Religious Experience & Ethics and Moral Conduct

Gender and religious experience

• Ordination of women in various denominations, and women mystics

Ordination, according to Christianity, is the process by which a person becomes a religious authority, such as a priest or a bishop. The issue of whether women may be ordained is controversial because some sects of Christianity are reluctant to respond to the advances in gender equality for a variety of reasons. Certain verses of the Bible such as Timothy 2:11-15 allude to an all male leadership in the church, and the all male apostles suggests that the leadership of the church, which is meant to be apostolic, should also be all men. The following denominations allow women ordination: Anglican, Community of Christ, Jehovah's Witness*, The following denominations don't allow women ordination: Church of Later Day Saints, Catholic Church, Orthodox, *cannot baptize or any significant rituals, but may lead prayer with a head covering on. Protestant- about half of the subdenomintations ordain women.

Ethical practice and legal issues

• Medical issues: euthanasia, embryo research, genetic engineering, abortion

Christianity is opposed to euthanasia because it is said that it invades God's territory to control life and death. Furthermore it is said that it is a violation of the fifth commandment that thou shalt not kill. The catholic church went on record to say "[euthanasia is a] violation of the divine law, an offense against the dignity of the human person, a crime against life, and an attack on humanity." 

Christianity is also opposed to embryo research for the reason of preserving the sanctity of life. All fertilized embryos are regarded as human beings, and the destruction of them is considered to be killing and therefore a grave sin. However, other options of acquiring stem cells such as from umbilical cords are condoned by the church as ethical. 

Abortion is considered in the same way as embryo research, but even worse because it does not advance science and is solely to kill/prevent life. 

Genetic engineering is a gray area, as humans were given dominion over all living things on the earth, including ourselves. However, the body is considered a temple of God, and therefore is not ours to be altered. The complete formation of the human body is still unknown and therefore the argument is made that we cannot understand God's workings and therefore shouldn't tamper with the finer elaborate things. 

Homework :(

Incident: The Holocaust
The cause of the incident was the socially ingrained antisemitism that was sponsored by Hitler's Nazi regime. The Nazis blamed the troubles Germany faced following WWI on the Jews, and also created ethnocentrism among "Aryan" Germans which condemned the Jews and other minority groups. The Jews slowly lost their rights and ability to defend themselves legally, and then the greater mistreatment began with concentration camps and ghettos and moving to death camps and mass genocide. Many Jews were not able to escape to the US either because of immigration laws, which blocked their entry. The effects was the massive losses to the Jewish people, with over seven million deaths caused by the Nazis.
The most likely way to prevent a situation like the Holocaust is to become a more active society that is not afraid to come to the aid of another, in both a small scale and at the international diplomatic level.
1. Christianity was formed by Jewish traditions and the new following of the leader Jesus Christ. The Graeco-Roman world that it was formed in was conducive to travel and the indoctrination of the Roman emperor was key to its spread.
2. He failed to fulfill the role as Messiah by not bringing the end of the world and the judgement of all people for their sins.
3. Baptism and Communion.
4. The Gospels were written up to several decades after the death of Christ, the first section to be written of the new testament is the Galatians or Thessalonians.
5. Constantine was essential to Christianity's survival because it created a new headquarters during the fall of the Roman empire and the practitioners a safe place of haven.
6. Eastern Orthodox Christianity differs in belief from western Christianity in the area of original sin and ancestral sin and the immaculate conception of Mary.
7. Indulgences,
8. Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Matrimony, Last Rites, Reconciliation.
9. Vatican II was a great sequel to Vatican I, and had several difference that  I cannot remember.
10. Liberation theology is a concept that involves a different interpretation of Christianity to create a new set of beliefs and are both fundamentally different and also similar to Roman Catholicism.

Field Trip Reflection

The first stop on our trip was the Islamic Center of Raleigh. While I didn't learn much new information about the religion here, I did learn about the Al Iman School and the "Three Winners". I thought the Al Iman school was an interesting concept, as it tried to teach its students good character traits both in and out of the context of their religion. We also learned about the "Three Winners" who I had heard of before, but never understood how they got that name. I thought it was interesting to see the young children recite the Qur'an in person, and also the design of the building as well. I thought the tour guide was slightly defensive, however after learning some of the comments some of the geography kids made I can understand why.
The second religious site was the Buddhist Center, which was not what I had imagined it would look like. The variation of Buddhism they practiced, Tibetan Buddhism, was different from the main sects we looked at like Mahayana and Theravada. The concept of different Buddhas for different purposes was strange to me, and seemed to connect to Hinduism with the different reincarnations of each god. I enjoyed learning about the Dali Lamas reincarnation and how a two year old knows they are him.
The third site was the Hindu temple, which more elaborate than all of the other sites in terms of architecture. It seemed very distinct from the surrounding buildings in Raleigh, and the different deities surrounding the temple were interesting. I learned more about Hindu prayer at the temple after being able to see first hand both practitioners and a Hindu priest pray to each deity. I found the plaque stating "There is no ritual more noble than donation" to be interesting, but clearly demonstrated by the board outside showing benefactors who donated almost a half a million dollars each.
The last site was the Synagogue, which was the most familiar to me as it was set up in a similar fashion to a church. The Rabbi was very knowledgeable, and his comparison of the preservation of the Hebrew tradition and the similar problem that outcast Tibetan Buddhists face was great because it provided an example that was easily understood and relevant. The different translations of the Torah were interesting as well, especially the change from "in the beginning" to "in a beginning".

Sacred Texts and Doctrines and Beliefs

SACRED TEXTS:
D.      The primary sacred texts of Christianity are the Bible, which consists of two main sections: the New Testament and the Old Testament.
E.       Textual Authority The text gains authority from two main figures of the Holy Trinity, God and Jesus Christ. The Old Testament gains authority from God, through his relations with humans, such as commanding Noah to make an ark or Moses to deliver the ten commandments. This created the Jewish basis to Christianity, and laid the groundwork for the more traditional aspects. The New Testament is composed of several books all written in the common era, by members of the church. It derives its religious authority being the teachings of Jesus, however it was written by his followers, whose writings were then approved by the early church, giving them authority within the religion. 
            Interpretation The Bible may be interpreted differently by everyone, and there is no set code to understanding its words. However, religious institutions give the guidance to assume figurative language and to keep a verse within its context when it is being examined. 
            Sacred Texts/Key Figures The Bible is founded by Christianity's key figures and it is their words that are captured in it. Old Testament figures such as Adam and Eve, or Abraham are the main people in the events of the section. Furthermore, Jesus Christ is the most prominent figure or Christianity, and is the focus of the entire New Testament and this section is linked entirely with his teachings.
             Change of Interpretation The Bible has continually been interpreted differently, especially the Old Testament. As society has become more progressive, some more severe punishments and unpopular teachings have become less common or their interpretations have changed. 
DOCTRINES AND BELIEFS
What is the essential statement of belief?
The essential statement of belief can be seen in the Nicene Creed, "For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,and became man.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,he suffered death and was buried,and rose again on the third dayin accordance with the Scriptures.He ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of the Father." 
This belief, known as the Resurrection, is the belief that Jesus came to earth and was killed for our sins, and on the third day he rose from the dead. 
          This belief unites the faith, as it is the core concept of the religion and is the basis on which every denomination was created. While other practices or beliefs may differ among the different schools of Christian thought, the belief in the Resurrection is a commonality. 
          The Council of Nicea was called to create a united belief that was encompasses by all Christians, and so it contains the statement of belief for the religion and holds its main concepts. It was highly influential in the spread of Christianity and the organization of the Catholic Church. 
          The statement of belief in the Nicene Creed is linked to the ritual of receiving communion.Eucharist in the Catholic Church. A similar statement is made by the congregation before the Eucharist is given out and this was directly influenced by the creed. 
         The core doctrine is not affected by social or political contexts much in the modern world, however historically there have been times in which it has been changed to fit a political regime. For example, Hitler depicted Jesus as an Aryan martyr who was killed by the Jews to spread anti-Antisemitism 

Taoism Reading Questions

1. The thing I find most intriguing about Taoism is the lack of preaching or indoctrinating that it had during its early phase of growth. Every other major religion has some element of spreading its word, and its founding figure is most commonly the one who became its first advocate. Taoism contrasts this with Lao Tzu wanting to disappear without even writing down his beliefs, which he had to be asked to do. 
2. My understanding of the Tao is a great cosmic force that works in a way similar to what I've learned about The Holy Spirit as a Catholic. It has no voice of its own, but speaks through its actions and creations, and envelops the world around us. This relates to the idea of God as a concept we cannot see or fully understand, but we attribute everything to it/Him.
3. I think that there is no true Western equivalent to Chi, however the concept of the whole body's health as a metaphysical concept has been adopted into several schools of western thought concerning health. I too believe that there is an undiscovered connection between the body and the mind's well being to the overall health, which may be called spiritual. A healthy lifestyle can make one happier and more effective in their daily tasks, and this may be considered a more healthy spirit.
4. No, for the same reason I don't believe in luck. I don't believe in magic because anything considered magic can be explained rationally, or crosses over into the field of theology. Magic to me is more defined as a man-made illusion or placebo effect that affects the mind more than the body.
5. My understand of Wu Wei is the conservation of vital energy/Chi, and it is a form of prioritizing everything in one's life in order to evaluate if it is worth the effort of doing. An example of Wu Wei for me is not lifting or running excessively the day before a game, because it will tire me out and deplete my energy (as someone who isn't Taoist, I could call this my supply of glycogen in my liver).
6. Yin and Yang are the opposites that create harmony in their constant cycle of balance. Everything the Yin is, Yang is the opposite, and in nature the two are always equal with one another. I see the inclusion of gender as a positive because it shows how there can be aspects of both in an individual, which would have directly opposed the strict code of Confucianism.
7. I think that the values are relative as one's perspective is going to determine what is good and evil, there is no outright code of morality. Just like Yin and Yang, the two concepts can exist within each other.
8. Life is a journey that ventures outward only to return to its origins. Take one's freedom for example, we spend our early years reaching out for our ability to take care of ourselves, only to get married, have a child, and return to being bound by responsibilities. Similarly, we tend to go out to experience the world, but return to a comfortable place of origin. 
9. I cannot, as most other religions are most set and strict with their practices ant what they require from their followers. Taoism is different in that it is more up to personal interpretation and that there is less of an authoritarian structure that may decrease lightheartedness. 

Part 2: Rituals

Lifetime Rituals/ Rites of Passage
      The three sacraments of initiation, baptism, first communion, and confirmation, are considered to be the rites of passage for Christians, specifically Catholics. Baptism is meant to clean a Christian of Original Sin and mark their entrance to the church, and is undergone by pouring water on/dunking the baby in water. The significance of the ritual is that it provides a connection with Christ for the follower as they are undergoing a parallel ritual.
       First Communion is the second sacrament that emphasizes taking in the gifts of Christ by having the followers drink wine as the blood of Christ and eat unleavened bread as his body. It is believed that they actually become these things through transubstantiation.This is directly linked to the foundational figure, Jesus.
       Confirmation is the reaffirmation of a followers belief in the church as an adult, and is meant to confirm a believer when they actually have the choice, as opposed to a baby who cannot choose.

Festivals:
Lent/Easter
Lent is the forty day season starting with Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday (Sundays are not counted in the day count). The period is typically associated with fasting, repentance, or giving something up in order to practice spiritual discipline and to reflect on the suffering of Jesus Christ.  Lent is mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, and by Roman Catholics. The season of lent is concluded with Good Friday, marking the day Jesus was crucified and died, and with Easter, the day of the Resurrection. The holiday works to create a communal identity among believers, as it creates a commonality in their lives such as what they gave up for lent, and marks them as Christians when they celebrate the holiday. The ritual is directly linked with Jesus Christ, and it focuses on the most important events of His life. The significance as a whole is that the basis of the holiday, the belief in Christ as the Messiah, is one of the defining features of the celebration.  

Part 1: In Depth Research

Key concepts of Christianity:

1. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, as promised by God in the Old Testament. 
2. Christians believe that Jesus is God's son sent to save humanity from their sins. 
3. Christians believe that everyone is born with Original Sin, as  a result of Adam eating the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden.
4. Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross, called crucifixion, and that he came back to life on the third day of his entombment.
5. There is one God, but he is comprised of the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.
6. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit together are called the Holy Trinity.
7. The holy book of Christianity is the Bible, which is comprised of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
8. The two most important Christian holidays are Christmas (Jesus's birthday) and Easter (the day of the resurrection).
9. Christians believe in both Heaven and Hell, and also purgatory which decides where you go in the afterlife. 
10. The Christian religion is practiced in churches, with priests as leaders. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/ataglance/glance.shtml

http://www.christianity.com/theology/

Huston Smith 4

8. What is Sufism and how did it come to be?

• Some Muslims after Muhammad's death were known as Sufis.
• Every message in the Koran is important and Sufis believe that it is very sacred and that every message told in it should be practiced as often and accurately as possible.
• Sufis wanted to encounter God directly in their everyday lives.
• Sufism is esoteric and only understood by a handful of outsiders. 
• Symbolism is a principle method as it gives them something to worship God with and give emphasis to a specific idea or concept. 
• Sufism came to be after the death of Muhammad, and is the dimension of Islam practiced mainly through symbols aimed at encountering Allah . 

9.How has Islam changed with the degradation of Muhammad's words

• Islam has become less of a practice and more of a "mere profession"
• Muslims have strayed from the words and path laid out by Muhammad.
• Prayer is an essential aspect to faithful Muslims. 
• Some aspects have remained unchanged, such as the statements that God is great and there is only one god. 
• Some traditions predating Islam may have become intermixed with the culture. 
•  Muhammad is still very important in the religion of Islam, but his words been changed slightly to a  different meaning now. This has lead to a modernization of the religion of sorts and also a change of the religion itself. 

sharia law learning goal #3

Islam Learning Goal #2

1.4

• 
  
• The split in Islam dates back to the death of Muhammad in 632 CE, and was started over who would succeed Muhammad in being the leader of the religion. 
• Shia believed in the family line being followed, giving leadership to Ali, the husband of Muhammad's daughter. 
• Sunni believed in a council of the society's elite determining who was best fit to lead the religion. 
• The Sunnis prevailed and chose a successor to be the first caliph.
• While Ali was later elected as Caliph after two were killed, violence had begun and an irreparable rift had formed.
• Hussein, Ali's successor was killed and became a martyr for the shiites, and is commemorated annually. 
• "Twelfth Imam" is the messiah for some Shia Muslims 
• Shia/Persian empire surrounded by Sunni
• Beginning of 20th century: Shiites ruled by Ottomans (Sunni)
• Political instability ensued in Iran, only factor that could not be controlled by the Shah was the Mosque.
• Revolution in 1978 allowed Ayatollah to gain power, created a theocracy and also a stronghold for shiites in the middle east. 
• Sunni governments rejected Ayatollah's design of government, Saddam Hussein reacted the most harshly invading Iran in the 80's.
• Many Sunnis resisted Khomeini solely because he was Shia
• Saddam remained wary of shiites in southern Iraq despite help against Iran in war. 
• US fights Iraq in Kuwait, but doesn't give aid to Shiite revolution efforts despite encouragement.  
• Second US war allowed Shia leader to emerge in Iraq, which lead to more violence and Al-Qaeda opposition 
• Anti-Sunni death squads and street fighting come as a response to bombings. 
• Hezbollah remains a threat to Israel but doesn't get full support because it is Shiite.
• Iran gained strength in the defeat of Iraq and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
• US still backing government in Iraq even though it is Shia and is in communication with Tehran.
• Blocking Iran's expansion and fighting against the history of the region are considered ill advised actions for the US. 

1.5

Sufism is the belief in an eternal self and "the journey of the slave to the master. It also includes the idea that ones life is characterized by the sum if ones good actions.


1.6

• Originally part of the Muslim Brotherhood, began after failed assassination attempt on leading figure. 
• Salafist movement called for the creation of Islamic states. 
• Alliance with al-Qaeda makes them a main threat in Europe.
• Salafism: Ultra conservative Sunnis
• Although they are only a small minority, the influence of salafist groups is substantial because of their attacks and use of public unrest to achieve their goals. 
• Many new governments are worried about salafi groups causing second revolutions in unstable countries and gaining a larger following through fear and radicalism. 
• Radicals are pushing for ultra conservative societal conventions like full covering of women, and are taking over mosques, especially in Tunisia. 
• Many salafists were just conservatives who turned to Jihad after the peaceful efforts proved to be less fruitful or slower than they desired. 

1.7

How do social and political factors such as governments and war affect the spread, popularity, and image of a sect of Islam and what are the implications for the future? 

Islam Learning Goal #1

1.2
Both articles focus on interviewing Muslim women and outlining why they chose to unveil and what the implications of it were. Also, they included what how they felt about wearing the veil and what it meant to them.
Most of the women started off wearing the Hijab for conformity's sake, because they were so young they didn't understand what it meant to cover their bodies. As Heina described, once they grew older they saw the metaphors used for reasons to wear the veil as objectifying instead of protecting. As this realization dawned on them, one by one the girls in the articles began unveiling at differing degrees of speed. Now, the women all enjoy the freedom of being unveiled, as Reem says, she gets to feel the full beauty of nature, and as described in the NPR, the Hijab brought out anti-Islamic feelings from the public after 9/11.
1.3
Clothing is essential to keeping the Umma's identity, and is enforced through strong guidelines and rules pertaining to the dress of faithful Muslims. By creating a dress code for all Muslims, there is a clear identifier that keeps them as a separate group, which in turn makes them a more close-knit community. The rules reflect the values of the community by emphasizing modesty through the covering of Awrahs, or parts of the body that should always be covered except in the presence of one's spouse. By covering their bodies, they physically embody the principle of Haya, which is the inherent shyness and modesty of Muslims. Furthermore, the restrictions on men also promote modesty of one's financial standing too, by prohibiting gold and silk adornments. These restrictions all reflect the overall Muslim community's beliefs on personal conduct by physically displaying the values upheld by the religion.

Check In

3/4
1. Completed 1.1
2. Halfway completing 1.2
3. I did as much as I could but I deplore writing in my phone so I'll do the online articles and answer questions at home, unfortunately. 7/10 effort.
3/5
1. Completed 1.2 and 1.3
2. Completed everything I wanted to today.
3. 7/10 effort, worked at a casual pace and did work just to ensure I won't have to do anything over the weekend.
3/6
1. Completed 1.4, 1.6, and 1.7
2.Worked on all of learning goal 2 but couldn't finish because of a lack of time and headphones.
3. 9/10 I'm frustrated that I'll have to do more classwork at home despite already doing so to try and avoid having weekend homework. Overall I think I did all I could do today because I forgot headphones and my partner wasn't here to do the study guide.

Huston Smith P.3

6: How do Muslims live according to their religion?

• Muslims attempt to follow "The straight path" that is free of corruption, and has very distinct standards. 
• Islam has set and defined ways to lead a righteous life, which Muslims see as an advantage because it is free of ambiguity. 
• Prayer should be done on schedule, however it is acceptable to wait or delay praying based on circumstances. Furthermore prayer does not have to be done in congregation and is not as essential as it is to Christianity and Judaism.
• Charity of 1/40th of ones net worth is mandated annually in the five pillars, and is to help those in need instead of religious institutions.
• Fasting is also part of the five pillars in the month of Ramadan, and it is meant to teach self-discipline, and to force us to be compassionate and understand how fragile we are. 
• The Five Pillars help to establish the religions core beliefs as well as to provide a code for daily conduct according to religious values that are associated with rituals. 

7: How does Islam guide its followers in decision making?

• The reliance on a feeling of family and brotherly love among followers to foster compassion.
• The Koran provides spiritual teaching and guides the actions of its readers.
• The idea that the world as a whole requires nourishment to create the sentiment of responsibility for others.
• By using the nuclear family as a guide for the society as a whole as a means of demonstrating how to treat one another.
• Customs like polygamy are allowed by not encouraged as the man is supposed to love each wife equally, a task that is near impossible.
• Islam creates a guide to decision making through the Koran and a sense of community that is reinforced through its teachings and seen in situations like race relations and women's rights.

Huston Smith P2

(Not sure which part this goes with so I'm putting it twice.)

What is "The Standing Miracle"?

• The Koran is considered a miracle because it is written as great poetry by an almost illiterate man, Muhammad.
• Its name means a recitation and it is the most memorized book in the world.
• The created Koran contains the divine reality of the uncreated Koran.
• The Koran considers each sentence to be a revelation because it is said to be from God without any muddling from being passed down.
• The Koran has a strong emotional effect on its followers.
• The Koran's ability to convey its message without losing anything to its followers and that it was written as it is by an illiterate man are what and why it is the standing miracle.

What are the basic theological concepts of Islam?

• Islam shares most of its religious concepts with Christianity and Judaism 
• God: God is invisible, omnipresent, and the only god. This means that according to Muslims, Jesus was created divinely, but was only a prophet, not God incarnate. God is also much more merciful and compassionate than he is portrayed, but humanizing terms like father are rejected by Islam
• Creation: Creation is perfect as it is Allah's work. We too are created by Allah and have divine origin.
• Humanity: We often forget our divine origin or take it for granted, and infidel is someone who lacks faithfulness to this. We must surrender to God, but commitment describes surrendering better than surrender because of military connotations.
• Judgement Day: Individuality and freedom are emphasized on judgement day. Our souls face reckoning for all of their good and bad actions throughout our life and our commitment to Allah in the end. The souls judge themselves.
• The basic concepts are the belief in one god, creation, our existence from divine origin and our upholding of our faith and morality. 

Huston Smith Part 1

What is the significance of Islam in history (Islamic Background)

• The Islamic empire was greater than the Roman is size and cultural diversity.
• Muslims were able to assimilate their subjects into their culture well because of their faith.
• Muslims are Semites as they are descendants of Shem.
• Islam and religious zeal contributed greatly to the Arabic empire's spread. 
• Islam splits from the Torah/bible in saying that Ismael created the city of Mecca.
• Islam was significant because it was a driving force behind the expansion of the Arab empire, which was highly influential on a large area.

How did Muhammad's become a prophet and spread God's word?

• Last of the prophets, no more will come after him.
• Morally superior to his contemporaries, he rejected the animistic religion of the time.
• Was told in his retreat to proclaim several times.
• Began to preach but faced harsh opposition in Mecca.
• His message began to spread despite the opposition.
• Muhammad is the last of the prophets and was called upon by God to proclaim His message because he was not deceived by the false idols of the time. He spread his word in his sermons and grew in popularity despite the leaders of Mecca's best efforts.

What happened during the height of Islam's expansion under Muhammad and why is it significant?

• Muhammad left Mecca in secret for Medina/Yathrib, where he was welcomed and became magistrate.
• Muhammad continued to live his life in a virtuous way even once he became more powerful.
• Muhammad had an excellent career as a statesman and unified vast portions of the globe.
• After years in Medina, he returned to conquer Mecca but forgave his enemies and focused on the spread of Islam. 
• No other Arab leader has unified as great of an area geographically and culturally as Muhammad, making him rank of the most influential man of history according to Michael Hart.
• Muhammad's tact and skill as a leader helped to spread Islam and bring all of the tribes of Arabia together, and this is significant because it has never been repeated.

What is "The Standing Miracle"?

• The Koran is considered a miracle because it is written as great poetry by an almost illiterate man, Muhammad.
• Its name means a recitation and it is the most memorized book in the world.
• The created Koran contains the divine reality of the uncreated Koran.
• The Koran considers each sentence to be a revelation because it is said to be from God without any muddling from being passed down.
• The Koran has a strong emotional effect on its followers.
• The Koran's ability to convey its message without losing anything to its followers and that it was written as it is by an illiterate man are what and why it is the standing miracle. 

Vocab Quiz/ 5Y method doctrines and beliefs

Statement: Similar to how Muslims abide to the Five Pillars of Islam, and apply these concepts to many aspects of their daily lives, the community of Millbrook follows similar patterns. 

What are some of the aspects of our lives at millbrook that are similar to the aspects of Muslim life?

We share a moral code like don't cheat or fight, the exception being that islam condones fighting in defense.

Why do we follow patterns? 

Because its human nature and we need something concrete to keep us together.

So does take advantage of our need for order, or do we create order within religion?

The social hierarchy in religion takes advantage of the need for structure and a human's desire for something to believe in.

How does this relate to our school systems implementation of order?

We have a code of conduct that we are supposed to follow and we have to accept that doing work will make us succeed and that we accept this in religion too. 

Conclusion:
Religious codes and school codes influence our lives in similar ways, as they both provide a template as to base our lives off of, and appeal to our need for structure.  

IA Research

The Hajj
Defintion:

• Literally means "to continuously strive to reach one's goal"
• Fifth Pillar of Islam, pilgrimage
• Once in a lifetime obligation
• Not an obligation to children
• 
  

Ritual Process:

• The pilgrimage takes place each year between the eighth and the 13th days of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Its first rite is the donning of the ihram.
• Ihram is a white two piece seamless cloth that covers the body for men, men's heads must be uncovered. Women wear a dress and head covering without a veil. 
• The Ihram symbolizes purity, equality before God, and renunciation of evil, when adorned the pilgrim may not fight or act violently, nor shave or cut their nails. 
• "The donning of the ihram is accompanied by the primary invocation of the hajj, the talbiyah: Here I am, O God, at Thy Command! Here I am at Thy Command! Thou art without associate; Here I am at Thy Command! Thine are praise and grace and dominion! Thou art without associate."
• First day: Go from Mecca to Mina 
• "During the second day, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the plain of ‘Arafat for the wuquf, “the standing,” the central rite of the hajj. As they congregate there, the pilgrims’ stance and gathering reminds them of the Day of Judgment. Some of them gather at the Mount of Mercy, where the Prophet delivered his unforgettable Farewell Sermon, enunciating far-reaching religious, economic, social and political reforms. These are emotionally charged hours, which the pilgrims spend in worship and supplication. Many shed tears as they ask God to forgive them. On this sacred spot, they reach the culmination of their religious lives as they feel the presence and closeness of a merciful God."
• "Just after sunset, the mass of pilgrims proceeds to Muzdalifah, an open plain about halfway between ‘Arafat and Mina. There they first pray and then collect a fixed number of chickpea-sized pebbles to use on the following days. Before daybreak on the third day, pilgrims move en masse from Muzdalifah to Mina. There they cast at white pillars the pebbles they have previously collected. According to some traditions, this practice is associated with the Prophet Abraham. As pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each of these pillars, they remember the story of Satan’s attempt to persuade Abraham to disregard God’s command to sacrifice his son."
• "Still sojourning in Mina, pilgrims visit Makkah to perform another essential rite of the hajj: the tawaf, the seven-fold circling of the Ka’bah, with a prayer recited during each circuit. Their circumambulation of the Ka’bah, the symbol of God’s oneness, implies that all human activity must have God at its center. It also symbolizes the unity of God and man."
• Many kiss the black stone, but it bears no other significance than that Muhammad kissed it too.

Meaning/Purpose:

• "Pilgrims symbolically relive the experience of exile and atonement undergone by Adam and Eve after they were expelled from Heaven, wandered the earth, met again and sought forgiveness in the valley of Mecca. They also retrace the frantic footsteps of the wife of Abraham, Hagar, as she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water for her thirsty baby (which according to Muslim tradition, God answered with the well of Zam Zam). Lastly, the pilgrims also commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son for the sake of God. God later substituted a ram in place of his son."
•  Pilgrims intend on achieving a deep inner transformation, and finding inner peace that manifests outwardly toward other through empathy, mercy, justice, etc.

http://www.whyislam.org/submission/five-pillars-of-islam-2/pilgrimage/pilgrimage/

http://www.whyislam.org/submission/five-pillars-of-islam-2/pilgrimage/hajj-the-journey-of-a-lifetime/

Chapter 4 Islam for Idiots

Keys Ideas

• We may not depict God, as we have never seen him and cannot understand Him.
• Movies are wrong and blasphemous as they try to depict God in a human way
• We should not depict prophets either, as their appearance can detract from their message (link to Je suis charlie)
• There is only one God. there is not a little bit of God in each of us this is shaytan spreading deceit to keep us away from Him.
• No one has ever seen Allah (Moses was close)
• Allah is one, no divisions and also no chosen people
• Early Islam challenged pagan beliefs
• On judgement day idol-worshipers will be confronted by their idols for their foolishness
• Jesus is considered to have been born like Adam, not part God
• Muslims believe that Allah descending would be below him
• Taqwa- be conscious of God in your heart
• God has no form that we can understand
• Allah is neither male or female, and we can understand him through his 99 names instead of pictures
• 
  

Koran by Heart Journal

(As Nabiollah, written by his translator)

It was very strange coming to Cairo. Everything was so big and crowded, but the Imams welcomed me and I felt relaxed. I was originally nervous, being one the youngest competitors, but once I started to recite I felt calm. When I closed my eyes, I could go through every passage in front of the judges, and it felt normal to recite in front of the President.
I hope third place is good enough to go to the school in the capital my dad likes. I know how much he wants he to get an education. I would like to too, and be able to write so I won't need a translator to write this for me. Then I could also learn the Tajweed. I wish my teacher had taught us that since he spent his time only teaching the Koran. My father made great sacrifices to put me in that school to learn the Koran, and I could tell he was upset I hadn't learned anything else.
Maybe one day I'll go back and compete again, once I know the Tajweed and my feet will touch the ground when I sit in the chair.


-Nabiollah

Islam for Idiots 3

This chapter covers the ideas of growing spiritually, sin and repentance, and the afterlife. Muslims believe that we have three stages of spiritual development: seeking pleasure, seeking answers, and following God. Also, Muslims believe that people are not born with sin, but their animal desires and Shaytan's empty promises may lead them away from following their Fitrah. We must believe in God and ask his forgiveness for sins and be sincere. On Judgement Day we will all be judged for the sins in our lives and how we lived, and if need be our souls are purged of evil in Hell for a period of time.

Rituals In Depth Study

To what extent do rituals shape community identity?
Determine the degree to which the Five Pillars create communal identity.
The five pillars of Islam, Shahadah, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage, all work to create sense of community within Muslim areas. This community, called Umma, comes from each of the five pillars unifying the people through common action and belief. The first pillar, Shahadah, is stating one's belief in God and holding Him above all else. This establishes a commonality among all Muslims and begins the creation of a community. Secondly, a major factor in the ritual of prayer is praying at certain times of day, whether at a mosque or elsewhere. This becomes part of the culture of a place to have a call to prayer and for almost everything to stop for prayer. In doing so, this creates a culture of the locale that is inherently Muslim.  Furthermore, the requirement of tithing to the community aides the less fortunate in the community as a direct result of Islam, reinforcing Umma's identity.  Lastly, pilgrimage makes the Muslim people all unite together in their journey to the Kaaba.

Theme: How does ritual shape daily life?
Discuss how a Muslim lives his or her daily life according to rituals, eg prayer.

"In our modern times, the term ‘jihad’ has come to imply violence, holy wars, and terrorism, particularly in the western world. However, its original, intended meaning – and usage to a great extent in the Muslim world – continues to hark to a larger, more encompassing root word ‘j-h-d’ which means ‘to strive.’

In fact, a tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, differentiates between the ‘greater jihad’ and the ‘lesser jihad.’ Contrary to popular understanding, the greater jihad in Islam is the inner struggle, both spiritual and mundane, Muslims engage in daily in order to lead a righteous life, one which does not only include being mindful of one’s prayers, fasts, and charity, but also kind and just behavior with others, fulfilling duties towards kith, kin, and neighbors, and earning and eating of lawful means, among many other elements."(http://www.whyislam.org/jihad-2/jihad/)

God has ordered Muslims to pray at five set times of day:

Dawn, before sunrise: Fajr.
Midday, after the sun passes its highest point: Dhuhr.
The late part of the afternoon: Asr.
Just after sunset: Maghrib.
Late evening: Isha.

A Muslim is instructed to pray for their benefit, as God has no needs, and to be in the right frame of mind while praying. (http://www.whyislam.org/submission/five-pillars-of-islam-2/prayer/)

These all shape the Muslim's life around the schedule of prayer, and reciting the Quran keeps them to remember what it means to follow Islam. 

Theme: To what extent are rituals affected by social, cultural, and political contexts?

Discuss examples in which Islam is challenged 

by extremism.

"Perhaps the greatest misunderstanding about Islam today is that it is an inherently violent religion whose followers condone acts of terrorism. In reality, terrorism and indiscriminate violence completely contradict the teachings of Islam. Islam is a religion of mercy and ethics.  It encourages people to beautify their relationship with God and with those around them through good character and deeds. 

The Quran, the divinely revealed scripture of Islam, displays an extraordinary respect for human life: “…if anyone kills a person – unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land – it is as if he kills all mankind, while if any saves a life it is as if he saves the lives of all mankind” (5:32). At another point, the Quran states, “…do not take the life God has made sacred, except by right. This is what He commands you to do: Perhaps you will use your reason” (6:151)." (http://www.whyislam.org/jihad-2/what-does-islam-say-about-terrorism/).

Islam is challenged by extremism as it creates a negative connotation, especially in areas where the religion isn't understood as well. This comes as a contradiction to Islam however, as it is strictly against he religion to kill one another.  

Theme: What are the purposes of specific rituals?

Explore the relationship between the Five Pillars of Islam and the key concepts.

Iman (faith in God), Islam (submission to the will of Allah), Tawhid (oneness of Allah—an Islamic

expression of monotheism), Shirk (polytheism), and Risalah (the message of God as revealed to the

Prophet Muhammad) all relate to the first pillar of Islam, Shahadah which is confirming ones belief in God as one and all powerful. The second pillar, prayer, relates to the key concept of Ibadah, which is worship. Lastly, Jihad is struggle, and relates to the pillar of alms giving, in which Muslims help those in need in their community. 

Theme: How are specific rituals linked to a foundational figure?

Discuss the way that rituals are carried out 

in imitation of the practice and teaching of

Muhammad, for example, in relation to prayer. 

Fasting (sawm) is a ritual that is derived from a the primary foundational figure in Islam, Muhammad. During Ramadan, he would take his family into the countryside to meditate and also to fast. This ritual of his became wide spread, and now Muslims everywhere practice fasting from sun up to sun down during Ramadan in order to become closer to Allah.

Timeline of Muhammad's Life

Father died
570 CE Birth
Grandfathers death, taken in by uncle
Married Khadijah
610 CE, during Ramadan hears first message of God
Preaches only to family for three years, first converts were wife, former slave and cousin
End of three years, hears another message to "arise and warn"
Preaches in Mecca for four years
622 driven out of Mecca and emigrates to Yathrib, called Hijrah
First year of reign in Yathrib, changed Qiblah to Kaaba in Mecca
624/5 Muhammad begins to fight Meccans in battles and skirmishes
Fifth year of Hijrah, War of Clans
Sixth year of Hijrah, tries to peacefully enter Mecca and camps out in the hills surrounding the city
Creates treaty with Meccans to enter Mecca and the Kaaba in one year
Eighth year of Hijrah Muslims are murdered in Mecca breaking the treaty, Muhammad responds by taking over the city and forgives most of the Meccans
Tenth year of Hijrah takes pilgrimage of farewell
632 dies
Quran is written


Muhammad's upbringing had the strongest influence on him as he learned to be loyal and a good servant in his time working for both his uncle and Khadijah. This aided him in his devotion to spreading Allah as he was loyal and willing to accept directions from God. This may have hindered him as well, as he wasn't used to speaking out and being a leader because he was a servant for so long.

Chapter #2 Answers.

Chapter two essentially states that Islam means surrender to God, and Muslims are those who have surrendered to Him. Furthermore everything except for humans has already innately surrendered to Allah, as they chose not to receive free will. Humans were the only species to choose to have free will, and they were given this ability to receive love akin to that of parents receiving love from their children. In addition to free will we also have Fitrah, a moral compass that guides us away from just following our animal desires and helps us surrender to God. Muhammad also claims that everyone is born a Muslim, but because of their parents some become Christians or Jews etc.

Discussion Question #8 Answer

For the in depth study of Islam, I think we should build progressively with our understanding of the religion. This means starting with the basics, a timeline of the religion (including Muhammad's life), the essential elements of the Quran and Muslim beliefs, and the three IB questions. Once we have an understanding of the religion we can start to explore different interpretations and real life situations in the context of world religions. After this we should do a practice paper one and two as a class, then have a test based off of old IB Paper 1 & 2 questions.