This is great ... we all need to think like this and we can change the world! And people say that moderate Muslims are not speaking out?! I can post several more examples of Muslims who are courageously speaking out on behalf of civility, education, forgiveness and human rights.
For the link click here
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Video: Introduction to Sacred Ritual
hi students, I sat down this morning to record an introduction to chapter 5, Sacred Ritual, with my Prezi. Remember, this only touches the highlights, there is much more detail in the book and the Powerpoints.
Questions for discussion:
1) Which Sacred Rites (or holy Sacraments) have you experienced in your faith background?
2) Where are you in your life cycle rites?
3) What (if any) daily rituals do you adhere to?
4) Why, in your opinion, are rituals important?
Here is the introductory video:
Questions for discussion:
1) Which Sacred Rites (or holy Sacraments) have you experienced in your faith background?
2) Where are you in your life cycle rites?
3) What (if any) daily rituals do you adhere to?
4) Why, in your opinion, are rituals important?
Here is the introductory video:
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Iceland to build first temple to Norse gods since Viking age
A modern version of Norse paganism has been gaining popularity in recent years as followers see the stories as metaphors for life not worship of the gods
Icelanders will soon be able to publicly worship at a shrine to Thor, Odin and Frigg with construction starting this month on the island’s first major temple to the Norse gods since the Viking age.
Worship of the gods in Scandinavia gave way to Christianity around 1,000 years ago but a modern version of Norse paganism has been gaining popularity in Iceland.
“I don’t believe anyone believes in a one-eyed man who is riding about on a horse with eight feet,” said Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, high priest of Ásatrúarfélagið, an association that promotes faith in the Norse gods.
“We see the stories as poetic metaphors and a manifestation of the forces of nature and human psychology.”
Membership in Ásatrúarfélagið has tripled in Iceland in the last decade to 2,400 members last year, out of a total population of 330,000, data from StatisticsIceland showed.
The temple will be circular and will be dug 4 metres (13ft) down into a hill overlooking the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, with a dome on top to let in the sunlight.
“The sun changes with the seasons so we are in a way having the sun paint the space for us,” Hilmarsson said.
The temple will host ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. The group will also confer names to children and initiate teenagers, similar to other religious communities.
Iceland’s neo-pagans still celebrate the ancient sacrificial ritual of Blot with music, reading, eating and drinking, but nowadays leave out the slaughter of animals.
Access the original post here
Sunday, February 1, 2015
“Gabriel’s Oboe” and music as a channel of the numinous
Can music be a gateway or a portal to the Sacred?
For the full text of the post on why this music is so important to me on a personal level, go to my blog FAITH, HOPE, LOVE (and REASON).
Below is the full rendition of Gabriel's Oboe, which was composed for the film The Mission.
Ennio Morricone - The Mission Main Theme (Morricone Conducts Morricone)
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Benny Hinn, American Airlines Arena, October 10, 2008
Check out this video and comment on what you think about it. Are these manifestations of Sacred Power? Why or why not?
Which academic discipline (Phenomenology, sociology, anthropology, history or psychology) would you use to to an analysis of this group or these practices?
Watch closely the man in the suit 22 seconds into the video. Does he go up or down at first?
Have you ever experienced anything like this?
Compare what you see in this video with some of the miracles of Jesus. What is similar? What is different?
Luke 5:12-15 (pay special attention to 14 "tell no one")
Luke 8:49-56 (also notice verse 56 - "he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened")
Matthew 9:27-31 (again, read verse 30 - "Jesus warned them sternly 'See that no one knows about this'")
Are there any ethical guidelines to how sacred power should be used? What are the dangers of sacred power?
Which academic discipline (Phenomenology, sociology, anthropology, history or psychology) would you use to to an analysis of this group or these practices?
Watch closely the man in the suit 22 seconds into the video. Does he go up or down at first?
Have you ever experienced anything like this?
Compare what you see in this video with some of the miracles of Jesus. What is similar? What is different?
Luke 5:12-15 (pay special attention to 14 "tell no one")
Luke 8:49-56 (also notice verse 56 - "he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened")
Matthew 9:27-31 (again, read verse 30 - "Jesus warned them sternly 'See that no one knows about this'")
Are there any ethical guidelines to how sacred power should be used? What are the dangers of sacred power?
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
The Greek gods and goddesses
(left: Zeus)
hi class,
I am preparing to teach an online course in Spanish on Greek and Roman religion. I found a cool website with descriptions of the Greek gods and goddesses if you are interested; I know this is not exactly part of our course (REL2011) but some of you might find it interesting.
http://www.listal.com/list/titansthe-olympians-greek-heroes
There are actually three different (or even more) kinds of Greek gods, the Titans, the Olypmpians and the Greek Heroes.
The Titans,The Olympians and The Greek Heroes
check it out. It has great graphics images of all the gods and goddess ... (right: Aphrodite, goddess of love)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)