Classes of November 29 and December 1

These classes were most peculiar as they were both used as study halls. On November 29, select members of the class and Ms. Egan herself were absent as they were on the field trip visiting the Jewish Day School. On December 1, Ms. Egan was absent due to illness and thus, the planned test on Taoism was postponed to December 5.

Notably, we had the journal question pondering "Is Taoism a Religion or Philosophy?".

Here is an article published by the BBC on the matter: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/beliefs/religious_1.shtml

Also, the Taoism and Islam sections of our Religions packets were completed in class.

Yin and Yang Question

How do the balancing Yin and Yang play a role in the Dao and Daosim?

The Yin, in China is the female side of the Dao. It is exemplified in dark, cool, and moist conditions. Its opposite is Yang, the male side of the Dao. Yang, in China, is the male side of the Dao. It is exemplified in bright, warm, and dry conditions. Its opposite is the Yin, the female side of the Dao. The Yin and Yang play a role in the Dao because the Dao is the path, course or way of the universe. The Yin and Yang are seen all throughout the universe. Although the Dao's influence is in nature, the eternal Dao is believed to be hidden from empirical experience. Everything is Yin and Yang. It shows how two things can be one even if they are opposites.

Class of November 16th

Today in class our first paper about The Sacred in Taoism was due, we reviewed the Te of Piglet Template of Analyzing the Logic of an Article questions and watched a scene from the Karate Kid and recorded examples of Taoism and Confucianism, some examples are listed below:

Taoism:

1. Focus and concentrate on moment

2. Outside and surrounded by nature

3. Qi-internal energy- the essence of life

4. Yellow clothing, meditation, and taoist priests praying.

5. Chan displays wuwei as he climbs the mountain without difficulty, but Jayden is suffering and complaining instead.

6. Tai Chi

7. Ying and Yang Water Bath

Confucianism:

1. "Did I say come in?"

2. Jacket on and off

3. Kung Fu is in everything

4. "Be Quiet"

5. Discipline and Obedience

In the Te of Piglet the author leaves it up to the reader to decide if what he is saying is truth or not. He presents a view point and we are to determine if we agree or not. He encourages us to think about if our priorities are reflected in our actions.

Class of November 10th

Today's class was the Fabulous Picture-Taking Wu Wei/Yin Yang Axtravanganza, or FPTWWYYA as I like to call it.  Try pronouncing THAT without getting tired...

Assignment that were due today: Just Circumlectio and to bring a digital camera, which I failed at.
Assignments that were assigned today:  Circumlectio with photos and to begin writing Taoism Essay #1.

And now to the main event!  These are pictures that were taken during class by our Circumlectio group that we believed were examples of wu wei (actionless action) and yin and yang (opposites living in balance and harmony).

This is an example of Yin and Yang.  Yin and Yang represent opposites who live in harmony with one another: hot and cold, light and dark, male and female, heaven and earth, or in this case, wet and dry.       The water on the sidewalk doesn't go and attack the dry sidewalk.  The dryness and wetness just passively lie next to each other, though the very different.

This photo here depicts the wonderful Troy Sinha planking in the Main Office of Good Counsel.  He is displaying Wu Wei very nicely.  To fight against the Tao and act assertively would be to stand up straight using your body strength to hold you upright on your feet.  To act with wu wei would be to allow the Tao and gravity to pull you down until you comfortably lie on the ground.

This picture is an example of Yin and Yang.  It is a patch of dirt and eartth in the middle of the grassy area some may refer to as the GC auditorium or "Aqua Theater".  The dirt and grass, polar opposites, lie peacefully next to each other, defining each other.

This picture displays wu wai.  It is a photo of a flag pole with the Maryland state flag and some other flag I do not recognize.  Wu wei means to live passively in harmony with the Tao.  These flags are flowing passively with the flow of the wind.  This is a good symbol because a gentle breeze is a very good metaphor for the Tao and we are its flags, if we act like proper Taoists.

This is an example of the balance and symmetry between Yin and Yang.  The tiles' colors are Yin or Yang, representing opposites balance harmoniously with each other.  The goal for Taoists is for all creation to live with each other like these tiles.









Because of all these pictures, I'm assuming I don't need a picture or a connection of some sort, as these count as BOTH.

November 8, 2011

Today in class, we first watched a short video on Derek Redmond. He was favored to win the 400m race at the 1992 Olympics. However, soon into the race his hamstring tore- but that did not stop him. He knew he wanted to finish the race. He hobbled to the finish line, clearly in pain, and his father came running right beside Derek to finish the race with his son. This was the beginning of our prayer, and I really thought it was a very interesting and eye-opening video. God will always be by our side, helping us through the struggles in life; but we must have the passion to want to overcome these struggles, just like Derek.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz05WW8abX0

Next, we watched a video of the song, "Honor to Us All" from Mulan. We had to point out the examples of Confucianism and write them in our journal. As a class, we saw examples of obedience to our ancestors and family- Mulan is helping her grandmother help her to fit in and be the woman society wants. This is extremely important in Confucianism. Also, behavior and being on time is important- as seen in this song. Confucianists also serve an emperor and was mentioned in this song. The underlying message for Mulan is to "bring honor" to her family and not disappoint them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkmsyhSEaWc

The last thing we did in class is start watching "Little Buddah." We watched only parts of the movie but so far have learned that Buddah was called Siddhartha. He began to see the evil and bad in the world that his father had hid from him. He wants to make the world a better place and be the one to change this. There are four passing sights relating to Siddhartha: the old, sick, dying, and wandering ascetics. Also, we watched a part in this movie where Siddhartha realizes that your sense of self is only an illusion. Your ego can only make you feel pain. When you realize this, is when you are enlightened.

Class of November 3 2011

In this shortened class, we engaged in a few activities.

A quiz was held on the terms: taixi, tai chi, and shouyi, off of the Daoism unit.

Also, texts analyzing the striking similarities between Winnie the Pooh and the teachings of Laozi of Daoism were distributed. Winnie the Pooh, a character known for his extreme simplicity of life as well as the mind is a great example of the ideal follower of Daoism.

Introduced today was the parable of the Three Vinegar Testers. Three representatives of the major Chinese religions of Confucism, Buddhism, and Daoism were said to have tasted vinegar. The Confucist tasted sourness; the Buddhist bitterness; and the Daoist sweetness. This parable masterfully demonstrates the three schools' distinct outlooks on life, which in this case was represented by the vinegar. For of course, the Daoist finds beauty in even the vinegar and does not let something so lowly as taste alter his flow with the Dao.

Class of November 1st, 2011

This class we continued studying Taoism and the other religions of China.
Assignments Due:  March for Life Permission Form
Homework:  Circumlectio and to study for next quiz.

We started this class with a prayer led by Mrs. Egan, and then proceeded to have our first quiz on Taoism Vocabulary.  The words were:
Tao - In China or in Taoism, the path, course, or way of the universe.  Although its influence is in nature, the eternal Tao is believed to be hidden from empirical experience.
Tao te Jing - "The Way and Its Power", A book attributed to Laozi, founder of Taoism.
Laozi - The sage of China believed to have been the author of the Tao Te Jing.  He is regarded as the founder of Taoism.

Mrs. Egan then presented a powerpoint with a handout on Taoism with some general background notes.  Then we recieved a handout called "Chinese Religion: An Introduction".

We also learned a little bit about a book called "The Tao of Pooh", which relates the behavior of Winnie the Pooh to Taoist practices.

This is a picture of LaoTzu, the beleived father of Taoism.  It is widely believed that Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Jing, the primary sacred text of Taoism.


Connections:
http://webpages.charter.net/sn9/literature/pooh.html
Some excerpts from the Tao of Pooh which will probably help you understand what the book is about.

http://www.squidoo.com/lao-tse-quotes
Here are several quotes from the Tao Te Ching which will give you a better understanding of its general message.

Class of October 28th

Taoism Chapter:

During this class we got to get hands on with Taoism and Chinese culture and religion. We were able to participate in tai chi. We learned the importance of taking in deep slow breaths, and relaxing. Letting go of all anxieties and worries is important in daoism and is done through tai chi and taixi which is embryonic breathing. These focus on simplicity which is key in daoism.

This is a great website, which gives many different suggestions and instructions on tai chi. There are many different exercises that someone can do.

http://www.everyday-taichi.com/

This discusses the history of tai chi in taoism and the value taoists derive from it.

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/tao-chi.html

Here you can see the fluid movements present in tai chi, and how it maintains harmony. This picture is very symbolic.

Class of October 26, 2011

Class today began with an opening prayer focusing on the trials and tribulations of life and the ultimate salvation that God ensures for His faithful. A reading on the Roman Missal occurred, enlightening the class on the fact that the English version of Catholic Mass has been worked and reworked upon in an effort to perfect the translation and meaning from the original Latin source.

The second journal question was assigned today, asking an opinion on the quote "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" and a supplement of what we think our future life journeys to be.

Taoism and Confucianism and their differences/similarities were analyzed today in a video. To summarize, Taoism teaches on the withdrawal of the individual from civilization and a relationship with nature, whereas Confucianism teaches on the various relationships people have with each other in life.

Confucius, the founder of Confucianism.

Here is a video of Bruce Lee giving a quote that very much reflects the attitudes of Taoism in regards to being one with the Tao and the flow of all things:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

Class of October 24th, 2011

Today we started a new chapter: China and Japan. We are now studying Daoism. We took notes on the book pages all of class and answered the question. New vocab is:

Yang: In China, the male side of the Dao. It is exemplified in bright, warm, and dry conditions. Its opposite is the Yin, the female side of the Dao.

Yin: In China, the female side of the Dao. It is exemplified in dark, cool, and moist conditions. Its opposite is Yang, the male side of the Dao.

Dao (Tao): In China or in Daoism, the path, course, or way of the universe. Although its influence is in nature, the eternal Dao is believed to be hidden from empirical experience.

Yijing (I Ching): An ancient book of China that assists people in deciding how to plan their lives in accord with the forces of the universe. The Yijing influenced both Daoism and Confucianism.

Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching): The Way and Its Power. A book attributed to Laozi, founder of Daoism.

Daoists (Taoists): Followers of a philosophy or religion expressed in the Dao De Jing, attributed to Laozi, a sage of ancient China.

Laozi (Lao Tzu): The sage of China believed to have been the author of the Dao De Jin. He is regarded as the founder of Daoism.

Wuwei: the Daoist principle of accomplishing tasks without assertion. Individuals in harmony with the flow of the Dao can accomplish more than individuals who assert themselves.

Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu): A later Daosit. Zhuangzi wrote, in part, to distinguish Daoism from Confucianism.

Shang Di: In China, the lord of heaven. Ancestors are believed to be obedient to Shang Di as living persons are to the emperor.

Jade Emperor: A mythical emperor of ancient China. In 1012 C.E., the emperor (Chen Tsung), claimed to have received revelation from Huang Di, the Jade Emperor.

Zaoshen (Tsao Shen): In Daoism, the god of the stove. The stove was essential in family life and in the work of the Daoist alchemists.

Three Purities: In China, three deities of Daosim: Ling Bao, the Jade Emperor, and Laozi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuGouNqFVK8

Taixi: In Daoism, the art of embryonic breathing, a method of holding one’s breath in contemplation.

Shouyi: In Daoism, to preserve the One or to meditate on the One. It includes methods of meditation on the One.

Class of October 14th

1. a. Describe the obligation of salat.

b. What is the purpose of salat?

2. a.What is the significance of the Grand Mosque? How is it unique?

b. Describe the main event that occurs at the Grand Mosque.

3. a. What is the role of the Qur'an in Islam?

b. How is the nature of Allah revealed in the Qur'an?

4. a. What occured after the death of Allah?

b. What is Muhammad's role and position in Islam?

5. a. How is the Qur'an, Sunna, and hadith interpreted?

The Qur'an is the sacred scripture of Islam, that was dictated to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. Both the sunna and hadith are related to the traditions, customs, saying, or actions of Muhammad. All these things are interpreted by various groups of muslims. The more traditional view is used in hanifite schooling which is very liberal and focuses on opinion. On the other end of the spectrum, hanbalite is extremely conservative. It rejects all opinion and puts the Qur'an above the hadith. People interpret the scripture by using qiyas which are analogies which help people interpret things that cause confusion. Ijma and ra'y is also very much considered as they look at the view and opinion of Muslim authorities.

b. What is the role of women in Islam and how has in changed due to modern times?

In Islam, women are to be treated justly with respect, and abuse of them is not permitted. They are allowed to own property, but are dependent on men. However, their roles are not separate from men, but supportive. Men and women are to work together as companions. In, Islam modesty, especially of women is very important. In public they are to wear head scarfs, and make sure their hair is covered. In front of their family they do not have to do this, but in front of unrelated men it is normally worn. However, this custom is becoming less common. Now, especially in America, more women are choosing certain specified occasions to cover up instead of all the time. Also, all of Muhammad's wives were widowed. This showed that he respected and cared for women who were abandoned. This set a precedent for all Muslims, as they are to follow the customs of Muhammad and treat all women with respect and dignity.

Class of October 10th, 2011

This class was taken up mainly by three out of the five student Prezi presentations about the geography of the world's affects on religion and by the fourth and final Islam Vocabulary Quiz.  The terms on the quiz were:

• Muezzin - The ministers of the Muslim Mosques who call Muslims to prayer
• Rasul - Prophet in Arabic, the prophets of the Muslim church
• Chaliph - The successor to Muhammad and leader of the church of Islam

Assignments:  A 1-2 page essay on what the sacred means to Islam is due next class.

Because the class was mostly about the world and it's natural affects on religion and culture, the theme visual will be a world map...of the world.

Connections:

Because the quiz was about different positions in Islam, here is an article visiting the presence of hierarchy in Islam.

http://spa.qibla.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=803&CATE=3

 Because the more forgotten theme of class was increasing our experience with Prezi, here is an interview with the CEO of the rapidly growing non-linear presentation sensation that some call Prezi.

http://memeburn.com/2011/10/qa-with-prezi-ceo-on-non-linear-presentations/comment-page-1/

Class of October 4th, 2011

This class session featured a lecture on the Qur'an and the themes it contains.

It must be noted that the religion of Islam is one that is focused upon a very straightforward

message. That is, that Allah is the supreme creator and master of the universe, transcendent above all things. Allah's central miracle, of course, is none other than the Qur'an.

The Qur'an is the high sacred text of Islam, and its most sacred object. It is revered as a gift from Allah to humanity. Compiled from the messages delivered to His rasul Muhammad over many decades, the Qur'an contains the Word of Allah. Interestingly, the Qur'an is only kept in Arabic, honoring its roots in Arabia. It must be understood that versions of the Qur'an in other languages are not truly Qur'ans. Rather, these are mere translations of the sacred book.

The Qur'an's content is quite remarkable. The phrase "In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate" and others like it are repeated many times in the text. In addition, this text features 114 chapters and 6000 verses, mentioning Allah over 2500 times. The fact that there exist no doctrines of original sin or atonement in Islam is a very noteworthy fact. Another central message of the Qur'an is that humans are special representatives of Allah.

• The Qur'an is but a correction and not a nullification of the New Testament and Torah
• Featuring 114 chapters and 6000 verses, Allah is mentioned over 2500 times
• The only miracle produced by Muhammad
• The Qur'an exists only in Arabic; translations are not true Qur'ans
• There exist no doctrines of original sin or atonement in Islam
• Humans are special representatives of God's creation on Earth

The remainder of the class was spent on creating posters for designated topics.

Connections with the Qur'an

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5hjVy90HAM

Class 11 10/6/11

Today we learned new vocab words relating to Islam. We got in a group and presented our vocab word that we had drawn and defined on a poster. The vocab words are:

Shi'ites: the old devision of Mulim people culminated with the choice of the fourth Caliph-Ali because Caliph. But he was assassinated in 661. Some people think he is a martyr for this. Many Muslims reenact his death. The Shi'ites were Sunni followers of Mu'awiyou. They believed you can combine all rakas into 3 times a day instead of 5. Also, they thought you should put your forehead on a clay tablet when praying on the ground. They also believe that 'Ali is the "messiah" of Islam- he would be the one to save them. They also believed the 12th Imam was hidden by Allah and will return at the end of time. They give preference to the Sunnas and Hadiths that are directly related to the prophet and his family.

-This picture is an example of a Shi'ite praying with the clay tablet on his forehead.

Sufis: They were called the "dancing dervishes" because they are known for spinning around many times for prayer- they come out of their body. They experience union of soul with God. They look to their own experience and not to the well being of the greater Muslim Community. Concentration of Meditation and Mystical Experience helps them be one with god. They focus on the individual rather the Muslim community- which is why they are largely misunderstood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqTivYocfr0

^This is a video of Sufi Dancing.

Shari'a: These are the duties that God has placed on Muslim community. It is translated as "law." If you break it they use "an eye for an eye" punishment. You could have your hand chopped off if you steal something with that hand. In Schools they used Hanifite (liberal, personal opinion important to Ra'y), Malikite (holds consensus of Medina Community), Shafi'ite (rejects an opinion holds Hadith above Quran), and Hanbalite (rejects all opinion, Quran is above Hadith; most conservative. Ijma is also consensus of Muslim religious leaders on the matter of practice. Qiyan are Islam analogies used in applying the Quran and the Sunna to other practical situations. Ra'y in Muslim law is the considered opinion of Muslim leaders acting for the public good.

Sunni: They believe that when Uthman was murdered, the next Caliph needed to be chosen. People of Medina wanted 'Ali to be chosen as the next Caliph. Mu'awiyah, the governor of Syna, nominated himself. Sunni traditionalists accept Mu'awiyah as the next Caliph. They are also the largest group of Muslims.

-This is a map showing the Muslim distribution: Sunni vs. Shia. As you can see there is a much larger Sunni population than Shia.

Class 9-The Hajj

Friday, September 30th in class we focused on the final Pillar of Islam, the hajj. We created our own personal RAFTs about how the hajj is beneficial for Muslims, and completed a worksheet answering questions about the hajj.

CONNECTIONS

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/culture-places/beliefs-and-traditions/saudiarabia_mecca.html

This is a good video that is a great description about the activities of the hajj and its importance.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1864624,00.html

This is an article by TIME magazine with informative information about the hajj.

http://www.zia-ud-deen.com/2009/10/spirit-of-hajj_29.html

I found this article interesting because it actually criticizes the modern spirit of the hajj. It argues that it has lost much of its spiritual meaning and significance. This to me made Islam more relatable, because much like other religions it is not perfect. Despite the strict requirements it asks of its followers people still drift away from what should be important. This article s critical but also gives another perspective whether it is true or not

Class 8 - September 28th, 2011

Homework Due this Class:  Study for Vocabulary Quiz #2

In this class we focused on learning more about one of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj.  We begun class with a prayer by Michael McCarthy on taking a stand and taking action against general injustice in the world.  We then took our second Islam Vocabulary Quiz on the following words:

  Qur'an - The sacred scripture of Muslims, regarded as the word of God dictated by Muhummad by God through the archangel Gabriel.  The prophet received and recited the messages over approximately twenty years.
  Shahada - Means witnessing.  The Muslim profession of faith.  There is but one God and Muhummad is his rasul or messenger.
  Tawhid - The Muslim Doctrine of the unity of God.  Islam denies any partners to God such as Christians are believed to have in their trinity.

After the quiz, we read an excerpt from "Islam:  The Straight Path" on the sacred pilgrimage of the hajj.  It explained the hajj in further detail.  It talked about the origin of the hajj, why Muslims travel to the Ka'ba, and its connection with Muhummad himself.  It talks about how the hajj fits into the Muslim calendar and how it is decided when it takes place.  It then explains the practices that occur when one is on his/her hajj.  It really only focused on the technical aspect of the hajj instead of the spiritual significance.

Then we got a more personal supplement by watching a documentary by National Geographic about inside Mecca and it also followed a modern Muslim convert on her hajj with lots of her thoughts and observations.  It gave a different angle to looking at the hajj and why it's important.

Homework Due Next Class:  Study for Vocabulary Quiz #3

This is a picture of Muslims on their hajj at the Ka'ba.  It really emphasizes how serious this experience is and the high the magnitude of people that visit the Ka'ba is.  The photo expresses how humongous and important this pillar of Islam is to their religious experience.





My first connection is an article on the Washington Post about the hajj of 2010, reflecting afterwards.  It has some lovely photos of the religious experience Muslims have on their hajj.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2010/11/as_hajj_ends_eid_al-adha_prepa.html

My second connection is a video of a first person perspective of the hajj.  It is helpful if you wanted to know what it actually looks like in Mecca at the time of the hajj.  It is quite inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjwZZBDGSHI&feature=related

Class 7 - September 26th, 2011

In this class, we learned about the next two five pillars of Islam: Salat and Sawm. We learned that before Salat, wudhu must be done. This is a ritual washing performed by Muslims before prayer, always in Arabaic. They must always be cleaned when praying to Allah.


Steps:



1. Hands (right then left, 3 times)

2. Mouth (3 times)

3. Nose (3 times)

4. Face (essential- at least once but usually 3 times)
5. Arms (right then left, 3 times- essential)

6. Hair (once- compulsory act)

7. Ears (wiped inside and behind)

8. Feet (right then left- compulsory act- 3 times)



These must be performed after falling asleep, going to the bathroom, passing wind, bleeding heavily, vomiting, etc. You notice that three appears a number of times. This is because three is a symbol for the ultimate of something.


Video on how to make Wuduh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y5Fj7Ob27M&feature=related



Three ratkahs are done at all five times of prayer:


Steps:


1. Takbir
2. Qiyaam

3. Ruku

4. Brief Qiyaam

5. Sujud

6. Brief Sitting
7. Sujud

8. Tashannud

9. Peace to right

10. Peace to left




The next pillar is called Sawm. This is fasting primarily during the month of Ramadan. Muslims abstain from drinking, eating, gambling, and all sensuous pleasures from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, one of the most important times of a Muslims year.



The class came up with words that describe why Muslims do this. What do they benefit from fasting and not even being able to brush their teeth? These things seem so essential to us that we take them for granted. A Muslim fasts during Ramadan in remembrance, for sacrifice, (re)dedication, clarity and purification. A Muslim benefits a lot from Sawm because he/she remembers all that Allah has given them and is thankful for all that they have. They constantly remember and to forget (shirk) is the biggest sin, so Sawm is helpful. Also, they sacrifce a lot for their religion, but this is all for Allah. Sawm requires dedication and clarity because one needs to be focused and completley reverent during Ramadan. The Muslim is also purified through Sawm.








The song, "How Great Thou Art" connects to this class because it talks about how great God is and says, "Then I shall bow, in humble adoration and there proclaim, my God how great Thou art!" which relates to how Muslims respond to Allah and the way we bow is like the way they salat, only they do it many times a day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk

Class 6 - September 20

Ms. Egan's B2 Class experienced its fine foray into the study of Islam. Events of this class include:

• An in house produced documentary by CPD on Islam and how to approach its subscribers. Clearly, customs such as avoidance of direct eyesight, the removal of shoes, and the daily five periods of prayer were addressed as well as the wide diversity of the Muslim community.
• A powerpoint presentation on the subject of Islam and its background, including of course, its founder Muhammad, its sacred text the Qur'an, as well as other factoids. For instance, the fact that the majority of Muslims inhabit the African and Asian continents and that in global total they are approximately 1.3 billion in number.
• Another video documentary of Islam and its background, links here: http://www.youtube.com/user/jarhood?ob=5#p/u/21/mhYt7s0MWtk http://www.youtube.com/user/jarhood?ob=5#p/u/20/mAbli9wqSGs

Islam, like all other religions, deserves respect and compassion from all. Just as was addressed in the CPD documentary, Islam and its followers are really quite ordinary people. We must all keep an open-mindedness and dismiss all notions of "weirdness" or "foreignness". A small, radical fraction of a people is not at all enough to stereotype. Again, Islam is a young system; it was not more than 500 years ago that the warriors of Christendom were acting out the Inquisition and Crusades.

Terms to remember include:

Islam - The religion and desirable "straight path" of the Islamic faith. Meaning "submission".

Muslim - A follower of Islam, translating to "submitter".

Muhammad - Revered founder of Islam. Born of the Quraysh tribe in Arabia. Had Gabriel appear before him to lead what would be a cultural and religious revolution.

Connections: Here is a spin on the Kanye West song "Jesus Walks", in which fellow hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco gives his take from a Muslim perspective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSIkgRLdWYQ&feature=related

Homework: Article Who is Allah?

Review notes and terms

Class 5-September 10th, 2011

Vocabulary: Chapter 10 Islam

Sunna- This is the custom or tradition of Muhammad, which supplements the Qur'an as a source for the Shari'a.

Sunni- These are the traditional, majority or Muslims who accept Mu'awiyah as the next leader after 'Uthman.

Tawhid- The Muslim doctrine of the unity of God because the faith denies any partners of God. Unlike the Chritian Doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

Timothy Drew- Was a contributor to the Black Muslim movement in the U.S., and he taught that blacks are Asiatics or Muslims.

'Ulama'- are Muslim clerical scholars

Ummah- an Arabic word for community or nation, it is the Muslim community throughout the whole world.

Wahhab- In Islam, Muslims call God 'Alah,' however that is not his only name. Wahhab is one of the ninety nine names they use, this name means The Servant of the Bestower.

Zakat- In the Islamic culture, the payment of a due to support the community, which is an act of purification through giving.

Chapter 10: First 10 pages

The first portion of this chapter is an introduction to Islam. it discusses the earliest foundation of it and it's birth by the prophet Muhammad. We learn about his early life, and how he began to fall into the new religion which he is responsible for. His goals are relayed to us by his administrative, military, and spiritual leadership.

Although Islam is one of the world's youngest religions it has surprised us all with its rapid growth in followers. As of 2007 Islam was already the world's largest religion ahead of Catholicism, however Christianity as a whole is still larger than Islam.

The two colors of green represent Islam.

One aspect of Islam I found surprising was its policy to "lead, defend, and avenge the members of [his] tribe" (331). They live by honor and retaliation. However, this is something most people misinterpret, especially Muhammad's creation of an Arabian military. So, we should not think that Muslims are violent people, but believe strongly in dignity and respect.

This video shows just how important Muhammad is, not only to Islam, but to the whole world.

He is honored as one of the most influential persons in history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-8AW6g4WwQ&feature=player_detailpage

Class 4 - September 6th, 2011

Today's class was focused on preparing our mind to be respectful towards other religions of the world, no matter how different they may be from our beliefs.  We may naturally look at other's religions and practices and say something like, "Wicca?!  Modern-day witches?  That's preposterous!  Who would ever practice something as unreasonable as that!".  Instead, we should view a person's religion from their point of view, returning to John Dunne's idea of passing over and coming back.

We began class with a prayer very nicely led by Stefano Belloni.  Afterwards, in a power-point/handout Ms. Egan presented to us, we looked over some things to avoid when passing over in order to study other religions with respect.  Some terms were Out of Hand Dismissal (viewing from a distance and mocking was seems foreign or complex, often using stereotypes), Museum Shelf Viewpoint Method (viewing something from a distance and seeing it as distant or unconnected to personal everyday life), Premature Assimilation (Making unreasonable generalizations or connections like 'Bhrahman is the Hindu Jesus'), and Idealization (Liking one part of a faith does not make you a member of that religion.  We glossed over some more outlandish (excuse the word) religions and practices to get the idea across on how to view a belief openly.  We finished class by working on a RAFT with a topic of Respectfully Approaching World Religions.

This lesson was all about not instantly labeling something ridiculous as crazy.  Something being different or unfamiliar doesn't make it wrong.  A great example are geniuses of history.  Just to name one:  Albert Einstein.

This may not connect directly to the theme of class, but when you look at this picture, you instantly assume the man is crazy.  You may never guess that this man was one of the greatest thinkers of all time, developing the theory of relativity among other things.  You're instant human reaction to this photograph is the mental process we were learning to avoid in class today.  He may look silly, but there is more sense to this man than you would expect.

As the theme of this class was properly studying things that may seem to us at first ridiculous, the first connection involves ridiculous-seeming things as well.  This video, in addition to being one of the finest British comedy sketches of all times, shows two people who at first may seem extremely silly or crazy, but after a while you realize they are both very serious about what they do and respect each other about it.

My second connection is more serious.  It is an article about Pope John Paul II respect for the Jewish church.  It references him placing a prayer note in the Western Wall, respecting Jewish tradition instead of saying, "Wha-What?!?!  Jesus isn't the Son of God?!  Ridiculous!"  John Paul II is a great example of how respectful and open we should be to other religions throughout the world.

CLASS 3 - August 31, 2011

This class was mainly about discussing "passing over and coming back" and relating that to Gandhi. Passing over and coming back is a term used to describe someone who leaves their religion, discovers and respects others, but always come back to their own religion. Why is it important to us? Although most of us haven't experienced this, it may happen in your life. It opens us up to a whole new world that we haven't been shown. It gives us a chance to expand our knowledge of other's religions and perhaps practice them.

Gandhi was the number one example that we discussed in class. He gave up everything he had, left his religion (Hinduism), left his wife and children, and discovered a whole new world of religions. But in the end, he of course "came back" to Hinduism.

A poem about Gandhi:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/santosh-sharma/mahatma-gandhi-6/

This is also a link to a song called The Scientist by Coldplay. Although the song is about losing a loved one, the refrain says, "I'm going back to the start," and can relate so much to returning to our religion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWLpTKBFcU&ob=av2n

Class 2 - August 29, 2011

It should be duly noted that religions tend to follow a template. This fact, essential to understanding the religions of the world, was the topic of our second class. Paramount to the apprehension of this core lesson was the writing of Eliade's The Sacred and the Profane. Several features that are included in mainstream religions were described in the above mentioned work, and are listed below as well:

the Sacred - that which is transcendent, beyond the mortal plane (gods, God, Nirvana, deities)

hierophany - the occasion in which the sacred breaks into the human experience (revelation)

homo religiosus - lower beings prepared to appreciate such a breakthrough (humans)

numinous - the experience between homo religiosus and the sacred

cosmogony - the study of the universe's origin

axis mundi - place in which the Sacred's presence can be sensed (church, Mecca)

theophany - the Sacred appearing before homo religiosus (various Old Testament passages)

Along with the above terminology, the fact that humans are exclusive in this mortal realm to sense and experience an intertwining with the sacred must be stressed. A real-life scenario of this statement is the birth of a child. Any other organism would feel the simple maternal and paternal instincts for such an occasion. It is with human individuals, however, that the sheer complexity and culmination of a myriad of workings on such a high magnitude are realized. To a human parent, an infant is not just the result of reproduction and the continuation of the species. Rather, it becomes a beautiful thing to be cherished, loved, and protected. Indeed, this principle can be applied to religion with ease with this statement from the catechism "The desire for God is written on the human heart."

A video example is the introduction to the Lion King. While it plainly states one of nature's obvious features (life and death, again and again), its message and beauty can only truly be appreciated by a sentient individual.

Only something a human could truly behold.

The presence of the Sacred is felt at the Mecca, an axis mundi.

Vocab Words are:

Epic - A narrative, story that details the pursuits of a traditional, likable hero. Epics usually involve great travels and feats performed. Works such as the Old Testament feature many epics.

Myth - A superstitious story involving the supernatural and paranormal. Obviously, such works are classified as fiction. Myths usually represent the worldview and beliefs of a people.

Profane - The non-religious. That which is in the ordinary plane where mortals reside. Outside of the sphere of religion.

Rite of pasage - A ceremonial act(s) that is done to signal the transitioning of different phases of life. It is common for various cultures to put their young through rites of passage when entering into adulthood. Christian rites of passage include baptism, first communion, and confirmation.

Ritual - A prescribed religious ceremony. Religions in general tend to host a myriad of rituals. Religious rituals are done periodically and ceremonially with various purposes.

Sacred - That which is holy, and, sacred. This can be in a host of forms such as a deity, object, or some destination. The sacred is set apart from all other things and is worshiped.

Scriptures - Holy, sacred writings. Examples include the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible. Scriptures can be found in nearly all religions and typically include a guideline or central message.

Secular - That which is separate from the spiritual and religious. Secularism is the ideal of dealing with everyday, worldly matters without the interference of religion. Where a church is definitely religious, a government is secular (or at least, should be).

Class 1- RELIGION 08/25/11

This class the main topic was religion. We discussed what religion meant to us, and different religions. In our homework the Aborigines in Australia were mentioned. In 2009 I was able to go to Australia, one city I visited was Cairns. Here I got to meet a few of the natives, where I got to see their culture hands on. It was interesting to see how different their culture and religion is. In the pictures above show one of the Aborigines in his native outfit.

Everything by Lifehouse

This is a youtube link of a song and video that discusses the importance of Jesus Christ in Christianity. It shows that Jesus isn't just someone we pray to, but who's involved in our everyday lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_M33GcJAmU