Religion, Religious Experience, and Spirituality Notes PDF

KEZIAH ROJENN G. DELA CRUZ PSYCH 2A RELIGION INVOLVES A BODY OF BELIEFS AND MORAL PRESCRIOTIONS RELIGION, Religious Experience, SPIRITUALITY...

KEZIAH ROJENN G. DELA CRUZ PSYCH 2A RELIGION INVOLVES A BODY OF BELIEFS AND MORAL PRESCRIOTIONS RELIGION, Religious Experience, SPIRITUALITY It is mainly because they are guided by texts rendered RELIGION sacred by special events or figures. CONCEPT OF GOD These beliefs cover a wider array of ideas that order Ludwig Feuerbach: “Theory of Projection” knowledge and reality for the followers. “God is Just a human projection, a mental EX. The origin and destiny of life. construct” Moral principles as guide for a humane living. St. Anselm of Canterbury: “ Deductive Ontological RELIGION EXPECTS FROM ITS FOLLOWERS TO FOLLOW A Argument” SET OF PRATICES THAT RELATES TO THE NOTION OF THE SACRED “God is that than which no greater can be conceived” These practices are typically in the form of individual & collective rituals involving prayer, worship, purification, Fratelli Tutti 30 baptism, and sacrifice. “In today’s world, the sense of belonging to a There are also practices that are in line with moral & single human family is fading, and the dream of behavioral prescriptions. working together for justice and peace seems an outdated utopia…. isolation and withdrawal into EX. Wearing particular outfits Avoiding the consumption of one’s own interests are never the way to restore food hope and bring about renewal. Rather, it is ELEMENTS OF RELIGION closeness; it is the culture of encounter. Isolation, no; closeness, yes. Culture clash, no; culture of 1. BELIEF IN SUPERNATURAL POWERS encounter, yes”. o Every religion believes in the existence of some supernatural powers or forces. o They believe that this unseen power influences every aspect of human life. WHAT IS RELIGION? o Eg. Hindus (many gods/goddesses) SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE: 2. BELIEF IN THE HOLY OR SACRED o In every religion, there are certain things which are RELIGION is a system of beliefs and practices by which a regarded as holy and sacred that constitute the group of people interprets and responds to what they feel heart of religion. is sacred and usually supernatural as well. o This belief is often expressed through symbols; RELIGION AS A SOCIAL ENTITY that symbolizes both the UNSEEN & TANGIBLE THINGS. RELIGION AS A COLLECTIVE PHENOMENON o It is a belief that is based on FAITH rather that An Individual who professes a religion is typically EVIDENCE. associated with a particular religious organization. o Eg. Hindus (cow is sacred) 3. SYSTEM OF RITUALS Thus, inasmuch as faith is a personal or private matter, o Rituals are the practical side of religion that refer individuals who profess a religion also invoke the wider to the behavior performed by the individual or a community that they are part of. group of individuals with reference to supernatural power. RELIGION IS CONCERNED WITH ORDERING BEHAVIOR IN o It includes varieties of behavior such as wearing of RELATION TO THE SACRED/ SUPERNATURAL special types of cloth, reciting of prayers, hymns, Most of the time the sacred is often associated with the taking a bath in holy rivers, singing, dancing, supernatural as in the presence of heavenly forces or divine crawling, fasting, etc. beings that render a particular text or place holy in the eyes o All these rituals are intended to strengthen of the followers. individual’s faith in the supernatural. 4. SACRED/ SINFUL ACTS The sacred is often associated with entities, events, figures, o Every religion defines certain acts as sacred and objects, and sights that are treated with reverence as righteous and other acts as profane and sinful. opposed to those that are taken for granted in everyday life o Acting in accordance with the religious principles is believed to reap good results while sinful acts result suffering or disaster. o Reason why there are concepts of Heaven and Hell  5. THE METHOD OF SALVATION WHAT IS SPIRIT? WHOS SPIRIT? o Almost all religions consider salvation as the There are two important elements that has to be ultimate goal of life. considered in understanding the word “spirit”. o Eg. Buddists call salvation as Nirvana o Hindus called it as Moksha (free from the chain of First is the reality of the “Spirit of God/ Divine/ cycle of life) Transcendent Reality” – (this must be the primary focus of 6. MODE OF WORSHIP our consideration.) o Each religion has a specific procedure of woshipping. Second reality is the “spirit in us human beings & also all o The followers of different religion either worship those creations with life”. the supernatural power in the form of STATUE / a In other words, spirituality refers to the relatedness of the FORMLESS MANNER. human spirit or soul to the Spirit of o Eg. Hindus worship with folded hands while God/Divine/Transcendent. Muslims do not. 7. PLACE OF WORSHIP o Each religion has a definite place of worship which ELEMENTS OF SPIRITUALITY they consider as sacred. o HINDU -TEMPLE 1. HOLISTIC MUSLIM -MOSQUE It means that spirituality is claimed to a fully CHRISTIAN - CHURCH integrated view of life. It encompasses all aspects JEWISH – SYNAGOGUE of being human and is means of experiencing life. 2. QUEST FOR MEANING R.E AS THE ROOT OF EVERY RELIGION The quest to determine the meaning and purpose of life arises as the central theme in spirituality, with the relationship to the self, others, and God WHAT DOES THE WORD EXPERIENCE MEAN? contributing to its discovery. Theologically speaking, the word experience is derived from 3. QUEST FOR SACRED the two German terms: It means that spirituality promotes having faith, which can be an important part of a person’s “ERLEBNIS & ERFAHRUNG” beliefs and decisions in life. And this faith may be viewed as a belief in God, ERLEBNIS almighty being, ultimate reality, or a higher power -It means an interior experience of an intensely felt motion. that gives meaning and purpose in life. 4. SUGGESTS A SELF-REFLECTIVE EXISTENCE - it is an individual event, even a momentary one, realized it emphasizes that in the person’s quest for intensely in the area of the FEELINGS & EMOTIONS. meaning in life, self-reflection is of great importance-- which may be expressed through ERFAHRUNG contemplation or meditation. -It speaks of real experiences that are based on INDIVIDUAL JORDAN AUMANN “SPIRITUAL THEOLOGY” HAPPENINGS that touched the feelings, picked up by the intellect, and given a connection among themselves and “In its widest sense, spirituality refers to any religious or moreover inserted and integrated into the totality of life. ethical value that is concretized as an attitude or spirit from which one’s actions flow. - in the process of integrating, interpreting, evaluating and judging, human reason is guided by FAITH. THUS, - (RE = FEELINGS, REFLECTION with FAITH, CONCRETE SPIRITUALITY is a way of life that is based from the ACTION IN LIFE) experience of the Divine/ Transcendent/ God by which this experience would bring one to have moral and virtuous life WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY? ETYMOLOGY OF SPIRITUALITY COMTEMPORARY UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUALITY SPIRITUALITY Puts emphasis on subjective experience of sacred or -this word comes from the Latin word “Spiritualitas” Which spiritual dimension and deepest purpose, values, and is an abstracts word related to “spiritus” and “spiritualis”, meanings by which human beings live, typically in a Which means also the state of being spiritual. unconnected from organized religious institutions. -from these two etymological meanings, what comes out in the surface is the word “spirit”  ROLE OF MOSES SBNR VS RBNS Moses is the leader who freed them from slavery in Egypt. Moses protected the Jews from the wrath of God, and SPIRITUAL PERSON but NOT RELIGIOUS negotiated with God on their behalf. -They are individuals who associate faith with the private Moses, is also an important figure as he gave the Jews the realm of personal experience rather than with public realm Torah around 1250 B.C. The Torah contains the laws of God of religious institutions, creeds, and rituals. - Thus, they have no or low levels of interest in church SACRED TEXT (Written Tradition) attendance and commitments to orthodox beliefs. “TaNaKH” - it refers to the Hebrew Bible; which Christians RELIGIOUS PERSON but NOT SPIRITUAL called it as the “OLD TESTAMENT” - They are individuals who associate faith with the with It consists of the following: public realm of religious institutions, creeds, and rituals. Torah (The Law) - Thus, they are the individuals who adhere to the tenets Nevi’im (Prophets) and practices of a particular religion, yet their hypocrisy, Ketuvim (Writings) empty ritualism and immorality preclude the development of their spirituality. TORAH RELIGIOUS PERSON -It is the first law given by God to Moses and recorded into the sacred text. “RELIGIOUS” in a true sense of the word, a religious person must have been submissive and obedient to the will of the -It is the main sacred text of Judaism, which corresponds to Lord, part of it is being truly “SPIRITUAL” the five books of Moses Gk. (Pentateuch): JUDAISM Genesis, (Bereshit): BRIEF HISTORY OF JUDAISM contains stories of creation, records the establishment of the covenant between God and the Jewish people, tells of According to most of the Historians, Judaism began when the lives of the patriarchs. Abraham made divine covenant with GOD. Exodus (Sh’mot): ABRAHAM AS THE FATHER OF THESEMITIC RELIGION (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) account of Israelites enslaved in Egypt, the exodus from Egypt, the receiving of the 10 Commandments at Mt. Sinai Throughout Judaism History, their followers have been called many names such as Leviticus (Vayikra): “HEBREWS- those who accepted Yahweh as their God.” gives God’s ethical and ritual laws and specific instructions to priests on how to perform their duties. “Israelite- who were the descendants of the Hebrews, which originated from Abraham” Numbers (Bamidbar): JACOB, as the grandson of Abraham, had 12 sons and their recounts the of the Israelites through the desert and gives descendants became known as the 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL. more of God’s ethical and ritual laws THE TERM “JEW”: Deuteronony (Devarim): comes from YEHUDAH or JUDAH, the southern kingdom of Moses reviews the laws and the people prepare to enter Israel. But now it is used to refer someone who practices the promised land Judaism and takes part in Jewish Culture. TORAH -The Torah is stored inside the Ark in each Synagogue. -This is the holiest place in the Synagogue.  THE MEZUZAH NEVI’IM (PROPHETS) It is a little case, containing a tiny scroll that is found on Contains writings of God’s messenger, who spoke His word doorposts in Jewish homes. to the Hebrews. The writing on the scroll is The writing is the more literary section of the Tanakh, from the bible. consisting of stories, proverbs, psalms, and poetries. It is in Hebrew and it says that NEVI’IM (PROPHETS) Jewish people should love God and keep his rules. It contains wisdom literature, poetry, songs, narrative, history, religious philosophy, and love hymn. 12 BOOK IN TOTAL DOCTRINES & BELIEFS OF JUDAISM TALMUD (Oral Tradition) THE NATURE OF GOD: -It is the compendium of learning that is the basic source THE PRIMARY TENET OF JUDAISM IS THE BELIEF IN ONE for Jewish Law and codes. UNIVERSAL GOD. (Monotheistic) -It is another form of scripture and is the This God is considered as the creator of the universe, and is WRITTEN VERSION OF THE JEWISH ORAL LAW eternal, perfect, all knowing, holy, and without physical which includes rabbinical commentaries that explains the form. and that at the end God will send down a messiah to laws that may not be clear in Scriptures. redeem the Jews (Political Messiah) -it is composed of: God is compassionate and merciful but He is also capable MISHNAH: It is primarily a compilation of Jewish laws that of great anger when His rules on moral and ethical behavior includes discussions concerning prayer, diet, agricultural are violated. (retributive justice) laws, holidays, women and family life, sacrifices, offerings, etc. written in Hebrew and edited sometimes around 200 GOD AS A PERSONAL GOD C.E. in Israel. GEMARA: It is the rabbinic commentaries and discussions THE SECOND IMPORTANT BELIEF OF JUDAISM IS THAT on the Mishnah. JEWS WERE CHOSEN BY GOD TO RECEIVE HIS LAW, WHICH IS SEEN IN THE COVENANT. IMPORTANT SYSMBOLS IN JUDAISM THE FIRST COVENANT was God’s selection of Abraham to MAGEN DAVID be the Father of a great nation that would lie in the Promised land Canaan. (Gen. 17:7) The symbol or emblem of the Jewish THE SECOND COVENANT was established by God through people is the (Shield of David), also Moses at Mt. Sinai. (Ex. 6:7) known as the Star of David GOD’S SHALOM AS ULTIMATE GOAL THE JEWISH TRADITION PROMISES GOD’S SHALOM TO THE MENORAH JEWS WHO SANCTIFY THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO THE WAY OF TORAH. That is why the Jews pursue God’s shalom according to the It is a candelabrum with seven admonition of the Psalmist: (Ps. 34:14) candle holders displayed in “depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it!” Jewish synagogues. These Jewish theme of God’s Shalom emerges from the It symbolizes the burning bush as Bible’s formula invoking God’s blessing: (Nm 6:23-26) seen by Moses on Mount Sinai. “Thus you shall bless the Israelites: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace!”  HOW TO ACHIEVE GOD’S SHALOW KOSHER PRACTICES IN PURSUING GOD’S SHALOM, JEWISH PEOPLE STRIVE TO Dairy and Meat should not be eaten together. BECOME “HOLY” THROUGH THE SANCTIFICATION OF THEIR Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with LIVES. either meat or dairy. As the mandate of YHWH in (Lev. 11:44) states: Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be “if I am the Lord your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, used with dairy and vice versa. and be holy, for I am holy” JEWISH WAY TO HOLINESS MORAL PRINCIPLES FREEDOM JUDAISM, as a way of life—a life obedience to the Torah, through which God intends to sanctify every aspect of Jews highly emphasized the rights of an outsider in human existence. inasmuch as they themselves were once a stranger. Jews find guidance and direction for their lives in the 10 JEWISH MODE OF WORSHIP commandments as further expressed into 613 rules found in the Torah, which are taught and interpreted by the MODE OF WORSHIP before and after the destruction of the rabbis. (TEMPLE) = from offering temple sacrifices to praying in the JEWISH WAY TO HOLINESS synagogue & reading the TORAH JEWISH LAW SPECIAL CLTOHING HALACHAH Kippah - it is system of Laws that guides the Jewish people on how to act in accordance with the Will of Yahweh inasmuch as It serves as a reminder to these laws is the will of God itself. them that God is always above them. It is a reminder - it includes the Torah, 613 mitzvot concerned with ethical to always follow the laws of & social issues and religious rituals and the Talmud. God at all times and in all places. It is divided into two sections: 1. Those about relationships with humans and God` 2. Those about relationships between fellow humans. Tallit JEWISH ETHICAL EXPRESSION he fringes on the shawl remind them of the many DIETARY LAWS commandments of the KOSHER PRACTICES Torah. Kosher which means “ritually correct” and particularly refers to food preparations and consumptions. CERTAIN ANIMALS MAY/NOT BE EATEN: JEWISH FEAST (LEV. 11:3-9) Animals with cloven hooves and chews its cud. PASSOVER Anything in the water that has fins and scales is acceptable. FIRST FRUITS This therefore excludes shellfish such as lobsters, oysters, shrimp, clams and crabs, all of which are forbidden. PENTECOST All blood must be drained before the meat is cooked and TRUMPETS eaten because blood, which give life ,is sacred to God”. ATONEMENT TABERNACLE  FEAST OF THE PASSOVER CHRISTIANITY In Hebrew, it is called, “PESACH” BRIEF HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY It is an 8-day celebration of freedom that memorializes an It is a monotheistic faith based on the life, works & event when the Israelites were freed from the Egyptian teachings of Jesus Christ. slavery after the 10th plague. The adherents of Christianity are called CHRISTIANS. The Jews perform the SEDER MEALS Christians believe that the relationship between God and FEAST OF THE FIRST FRUITS man is mediated by the person Jesus Christ, and that Christ’s teachings embody God’s plan for the salvation of -This feast is a celebration after the sabbath in which the mankind. Jewish people offers the first fruits of their crops to God through the instrumentality of the priest who does the JESUS CHRIST ritual. (BARLEY) o Religious Experience of the Apostles with Jesus. FEAST OF THE PENTECOST PETER: Head of Apostles -In HEBREW, it is called SHAVO’UT o His Profession of Faith (Jesus as MESSIAH) In Greek, PENTECOSTE (50th day) PENTECOST This feast memorializes the event when Moses brought 10 o Holy Spirit Descended to the Apostles commandments from Mt. Sinai. o Gift of Tongues During this feast, Jewish people spend all night in studying ROME the Torah (Hebrew Scriptures) And decorate their houses with flowers. o Peter & Paul Preach the Gospel FEAST OF THE TRUMPHETS EMPEROR NERO -In Hebrew, it is called YOM TERUAH (Lev. 23:24) o 64 AD: Persecution of Early Christians This feast memorializes the time when the trumpets were 2 Emperors in Roman Empire used to give signal to Yahweh’s act of descending and visiting the Israelites on the foot of Mt. Sinai. (Ex. 19) o Southern: Emp. MAXENTIUS o Northern: Emp. Constantine the Great It is a time for rest, to blow the trumpets, to repent in the o BATTLE IN MILVIAN BRIDGE Lord & make peace with men, to have a festive banquet. EMPEROR CONSTANTINE THE GREAT FEAST OF ATONEMENT o 313 AD: Edict of Milan -In Hebrew, it is called Yom Kippur which is the holiest day o Permanent declaration of Religious tolerance of of the year. Christianity in Rome Leviticus states, “For in this day of atonement shall be EMPEROR THEODOSIUS I made for you to purify you of all your sins: you shall be pure.” o 380 AD: Edict of Thessalonica o Declaration of Christianity as OFFICIAL RELIGION During this time, Jewish people make amends to their OF ROMAN EMPIRE family and friends and start changing their lives. They would also fast from food, drink, bathing, perfume, SIGNIFICANT SYMBOLS IN CHRISTIANITY sex, wearing leather. FEAST OF THE TABERNACLE ICHTHYS (Greek: ΙΧΘΥΣ; also transliterated and Latinized as, ICHTHUS). -In Hebrew, it is called SUKKOT or the feast of booths. It is an Ancient and Classical Greek word for “FISH” This feast is a commemoration of the people of Israel who lived in booths while they were in wilderness before they were freed from the bondage of Egypt. CHI & RHO BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTION: THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS THE CROWNING TRUTH OF In a memoir of the Roman emperor THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. that EUSEBIUS wrote after Constantine's death (On the Life of It means that without Jesus Christ resurrection there could Constantine) a miraculous appearance be no Christian Faith at all. is said to have come in Gaul long It represents the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge for all, and confirms Christ divinity, and conquest of death "Τούτῳ Νίκα!" and sin. (“In this sign you will conquer!”) CROSS In antiquity, the cross/crucifixion is the most horrible method of execution for the criminals BUT FOR CHRISTIANS: It connotes positively: IT IS THE SYMBOL OF THE UNIVERSAL SAVING LOVE OF GOD. SIGNIFICANT SYMBOLS IN CHRISTIANITY It is the Sacred Text of Christianity that is consist of the WRITTTEN WORD OF GOD and accounts of believers of CHRISTIAN MODE OF WORSHIP their encounters and experiences with the saving love of God. EUCHARIST: The text of the Bible was taken from ORAL HISTORIES, It is the source and summit of Christian Life. TRADITION, TESTIMONIES, and its books were written down It is in the Eucharist that the “re-presentation” of paschal and compiled over the centuries. mystery of Jesus Christ takes place. It is divided into THE OLD TESTAMENT & NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN MORALITY OT reveals prophesies regarding the coming of the savior of the world. PRINCIPLE OF THE INVIOLABILITY OF LIFE NT narrates the fulfillment through the life and evangelizing mission of Jesus Christ. This principle springs from the essential belief that life, any human life, is of infinite value as it is a sacred and precious AUTHOR OF THE BIBLE gift from God. PRINCIPLE OF STEWARDSHIP God is the primary author while the secondary authors are This principle springs from the essential belief that all life the sacred writers who are inspired by the Holy Spirit. comes from God, the supreme creator and maker of all. Thus, no human being has the sole authority to do CHRISTIAN CORE BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES whatever he want to anything that is in the world and that of his/her own body. BELIEF IN THE TRIUNE GOD: (Trinity) ISLAM It is the most fundamental and central doctrine of Christian INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM faith. IT IS THE MOST WIDESPREAD MONOTHEISTIC It is a belief in one living God, existing as three divine persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and RELIGION NEXT TO CHRISTIANITY WHICH GIVESEMPHASIS the Holy Spirit. ON THE MESSAGE OF GOD REVEALED WITHIN FROM THE ABRAHAMIC TRADITION From which Judaism & Christianity came from.  622 CE: Muhammad, together with thousands of his ETYMOLOGY OF ISLAM followers gained control in Mecca and rededicated the Kaaba to Allah by removing the idols from the Shrine. The name ISLAM was given by Allah when He addressed the Muslims during Mohammad’s “farewell pilgrimage” to Mecca. (QURAN 5.3b) “Today I have perfected your system of belief and bestowed my favours upon you in full, and have chosen Islam as the creed for you.” ISLAM is an Arabic term which means “OBEDIENCE or SUBMISSION” Thus, it designates that religious surrender by which human beings submit to God and devote themselves totally to the fulfillment of the will of God (Allah) MUSLIM is the “ONE WHO SUBMITS” to Allah’s will by accepting Islamic Religion and by observing its laws & practices. BRIEF HISTORY OF ISLAM ARABIA is the birthplace of ISLAM LIFE AND MISSION OF MUHAMMAD 570 CE: The prophet of Allah was born into the QURAYSH TRIBE in MECCA (Arabia) COMPLETE NAME: “Abu al-Qasim Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Abd ad- Muttalib ibn Hashim ibn Abd Manaf ibn Qusai ibn Kilab” -He grew up under the guidance of his uncle who was a trader. -He was known to be generous, honest, truthful, & sincere man. -Later on, he was regarded by the affluent traders in Arabian Peninsula as “EL AMIN” or “THE TRUTHFUL”. 595 CE: Muhammad met KHADIJAH, an older and wealthy widow. He was hired as a “CARAVAN MANAGER” and eventually, marries Khadijah and they had SIX CHILDREN. 610 CE: ANGEL GABRIEL appeared to Muhammad inside the cave of Mt. Hira and revealed to him the first revelations of QUR’AN and told him that he is the prophet of God. 622 CE: Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to YATHRIB or MEDINA. this journey was called THE HEGIRA and was considered by Muslims to be the special beginning of the Islamic Calendar.