Calling all college freshmen and high school seniors (and mid-life adults who think it is about time to get that BA)

Six exceedingly simple and simply awesome reasons to study Latin American and the Caribbean at FIU (Florida International University) if you live in Miami:




Visit the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC) web page for more information!

Oh, and by-the-way, there is a lot of interesting religion in Latin America and the Caribbean!

Study Religion in Latin America towards a Bachelor of Art's degree

For more information: https://lacc.fiu.edu/academics/bachelor-of-arts-program/

or come by my office in DM 350 in Duexieme Maison on FIU's main campus

Taínos BBC

Taínos BBC Spirits of the Jaguar 3 of 4 Hunters of the Caribbean Sea

The "Family" - CoG (Children of God)

by Noah Thompson

Warning, there are some sexually explicit scenes in here. This is another example of a 1970s/80s cult in addition to the Jim Jones "Suicide Cult." 

Published on Jul 10, 2009

After a highly unconventional childhood in Children of God, a cult that mixed religion with sex, filmmaker Noah Thomson escaped to begin a normal life. But after experiencing years of sexual abuse and neglect, Thomson and other former members of the organization may never know what "normal" is. The documentary follows Thomson as he searches for others who have tried to start a new life outside the cult - and searches for answers about his own lost childhood.

Jonestown murder suicide

Sociopaths series: Jim Jones (Jonestown murder/suicide) 909 died

Published on Apr 27, 2014

James Warren "Jim" Jones (May 13, 1931 -- November 18, 1978) was an American religious leader and community organizer. Jones was the founder and the leader of the Peoples Temple, best known for the cult murder/suicide in November 1978 of 909 of its members in Jonestown, Guyana, and the murder of five individuals at a nearby airstrip, including Congressman Leo Ryan. Over 300 children were murdered at Jonestown, almost all of them by cyanide poisoning.[3] Jones died from a gunshot wound to the head; to this day it is unknown whether his death was a suicide or murder.

British Muslims repudiate violent extremism

George Takei

These terrorists and extremists do not speak for their religion, and are vehemently rejected by Muslims around the world.

via Channel 4 News

Islam

Islam: Empire of Faith [PBS Documentary]

Published on Jul 13, 2013

Protestant Reformation

Luther and the Protestant Reformation: Crash Course World History #218

Published on Nov 29, 2014

In which John Green teaches you about the Protestant Reformation. Prior to the Protestant Reformation, pretty much everyone in Europe was a Roman Catholic. Not to get all great man, but Martin Luther changed all that. Martin Luther didn't like the corruption he saw in the church, especially the sale of indulgences, so he left the church and started his own. And it caught on! And it really did kind of change the world. The changes increased literacy and education, and some even say the Protestant Reformation was the beginning of Capitalism in Europe.

oops ....

Nicaraguan pastor jailed for burning woman to death in 'exorcism'

BBC News

An evangelical Nicaraguan pastor and four followers have been sentenced to 30 years for burning a woman to death in a so-called exorcism ritual.

Vilma Trujillo, 25, died in February after being tied up and thrown on a fire.

The group had denied killing her and said she was possessed by the devil.

"The suffering that Trujillo was subjected to is something no human being should go through," said judge Alfredo Silva.

Pastor Juan Rocha, 23, plus his siblings Tomasa and Pedro Rocha, and Franklin Jarquin and Esneyda Orozco, were convicted of murder.

Christianity from Judaism to Constantine

Christianity from Judaism to Constantine: Crash Course World History #11

Published on Apr 5, 2012

In which John Green teaches you the history of Christianity, from the beginnings of Judaism and the development of monotheism, right up to Paul and how Christianity stormed the Roman Empire in just a few hundred years. Along the way, John will cover Abram/Abraham, the Covenant, the Roman Occupation of Judea, and the birth, life, death and legacy of Jesus of Nazareth. No flame wars! Let's keep the commentary civil.

Contemporary Evangelicals

A History Of Christianity Episode5 (Documentary)

BBC, by Diarmaid MacCulloch

Evangelical Protestantism (Pentecostals?)

Published on Apr 3, 2016

The Bible

History Documentary - Origins of The Bible ( Full Documentary )

Published on Dec 8, 2016

History Documentary - Origins of The Bible ( Full Documentary )

Prof Stephen Prothero on the human problem and religion

This is a great series by Prof. Stephen Prothero about 8 world religions, in which he approaches an analysis of each religion from the point of view of the human problem ... in other words, what is the problem that Buddhism is trying to answer? Basically, how to deal with suffering.

Prothero -- God is not one  (these are the Youtube videos: approximately 20 to 25 minutes each)

Here is the information about his book:

God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World

Crash Course in Cosmogony

Cosmic Sexy Time, Eggs, Seeds, and Water: Crash Course Mythology #3

Published on Mar 11, 2017

In which Mike teaches you about the creation of the universe, with sex. This week we're talking about creations stories from Egypt, West Africa, Greece, China, and Persia that have a lot in common with human sexual reproduction. And also some castration and puking, to boot. We've got your cosmic eggs, right here!

Group presentation on Chapter 5

East Asian Religions: Confucianism, Shinto, Daoism and Chinese Buddhism

Alexis, Christian, Akeem, Venus

The Buddha

The Buddha (Full Documentary)

https://youtu.be/EDgd8LT9AL4

Published on Feb 5, 2015

This documentary tells the story of the Buddha’s life, a journey especially relevant to our own bewildering times of violent change and spiritual confusion. It features the work of some of the world’s greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia, have depicted the Buddha’s life in art rich in beauty and complexity. Hear insights into the ancient narrative by contemporary Buddhists, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Guru Granth Sahib

Sikhs 101: Sikh Scripture (Holy Book) Guru Granth Sahib

Published on Aug 21, 2014

The Sikh Scripture or Holy Book is the Guru Granth Sahib. ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ. It is the revealed word of the divine, and has writings directly from the Sikh Gurus (Masters or "Prophets"). The way other faiths have scriptures, like the Bible, Torah, or Quran, Sikhs have the Guru Granth Sahib which is their Guru (Enlightener, Master)

Santeria Rituals

Santeria 

Published on Apr 6, 2015

This video is about Santeria Rituals

Hinduism 101: Religions in Global History

Hinduism 

Published on Jul 17, 2016

An introductory lecture to the basics of Hinduism. Please consider support HHH this summer for more World History vids for the kiddies!

Animism - Native American Religion

Animism - 
Published on Mar 15, 2016

The Teaching of the Shaman

The Teaching of the Shaman Part 1 - (Documentary 1997)

Published on Apr 29, 2014

The Teaching of the Shaman Part 1 directed by Marco Bartoccioni.
English version of "A scuola dallo Stregone.

The Last Iban Shamen

The Last Iban Shamen - Sarawak, Borneo

Published on Jan 13, 2014

Australian filmmaker Mark Shea visits Sarawak, Borneo to interview the last Iban Shamen in his remote jungle hut. The Iban were the headhunters of old.

As this is a historical piece, I have left the interview complete with both Iban and English language.

Thanks to Nicholas Mujah for organising the interview and my interpreter Ang Francesca

The World Religions 600 BC - AD 500

The World: A Television History - The World Religions 600 BC - AD 500 (1983)

Published on Oct 15, 2013

"The great world religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and Taoism all developed in Asia within a thousand years."

only 2 minutes long, worth your time to watch!

Click here to watch video in Youtube

What is Religion?

Published on Sep 13, 2012

In this lecture we examine the role religion plays in the life of the individual; we are not concerned with the validity of any set of religious beliefs, nor the role of organized religion in society. Rather we build on the views of thinkers like William James, Wittgenstein, Dostoevsky, and Maslow to examine questions such as what exactly is religion?; why the central role in all civilizations throughout history?; what is the relationship between science and religion?; and can an atheist adhere to a religion?

To watch on Youtube click here. 

Doctor Strange - first meeting

Doctor Strange - FIRST MEETING: The Ancient One & Dr. Strange In Nepal [HD]

Published on Jan 31, 2017

Enjoy FIRST MEETING: The Ancient One & Dr. Strange In Nepal.

Marvel's "Doctor Strange" follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City's Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilising a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Written by Marvel.

Dr. Strange Astral Body

Doctor Strange 'Heal The Body' film clip - Official Marvel | HD

Iran's Revolutions

Iran's Revolutions: Crash Course World History 226

Published on Feb 26, 2015

In which John Green teaches you about Iran's Revolutions. Yes, revolutions plural. What was the1979 Iranian Revolution about? It turns out, Iran has a pretty long history of unrest in order to put power in the hands of the people, and the most recent revolution in 1979 was, at least at first, not necessarily about creating an Islamic state. It certainly turned out to be about that, but it was initially just about people who wanted to get rid of an oppressive regime. Listen up as John teaches you about Iran's long history of revolution.

The Rise of Christian Fundamentalism

Fundamentalism

Published on Jul 22, 2015

Ryan M. Reeves (PhD Cambridge) is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. 

The Way of Devotion and the Old Testament

Song of Songs 7New International Version (NIV)

7 [a]How beautiful your sandaled feet,
    O prince’s daughter!
Your graceful legs are like jewels,
    the work of an artist’s hands.
2 Your navel is a rounded goblet
    that never lacks blended wine.
Your waist is a mound of wheat
    encircled by lilies.
3 Your breasts are like two fawns,
    like twin fawns of a gazelle.
4 Your neck is like an ivory tower.
Your eyes are the pools of Heshbon
    by the gate of Bath Rabbim.
Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon
    looking toward Damascus.
5 Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel.
    Your hair is like royal tapestry;
    the king is held captive by its tresses.
6 How beautiful you are and how pleasing,
    my love, with your delights!
7 Your stature is like that of the palm,
    and your breasts like clusters of fruit.
8 I said, “I will climb the palm tree;
    I will take hold of its fruit.”
May your breasts be like clusters of grapes on the vine,
    the fragrance of your breath like apples,
9     and your mouth like the best wine.

She

May the wine go straight to my beloved,
    flowing gently over lips and teeth.[b]
10 I belong to my beloved,
    and his desire is for me.
11 Come, my beloved, let us go to the countryside,
    let us spend the night in the villages.[c]
12 Let us go early to the vineyards
    to see if the vines have budded,
if their blossoms have opened,
    and if the pomegranates are in bloom—
    there I will give you my love.
13 The mandrakes send out their fragrance,
    and at our door is every delicacy,
both new and old,
    that I have stored up for you, my beloved.

Footnotes:

1. Song of Songs 7:1 In Hebrew texts 7:1-13 is numbered 7:2-14.
2. Song of Songs 7:9 Septuagint, Aquila, Vulgate and Syriac; Hebrew lips of sleepers
3. Song of Songs 7:11 Or the henna bushes

The Way of Devotion

SUFI WHIRLING DERVISHES DANCE OF ISTANBUL



 To see it on YouTube, click here:  https://youtu.be/yEdCXRGJuM8

There are also examples of sacred dance rituals or forms of worship in Judaism and Christianity

HASIDIC Jews Sing & Dance ~ (Get HAPPY NOW!)


Native Americans: This video is amazing and breathtaking


Christians "Dancing in the Spirit":  Tree of Life and Holy Spirit Ministry, Dancing in the Anointing

Santeria:
Santeria Dance in Cuba 2012

Ethics: Aristotle and Virtue Theory

Aristotle & Virtue Theory: Crash Course Philosophy #38

Published on Dec 5, 2016

This week we explore final ethical theory in this unit: Aristotle’s virtue theory. Hank explains the Golden Mean, and how it exists as the midpoint between vices of excess and deficiency. We’ll also discuss moral exemplars, and introduce the concept of “eudaimonia.”

Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy #36

Published on Nov 21, 2016

Our next stop in our tour of the ethical lay of the land is utilitarianism. With a little help from Batman, Hank explains the principle of utility, and the difference between act and rule utilitarianism.

Ethics: The Category Imperatives

Immanual Kant's Categorical Imperatives

Kant & Categorical Imperatives: Crash Course Philosophy #35

Published on Nov 14, 2016

Our next stop on our tour of ethics is Kant’s ethics. Today Hank explains hypothetical and categorical imperatives, the universalizability principle, autonomy, and what it means to treat people as ends-in-themselves, rather than as mere means.

Crash Course on Suffering and Evil

The Problem of Evil: Crash Course Philosophy #13

Published on May 9, 2016

After weeks of exploring the existence of nature of god, today Hank explores one of the biggest problems in theism, and possibly the biggest philosophical question humanity faces: why is there evil?

God and Suffering

God and Suffering

Published on Aug 18, 2014

Isn't human suffering proof that a just, all-powerful God must not exist? On the contrary, says Boston College Professor of Philosophy Peter Kreeft. How can "suffering" exist without an objective standard against which to judge it? Absent a standard, there is no justice. If there is no justice, there is no injustice. And if there is no injustice, there is no suffering. On the other hand, if justice exists, God exists. In five minutes, learn more.

4 PM group. 
Ana, Timberly, Andros, Amanda and Hunter

3 PM group: 
Austin, Sebastian, Amelie, Kyle, Laura




1 PM group

"Just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in ...."

Islam - the Human Problem

Islam - Religious Studies (Professor Stephen Prothero)

Published on Jan 24, 2014

Stephen Prothero is a Professor of Religion at Boston University specializing in American religions. He received his BA from Yale College in American Studies and his MA and PhD from Harvard University in the Study of Religion.

World Religions: Confucianism

What is the "problem" according to Confucianism?

Uploaded on Jan 17, 2011

Stephen Prothero, the New York Times bestselling author of Religious Literacy, makes a fresh and provocative argument that, contrary to popular understanding, all religions are not simply different paths to the same end... and why this matters greatly for us. Readers of Huston Smith and Karen Armstrong will find much to ponder in God Is Not One.

Confucianism is a way of life taught by Confucius in the 6th--5th century BC. Sometimes viewed as a philosophy, sometimes as a religion, Confucianism is perhaps best understood as an all-encompassing humanism that neither denies nor slights Heaven.

Confucianism has been followed by the Chinese for more than two millennia. It has deeply influenced spiritual and political life in China; its influence has also extended to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. East Asians may profess themselves to be Shintoists, Taoists, Buddhists, Muslims, or Christians - but seldom do they cease to be Confucians.

Stoicism ... "it can always get worse"

PHILOSOPHY - The Stoics

Published on Sep 17, 2014

How the Stoics can help us tackle anxiety, fury and loss of perspective - and realise that very little is needed to make a happy life. 

“‘Stoicism’ was a philosophy that flourished for some 400 years in Ancient Greece and Rome, gaining widespread support among all classes of society. It had one overwhelming and highly practical ambition: to teach people how to be calm and brave in the face of overwhelming anxiety and pain…”

Crash Course in Cosmogony

Cosmic Sexy Time, Eggs, Seeds, and Water: Crash Course Mythology #3

Published on Mar 11, 2017

In which Mike teaches you about the creation of the universe, with sex. This week we're talking about creations stories from Egypt, West Africa, Greece, China, and Persia that have a lot in common with human sexual reproduction. And also some castration and puking, to boot. We've got your cosmic eggs, right here!

Kahoot winners on March 8

4 PM Winner

1 PM Kahoot Winners

(Wolverine Dies is not, I repeat NOT a spoiler ... they have not seen it yet)

Plato's Cosmogony

Published on Nov 6, 2012

Chapter Seventeen from Book One, Part Two of Bertrand Russell's "The History Of Western Philosophy" (1945).

Week 8 (Spring 2017) Group presentations on Concepts of Deity

1:00 PM

4 PM