you appear more responsible and reliable. Few basics:
  • Stand tall with straight shoulders while leaning forwards slightly.
  • Keep your posture open by not folding your arms across your body.
  • Don't tuck your hands in your pockets, keep them free to gesture.
  • Work on improving your body language.

• Facial Expression:

  Use your face to show you're a friendly person. Express enthusiasm and conviction on your views through your face. The basics:
  • Nothing better than a genuine smile to express your warmth.
  • Keep your face relaxed with your gaze steady.
  • Make eye contact (not more than 2 seconds).
  • Keep the comfort of your audience in mind.

• Voice:

  Research shows

Origins and Beliefs

Rabbinic Judaism, also known as Rabbinism, has been the dominant form of Judaism since the 6th century CE. It emerged from Pharisaic Judaism and is based on the belief that Moses received the Written Torah (Pentateuch) and an oral explanation, known as the Oral Torah, from God at Mount Sinai.

Development and Spread

Rabbinic Judaism gained prominence within the Jewish diaspora between the 2nd and 6th centuries. The development of the oral law and the Talmud allowed for the interpretation of Jewish scripture and the practice of Judaism in the absence of Temple sacrifice and other practices.

Conservative Judaism

Conservative Judaism emerged in 19th-century Germany as a response to the liberal positions of Reform Judaism. It emphasizes... Continue reading "Rabbinic Judaism: The Mainstream Form of Judaism Since the 6th Century CE" »