yahoo post #14 (optional)

What did you learn about the Holocaust that you did not know before the reading

When Did Hitler Decide on the Final Solution?
I was unaware that there was a debate as to when Hitler ordered the Final Solution. Also, the fact that Heinrich Himmler appeared troubled after being informed of the Final Solution shows that no matter what, human decency fails in light of ideology. I was unaware that Hitler blamed the Jews for the cause of the first World War, let alone the second World War, and for this, he chose to exterminate them. Finally, I was unaware that camps and alternative methods of elimination were considered just to avoid the public spectacle that ensued when shooting down Jews.

Albert Speers "Edifice of Lies"
I have never heard of Albert Speers, let alone a "Good Nazi." I was unaware of the "Posen Speech" given by Heinrich Himmler and the implications it had on Nazi officers.

The Jewishness of the Holocaust
I was unaware that the Nazi party was around for 25 years. I was unaware that the order to eliminate all Jews came in 2 separate orders, kill all eastern European Jews and then kill all European Jews. I was unaware that the Nazi’s believed Communism to be a creation of the Jews. I was unaware that the constant target of the Final Solution was strictly the Jews. I had always imagined it to be the elimination of all non-Germans. I was also unaware that the Holocaust was coined as such mainly to describe the "Jewish aspect of the Final Solution."

yahoo post #13 (optional)

Jesus from Jewish sources

Josephus on Jesus
There lived a man named Jesus who was capable of godly acts. Through his teaching and feats he was able to amass a following of people. He came to be known as the Messiah. His claims brought him before Pilate and thus was condemned and crucified. His crucifixion did not diminish his following. On the third day following his death, Jesus appeared to his followers. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy.

Celus on Jesus
Jesus was born to a poor working woman who was accused of adultery by her husband. After his birth, Jesus was a working boy in Egypt. While in Egypt, Jesus was able to learn magic and the dark arts. Upon his return home, Jesus made himself out to be a god.
Tertullian Mocks Jewish ‘Slanders’
Jesus was mocked the Jews and accused of being a bastard and rule breaker who was possessed by the devil. Upon his return, Tertullian is lambasting the Jews for their cruelty and erroneous ways.

Yeshu and Joshua b. Perachiah
Yeshua and Joshua ben Perachiah fled Jerusalem to Alexandria. They only returned after receiving a letter from Rabbi Simeon ben Shetach. On their way home, Yeshua and Joshua stopped by an unattractive inn. Joshua sent Yeshua away because he thought Yeshua viewed things from a negative viewpoint. When Yeshua tried to get Joshua’s forgiveness, Joshua shooed him away. Yeshua concluded that sinners are and purveyors of sin are beyond redemption.

Simeon ben Azzai finds a Genealogy
Jesus is the bastard son of an adulteress.

Evidence of Innocence Sought in Vain
Jesus was executed during the time of the Passover. He was accused of practicing magic and the dark arts and corrupting the people of Israel into straying from God. When chance came for him to be spared his fate, no one came to his aid.

Jesus’ Students/Disciples
Jesus had 5 disciples. All were executed because scripture called for it.

Toledoth Yeshu
A certain unsavory man named Joseph Pandera tricked a naive, married girl named Miriam into having sex with him. When the truth of his trickery was revealed and with Miriam pregnant, Miriam’s husband abandoned her and left for Babylonia.

Miriam gave birth to Jesus. From the onset, Jesus showed a lack of respect for the traditions and teachings of the tribe. Due to his unruly behavior, the truth of Jesus’ conception came to light.
There existed a temple that contained the true name of God. Anyone who was able to obtain and retain the true name of God would possess God’s powers. Jesus found out the true name of God and was able to retain it, thus, using God’s powers on earth. Jesus was able to amass a following because of his godlike powers. Jesus started to quote scripture and proclaim himself the Messiah. Jesus was intent on fulfilling the scriptures. This upset the Sages.
The Sages tried to have Jesus arrested when they brought him up on charges before the Queen but he was able to convince her otherwise. He did so by raising the dead. The Sages were reprimanded by the Queen and embarrassed by Jesus. Much later, the Sages convinced the Queen to bring Jesus up on charges. This time Jesus was proclaiming himself to be the Son of God. Much like the first time, Jesus was able to convince the Queen otherwise. He was able to levitate himself. Again, the Sages were reprimanded by the Queen and embarrassed by Jesus.
The Sages would try once more to have the Queen bring Jesus on charges. On this third time, they brought with them Judas. The Sages gave Judas the true name of God so that he will be able to offset anything Jesus would do. Their ruse worked. Jesus was convicted and sentenced to death.

After his death, Jesus’ disciples tried to convince the Queen she had murdered the Messiah. To prove their claim, they want to exhume his grave to show that there was no body and it has ascended to heaven. The Queen immediately put forth a proclamation that called for the body of Jesus. Upon hearing this notice, a gardener removed Jesus’ body from it’s grave to insure that Jesus’ disciples would not be proven truthful. The Sages were able to retrieve Jesus’ body from the gardener and prove to the Queen that Jesus was a mere mortal. It would take Paul’s proclamation that he was a disciple of Jesus to redeem Jesus.

yahoo post #12

Give a detailed summary of the material presented in this chapter.
Christianity has 3 factions, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism, and Roman Catholicism. All three have a central focus, Jesus Christ. For the Roman Catholics, Christianity is based on the concepts of "Teaching Authority and Sacramental Agent." Teaching Authority to the Roman Catholics is the belief that Jesus was God incarnate and he came to earth to give life lessons that better prepare us for the afterlife. This, in turn, leads to the idea that the Pope is God’s voice on earth and because he is speaking on behalf of God concerning matters of the human soul, he is free of error. In regards to the Sacramental Agent, the Roman Catholic Church piggybacks Teaching Authority in that it acts as the Agent that helps us do what the Pope tells us is best for our soul and salvation. The Roman Catholic Church promotes the seven sacraments of life which are Baptism, Confirmed (confirmation), Holy Matrimony (marriage), Holy Orders, Sacrament of the Sick, Reconciliation (confession), and Mass. Also, the Roman Catholic Church believe that the Holy "Trinity dwells in every Christian soul" and only through prayer and confession can one possibly experience God’s grace.

For Eastern Orthodoxy, although it shares quite a bit with Roman Catholicism, such as the Sacraments and "intent regarding the Teaching Authority", it differs in regards to interpreting scripture and how those interpretations come about. In Eastern Orthodoxy, the "developments’ of doctrine" conducted by the Roman Catholic Church are viewed as "additions" which are a necessity of faith. Also, since Eastern Orthodoxy does not have a Pope to lead their church, any decisions made, anything resembling a final word concerning the human soul, faith, and salvation is left to "the conscience of the Church" or the people of the church. The people are the conscience of the Church because, as Christians, they are a part of the God and Christ and, as a result, are a part of each other. Within Eastern Orthodoxy, salvation is a team effort; the Church and it parishioners are bound by faith. This extends beyond the pews into pulpit. The bound is so great within Eastern Orthodoxy that the parishioners elect church officials and have a voice in the dogmas it practices. Also, Eastern Orthodoxy encourages the active pursuit of God’s grace.

For Protestantism, Christianity is based on the concepts of "Justification by Faith and the Protestant Principle." Justification by Faith is the believing with your entire being. It’s believing with your body, heart, and mind. The Protestants believe that nothing the church has to offer matters unless it moves you to the core. Unless one is touched body, heart, and mind by what is being preached, the teachings amount to "mere mouthings." Why must they be touched body, heart, and mind? Believing body, heart, and mind convinces one that they are experiencing "God’s love" and when one experiences "God’s love" they are compelled to act from the good with genuine volition. In regards to the Protestant Principle, "it warns against idolatry" of any form or nature.

Yet, who is this Jesus that Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism believe in? To answer this, one would have to review the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith. The Jesus of history, was born at or about four B.C. in Palestine and raised in Nazareth. He was baptized by John the Baptist. While in his thirties, Jesus developed a following of disciples due to his abilities to teach and heal. Soon he upset the majority, which included Jews and Romans. He was crucified as a result of his teachings and the message he was spreading. Jesus used the idea of God and the promise of a coming Messiah to "alleviate suffering and seek a new social order." He was able to so by three proclamations, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me," "By the Spirit of God I cast out demons," and "Thy kingdom come, on earth." By proclaiming that the "Spirit of the Lord is upon me," Jesus is stating that he is the fulfillment of a prophecy. He is here to give monotheism a facelift. Man and God, man and the spirit world would no longer be separated. Jesus is stating that he has the power to affect change because he has the Spirit of God within him. By proclaiming "By the Spirit of God I cast out demons," Jesus is stating that he is here to exorcize not just the Jews but all of humanity of its wickedness. This was intended to promote community amongst inhabitants of earth. Finally, by proclaiming "Thy kingdom come, on earth," Jesus is stating that change can come about via civil disobedience. This started by challenging traditional customs and practice amongst the Jews. Jesus did believe that God was strictly for the "Chosen Ones." He believed that God was accessible to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. It must be noted that his was strictly a challenging of the social order and reaffirmation of God’s role in the lives of every human being.

The Jesus of Faith is arriving at via three descriptions, "He went about doing good," "Never spoke man thus," and "We have seen his glory." Jesus is described as going about doing good because he never placed much emphasis on his miraculous deeds. His intentions to make God accessible to everyone and to change the social order allowed for him to travel in many circles with relative ease. Because he was completely unaffected by the social rules of his time, many believed that this is how God would act if he were human. When Jesus is described as speaking unlike any other because he was an excellent orator, he was urgent, quick, vivid, and raw. Most important, though, it was his message that resonated most. Jesus was teaching that God matters and God loved all of humanity, not just the "Chosen Ones." Via his teachings and sermons, Jesus was implicitly encouraging revolution, not just of the social order but of the spiritual order, as well. Finally, to those who were fortunate to have witnessed Jesus in action, they believed they have seen God in the flesh. Jesus walked the walk and talked the talk. He lived as he taught. "From the accounts that we have, his entire life was one of humility, self-giving, and love that sought not its own." Jesus saw himself as the living embodiment of God. The example he lived would be a reflection of God. Jesus was "concerned with what people thought of God." Jesus truly lived according to God’s will.

Jesus’ life as perceived by those who believed in his message kick started a new religion. From the example of Jesus’ life, a feeling of regard for fellow man and the feeling of joy lived and experienced emerged. Amongst those who heeded the message, an understanding of Agape pervaded and the knowledge of the Holy Spirit dwelt inside. As the example and message spread, the growth in believers and converts gave rise to the Church. The Church initially promoted three doctrines, "the doctrine of Incarnation," "the doctrine of the Atonement," and "the Trinity." "The doctrine of Incarnation" proclaims that Jesus was God incarnate. This is important in that what is stated is that God had such a genuine interest into the affairs of man that he was willing to experience human life and suffer as man suffers. Succinctly stated, God was Jesus and Jesus was man, therefore, Jesus the man was God. "The doctrine of the Atonement" proclaims that Jesus’ life and crucifixion freed man from original sin that Jesus’ life and death redeemed humanity. Finally, "the Trinity" proclaims that although God is one being, he encompasses the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What is intended by this proclamation is that God is still this supernatural being but he is also a living example and this living example was moved to remind us all of God’s love for humanity by the Holy Spirit which is accessible to all of us.

yahoo post #11

Discuss the main ideas in False Testament and compare the research to a more traditional perspective.
Daniel Lazare’s article, False Testament, is an article that points out inaccuracies in Hebrew history. He cites archaeology’s recent finds as proof that Judaism is based on a series of lies.
Lazare cites archaeological discoveries as showing that the Jews of the Holy Land were indigenous, that the great prophets of Judaism were possibly combinations of an assortment of local legends, that the great Jewish empire of David was nothing more than an invention, and that Judaism itself possibly blossomed between the two major conquests of Israel and Judah. From the evidence presented, Lazare states that Judaism and the creation of Israel is nothing more than a product "of big-power politics in which every nation aspired to the imperial greatness of Babylon or an Egypt." Lazare’s claims are especially explosive because Judaism is steeped in history. It is their history as the "Chosen Ones" that gives meaning to their lives and faith. Yet, to think that their history is comprised of pure and utter fabrication is mind blowing.

In Jewish history, the Exodus is what defines them as a people. "From the perspective of the Exodus everything fell into place. From the beginning God has been leading, protecting, and shaping his people for the decisive Exodus event that made of the Israelites a nation." This particular event in Jewish history gives them meaning in human existence and as a people, yet, Lazare points out that recent discoveries prove that the Exodus never occurred. He alludes to the fact that a review of Egyptian records reveal that there has never been any mention of a mass escape. Ever. In Jewish history, God revealed to the Jews that they are his "Chosen Ones." They are a nation of two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. They are a nation that is conquered by the Assyrians and the Babylonians because they did not heed God’s warning to get their act together. This particular event in history gave them meaning in suffering, yet, Lazare points out that Judaism as a religion didn’t even exist at this particular time in history. Also, the two kingdoms were not kingdoms at all. If anything, Judaism was just starting to develop in a strong Israel and a weak Judah after the Assyrian conquest and before the Babylonian conquest.

Lazare mentions the Exodus and the conquests of Israel and Judah as fodder for his claim. A claim that states that recent Jewish history attempts to exploit ancient Jewish history gave rise to what "Israeli archaeologist Eliezer Sukenik described as a specifically ‘Jewish archaeology." It is Jewish archaeology that has enabled politics, religion, and science to meld in Israel and around the world, which ultimately made it almost impossible to question any part of Jewish history. Yet, questioning it has proved to be damning. Not only were events found to be inaccurate in time and place but individuals themselves were found to be completely fabricated. Nothing in the bible, nothing in Jewish history turned out to be true.

Now the Jews are right where they began. They are left to question their history as a people, including all the meanings attributed to them. The are left to question the supposed acts of the collective and whether or not they really happened. They are left to question their history really and whether it is an accidental history or a purposeful one. And finally, they are left to question whether or not they should be decisive in accepting the recent discoveries concerning their history.

What do you think of this topic?
I have never put much into culture, faith, and tradition. I’ve always felt that the aforementioned is both a crutch and a trap. It is a crutch because one can lean too heavily on culture, faith, and tradition to the point where they are completely defined by said culture, faith, and tradition. Culture, faith, and tradition are a trap in that they do not leave to much room for diversity and inclusiveness, which ultimately can lead to arrogance and bigotry. With that said, I think this topic is a non-issue. Why? Whether historical dates are inaccurate or the religion was founded on lie mean nothing to me because it still won’t change the fact people believe it to be true. The history after the lie is all that matters and Judaism now has a history apart from the one purported in the Bible. Judaism exists, the Jews exists, Israel exists, these facts are something a lie cannot remove or take away from.

yahoo post #10

Write a general overview/summary of Judaism as presented in chapter seven of your text.
According to Huston Smith, Judaism is a religion that sought meaning and whilst on that search they ultimately found meaning in God, creation, human existence, history, morality, justice, suffering, and messianism.

Judaism found meaning in God in that the Hebrews understood God to be the "Supreme Being." The Hebrew God proved to be meaningful because it was not "prosaic, chaotic, amoral, or hostile." The Hebrew God proved not to be prosaic because the Jews viewed it as a person, it was personified. The Hebrew God proved not to be chaotic because the Jews believed that their God transcended nature, which was chaotic. The Jews believed nature was created by their God, therefore, their God ruled nature. Also, the Hebrew God gave meaning to their life. It was a constant and this provided stability during the most turbulent of times. The Hebrew God proved not to be amoral and hostile because it did not pursue mortal women for sport as the gods of Greece had done and it did not distance itself from humans or act as if humans didn’t matter as the gods of Mesopotamia had done. The Hebrew God was moral and just and very much interested in the lives of humans, to which they would exult, "Who is like you among the gods, O Yahweh?"

Judaism found meaning in creation in that where others thought life to be a curse, the Jews believed it to be a blessing. The Jews accepted all of life’s obstacles, all of life’s trials and tribulations because they believed it to be part of God’s will and if God willed it, then it couldn’t be bad. God knew better than they so whatever they had to endure must be for the good of the people. Life and all that it had to offer were not just good, it was "very" good and it was there for the taking. Their thoughts on creation would also carry over to the afterlife. If God created everything, including the human body which houses the soul, then, the human body must be good, therefore, it must have a purpose here and the hereafter. Thus, even in death the creation continues in that the body is resurrected in the hereafter.

Judaism found meaning in human existence in that they never lost sight of man’s capabilities. They were well aware of the eternal struggle man would endure. The potential for moral weakness and transgression was always there but the potential for moral strength and affirmation was always there, as well. But for the Jews, the struggle appeared to weigh heavy because of they understood that man has failed in his freedom. Man has failed in that his choices were not the choices in which God had intended and hoped for and in turn, those choices distanced man from God due to guilt. Yet, in spite of man’s missteps, God never turned his back on his creation. The Hebrew God, therefore, was a loving God and they were his children.

Judaism found meaning in history in that it gave meaning to their life as people. History is important because the Jews believed that an understanding of how one lives their life, gives one the knowledge as to why certain problems arose or how certain opportunities were made available, and why one is where one is at in this stage in life. They saw the importance of taking meaning from one’s life. Second, the Jews believed the understanding of one’s personal history gives way to the fact that one person cannot always go at it alone, they will need help at some point; that the world is what it is because of the collective action of people, not a single person Third, the Jews believed everything happens for a reason, that there is no such thing as an accident in this world. God was the one who presented the problems and opened the doors of opportunity for all. God fashioned obstacles to be overcome. God fashioned all trails and tribulations as a way for spiritual growth. Whatever one encountered, it was purposely put there by God as a way to learn a lesson God intended you to learn. Finally, the Jews understood that there are instances in life that can never be relived. That when opportunity presents itself, one must act decisively. It is decisive action is what can make or break a man and a people. It is decisive action that will resonate throughout the ages. For the Jews, God was decisive when he acted on there behalf during critical points in their history and they were decisive as a people when they heeded God’s calling to be the "chosen people." Which is why they, more than any other peoples, have"singled themselves out for responsibilities rather than privileges." He chose them "to serve , and to suffer the trials that service would often exact." God chose the Jews for a reason.

Judaism found meaning in morality in that it determined how one should interact with others. Considering that man is a social animal in that he needs others to be human, he also acts out like an animal while around others. Morality bridges this divide. The Jews compiled 613 commandments that they thought were necessary to live an orderly and social existence. The Ten Commandments targeted "four principal danger zones..., which are force, wealth, sex, and speech." In regards to force, killing within the group will only promote blood feuds which in turn divides the community, therefore, "thou shalt not murder." In regards to wealth, to accumulate and amass wealth is fine, so long as you do not steal. Stealing from others will only generate resentment and ill-feelings that potentially can spin out of control, therefore, "thou shalt not steal." In regards to sex, any sex is fine so long as you don’t have sex with someone else’s husband or wife. Having sex with someone whom is married is taboo and strictly forbidden, therefore, "thou shalt not commit adultery." Finally, in regards to speech, say what you must but never lie while under oath, therefore, "thou shalt not bear false witness."

Judaism found meaning in justice in that their prophets understood that responsibility was not just on the individual but more so on society and that society will be judged "on the justice of its social order." Justice arrived via three stages of prophethood: the Prophetic Guilds, the Individual Pre-Writing Prohpets, and the Writing Prophets. In regards to the Prophetic Guilds, prophecy was a group venture. Groups of individuals would "lose their self-consciousness in a collective sea of divine intoxication." The loss of self-consciousness convinced both the practitioner and spectator that they were tapping into the divine. In regards to the Individual Pre-Writing Prophets, individual personalities emerged. It is during this stage of prophethood that prophecy became an individual act and God used the individual as a conduit to share his concerns and revelations. In regards to the Writing Prophets, God now spoke out on "injustices that were embedded in the social fabric." The injustices God spoke of were of the sort that would cast a negative light on the nation of Israel and thus, justify God’s wrath onto Israel. In other words, Israel was not meeting God’s standards and would have to be punished. Injustice of any sort will not be tolerated by God and should not be tolerated by man

Judaism found meaning in suffering in that they came to understand their predicament as God having high expectations of them. This belief required a high degree of belief. They never stopped believing in their God, they never stopped believing that everything happened for a reason, and most importantly, they never stopped believing that they were God’s chosen people. This allowed for them to never give up in the face of crisis and to continuously move forward in spite of overwhelming odds. Whatever they had to endure, God intended it to be. Each lesson learned in the face of trial and tribulation was an experience to later be of value to the world.

Finally, Judaism found meaning in messianism because the symbol of the messiah gave the Jews hope of a better tomorrow. Yet there was some disagreement about the actual messiah. For some the messiah would be politically charged, while for others the messiah would focus on the spirituality of man. For some the messiah would be "an actual Messiah," while for others the messiah would be an agent of God. For some the messiah would restore Israel to its past glory, while for others the messiah would make Israel a utopian society. Finally, for some the messiah would continue with Hebrew history, while for others the world would be presided over by a supernatural force.

All of the aforementioned allowed the Jews to put into practice rituals that have brought more meaning to their life. The importance of the ritual, not just as a religious practice, but also as a life practice, cannot be underestimated. "Ritual scripts our actions and directs our responses." Rituals help in times of death. Rituals help when courage is needed. Rituals even help during times of celebration. For the Jew, rituals are "The Hallowing of Life".

yahoo post #9

Give a general overview of Muhammad and Islam: biography of Muhammad, main philosophical teachings, main practices, etc.
The religion and word Islam have two meanings. The first meaning is that of "peace" and the second meaning is that of "surrender." It is the religion that brings peace to the practitioner’s life once he has surrendered it over to God. Islam is a religion that continues with the revelations of Moses and Jesus but ends with Muhammad, The Prophet.

Muhammad was born in 570 A.D. in the city of Mecca in Arabia. His family was from the leading tribe, the Koreish. When he was a young boy, Muhammad was orphaned and later adopted by his uncle. When Muhammad was a young man he ventured into the caravan business. When he was 25 years old he would meet a 40 year old woman named Khadija, whom would become his wife. Fifteen years of marriage and life would pass before Muhammad’s life and the world would change. Muhammad would frequently seek quiet and alone time in a cave outside of Mecca to contemplate life’s eternal struggle since the polytheism and superstitions of his day provided no answer. Muhammad was reaching out to the one that the Meccans called Allah. It would be in this cave, during one of his vigils that he would receive his first revelation from the angel, Gabriel, "La ilaha illa ‘llah! There is no god but God!" Muhammad’s first convert was his wife, Khadija. She would be the one to convince Muhammad that what he was hearing were divine messages from God. Muhammad would continue to receive these divine messages for the next 23 years. Once Muhammad commenced to sharing his revelations with the populace of Arabia, he was met with much hostility from the leaders of Mecca. "The reasons for the hostility can be reduced to three: its uncompromising monotheism threatened polytheistic beliefs and the considerable revenue that was coming to Mecca from pilgrimages to its 360 shrines; its moral teachings demanded and end to the licentiousness that citizens clung to; and it social content challenged an unjust order." Despite the onslaught of hostility, Muhammad continued to share his revelations. In time, Muhammad would start to win over the hearts and minds of the people of Mecca, as well as the people of Yathrib, a city that was 280 miles away from Mecca. In 622 A.D., Muhammad and his followers would leave Mecca for Yathrib in what would be known as the hijra. Once in Yathrib, Muhammad would soon be given charge of the city. The city would soon be known as Medina, "the City of the Prophet." While proving to be a man capable of wearing many hats while leading Medina, Muhammad’s greatest success would be in his continuing to win over the hearts and minds of the people of Arabia. Again, this would lead to more hostility from the leaders of Mecca. Eight years after the hijra, Muhammad would march on Mecca in order to stem hostilities and to make Mecca the center of Islam. In 632 A.D., Muhammad would die as leader of all of Arabia.

According to Muhammad, the only miracle bestowed to the upon him for humanity was the Qur’an. He referred to the Qur’an as the "standing miracle." The Qur’an is the culmination of God’s revelations to humanity. The Qur’an is the "earthly center" of Islam.

The main philosophical teachings of Islam focus on four things: "God, Creation, the Human Self, and the Day of Judgement." Concerning God, Islam stresses God’s awesome power. It is God’s power that forces the believer to consider the reality that there is a right and wrong way to live one’s life; our choices have consequences in this world and the hereafter. It is God’s power that should be the deciding factor as to the kind of life we want to live. Concerning Creation, Islam stresses that God created the world and humankind deliberately. Due to God’s deliberate intentions, two things are revealed, the material world is real and that which was created is good. Concerning the Human Self, Islam stresses that humanity is innately good. If anything, humanity is guilty of forgetting its "divine origin." The Human Self has two obligations to God for his human existence, being thankful for his life and surrendering that life over to God. Finally, concerning the Day of the Judgement, Islam stresses a soul is either destined for "the Heavens or the Hells." When the day of "Reckoning" is afoot, an individual is left to judge himself before God.

The main practices of Islam are best captured in the Five Pillars of Islam. The Five Pillars teaches a Muslim to "walk the straight path." The first Pillar is the shahadah. The shahadah simply is a confession of faith in which a Muslim proclaims, "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet." The second Pillars is the canonical prayer. Muslims are expected to pray 5x’s a day. The prayer is intended to put perspective back into everyday life and to express gratitude for that life. The third Pillars is the practice of charity. Those who are comfortable in life and well-off are expected to share the wealth with those that are in need. The fourth Pillars is that every Muslim is expected to observe the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the month in which Muhammad started to receive his revelations from God and when he went on the hijra. During Ramadan, every Muslim is expected to fast from sun-up to sun-down. The fast is intended to teach "self-discipline. It reminds one of one’s frailty and dependence. And if fosters compassion, for only the hungry know what hunger means." Finally, the fifth Pillar is the pilgrimage to Mecca. At least once in their lifetime every Muslim is expected to visit Mecca. The pilgrimage is intended to "heighten the pilgrim’s commitment to God" and to remind the Muslim that all of humanity is a brotherhood.

In regards to the social practices of Islam, Muslims refer to the Qu’ran, which discusses four areas of life: economics, the status of women, race relations, and the use of force. Concerning economics, the Qu’ran stresses against classism and injustices against those without means to defend themselves. Capitalism is encouraged so long as compassion overrides greed and Muslims do not forget the third Pillar of faith. Concerning the status of women, the Qu’ran "improved woman’s status incalculably. They forbade infanticide. They required that daughters be included in inheritance." Also, the Qu’ran "leaves open the possibility of woman’s full equality with man, an equality this is being approximated as the customs of Muslim nations become modernized." Most importantly, it was the idea of marriage that the Qu’ran contributed to the status of women. First, marriage is a done deal once the couple has intercourse. Second, women had a say as to whether or not they wanted to marry. Thirdly, the Qu’ran allows for divorce only as a last resort and they are allowed to keep the money provided to them by their husband before the marriage. Concerning race relations, Islam does not accept any racial injustice or bigotry whatsoever. Racial equality is a fundamental practice in Islam. Finally, concerning the use of force, Islam allows for the use of force if need be. "It must be either defensive or to right an horrendous wrong," yet, stresses that forgiveness is better.

What did you find most interesting about this reading?
What I found most interesting about this reading is the sheer practicality of the Qu’ran. It’s functions as a guide to everyday life and it’s a blue print on how to be a proper Muslim.

Discuss what you got out of the two films assigned.
* I was unable to access the BBC film *

In regards to the film, Muhammad, The Prophet, I learned that there was an attempt on Muhammad’s life by the leaders of Mecca. I also learned that Muhammad married 11 different women from 11 different tribes. I didn’t know that woman’s rights in Islam were centuries ahead of their Christian counterparts. These rights included the right to life, the right to an education, to inherit, and the right to undertake business transactions. I also didn’t know that the use of veils was a practice picked well after the death of Muhammad.

In regards to the film narrated by Ben Kingsley, The documentary describes the beginning of Muslim Faith. Islam, as it turns out, is vastly is understood. Islam is interwoven with western ideals. The documentary depicts how Islam has greatly influenced the world. Islam’s driving force is faith. Islam has influenced three continents. Islam introduced medicine and the numeric system. To the west, Islam has been distorted and feared throughout history, including present day. Islam spread to the four winds. The pilgrimage, or haj, to Mecca had become a tradition in a young mans life. Baghdad was able to capitalize on its centrality. It had become a city of wealth, and home to great thinkers. It became the pride of Islam. It had beautiful architecture and it was landscaped with mosques and parks. The finest citizens and greatest thinkers gathered at "the house of wisdom." The Muslims sought knowledge throughout the world. Islam spread out throughout the world. In Cordova, Spain a great Mosque was more technologically advanced than anything Europe. In the 11th century, Christianity and Islam came to head. The Crusades would last close to 200 years. Islam proved to be resilient and flourished despite oppression and aggression.

yahoo post #8

What is Gnosticism all about and how does it compare to Eastern ideas?
Gnosticism is a belief system that aspires to have knowledge of the spiritual world, or gnosis. This would include tapping into the divine or having a direct knowledge of God. Gnosis can be broken into two forms of knowledge, that which taps into the Divine and that which reveals techniques to in order for one to be with the Divine. The goal of Gnosticism is to free the spirit from its earthly trap, the human body, in order for it to ascend to the heavens to be with the divine. The divine in the Gnostic sense is "an Unknown, Nameless God who is unchanging and immeasurable, transcending any particularity or imposition one can attribute to it." The Gnostic idea of the Divine or God is in no way related to the biblical god that is known to be the creator of all things, including man. According to the Gnostics, this god of creation is a god of the lower rung because it is creation itself that has entrapped the spirit and keeps it preoccupied from it’s true focus.

Gnosticism compares to Eastern ideas, most notably the Sant tradition, in three different areas: doctrine, experience, and ethics. In the area of doctrine, Gnosticism compares to Eastern ideas in the way that the Gnostics and Eastern religions believe in a God that is transcendent, immeasurable, nameless, indescribable. This god is The God and is separate from all other gods, including the god of creation whom the Gnostics and Sants think of as a lower god. The Gnostics and Eastern religions also believe that individuals trapped in the material and have forgotten the divine are asleep or don’t know any better. Also, the Gnostics, Hindu’s, Buddhists, and Jains, believe in the idea of reincarnation as a way to salvation. Next, in the area of experience, Gnosticism compares to Eastern ideas in that the Gnostics and Eastern religions believe that to reach God one has to move beyond the waking state of existence. The Gnostics and Eastern religions also believe in a light and sound that acts as a guide to the Divine. Furthermore, the Gnostics and Eastern religions believe that there are a variety of realms one must pass through in order to reach the Divine. These realms can be described as "spiritual topography." Finally, in the area if ethics, the Gnostics and Eastern religions compare in varying degrees, all depending on which school of thought one is referring to. Where they diverge are on issues concerning of marriage, diet, and how one must interact with his reality.

yahoo post #7

Discuss Confucius’ main philosophical ideas and the Confucian Project
Confucius was intent on revitalizing all of Chinese society. He wanted to promote political and social harmony across China. Confucius’ main philosophical ideas were geared towards this end. He fashioned his ideas in response to two schools of thought, that of the Realists and Mo Ti. The Realist thought force was the answer and Mo Ti thought love as the answer. Confucius knew
that force would not change anything and love was very unrealistic. To arrive at an answer in response to the Realists and Mo Ti, Confucius looked to the past. Confucius wanted to fashion a new kind of tradition for China. This look to the past would make up his philosophical ideas.

Confucius’ philosophy consisted of five ideas. Confucius’ first idea was that of jen or how two people should interact with one another. For Confucius, this was his most important philosophical ideal. His second idea was that of chun tzu or the importance of making others feel at ease. I adhere to this thought process, when visiting my home, it is not my job to make you feel at home, it is your job to make me feel at home. This is what I think Confucius had in mind with chun tzu. Confucius’ third idea is that of li. Li has two meanings. The first meaning is that of propriety or the way people should act or do things. This covers how someone should act in public, that a person should always act in moderation, how someone should adhere to their roles in relation to parents, marriage, siblings, friends, and subordination. This ties into the importance of filial piety and respecting your elders. The second meaning of Li deals with rite. Confucius’ fourth idea is te or how someone should lead other men. Confucius believed that individuals need to be encourage to be lead. Leaders should lead by example, thus, earning the respect of those they will lead. And finally, Confucius’ fifth idea was that of wen or importance placed on the arts. Confucius believed that the arts had an unlimited impact on how the state or country is perceived by others. If a book is to be judged by its cover, then the arts have a very important role as to how others will view your culture.

The Confucian Project is Confucius’ implementation of his philosophical ideas. It is his attempt to transform the Chinese society. In Confucius’ grand scheme of things, the individual becomes the change Chinese society needs. When coupled with other individuals, change will spread like wildfire. The change starts with the individual. The individual impacts the family. The family impacts the community. The community impacts the state. The state impacts the world. It is all paid forward.

Discuss Taoism’s main philosophical ideas and Taoist values.
Taoism is a philosophical thought originating to an ancient Chinese philosopher by the name of Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu believed that all of humankind was genuinely good. His philosophical ideas are captured in the book, Tao Te Ching.

The Tao Te Ching gives three meanings to what Lao Tzu referred to as the way or Tao. The first definition defines Tao as the "way of ultimate reality." Lao Tzu described this first definition as the Tao that cannot be comprehended. It is infinity. It is the beginning, middle, end. It is everything. The second definition defines Tao as the "way of the universe." Lao Tzu implies that spirit is what drives all things. Finally, the third definition defines Tao as the "way of human life." Lao Tzu also gave three meaning to what he referred to as power or Te. It is the Te that has splintered Taoism into three different schools of thought: Philosophical Taoism, Religious Taoism, and the Taoism that wants more ch’i.

Taoism’s values are that it is reflective in nature and thus self-empowering for the practitioner. In regards to Philosophical Taoism, it’s main philosophical ideas pertain to matters of knowledge. Philosophical Taoism believes knowledge is power. They believe that when one has knowledge or wisdom, one will be better prepared to live a conservative life. A life that is not rife with drama or conflict. No drama in one’s personal life and no conflict with one’s reality. Philosophical Taoism prescribes wu wei as the way to live one’s life. This in essence it to live peacefully.

Compare and contrast these two Chinese philosophies.
Confucism is focused on political and social harmony. It emphasizes human interaction, hierarchal structures, and filial piety. Taoism is focused on the health of the human body. It’s concern is tapping into the Tao of the individual and properly utilizing the individual Te. Confucism looked to the past for answers. Taoism looks within for answers. Confucism maintains order. Taoism encourages impulsiveness. Confucism focused on man. Taoism focused of the spirit of man.

yahoo post #6

Utilizing Smith’s material on Buddhism, discuss the main basic Buddhist teachings / concepts and how Buddha arrived at them.
When Siddartha Gautama uttered the words, "I am awake," he became the words he had spoken, he became Buddha. Although his father tried his best to ensure his son would remain "in the world," it was fated that Siddartha would become Buddha and Buddha would redeem the world. Siddartha became Buddha after traveling many roads on his quest for truth. At first he sought out religious leaders, then he became an ascetic, and finally he became a yogi mystic of sorts. Buddha’s story begins where Siddartha’s story ends, at the Bo tree. After intense meditation and temptation from Mara, Buddha awoke enlightened and arrived at The Middle Way.

Buddha taught that the way to enlightenment first starts with knowing The Four Noble Truths. First there is dukkha. Dukkha is the belief that suffering is the cause of all life’s troubles. The cause of suffering is our need for attachment. Attachment to life, health, youth, love, and material possessions. Next, there is tanha. Tanha is the seeking of pleasure for one’s own self. Simply stated, selfishness. Tanha is, therefore, responsible for dukkha because it is our selfishness that causes our suffering. The third Noble Truth posits that once we understand our role in our suffering, i.e. selfishness, we will be relieved of the suffering our selfishness creates. Finally, the Fourth Noble Truth is The Eightfold Path.

Buddha prescribes The Eightfold Path as Noble Truth four as a guide to end suffering. The Four Noble Truths is meant to identify why we are in a spiritual funk and The Eightfold Path is the guide to get us out of that malaise. Although there are eight steps Buddha intended us to follow, Smith points out that there is an inferred ninth step and it is in fact the unspoken first step, right association. Right association simply means to be sure you are following someone who has all ready traveled down the path; be sure you have an excellent example to follow when starting out. With that said, The Eightfold Path begins with right knowledge. This step begins where The Four Noble Truths end. Right knowledge is the fourth noble truth. Next is right aspiration. Right aspiration is simply what we truly want from this life. It’s a decision that needs to be made by the one seeking enlightenment as to whether or not they want to pursue this for all the right reasons. Then there is right speech. Simply, be mindful of your words. Be careful of the things you say because they may come true. Once conscious of our words, then concentrate on speaking truthfully. Next is right behavior. Right behavior is also known as the Five Precepts of Buddhism. The Five Precepts are do not kill, do not steal, do not lie, and do not be unchaste. In Buddhism, the aforementioned are the equivalent to the Ten Commandments. Then is right livelihood. Right livelihood is either being a monk or finding work that contributes to all of society. Next is right effort. Right effort is exactly what is implies, doing what is morally right. Then there is right mindfulness. Right mindfulness is to be aware of one’s thoughts and one’s actions. To understand that our emotions and moods are not real and have no real baring on our reality. Right mindfulness implies that one is in tune with all there is, starting with one’s own self and how that self interacts with its reality. Finally, there is right absorption. Right absorption is how one contemplates on the aforementioned on a daily basis. It is the reminder as to why one has chosen to travel down this path.

After Buddha realized The Four Noble Truths and embraced The Eigthfold Path, Buddha arrived at the basic concepts which drive Buddhism. The basic concepts are the Three Marks of Existence. The first mark is that the world consists of suffering (dukkha), the second mark is that we have no real identity (anatta), and the third mark is that nothing is permanent (annica). We must accept these if we are to achieve nirvana. Nirvana is the goal of all Buddhists.

In what way is Buddhism similar to Hinduism and in what way very different?
In comparing Buddhism and Hinduism one will see more differences than similarities. First the similarities. Buddhism and Hinduism shared commonalities in their reverence for all creatures in existence, the practice of not killing animals for fun, and allowing all believers to worship regardless of social status. Also, Siddartha practiced a form of meditation similar to raga yoga on his way to becoming the Buddha and like Hinduism, Buddhism believes in the concept of reincarnation. Now the differences. Unlike Hinduism, which had Brahmin as religious leaders, Buddhism has no religious authority to save your soul. In Buddhism there is no rites or practices. There was worshiping of trinkets or prayers to gods. Buddhism encourage the questioning of authority. Because Buddhism was a new religion, it was not weighed down by customs and rituals. Buddha encourage individuals to make up there own mind about what he had to offer rather than them just taking him on his word. Buddhism put salvation, for lack of a better word, strictly in the hands of the practitioner. He wanted the practitioner to experience what he was offering. Buddha put an end to Hinduism fatalism. Buddhism stated that one can escape the karmic cycle in this lifetime if one was willing to put in the work. Finally, Buddhism did not deal with the otherworldly.

Why does Smith think that Buddhism died out in India, the land of it birth, but Hinduism did not?
Smith thinks that Buddhism died out in India because Hinduism simply swallowed up Buddhism. Where Hinduism accommodated this new religion, Buddhism just started to sound like the existing religion.

yahoo post #5

Briefly discuss the "evolution" of Sikhism from Guru Nanak to present day.
The religion of Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak, a philosopher grounded in the Sant tradition, during the 16th century. Guru Nanak was the first of Ten Sikh Gurus prior to the splintering of the religion due to disapproval of appointed Gurus and turns to militancy. The first ten Gurus are acknowledged by traditional Sikhs.

Guru Nanak was a mystic who lived during a time of relative peace. He founded a religion comprised of ideas taken from Hinduism and Islam, started a community where they were free to worship as they chose and grounded in hard work, and focused on attaining liberation of the soul (moksha). Following Guru Nanak was his disciple, Guru Angad.

Change occurred under Guru Amar Das. Guru Amar Das was the first Guru to challenge the caste system of India. Guru Amar Das believed that everyone was entitled to pursue moksha. Also, under Guru Amar Das, the previous Guru’s teachings and oral history were compiled as a form of reverence to the past and to be used later as the initial beginnings of the Adi Granth, the Sikh’s holy book. Guru Amar Das’ son-in-law, Guru Ram Das, followed. Guru Ram Das is responsible for the development of the city, Amritsar.

Following Guru Ram Das was his youngest son, Guru Arjan. This upset Guru Ram Das’ eldest son, Prithi Chand, and led to the first splintering of the Sikh religion. It is under Guru Ajan that the Adi Granth comes to fruition and the Golden Temple (Hari Mandir) is built. It is during Guru Arjan’s time that the Sikh faced persecution. Due to this persecution of the Sikhs, Guru Arjan became a martyr. Guru Arjan’s son, Guru Har Gobind, followed in his footsteps. Under Guru Har Gobind the Sikhs shifted from a non-violent people to a people of militantcy because of the oppression and persecution they were facing from the government. Under Guru Har Gobind, the Sikhs fled persecution and set up a community in the foothills of the Himalyan Mountains. Guru Har Gobind was followed by his grandson, Guru Har Rai. Guru Har Rai did not experience the hardships his grandfather and great-grandfather encountered. Guru Har Krishna followed his father as Guru of the Sikhs.

The ninth guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, great-uncle of Guru Har Krishna was not as lucky as the previous two gurus. Guru Tegh Bhadur challenged the oppressors attempts to eradicate all religions with the exception being Islam. This led to his death. Guru Tegh Bhadur was succeeded by his son, the tenth and final guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It is under Guru Gobind Singh that the Sikhs took up arms. This proved costly because as a result of Guru Gobind Singh’s decision to take up arms, his four sons were all killed in combat. Thus ensuring that Guru Gobind Singh would not have a human or bloodline successor. Instead, Guru Gobind Singh displayed his genius by making the Adi Granth a living guru, transforming the Sikh holy book into Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh is also responsible for the creation of the community of the pure (Khalsa) and enforcing the Sikh code of conduct (Rahit), which was enforced with the implementation of the Five K’s.

What does the evolution of this religion tell us about religion in general?
The evolution of Sikhism informs us that religion is a living entity. It is bound to the circumstances of it’s time and adapts to said circumstances. Although religion may face resistance and splintering amongst its brethren, if organized with a strong central structure, religion can sustain any hardships it may face.

yahoo post #4

Give a brief description of Jainism (beliefs, ethics, spiritual goals, religious heroes)
Jainism is an ancient religion out of India that believes all living things possess a soul, thereby making all life equal. No one life is valued above the other. In fact, Jainism is the only religion that emphasizes vegetarianism as a form of religious practice. Jainism is a religion based on a true sense of ahimsa. Jainism encourages it’s practitioners to develop their innate wisdom and to exercise self-control both physically and mentally, thereby, making each and every individual responsible for their spiritual fate. The intent of Jainism is to liberate the soul from the cycle of transmigration and attain moksha.
Jains do not necessarily believe in God as an omniscient being who created all things but they do believe in the idea of God. According to Jainism, God lives in all of us, God is all of us. Better said, Jains believe we all have the potential to be God-like. This can only happen when a soul has liberated itself from the cycle of transmigration and has attained moksha.
Jainism is a religion based on rationality. According to Jain philosophy, there is no absolute truth. Truth is relative to the issue at hand. Positions and viewpoints are best viewed from multiple perspectives. This prevents the development of bias or the reliance of absolutism.
Jains believe that the whole of creation is infinite. That the cosmos itself has no beginning or end. According to Jainism, time is divided into two equal, yet, distinct cycles, a progressive cycle (Utsarpinis) and a regressive cycle (Avsarpinis). Each cycle is then broken into six unequal cycles (Aras). During the progressive cycle, the world is thought to progress in all areas of life, whereas, during the regressive cycle the world is thought to regress in all areas of life. When each cycle is complete the process begins again. This is an never ending process (Kachakra).
Jains believe in Tirthankaras, or individuals who have rediscovered the way to being a pure soul. Tirthankaras have shed themselves of karmic baggage and are considered to be role models or religious heroes. The Jains believe that there were 24 tirthankaras it total.
According the Jain code of conduct, each of its practitioners are working towards making this their last lifetime in the tranmigration cycle. What is expected from this lifetime is a life of non-violence (Ahimsa), telling the truth at all times (Satya), you can’t steal (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahmacharya), and no attachments to the material world (Aparigraha). Of course, being the rational minds that they are, Jainism expects its monks and nuns to fully practice the code of conduct, whereas, it expects the layman to practice it on a limited basis.
Neuro-Ethical Argument
I think David Lane’s arguement for vegetarianism matches the Jainism viewpoint in that to not eat meat is a true form of ahimsa. Lane states that vegetarianism "is the first real sign of human compassion"(p.2), I agree. The Jains practice vegetarianism because they believe all living things have a soul and that all of life should be considered equal. Human compassion is embedded in their way of life, in their religious practices. They are not tainted with egocentrism or master of the world mumbo jumbo. The Western world thinks otherwise. For Lane to come to this conclusion on his own shows that maybe, just maybe, the Jains are onto something.

yahoo post #3

According to Huston Smith’s understanding of Hinduism, what do people really want?
Smith’s understanding of Hinduism suggests that people want four things out of life, three of which they think they want and one which they truly want. The three things they think they want are pleasure, worldly success, duty, and the one thing they truly want is liberation (moksha).
People think they want pleasure in life. They pursue pleasure because it is a natural tendency. While in pursuit of pleasure, it is wise to not to be morally bankrupt. Only the stupid remain in this stage because of their immorality and tendency to lie, cheat, steal in order to obtain pleasure. That is why Hinduism looks upon pleasure as a means to an end in that eventually people will tire of instant gratification. As previously stated, only the stupid remain in this stage, therefore, it is encouraged to pursue as much pleasure as you wish because eventually you are intended to move past this initial stage in pursuit of something far more meaningful.
Secondly, after the initial stage of pleasure, people think they want worldly success such as fame, wealth, and power. The pursuit of worldly success is a direct result of the fleetingness of pleasure. The pursuit of fame, wealth, and power may be considered selfish behavior in the West but according to the Hindus, the pursuit of fame, wealth, and power has far more substance than merely seeking pleasure and has the potential to help many other people other than one individual. According to the Hindus, the pursuit of worldly success helps stabilize the family, encourages one to be a responsible citizen of society and tend to civic duty, and promotes self-respect. Yet, despite it’s obvious rewards, worldly success, too, is not enough for some. Why? Material possessions cannot be shared without shared. The pursuit of success is time consuming and promotes greed. It can be equated to a form of pleasure. In the grand scheme of things it’s not real. The Hindus consider these first two stages to be the Path of Desire.
The next two stages constitute the Path of Renunciation. This path begins with the third stage, that of religion of duty. People think they want duty because of its tendency to change the individual. In a nutshell, duty is service to man, family, community, and God. Duty is much more fulfilling that pleasure and worldly success in that it gives the spirit genuine meaning. Depending on where in the karmic cycle one is, maturity is a definite asset when partaking in this stage because it brings about rewards such as respect, gratitude, and self-worth and only a mature person can appreciate these kinds of immaterial rewards. Yet, even in service the spirit is left wanting.
The final stage is the one thing people truly want in life. People want liberation, or moksha People seek moksha because they want to be close with God. Moksha removes all obstacles one has in his attempt to be close to God. This can be done by tapping into the hidden self, or Atman. When the Atman is revealed one is able to transcend joy, knowledge, and being, in essence, human nature.
What are the ways to achieve it (moksha)?
Moksha can be achieved by following one of the four paths to the goal. The four paths are four very different practices of yoga. Each practice is suited for a particular personality type that the Hindus view as reflective (knowledge), emotional (love), active (work), or experimental (psychophysical exercises).
Those who are reflective practice jnana yoga. Jnana yoga changes the practitioner from one that knows to one that is what it knows. Jnana yoga has three stages the practitioner must pass. The first stage is hearing, which listening to the saints, sages, and scriptures of the past and present. This is intended to introduce the practitioner that he is Being itself. The second stage is thinking, which is reflecting on one’s use of everyday language. This is intended to make a distinction between person and personality, self and transient self. Finally, the third stage is shifting from "I"to one’s abiding self. Better yet, to see oneself in third person. At this stage, one becomes what they have always been in their heart.
Those who are emotional practice bhakti yoga. In bhakti yoga, the way one feels is much more important than the way one thinks. In bhakti yoga the practitioner is married to God. God receives all the love and devotion one has in their heart. Here, God is the focus. All love is to on God and nothing is left for self. When practicing bhakti, one do so by practicing japam, or the repetition of God’s name, the recognition of the various forms of love one can have, and the worshipping of one’s chosen form, or ishta.
Those who are active practice karma yoga. Karma yoga focuses it’s energy on working towards God, doing work that brings you closer to God. This requires thoughtful and loving action from the practitioner. In essence, the practitioner is mindful of their work. Everything done, works towards is done so in the glory of God.
Those who are experimental practice raja yoga. Raja yoga’s intent is to remove the four layers of self. The first layer is that of the body. The second layer is that of the consciousness. The third layer is that of individual history. In the West we refer to these three layers as the id, ego, and superego. The fourth and final layer is Being Itself, or that which is one with the eternal. To remove these four layers the practitioner much look into the deepest recesses of one’s self until he realizes that he is nothing or no-thing, only one with all that is.
How do Hindus view God, the universe, and life?
The Hindus view of God is that God is you, your reality, and all there is. God is everything and nothing. In essence, God is beyond words and description. Yet, if we had to describe God, it would be different from person to person. For this reason, Hindus have two ways of approaching God, either with attributes (personal) or without attributes (transpersonal). This in turn determines how God interacts with the world. If God is with attributes, God is the creator and destroyer of all there is. If God is without attributes, God is not affected by the imperfections of man and is not deliberate in his omniscience.
Hindus view the universe as that which functions according to law of karma. Although the introduction of the soul is unknown, it’s function integrate itself back into God’s presence. This is done through the process of reincarnation. As a soul works it’s way up the spiritual evolutionary ladder it draws itself closer to God. Each new lifetime is different from the previous because of the accomplishments or failures of the previous lifetime. Therefore, life in the universe is strictly that of personal responsibility. In the karmic cycle, or life in the universe, there are no victims. Moksha is the only way to escape the karmic cycle.
The Hindus view of life is determined by karma. Thus, individuals are destined to be Brahmins, managers, producers, or workers. The first three are thought to have been born and reborn at least two times, whereas, the workers are thought to be souls that are born to this world for the first time.
Drawing
*instructions were very unclear as to what drawing the instructor wanted the student to explain in depth*
Reflections on the Huston Smith film
I found the Huston Smith film very interesting. Smith starts out by explaining that the modern world has lost its sense of the transcendental and that science is unable to pick up on things that are not testable and quantifiable, i.e., beyond rational understanding. Smith thinks science has been given the key to the ultimate truth by it’s practioners and believers. Smith points out that many of the worlds religions have much more in common than in differences. Some of the things they share in common are humility, charity and virtues. Smith thinks that everything that happens to us is due to a purpose and although the happening may be something tragic, there is still purpose in its intent. Smith gave the example of a the little girl dropping her ice cream on the ground and thinking its was the end of world. Like the little girl we tend to get caught up in the moment and lose sight of the bigger picture. I would tend to agree with Smith on this point but I also believe that even in these darkest moments there has to be something to be learned. Even if it’s an experience that reminds us that we’re alive. Finally, Smith stated that because we live in a macro-world it is very difficult to try to explain things from a mega-world and micro-world position because our language in incapable of describing the indescribable.

yahoo post #2

Among the gurus in the text, who were your three favorites and why?
My three favorite gurus from the text, The Enchanted Land by David Christopher Lane, are Ramana Maharshi (The Sage), Sawan Singh (The Saint), and Acharya Sushil Kumar (The Monk).
I was drawn to Ramana because I too have asked the eternal question, "Who Am I?" To which I think of Charle Bukowski words as portrayed by Mickey Rourke in the movie, Barfly, "Ah the eternal question. I’ll give the eternal answer, I don’t know." Yet, Ramana was not satisfied with the eternal answer. He understood that humankind’s dilemma lies in its attachment to the material world, namely the body. He knew that "I" was more than the body in the material world, was more than a corporeal being. Ramana’s understanding of "I" went beyond Descartes’, "I think, therefore I am." Ramana posits that "I" is more than just thinking, it just is. It’s a part of something, nothing, everything. "I" is consciousness. What is consciousness? Everything and nothing. It is our questioning of "Who Am I" that allows us to explore being a part of everything that is of the immaterial. It is due to this exploration that we learn that "I" is a part of the infinite, that there is no beginning or no end. That all there is, is the interconnectedness of all beings.
Next, I was drawn to the Huzur Sawan Singh because of his belief that our waking state is not truly our home, not our true reality. The idea that there is something more to this life, to our knowledge of this life is inspiring. That the soul naturally seeks a liberation beyond our understanding is humbling. Huzur Sawan Singh teaches that one must experience the surrendering, to experience consciousness in order to move beyond the material world, to transcend our current reality. So what must one surrender to? The void, the darkness. Why surrender? To experience the death of "self". If one is able to let "self" die, one consciously is turning their back on the trivial pleasures the world has to offer and let go of their fear of dying. By letting go of the fear of dying one is able to move forward in his/her quest to be reunited with the sea of infinity.
Finally, I was drawn to Sushil Kumar because of his belief in the principle of ahimsa, the practice of non-injury or violence to all living things. Sushil Kumar shares that ahimsa is in all of humankind. He stresses that no one faith has a monopoly on ahimsa. He suggests that if all of humanity practiced ahimsa the majority of problems that exist in the world would no longer exist. Why? One acts out of fear because is ignorant to ahimsa. The fear controls an individual to act violently out of self-defense. Once one truly looks within his/her own heart, only then will he/she understand that he/she is part of the problem on both an individual and global basis and the what he/she thinks is important really isn’t. He/she must move past his/her sense of separateness from others, only then will he/she would understand that all things are interconnected. Humanity will be able to move forward to make real change in this world and in the next only after it is able to live from the heart.
What is the message of Faqir Chand?
Faqir Chand message is that man is nothing or no-thing. Said differently, one must shed him/herself an any delusions he/she has about reality. He/she must rid him/herself of his/her arrogance. Why? What is required is an acknowledgment of ignorance. This claim of ignorance gives one the courage to believe and it is this courage to believe that allows one to "Be-Man." To "Be-Man" first allows one to pursue his/her understanding of God, only to discover that he/she is nothing or no-thing, only an infinitesimal part of the whole of the cosmos.
Surat Shabd Yoga
Surat Shabd Yoga is to its followers the "way to God." It is a form of yoga that isn’t concerned with breathing or posturing, instead it focuses on the withdrawing consciousness from the physical self and directing it towards the third eye. One must continuously repeat a holy name to direct consciousness towards the third eye. This is called Simran. Next, one must consciously remain focused on the third eye. This is called Dhyan. Finally, one listen for otherworldly sounds, ride the celestial light, and follow the directions of the guru master on the journey to the divine.
I once experienced something similar to the aforementioned. In my mind’s eye I was back in the womb. I could feel the warmth of the amniotic fluid around me and the beat of my mother’s heart. Next, I was a microorganism swimming amongst reeds during the dawn of time. Finally, I was one with the cosmos. When I was done with this experience I realized I had simply let go. I did not allow fear to enter my mind because I was singularly focused on what was happening, with what I saw within my mind’s eye. Do I think I found a way to God. No, but I do not doubt for one bit that Surat Shabd Yoga might be one way of getting there.

yahoo post #1

What is "religion?"
According to Mircea Eliade, religion is an experience of the sacred, to German Philosopher Rudolph Otto it is the experience of the "Wholly Other", to theologian Paul Tillich it is the "ultimate concern" of one’s existence, to W.C. Smith it is an "cumulative tradition, and to Ninian Smart, religion is "an organism with seven dimensions." Five academics, five definitions.
Thus, it is truly hard to pin down what religion truly is. I do think it is a combination of the all of the aforementioned. On a personal level, religion will be what Eliade, Otto, and Tillich claim it to be. An individual needs the experience of the sacred and partakes in the experience of the "Wholly Other" in order for religion to become one’s "ultimate concern." On strictly an academic level, religion has to be what Smith and Smart claim it to be. Smith is right in that religion is an evolving organism. I doubt very much that it has remained static and unchanged during the course of humankind’s existence. As for Smart, I don’t think his position is a definition as much as it is a composition of what is needed to be considered a religion. If anything, Smart’s seven dimensions of religion are pieces of the pie that is considered religion.
How Should We Study It (Proper Methods)?
There are numerous approaches to study religion. One can study religion from a theological perspective, a religious studies perspective, a phenomenological perspective, from a sociological perspective, a psychological perspective, a historical perspective, and an anthropological perspective. Yet none of the above would matter if one does not approach the study of religion with a proper methodology. Smart suggests that when studying religion one will do so with a position of antipathy, which studies religion with a negative viewpoint, or sympathy, which studies religion with a bias, yet postive viewpoint, or empathy, which is neutral in its viewpoint and the preferred methodology to study religion. To follow Smart, scholar Peter Berg suggest that one will study religion from a position of reduction, which attempts to reduce religion as a product of social origins, or deduction, which is similar to Smart’s sympathy, or induction, which focuses on the experience of the believer and the preferred methodology to study religion.
Why Study It?
There are many reasons as to why one should study religion. Some of the reasons are that a knowledge of religion can develop a tolerant individual and build a tolerant society, promote inclusiveness rather than divisiveness, and to be a well informed citizen of the world. Especially in today’s world, a knowledge of religion is important because religion is a motivating force of some of the world’s political hot spots. To be ignorant of religion means to be ignorant of our world’s current events.
How Did Religion Start?
There are many explanations as to the origins of religion, there is the biological, theological, anthropological, psychological, sociological, and egotistical. Yet three stand out more than others and they are the biological explanation, the theological explanation, and the anthropological explanation. The biological explanation posits that religion is inherent in our being, that it is a result of our neurology. The theological explanation posits that religion was bestowed upon a few chosen ones by God to be shared with the rest of humankind. Finally, the anthropological explanation posits that religion sprang out of animism and magic. Animism accounted for the plurality of gods at the dawn of man’s rise and magic played are role due to man’s lack of scientific knowledge.
I tend to agree a combination of the biological and anthropological. I do think religion, i.e. faith, is inherent in all of humankind. Due to this inheritance, God evolved as humankind evolved. As man learned, the gods that were once needed no longer had any use. God went from the plural to the singular.
Will Gods Decay?
Religion will never decay. It has survived these many thousands of years, thus proving its resiliency. It may appear to decay but it is really evolving. As mentioned previously, religion is not static. It changes as those who believe in it change. Due to the other aspects of what religion has to offer aside from God, religion will always be in demand.
What Role Do Memes Play In All This?
Memes are very important in the origin and study of religion and whether or not God will die. Why? Memes are the ideas that are passed on from generation to generation. They are the ideas that have stood the test of time and have proven themselves to be beneficial to the progress and evolution of humankind. In this sense, without memes, religion would fail to exist.