In English Please

I am not a particularly religious person, but the idea religion has always been of interest to me. It is fascinating to look at the major world religions and to study their similarities and differences as well as the differences in the doctrine versus the actual practice of the religion. However, I have found myself confused and overwhelmed with all of the fractures within the system and the different denominations. Even though history is chronological for the most part, I find it easier to understand some aspects if I know what is going to happen.

For a world regional geography class a few semesters ago, I created my own simplified version of the history of world religions; a timeline of sorts. I like uncomplicated explanations because it makes studying a bit easier. Part of my outline shows the progression of Christianity and highlights events such as the Great Schism in 1054. I also included more details such as a list of denominations that grew from several divisions in the church.

History of World Religions: Christianity

1. Divisions: Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodoxy,
2. Great Schism, 1054.
1. Eastern Orthodox Church

i. Denominations include: British Orthodox; Serbian Orthodox; Orthodox Church of Finland; Russian Orthodox; Syrian Orthodox; Ukrainian Orthodox; Bulgarian Orthodox; Romanian Orthodox; Antiochian Orthodox; Greek Orthodox; the Church of Alexandria; the Church of Jerusalem; and the Orthodox Church in America.

2. Roman Catholic Church

i. Protestant Reformation.

1. Denominations include: Amish; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon); Jehovah's Witnesses; Quakers; Seventh-Day Adventist Church; United Pentecostal Church International; Calvinism; Lutheranism, Nazarene, Presbyterian.

2. Reformed: based in Switzerland. Followed teachings of Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin.

3. Presbyterianism: based in Scotland. Followed teachings of John Knox.

4. Anabaptists: based in Switzerland. Connected with Amish, Mennonites, Quakers, and Baptists.

5. Anglicanism: based in England. Created by King Henry VIII.

i. Episcopalianism: interpretation of Anglicanism in America.

ii. Methodism: based on Anglicanism. Followed the teachings of John Wesley.

I also included links to comparisons between denominations from Religious Facts. I like these charts because they are easy to read and compare the denominations well; it makes studying religion less overwhelming.
•Facts and Stats
•Beliefs
•Practices
•Positions on Social and Ethical Issues
•Catholic and Protestant Theology

Another nice graphic to help make sense of the organization of Christianity can be found here.


Source Consulted:
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/denominations/history.htm

Vocabulary Lesson!! Yay!!

As a person who is likes to keep up with happenings around the world, it is important to be familiar with the terminology that is used regarding certain topics. Since our topic this week is Islam, I thought it would be useful to explain frequently used vocabulary when addressing Islam.

I have heard many people use the words “Islam” and “Muslim” interchangeably. Simply, Islam is the religion and a Muslim is a follower of that religion. In 2005, PBS aired a special called “In the Name of Islam” and on its website invited viewers to submit their questions. Albert Frank of Kingston, Pa. asks:

“Please explain again the difference between Islam and Muslim. Is Islam a religion and are Muslims people who believe in and practice Islam?”

Professor Salim Mansur offered a more in depth answer to Frank’s question. He wrote,

“Islam is the faith-tradition and the word "Islam" means "peace" and "submission," hence "peace through submission to God (Allah in Arabic), the Lord of the Universe, the Master of the Day of Recompense." "Muslim" means a person who has made such a submission, at least in its outward form.”

Islam is built on five “pillars” which are the foundation of Islam. They are:

1. Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad;
2. Establishment of the daily prayers;
3. Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
4. Self-purification through fasting; and
5. The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.
   

The first pillar, “faith or belief in the Oneness of God,” means that Muslims accept Allah (God) as the only god. Additionally, they believe in “the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad” which means that Muhammad is the only person who has interacted with Allah and is his prophet.

The second pillar, “establishment of the daily prayers,” requires Muslims to pray daily on five occasions: pre-dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.

The third pillar, “concern for and almsgiving to the needy,” is also known as Zakat. Islam asks that Muslims donate a portion of their monies to help other, less fortunate Muslims. A quick Google search for “Zakat calculator” yields nearly 50,000 websites to help calculate a donation.

The fourth pillar of Islam, “self-purification through fasting,” takes place during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims are required to fast from sun up to sun down each day. At the end of the month, a celebratory feast is held; it is known as "Eid" or "Eid ul-Fitr.”

Finally, the fifth pillar, “pilgrimage to Makkah” [Mecca] is required of all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the trip. As written on Religious Facts website:

The most sacred place in Islam is the Ka'ba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Ka'ba is a mosque (built by Abraham according to Muslim tradition) built around a black stone. The Prophet Muhammad designated Mecca as the holy city of Islam and the direction (qibla) in which all Muslims should offer their prayers.

The last aspect of Islam that I want to touch on briefly is the two major sects, Shiite and Sunni. Again, to make is simple, the difference between the two is that Shiite Muslims believe that the appropriate caliphs to serve after Muhammad are those with direct, blood relation to the prophet. Sunni Muslims, however, believe that any legitimate religious leader is qualified to succeed Muhammad. This distinction has been the cause for conflicts between governments in the Middle East.

Iconic symbols of Buddha and Jesus

In the two faiths of Christianity and Buddhism, there are two icons that come to mind. When someone thinks about the Christian faith, the image of a starving, beaten, bloody man nailed to a cross. To a person that has no idea about Jesus or Christianity, this image is not very appealing.

In Buddhism, the iconic image is of a very round and plump man with a big smile on his face and he is sitting with his legs criss-crossed. On image alone, I believe that Buddhism is more appealing than Christianity. The Buddha looks jolly and inviting to all who care to listen.

If a person had to choose to follow a religion based only on how the icon of that religion appeals to them, I truely believe that person would choose to follow Buddhism. When looking at the the image of a bloody Jesus nailed to a cross, this tells me that this man has suffered a lot of pain and to be honest, makes the image of Christianity very depressing. Buddha, however, sits with his legs crossed and his giant belly sticks out while wearing a warm and welcoming smile on his face. Legend says that if a person rubs Buddha's belly, that person will have good luck.

The Byzantine Empire

After the division of the Eastern and Western parts of Rome, the eastern remained under the rule of Constantine, the first Christian emperor of Rome. Constantine moved the capital from Rome to the city of Byzantium. He rebuilt the city and called it Constantinople, naming it after himself. This new capital city represents the end of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Byzantine Empire. He began building monuments to create a more Christian feel in the new capital city. The first church built there by Constantinople was the church of St Eirene, and it was dedicated to Holy peace.
The fall of Rome ended the western half of the Roman Empire, and the eastern half continued as the Byzantine Empire. The empire had many different elements, a few of which were Christianity and Greek education. The Christianity developed here was the most significant cultural feature of the Byzantium Empire. It had a major influence on Orthodox Christianity, and missionary work began its spread.
The Byzantine Empire covered Greece, Balkans, Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt. The empire looked less like a Roman empire, and had more of a Greek aspect, because the Greeks were the predominant race in the empire. Greek became the main language of the empire, replacing Latin. Also, legislation became thoroughly Greek.
The Byzantine Empire fell to Muslim invaders in 1453 because of the sack of Constantinople.
The Christianity and Greek influence in the Byzantine empire was extremely important. The spread of Orthodox Christianity lead to the adoption of a new religion still practiced in many places today. Without Constantine, and the Byzantine empire, Christianity might not have spread the way it did, and the religion would not be how it is today.

http://www.gothicmed.com/gothicmed/GothicMed/virtual-museum/greece/General/Byzantio.html
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/byzantium/index.html
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac59
http://www.lycos.com/info/byzantine-empire.html

Richard the Lionhearted

Richard I of England is best know for his role in the third Crusade, but his varied and often violent disposition followed him throughout his life. Richard was the second son of Henry II of England, who gave him his holdings in southern France. Henry encouraged his sons to live and learn in their own lands, but failed to teach them good methods of power and control. Eventually, his sons revolted against him, and although Henry defeated them, tensions and battles remained a continuous state of affairs for the family.

As he grew, Richard gained a reputation for power and chivalry through his many conquests. Richard loved power and might, and expended much energy and money on all chivalric pursuits. When he heard of the Crusade held in 1188, he became very involved and almost obsessed with it. Religious objectives justified the chance to show his strength, and Richard returned to England from his land in France to collect money to fund his contribution to the Crusade. He threw all his energy into fundraising, in both legitimate and questionable means, including the sale of political appointments and church lands.

In addition to his mishandling of state monies, Richard took many of his wise advisers with him on the Crusade and left many energetic officials in England who would have done well to join him. Richard committed many cruel acts while abroad, including killing many prisoners in a rage. In his absence, England was again upset by rebellion, and Richard rushed to return home because he found the chances of retaking Jerusalem slim. On his way, he was wrecked and taken prisoner, but England paid his ransom.

Richard returned England's aid by abandoning his country and returning to his lands in France, where he died in a battle with France. He left England under the watch of Archbishop Hubert Walter, who governed capably but tried to extort money from the people and church.

Richard supposedly died sincerely regretting his indiscretions, and one bishop considered him the most religious of his brothers. These positive descriptions, however, don't balance his acts in the eyes of history. Many people only know of him through his association with the Crusades, and as they learn about his failures as a leader, their bad impression is cemented.

Source and more information: Catholic Encyclopedia

Byzantium and the History of the Orthodox Church

Byzantium was an ancient Roman city that served as a major hub for Christianity. In contrast with today’s untheological mindset, Byzantium flourished with religious festivities and passionately heated debates. It was a powerful center for Christian civilization, with which any other Roman or European city could not compete.

There was no clear line that divided the church from the state in Byzantium. The two were seen as one unit, not truly separable. Emperors Constantine and Justinian played significant roles in blurring this division. The emperor played an important role in several religious ceremonies, as he was viewed as a symbol of the monarchy of God in Heaven.

Monasticism was a large aspect of religious life in Byzantium. It started in Egypt and Syria but quickly found its way into Christendom. There are three different aspects of monasticism: “first the hermits, ascetics leading the solitary life in huts or caves, and even in tombs, among the branches of trees, or on the tops of pillars … Secondly there is the community life, where monks dwell together under a common rule and in a regularly constituted monastery … Finally there is a form of the monastic life intermediate between the first two, the semi-eremitic life, a 'middle way' where instead of a single highly organized community there is a loosely knit group of small settlements, each settlement containing perhaps between two and six members living together under the guidance of an elder.”

It is interesting to read about the history of a religion that is so popular today. There are several aspects to the religion that are not commonly known, even though so many know the generalities about such a religion.

Reference:
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/history3.aspx#Byzantine%20Christianity

In reflecting on a passage in the Kevin Riley text it was quite interesting to find that a lot of Christian roots come from Jewish root. Even tough Judaism was here long before Jesus Christ ever walked the Earth, Christianity flourished and still flourishes today in much of Europe and America. In reading this passage it referred to the book of Matthew in the Christian Bible. It tells a story of Jesus performing miracles and making many speeches to the people. He did so in a welcoming way and warned them to follow him. Among the Christian faith, Jesus Christ is Gods son and therefore was to save the world from total damnation. In this text he preaches about the coming of the end of the world. In this he states that the end will not coming until the words of the gospel reach every single person in every single nation. He warns them that there will be many false prophets and many people will be persecuted for being Christian and following Jesus Christ. It is interesting to see that many if not all of the things mentioned have happened in some form or another excluding, of course, the part about the gospel reaching all nations for that has not yet happened. Also in this text Matthew talks about what Christ says the end of the world will be like. He describes it as "the sun will darken", "the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken". In describing the terrible things that will happen he also lays down a short parable about a fig tree. In comparing the signs that Christs gives his people about the end of the world and the signs of spring apparent with the leaves on the fig tree, he is able to allow Christians to connect to the word of their God and understand these things that are being said.

It is a very interesting passage to read, and says a lot about Christianity. Whether Christianity is the truth or not, it is interesting the amount of people in the world today that can call themselves Christians. The very gruesome description of the end of the world in a Christians eye tells a lot about the world in itself. Also in comparing it to other religions, it is interesting to wonder what truly is the truth.

Riley, Kevin. Worlds of History; A Comparative Reader. 3rd ed. 1, To 1550. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2007.