Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #9: The Incarnation of God

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #9: The Incarnation of God: "After viewing 'The Nativity Story', analyzing your chosen Christmas carol, and reading Philippians 2:1-7, reflect on the meaning of Christma..."

Jesus, in "The Nativity Story", is described as someone divine, from heaven, as the Messiah, or the Savior. He is the son of God, and often times described as the King of Kings, as someone that stood above all others. The scriptures, songs and stories and even the movie, all serve to exemplify and reiterate these titles. In the christmas carol. "Away in a manger" The first lines of the thirds stanza goes,

"

The cattle are lowing

The poor baby wakes

"

This serves to illustrate where he was born. And it was in a very humble manger. To think that the son of God was born in such a place, as a baby, is mind blowing. It is as though his love for us, was shown through putting himself in such a lowly position. Mary and Joseph, as were shown in the nativity, were required to accept. Accept the events that were being thrown at them such as Mary's immaculate conception as well as their journey all the way to Jerusalem. This same thing was required of the astrologers and shepherds. And it was to accept that such a thing was happening, and that it was not some big coincidence. But because they did accept, the story was able to play out as it did. As I said, Jesus was the Messiah, the Lord, The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and was equal with God. Jesus, however, came down. And this shows several things about him. It shows that he loves us. But not only that, it shows a type of God that is willing to approach his people in a non-threatening, non-forceful yet loving and kind way. And it is because it is non-forceful that it would be the right way for God to come to his people anyways, because he wants us to love him back, not just be forced to worship him.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives: "Find where Islamic religious beliefs intersect with current events. Research a Western news source on the story and summarize the artic..."

The 9/11 attacks were the focal point of the conflict between the United States and the Middle east. Its its immediate effects, such as loss of human life, the crash of the economy, and widespread paranoia, were huge. Its after-effect, however, were great as well. Specifically, one effect was of the anti-Islamic sentiment that gained momentum. More recently, though, this issue has again escalated in the official "Burn a Qu'ran Day" planned by Reverend Terry Jones. This was in remembrance of 9/11 and the victims of it and was planned to occur on September 11 of this year. And despite death threats, Terry Jones said that they would burn the 200 copies of Qu'ran either way. Condemned by Hillary Clinton and various factions of Middle eastern press, Terry Jones adamantly states that he will press on so that he would be able to convey a message. However, the article addresses the fact that the United States is a nation that supports and encourages all types of religion. There was much commotion about this, internationally as well. For example, muslims from afghanistan lined up and burned effigies of Jones while chanting "Death to America".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/08/hillary-clinton-plan-to-burn-quran-disrespectful

In the other half of the world, many muslims wonder why the United States does not ban Reverend Terry Jones from doing this, as they have explicitly promised violence do to this action. And this is because of the american freedom to do, and to express themselves. The aljazeera article, as linked, http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/09/201099184720360588.html then continues to explain the american right of freedom to express oneself, religiously in whatever manner is deemed appropriate by the person.

Having read both articles, I find it truly amazing how different they are. First of all, the western article, from the Guardian focuses in on the events, while the al jazeera text focuses in on the legal aspect of why the american government would even allow such an event to occur. However, it is interesting that the Guardian article shows that actually, the us government, really, is trying to "prevent" it in its own way. Because who wants to have to undergo both domestic and international scorn, as was seen from Hillary Clinton from within and other Muslims internationally. One difference is that, the al jazeera article makes it seem obvious that such events would be banned when it comes to religion and the Qu'ran. However, in this case, the "government" did not allow it.

Modern Religious Experience: Personal Commemoration- Reflection #7

Modern Religious Experience: Personal Commemoration- Reflection #7: "Think of an event in your life- past, present or future. You are going to create a commemorative ritual for this event. First, describe the ..."

The event that I want to create, would commemorate the closeness of my family. Not just my immediate family that is, but my extended family. Almost once a week, our family calls our extended family back in the states via skype or phone (although that sometimes skyrockets our phone-bill). And at least once or twice a month, I share a meal with my aunt and family, my only other relatives on my mothers side out in korea. And every year, without fail, we all meet up together and go vacationing, be it to Lake Arrowhead, or to Hawaii. And every year, we get closer and closer. This in itself is important to me because not every family is as close as I see my family is to each other. Thus, the event itself I want to create, is a time of silence, and reflection, as thanks for each other. The phrase that I would want all of us to say, together before all of our meals (excluding the meal prayer) would be, "Thank you Lord, for everything. Thank you for each other, and thank you for our love for each other." And after this phrase, the aforementioned moment of silence and thanksgiving would follow. Then we would share our meal. This would be at every dinner meal at the vacation.

Modern Religious Experience: The Morality of Greek Myths- Reflection #6

Modern Religious Experience: The Morality of Greek Myths- Reflection #6: "The Creation of Seasons: Demeter and PersephoneFor this reflection, upload a picture that represents your character in the Greek myth you pr..."

                In the Greek myth, "The Creation of the Seasons: Demeter and Persephone" that our group acted out, I played of Zeus. The myth basically starts with Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, attracting Hades', the little brother of Zeus, eye. She is frolicking on Earth, Demeter's backyard, when Hades is granted permission by Zeus to kidnap Persephone. She is kidnapped, and when Demeter finds out, she lets everything die, as she has power over all nature. Seeing the suffering on earth, Zeus makes Hades return Persephone, who he had taken for a wife, but not early enough, because Persephone was tricked into eating 7 pomegranate seeds. The seeds keep her in the Underworld with Hades 7 months out of the year, and it is said that at this time, Nature withers and winter comes, but when Persephone is returned, flowers come out and spring comes. This myth attempts to explain why there are four seasons and how they were created. 

              The moral of the story is well, quite superficially, that one should not kidnap anyone regardless of how insignificant the consequences seem. But on a deeper note, I think that the moral being taught and virtue that can be found significant in Greek was that of Love. The power of a mother's love that would lead Demeter to wreak such havok on nature and overcome Hades love of Persephone. One should learn that, when it comes to family, that one should not blink an eye in keeping them safe, no matter what the cost.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk: "After visiting the Zen Buddhist Temple, Bongwonsa and attempting to see nature as a Taoist, answer this question: What is it about creation,..."

Science does a great many things for us. It helps us get from place to place faster, it allows me to type on this computer, and it even flew us to the moon. And in modern society today, it has replaced what used to be for many people, religion. But it does not feed us. Not feed in the physical sense, but it didn’t feed our spiritual needs. I believe that all of us have these needs, this place inside of us that needs nourishment, that needs a sense of purpose and place to belong. That is why I am a christian and why christianity fulfills that for me. But on a less personal note, it seems that most people, in the past and present, seek religion
I was reminded of this idea when we went to the Bongwonsa temple this past tuesday. And it was my first real buddhist experience. I had been to the temple before, but had never learned so much. And I was reminded of this aforementioned idea of spiritual needs when, as I was translating for the monk, he started to explain about the ox and how it was our thoughts of worldliness. He said that the first step to enlightenment was getting control of our worldliness and worldly thoughts which was our cow. He said that from the moment we are born, we want things, and that we have likes and dislikes. And to achieve enlightenment, he said that we must throw away these thoughts. And that is one reason, it seems like, for why we have religion. It is that people want to be at peace with themselves, that they want to be able to be happy with their lot in life, without coveting others and that they want to be able to live happily without a great many things. That is the Buddhist answer to our need for spirituality, at least.

Personally, I think that people seek religion because we all have a sense of insecurity. Because what really happens when we die. Who really knows? I mean our bodies decompose and are (usually) buried, but what happens to our souls. Religion answers this question without a shadow of a doubt. And it fills our souls with reassurance that life is good, and will be good for the rest of time.

For others, it seems as though it helps bring order to a chaotic world. It gives them, and me, a place to belong, as a member of something. For example, worshippers of islam, all stop at the same time of the day, 5 times a day, no matter what they’re doing and they worship. I can only imagine what it feels like to worship with millions of others. It would bring me peace and a sense of belonging.

The other day, I was having a conversation with one of my friends in my church youth group, when one them screamed, “I’m a scientologist!” It was obviously a joke and not really knowing what it was, we laughed. But this seemingly benign event prompted me to think, at great length later that day about what scientology was. I was curious. And I looked up what scientology was and it turned out to be, “The name of an applied religious philosophy, supposed to encourage development of the human spirit”. And we all have this a spirit, spiritual needs. Science or no science, scientologist or not scientologist, we all have these spiritual needs that can only be fulfilled through religion.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation: "Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own 'fig tree' as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintue..."

Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own "fig tree" as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintues, notice to where your mind wanders. Can you attain "right thoughts", "right mindfulness" and "right concentration".
Write a one paragraph reflection about this time. Could you empty your mind to seek life's truths? What did you have trouble controlling in your mind? Finally, what inspriation did you receive? Any? If not, why not?

My place of quiet and meditation was outside, on a bench in the playground. It was at night, so things were relatively quiet. And because of this quiet, I was truly able to meditate. I focused on breathing in blessings and breathing out distractions. It was good because amidst my busy schedule and the excessive amount of work I had it was good to focus. It was soothing, and because of the cold, I felt that I was able to refocus. However, even though I was able to refocus and relax, I was able not able to empty my mind, let alone seek life's truths. The very word refocus indicates that I was focused on one thing, and that was homework. But one thing I did recieve was inspiration. It was to stop, procrastinating. I understand that this again sounds superficial, but procrastination has been a growing problem for me. It keeps me from not only finishing my homework but from getting sleep, and doing more important things that I could do if i didn't procrastinate. One feeling that kept on popping in my head with this idea was regret. It was regret that as a senior, procrastination was keeping me from spending valuable and limited time with my family. My resolve to improve my time management was strengthened.

Gandhi Movie Reflection

Gandhi’s idea of hinduism was an accepting, all encompassing religion that at its core were all the traditional values that we consider quite important. These values included the idea of self sacrifice, moral higher ground, non-violence or Ahmisa, tolerance, and the power of the atman or true inner self. The aforementioned belief in an accepting, tolerant religion can be seen in the movie through his speech when a mob is chanting for the death of a muslim leader. In his speech to the mob, he addresses them by saying that his old guru used to preach to him not just from the vedas but also the Bible and Qu’ran. Another of Gandhi’s beliefs that was exemplified in the movie was that of the Ahmisa. When he was protesting the pass laws, Gandhi was struck down, yet he, in his Ahmisa, sacrificed his well being and burned his papers.

In his teachings, Gandhi once preached that “an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” Every time something bad happened, such as when he was beaten, protesting the pass laws, he never retaliated in anger. He always just took it. A prime example of his this teaching can be seen through tone of the final sketches in the movie when a man comes and confesses to killing a child out of anger and vengeance. Furthermore, whenever he an injustice was done to him, he instead of changing this injustice by taking from others, but from taking from himself, or sacrificing himself.