The Arará religion is related to Lucumí (Santeria) and Vodou, with some overlap in songs, deities, and practices. All three use percussive music and dance to induce spiritual possession. In Cuba, Arará has been overshadowed by Lucumí, and its distinctive cultural identity is now in danger of assimilation, which is not really the case in Puerto Rico.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Santería
Santeria is the popular name for a set of religious beliefs which are a blend of Catholic and African religious traditions. It developed in the Spanish-speaking islands of the Caribbean during the first centuries of Spanish colonization. Spanish missionaries attempted to teach the Catholic religion to black Africans brought as slaves, mainly from the Yoruba tribe in what is now Nigeria.
It is believed that the African slaves accepted reluctantly the teachings of Spanish missionaries. They were threatened against practising their own religious rites. Fear of punishment may have had much influence in the resulting blend of beliefs. From the beginning, Santeria had a lot of similarities with the Catholic Church, like worshiping of saints, mass, lighting of candles, and celebrations of the saintís holidays. Throughout time, many Catholic Puerto Ricans became followers of Santeria. The same thing happened throughout other Spanish-speaking nations in the Caribbean and Latin America. Each country developed its own set of beliefs, always in the bipolarity of Catholic and African cultural traditions.
To this day, many people practice Santeria in secret because they do not want to be criticized by the Catholic church that is against this practice. Secrecy has been a key feature of Santeria since it began to be practiced in the Caribbean. Slaves were forbidden to practice their rituals by Catholic missionaries, and severely punished if caught in Santeria rituals.
It is believed that the African slaves accepted reluctantly the teachings of Spanish missionaries. They were threatened against practising their own religious rites. Fear of punishment may have had much influence in the resulting blend of beliefs. From the beginning, Santeria had a lot of similarities with the Catholic Church, like worshiping of saints, mass, lighting of candles, and celebrations of the saintís holidays. Throughout time, many Catholic Puerto Ricans became followers of Santeria. The same thing happened throughout other Spanish-speaking nations in the Caribbean and Latin America. Each country developed its own set of beliefs, always in the bipolarity of Catholic and African cultural traditions.
To this day, many people practice Santeria in secret because they do not want to be criticized by the Catholic church that is against this practice. Secrecy has been a key feature of Santeria since it began to be practiced in the Caribbean. Slaves were forbidden to practice their rituals by Catholic missionaries, and severely punished if caught in Santeria rituals.
Quimbanda
Quimbanda is an Afro-Brazilian religion practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil. Quimbanda practices are typically associated with magic, rituals involving animal sacrifice and marginal locations, orishas, exus, and pomba gira spirits. Quimbanda was originally contained under the religious tradition of Macumba. In the mid-20th century, Macumba split into two religions: Quimbanda and Umbanda. Umbanda represented the more acceptable traits of Macumba, while Quimbanda retained the distinctively African traits, which detractors hailed as black magic. Quimbanda has continued to distinguish itself as a religion, while resisting Catholic and French Spiritist influences that have penetrated Umbanda and other Afro-Brazilian religions.
Umbanda
Umbanda is a relatively new religion that originated in Brazil in the early 20th century. It blends the best of Candomble and Spiritism creating its own unique identity. David St. Clair, in his book Drum and Candle, wrote, “…more sophisticated than African ritual and more understandable than French-implanted Spiritism.”
Zelio de Moraes, under the guidance of a spirit guide, is believed to be responsible for the creation of Umbanda. According to Davis St. Clair, Caboclo, a spirit guide who was an Indian half-breed native Brazilian in his last incarnation, revealed to Zelio that neither Candomble nor Spiritism, “was right and proceeded to dictate a brand new set of rules, regulations, rituals, chants, drumbeats, herbal cures, curses, dance steps, etc.”
Although to an outsider Umbanda looks similar to Candomble in style, it is very different. In Umbanda religion, “both men and women participate in the dancing and receive the spirits into their bodies, unlike the Bahian Candomble, where women rule completely” (Drum and Candle).
Umbanda’s belief system consists of a Supreme Creator, deities called Orixas, Catholic saints, spirits of the deceased, spirit guides, reincarnation, spiritual evolution and the practices of charity and social fraternity.
Zelio de Moraes, under the guidance of a spirit guide, is believed to be responsible for the creation of Umbanda. According to Davis St. Clair, Caboclo, a spirit guide who was an Indian half-breed native Brazilian in his last incarnation, revealed to Zelio that neither Candomble nor Spiritism, “was right and proceeded to dictate a brand new set of rules, regulations, rituals, chants, drumbeats, herbal cures, curses, dance steps, etc.”
Although to an outsider Umbanda looks similar to Candomble in style, it is very different. In Umbanda religion, “both men and women participate in the dancing and receive the spirits into their bodies, unlike the Bahian Candomble, where women rule completely” (Drum and Candle).
Umbanda’s belief system consists of a Supreme Creator, deities called Orixas, Catholic saints, spirits of the deceased, spirit guides, reincarnation, spiritual evolution and the practices of charity and social fraternity.
Candomblé
Candomblé is an African-inspired religion that is practiced primarily in Brazil, but also in other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. African slaves from the Yoruba, Ewe, Fon, and Bantu nations, among others, whom the Portuguese brought to Brazil during the years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, brought their religious beliefs and practices with them. These beliefs and practices gradually evolved into the many variations of religious practice now commonly referred to as Candomblé. Although Candomblé adherents were persecuted for centuries, Candomblé is now recognized as an established religion in Brazil.
Candomblé religious practice focuses on the worship of orixás—deities derived from the African deities. Each orixá has a distinct personality, and one or more patron orixás, identified by a priest, choose each Candomblé adherent at birth. Some of the major orixás include Exu, Ibeji, Omolu, Oxóssi, Oxum, Xangô, and Yemanjá.
Some variations of Candomblé incorporate elements from Christianity, and some orixás are identified with analogous Catholic saints. This process of cultural mixing is known as syncretism. In recent years, the diminishment of religious prejudices in Brazil has given rise to a tendency within Candomblé to reject the Christian elements of the religion and to strive for a system of beliefs and practices based exclusively on African elements. For example, Mãe Stella de Oxossi, the iyalorishá or high priestess of Ilê Axé Opo Afonjá, one of the oldest Candomblé terreiros (places of worship) in Bahia, has devoted herself to putting an end to syncretism.
Candomblé rituals are led by a pãe de santo (high priest) or mãe de santo (high priestess) and often take place in terreiros. Some terreiros take the form of park-like grounds with houses in which members of the community live. In the first and private part of the ritual, initiates and aides prepare the clothes to be worn during the ritual and adorn the place of worship with the colors favored by the orixás to be honored. In addition, they prepare the food to be served. In the second and public part, each participant invokes an orixá, entering into a trance-like state. After recovering from the trance, the participant performs a dance symbolic of the orixá's attributes, while the leading male priest sings about the spirit's deeds. The ritual ends with a banquet.
Candomblé religious practice focuses on the worship of orixás—deities derived from the African deities. Each orixá has a distinct personality, and one or more patron orixás, identified by a priest, choose each Candomblé adherent at birth. Some of the major orixás include Exu, Ibeji, Omolu, Oxóssi, Oxum, Xangô, and Yemanjá.
Some variations of Candomblé incorporate elements from Christianity, and some orixás are identified with analogous Catholic saints. This process of cultural mixing is known as syncretism. In recent years, the diminishment of religious prejudices in Brazil has given rise to a tendency within Candomblé to reject the Christian elements of the religion and to strive for a system of beliefs and practices based exclusively on African elements. For example, Mãe Stella de Oxossi, the iyalorishá or high priestess of Ilê Axé Opo Afonjá, one of the oldest Candomblé terreiros (places of worship) in Bahia, has devoted herself to putting an end to syncretism.
Candomblé rituals are led by a pãe de santo (high priest) or mãe de santo (high priestess) and often take place in terreiros. Some terreiros take the form of park-like grounds with houses in which members of the community live. In the first and private part of the ritual, initiates and aides prepare the clothes to be worn during the ritual and adorn the place of worship with the colors favored by the orixás to be honored. In addition, they prepare the food to be served. In the second and public part, each participant invokes an orixá, entering into a trance-like state. After recovering from the trance, the participant performs a dance symbolic of the orixá's attributes, while the leading male priest sings about the spirit's deeds. The ritual ends with a banquet.
Spiritism
Spiritism is a loose corpus of religious faiths having in common the general belief in the survival of a spirit after death. In a stricter sense, it is the religion, beliefs and practices of the people affiliated to the International Spiritist Union, based on the works of Allan Kardec and others. Formed in France in the 19th century, it soon spread to other countries, but today the only country where it has a significant number of adherents is Brazil.Spiritism is based on the five books of the Spiritist Codification written by French educator Hypolite Léon Denizard Rivail under the pseudonym Allan Kardec reporting séances in which he observed a series of phenomena that he attributed to incorporeal intelligence (spirits). His work was later extended by writers like Leon Denis, Arthur Conan Doyle, Camille Flammarion, Gabriel Delanne, Ernesto Bozzano, Chico Xavier, Divaldo Pereira Franco, Waldo Vieira, Johannes Greber[1][unreliable source?] and others. Ithas adherents in many countries throughout the world, including Spain, United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, England, Argentina, Portugal and especially in American countries such as Cuba, Jamaica, and Brazil, which has among the largest proportion and greatest number of followers.
Free Masonry
Freemasonry, Eastern Star, and other similar "secret" organizations appear to be harmless fellowship gatherings. Many of them appear to promote belief in God. However, upon closer examination, we find that the only belief requirement is not that one must believe in the True and Living God, but rather, that one must believe in the existence of a “Supreme Being”, which includes the “gods” of Islam, Hinduism, or any other world religion. The unbiblical and anti-Christian beliefs and practices of this organization are partially hidden beneath an outward appearance of a supposed compatibility with the Christian faith. Mason’s View: The Bible is only one of several “Volume(s) of Sacred Law,” all of which are deemed to be equally important in Freemasonry. The Bible is an important book, only as far as those members who claim to be Christians are concerned, just as the Koran is important to Muslims. The Bible is not considered to be the exclusive Word of God, nor is it considered to be God’s sole revelation of himself to humankind; but only one of many religious sourcebooks. It is a good guide for morality. The Bible is used primarily as a symbol of God’s will, which can also be captured in other sacred texts, like the Koran or Rig Vedas.
Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalism is a fairly small, yet widely influential, cult. Having some 300,000 registered members, mostly in the United States, they are becoming more and more popular. Relativism, tolerance, and alternative lifestyles are all buzz words used by Unitarian Universalism.
The Unitarian Universalist name comes from their denial of the doctrine of the Trinity and their belief that all human beings gain salvation. According to Universalists, the mere idea someone might go to hell is not compatible with the character of a loving God. Its roots go all the way back to the sixteenth century when Unitarian beliefs became popular during the Reformation. Unitarian thought and Universal thought were merged together during the late eighteenth-century in America during the Age of Reason. The intellectual elite of that time refused to believe in such biblical teachings as total depravity and eternal damnation, but rather embraced the idea of a loving God who would never cause someone to suffer.
Adherents of Unitarian Universalism base their beliefs primarily upon their own experiences and are not committed to any one religious system. They believe that individuals have the right to decide for themselves what to believe in and that others should not infringe upon this right. As a result, one such believer might lean toward liberal Christianity, while another might lean toward New Age spirituality. There is no real dogma beyond tolerance—for everything except biblical Christianity. They reject the Bible as a book of myths—denying it is the Word of God—equating it with barbaric writing that has little to do with modern man. They reject the Bible's portrayal of a Triune God, leaving the concept of God up to each individual's imagination.
The Unitarian Universalist name comes from their denial of the doctrine of the Trinity and their belief that all human beings gain salvation. According to Universalists, the mere idea someone might go to hell is not compatible with the character of a loving God. Its roots go all the way back to the sixteenth century when Unitarian beliefs became popular during the Reformation. Unitarian thought and Universal thought were merged together during the late eighteenth-century in America during the Age of Reason. The intellectual elite of that time refused to believe in such biblical teachings as total depravity and eternal damnation, but rather embraced the idea of a loving God who would never cause someone to suffer.
Adherents of Unitarian Universalism base their beliefs primarily upon their own experiences and are not committed to any one religious system. They believe that individuals have the right to decide for themselves what to believe in and that others should not infringe upon this right. As a result, one such believer might lean toward liberal Christianity, while another might lean toward New Age spirituality. There is no real dogma beyond tolerance—for everything except biblical Christianity. They reject the Bible as a book of myths—denying it is the Word of God—equating it with barbaric writing that has little to do with modern man. They reject the Bible's portrayal of a Triune God, leaving the concept of God up to each individual's imagination.
Syncretism
Syncretism is the reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief. This is most evident in the areas of philosophy and religion, and usually results in a new teaching or belief system. Obviously, this cannot be reconciled to biblical Christianity.
Religious syncretism often takes place when foreign beliefs are introduced to an indigenous belief system and the teachings are blended. The new, heterogeneous religion then takes a shape of its own. This has been seen most clearly in Roman Catholic missionary history. Take, for example, the Roman Catholic Church's proselytizing of animistic South America. Threatened with the fear of death, natives were baptized into the church by the tens of thousands without any preaching of the Gospel whatsoever. Former temples were razed, with Catholic shrines and chapels built on the same spot. Natives were allowed to substitute praying to saints instead of gods of water, earth and air, and replaced their former idols with new images of the Roman Catholic Church. Yet, the animistic religion the natives had formerly practiced was never fully replaced—it was adapted into Catholic teachings, and this new belief system was allowed to flourish.
Religious syncretism often takes place when foreign beliefs are introduced to an indigenous belief system and the teachings are blended. The new, heterogeneous religion then takes a shape of its own. This has been seen most clearly in Roman Catholic missionary history. Take, for example, the Roman Catholic Church's proselytizing of animistic South America. Threatened with the fear of death, natives were baptized into the church by the tens of thousands without any preaching of the Gospel whatsoever. Former temples were razed, with Catholic shrines and chapels built on the same spot. Natives were allowed to substitute praying to saints instead of gods of water, earth and air, and replaced their former idols with new images of the Roman Catholic Church. Yet, the animistic religion the natives had formerly practiced was never fully replaced—it was adapted into Catholic teachings, and this new belief system was allowed to flourish.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Congregationalism
The roots of Congregationalism extend back to 16th Century England. Some “Puritans” out to purify the Church of England of unbiblical, despotic and tyrannical practices petitioned for change within the system without much success except for receiving a Bible in their own language (The King James Version).
Some became “Independents” and formed churches outside of the Church of England’s control, and, as a result, suffered much persecution. Some felt the pressures so great that in order to worship God with a free conscience they “felt called out of England to a new land.” First they went to Holland, then to America. Sailing the Atlantic on the Mayflower, they landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620. (For more information regarding these early pilgrims, see: www.plimoth.org. In the new land they formed a new society, democratic in style. Their Mayflower Compact was the main model for the emerging documents of our founding fathers: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and our Bill of Rights.
These Pilgrim fathers and mothers carved out a community in sheer wilderness. Many died during the first harsh winters. Still, they established the Congregational Church based upon the Holy Bible rather than man-made traditions. Congregationalists founded the early universities and colleges (Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Oberlin, Olivet) in New England to teach the biblical languages, history and science to create an educated clergy and membership.
The Congregational Way insists on the freedom of Christian men and women to think for themselves. It is a “seeking way” for individuals with inquiring minds. It is not for those looking for an authoritative voice demanding conformity or for unquestioning obedience in one’s personal religious journey throughout life.
The Congregational Way has never believed that the Bible is a closed book, but it has believed that there is always more truth and light yet to come from the Creator’s holy word.
They defended the right to individual interpretation of the scriptures and called on the pastor to stimulate thinking rather than to make rules. They fought any attempt to be ruled by a bishop or by the state. They found their spiritual journey to be in a personal relationship with God. With the expansion of the nation westward in the 1800’s, Congregational churches were established throughout the nation. The First Congregational Church of Frankfort was founded in 1868.
In more modern times, there have been two major schisms, or splits, in Congregational history. In 1825, liberal theologians, who differed on the point of the nature of Christ, broke off and formed the Unitarian church--taking many of the oldest New England churches with them. In the 1950's, many congregational churches decided to merge with the Reformed and Evangelical Church to form the United Church of Christ.
The most recent development in Congregational history was the establishment of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches in 1955. It is also known as the NACCC or just the NA. This is a voluntary association of free churches, each church having one vote in the affairs of the association.
Some became “Independents” and formed churches outside of the Church of England’s control, and, as a result, suffered much persecution. Some felt the pressures so great that in order to worship God with a free conscience they “felt called out of England to a new land.” First they went to Holland, then to America. Sailing the Atlantic on the Mayflower, they landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620. (For more information regarding these early pilgrims, see: www.plimoth.org. In the new land they formed a new society, democratic in style. Their Mayflower Compact was the main model for the emerging documents of our founding fathers: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and our Bill of Rights.
These Pilgrim fathers and mothers carved out a community in sheer wilderness. Many died during the first harsh winters. Still, they established the Congregational Church based upon the Holy Bible rather than man-made traditions. Congregationalists founded the early universities and colleges (Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Oberlin, Olivet) in New England to teach the biblical languages, history and science to create an educated clergy and membership.
The Congregational Way insists on the freedom of Christian men and women to think for themselves. It is a “seeking way” for individuals with inquiring minds. It is not for those looking for an authoritative voice demanding conformity or for unquestioning obedience in one’s personal religious journey throughout life.
The Congregational Way has never believed that the Bible is a closed book, but it has believed that there is always more truth and light yet to come from the Creator’s holy word.
They defended the right to individual interpretation of the scriptures and called on the pastor to stimulate thinking rather than to make rules. They fought any attempt to be ruled by a bishop or by the state. They found their spiritual journey to be in a personal relationship with God. With the expansion of the nation westward in the 1800’s, Congregational churches were established throughout the nation. The First Congregational Church of Frankfort was founded in 1868.
In more modern times, there have been two major schisms, or splits, in Congregational history. In 1825, liberal theologians, who differed on the point of the nature of Christ, broke off and formed the Unitarian church--taking many of the oldest New England churches with them. In the 1950's, many congregational churches decided to merge with the Reformed and Evangelical Church to form the United Church of Christ.
The most recent development in Congregational history was the establishment of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches in 1955. It is also known as the NACCC or just the NA. This is a voluntary association of free churches, each church having one vote in the affairs of the association.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Nahua
The ancient Mexican religion is called the Nahua religion, or religion of the Nahuatl (the first natives of Mexico). It is believed to be a mixture of many different Mexican religions, practiced by many of the several native tribes on the region, like Mayans, Toltecs, Zapotecs and Olmecs, among others. As those tribes were absorbed by the Aztecs, their own beliefs may have been incorporated to their religion, creating the Nahua.They worshipped several deities, which present a resemblance with greek and Egyptian deities. They used to practice ritualistic cannibalism and offer human sacrifices to their gods. It is interesting to find the great similarities between Tezcatlipoca, the god of wind, and his Hebrew equivalent, Jahveh; and it is even more amazing to know that the Mexicans were familiar with the rituals of baptism and confession way before the arrival of the Spaniards. However, these customs, while similar to some Christian practices and rituals, presented notorious differences in symbolism and meaning. Taking a quick look at the ancient Mexican religion, it can be concluded that it was a group of senseless beliefs and legends created by barbarian tribes. However, such a conclusion couldn't be more wrong: the Nahua religion was theologically more advanced than the Greek one, or even the Roman one. In fact, the ancient Mexican religion can be compared to the Assyrian, or even the Egyptian one, due to their knowledge to astronomy and mathematics, both of which were used by the ancient priests to predict events like eclipses.After the Spaniards arrived to Mexico carrying the Catholic faith with them, the Mexican religion experienced important changes that led to the exclusion of many deities in favor of one, which was the True God announced by the Spanish priests.
However, far from being left apart and forgotten, many ancient deities were incorporated by the Mexican religion, creating a unique view of the Catholic faith. Nowadays, those deities can be found under several forms, and the rituals worshipping them are present as well.
One of the most important of those deities is “San La Muerte”, or saint death, represented by a skeleton and usually worshipped on the “Dia de los muertos”, the day of the dead.
Many other elements of the ancient Mexican culture closely relate to specific days of the year, which have a special meaning for Mexican religion.
However, far from being left apart and forgotten, many ancient deities were incorporated by the Mexican religion, creating a unique view of the Catholic faith. Nowadays, those deities can be found under several forms, and the rituals worshipping them are present as well.
One of the most important of those deities is “San La Muerte”, or saint death, represented by a skeleton and usually worshipped on the “Dia de los muertos”, the day of the dead.
Many other elements of the ancient Mexican culture closely relate to specific days of the year, which have a special meaning for Mexican religion.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Satanism
Followers of Satan existed long before Christ. Modern Satanists however, bear little resemblance to the myths of the early Satan worshipers, they and their philosophies are closer kin to pagans and atheists than they are to the baby-mutilating goblins of popular lore.
Satanism as a modern organized religion did not exist before 1966. In that year, Anton LaVey and several of his associates organized a religion based on the principles expressed in the many stories of Satan, God's nemesis. In 1967 LaVey published a book, The Satanic Bible, and the Church of Satan was born.
Modern Satanism is a somewhat broad term used to describe all of the sects of Satanism. In reality, Satanism is a religion made up of many different churches and philosophies. The Church of Satan and the Temple of Set are the two largest branches. Many of these churches or orders are at odds with one another over differences in belief and practice.
Their main beliefs are outlined in the "Nine Satanic Statements" from The Satanic Bible, and the "Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth".
Satanism as a modern organized religion did not exist before 1966. In that year, Anton LaVey and several of his associates organized a religion based on the principles expressed in the many stories of Satan, God's nemesis. In 1967 LaVey published a book, The Satanic Bible, and the Church of Satan was born.
Modern Satanism is a somewhat broad term used to describe all of the sects of Satanism. In reality, Satanism is a religion made up of many different churches and philosophies. The Church of Satan and the Temple of Set are the two largest branches. Many of these churches or orders are at odds with one another over differences in belief and practice.
Their main beliefs are outlined in the "Nine Satanic Statements" from The Satanic Bible, and the "Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth".
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Quakers
Quakers claim to be a religious society but one which does not have all the answers; a spiritual path whose very institutions arise out of a friendship with Spirit and each other; a religion or form of spirituality which is not a hierarchy but a society of equals whose relationship with each other is one of friendship.Quakers are members of a group with Christian roots that began in England in the 1650s.
The formal title of the movement is the Society of Friends or the Religious Society of Friends.
There are about 210,000 Quakers across the world.
In Britain there are 17,000 Quakers, and 400 Quaker meetings for worship each week. 9,000 people in Britain regularly take part in Quaker worship without being members of the Religious Society of Friends.
Quakers believe that there is something of God in everybody and that each human being is of unique worth. This is why Quakers value all people equally, and oppose anything that may harm or threaten them.
Quakers seek religious truth in inner experience, and place great reliance on conscience as the basis of morality.
They emphasise direct experience of God rather than ritual and ceremony. They believe that priests and rituals are an unnecessary obstruction between the believer and God.
Quakers integrate religion and everyday life. They believe God can be found in the middle of everyday life and human relationships, as much as during a meeting for worship.
Quakers do not regard any book as being the actual 'word of God'.
Most Quakers regard the Bible as a very great inspirational book but they don't see it as the only one, and so they read other books that can guide their lives.
They do not celebrate Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas.
Quaker communal worship consists of silent waiting, with participants contributing as the spirit moves them.
Although outsiders usually regard the movement as a Christian denomination, not all Quakers see themselves as Christians; some regard themselves as members of a universal religion that (for historical reasons) has many Christian elements.
Tolerance is part of the Quaker approach to life, so Quakers are willing to learn from all other faiths and churches.
The formal title of the movement is the Society of Friends or the Religious Society of Friends.
There are about 210,000 Quakers across the world.
In Britain there are 17,000 Quakers, and 400 Quaker meetings for worship each week. 9,000 people in Britain regularly take part in Quaker worship without being members of the Religious Society of Friends.
Quakers believe that there is something of God in everybody and that each human being is of unique worth. This is why Quakers value all people equally, and oppose anything that may harm or threaten them.
Quakers seek religious truth in inner experience, and place great reliance on conscience as the basis of morality.
They emphasise direct experience of God rather than ritual and ceremony. They believe that priests and rituals are an unnecessary obstruction between the believer and God.
Quakers integrate religion and everyday life. They believe God can be found in the middle of everyday life and human relationships, as much as during a meeting for worship.
Quakers do not regard any book as being the actual 'word of God'.
Most Quakers regard the Bible as a very great inspirational book but they don't see it as the only one, and so they read other books that can guide their lives.
They do not celebrate Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas.
Quaker communal worship consists of silent waiting, with participants contributing as the spirit moves them.
Although outsiders usually regard the movement as a Christian denomination, not all Quakers see themselves as Christians; some regard themselves as members of a universal religion that (for historical reasons) has many Christian elements.
Tolerance is part of the Quaker approach to life, so Quakers are willing to learn from all other faiths and churches.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Malankara Orthodox Church
Malankara Orthodox Church is an ancient Church of India and it traces its origin to as far back as A. D. 52 when St. Thomas one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ came to India and established Christanity in the South Western parts of the sub-continent.
The St. Thomas Christians or the Syrian Christians exist at present in different churches and denominations. But a major section of the parent body of St. Thomas Christians which has maintained its independent nature constitute the Orthodox Church under the Catholicate of the East with Headquarters at Devalokam, Kottayam.
The St. Thomas Christians or the Syrian Christians exist at present in different churches and denominations. But a major section of the parent body of St. Thomas Christians which has maintained its independent nature constitute the Orthodox Church under the Catholicate of the East with Headquarters at Devalokam, Kottayam.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Arutam
Arutam is a Holy Spirit of the Shuar in Ecuador which is is all-powerful and can transform into any kind of different form. Arutam is the holy power of the Shuar and it is the hope for the Shuar. In their culture, to encounter Arutam, they have to choose it. When you’re living in the jungle together with nature, at any moment there could be an enormous, powerful storm. This kind of storm can be like a hurricane. At this moment, a father can say to his son, “Today is your day.” Of course, in this monstrous, strong storm, a child would be afraid. The child needs to take his spear and go into the jungle in the middle of this powerful storm. The boy has to walk into the jungle, right into the middle of the storm. As the child is searching for Arutam, he will encounter a huge monster in his path. This monster can make the entire universe dark. It is total panic. But this child cannot be afraid. One false move and he could lose this whole experience. He knows that his defense is this spear. He has to fight against this monster that has presented itself. He is there with the spear in his hand. As he inserts the spear into the monster, he speaks these Shuar words: "Chaii Apachi Iwitkata," which means, “Give me your power.” At that moment the monster disappears, and the child is in another world. He has received the power of Arutam and he is in a completely different space. In this space, the monster is not really a monster; it transforms into this beautiful image and begins to speak to the boy. It tells him, “You are a very strong boy. For this, I’m going to give you all of my power.” The monster begins to tell the boy all of the things that will happen in his future life.After the monster has spoken to him and told him all of the things he needs to tell him about what will happen in the future, it disappears. Then the child returns to this world and begins to recover his energy and returns to the house. The father is ready and waiting for the child to return to the house. The father can recognize the child from far away, but the child cannot enter the house yet. He waits outside while the father prepares the sacred plant Natem. Then, together they enter into the jungle and go to a sacred place called Ayamtai. He gives his son the sacred plant, and when the plant takes effect, the Holy Spirit, Arutam, presents himself to the boy to continue telling him what is going to happen in the future. After this, the child will have a long life.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Yuwipi
Yuwipi is the present-day Oglala Sioux version of an ancient and widespread ritual in which a shaman is bound and, in the darkness, call spirits to come and free him and to communicate with his audience.
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Indigenous religions
There are thousands of Indigenous cultures around the world, and each has its own distinct understanding of spirituality and spiritual practices. Unlike many non-Indigenous cultures, Native spirituality is not a discrete part of life, but is integrated with the culture as a whole, with nature, and with generations gone by. Each issue of Cultural Survival Quarterly magazine features an article by an Indigenous shaman, healer, or other spiritual leader, discussing his worldview and his people’s religious practices.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Agnosticism
Agnosticism is a belief that we cannot prove either the existence or the non-existence of deity. Many Agnostics believe that we cannot know anything about a deity at the present time, but that this could conceivably change in the future.
There is a general consensus that:
A person who believes in a specific God, Goddess or combination of deities is a Theist.
A person who actively denies the existence of any and all deities is an Atheist.
A person who feels that we have no method by which we can conclude whether a deity exists is an Agnostic.
Agnosticism is a belief related to the existence or non-existence of God. An Agnostic is a person who feels that God's existence can neither be proved nor disproved, on the basis of current evidence. Agnostics note that theologians and philosophers have tried to to prove, for thousands of years that either God exists or that God does not exist. It is ironic that agnostics place their faith in a belief which they cannot prove, which is the basis for faith or religion.
Are they Theists? No, because Agnostics do not believe in a God.
However, some Agnostics consider themselves to be Atheists. That is because the term "Atheist" has two meanings:
A person who positively believes that no God exists.
A person who has no belief in a God. Just as a newborn has no concept of a deity, some adults also have no such belief. The term "Atheist" is derived from the Greek words "a" which means "without" and "Theos" which means "God." A person can be a non-theist by simply lacking a belief in God without actively denying God's existence.
Some Agnostics feel that their beliefs match the second definition, and thus consider themselves to be both Atheist and an Agnostic.
An Agnostic usually holds the question of the existence of God open, pending the arrival of more evidence. They are willing to change their belief if some solid evidence or logical proof is found in the future. However, some have taken the position that there is no logical way in which the existence or the non-existence of a deity can be proven.
There is a general consensus that:
A person who believes in a specific God, Goddess or combination of deities is a Theist.
A person who actively denies the existence of any and all deities is an Atheist.
A person who feels that we have no method by which we can conclude whether a deity exists is an Agnostic.
Agnosticism is a belief related to the existence or non-existence of God. An Agnostic is a person who feels that God's existence can neither be proved nor disproved, on the basis of current evidence. Agnostics note that theologians and philosophers have tried to to prove, for thousands of years that either God exists or that God does not exist. It is ironic that agnostics place their faith in a belief which they cannot prove, which is the basis for faith or religion.
Are they Theists? No, because Agnostics do not believe in a God.
However, some Agnostics consider themselves to be Atheists. That is because the term "Atheist" has two meanings:
A person who positively believes that no God exists.
A person who has no belief in a God. Just as a newborn has no concept of a deity, some adults also have no such belief. The term "Atheist" is derived from the Greek words "a" which means "without" and "Theos" which means "God." A person can be a non-theist by simply lacking a belief in God without actively denying God's existence.
Some Agnostics feel that their beliefs match the second definition, and thus consider themselves to be both Atheist and an Agnostic.
An Agnostic usually holds the question of the existence of God open, pending the arrival of more evidence. They are willing to change their belief if some solid evidence or logical proof is found in the future. However, some have taken the position that there is no logical way in which the existence or the non-existence of a deity can be proven.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Atheism
Atheism is a complex term to define, and many definitions fail to capture the range of positions an atheist can hold. Perhaps the most obvious meaning to many people now is the absence or rejection of a belief in a God, or gods. However, it has been used through much of history to denote certain beliefs seen as heretical, particularly the belief that God does not intervene in the world. More recently, atheists have argued that atheism only denotes a lack of theistic belief, rather than the active denial or claims of certainty it is often associated with. This is held to follow from its etymology: it stems from the Greek adjective atheos, deriving from the alpha privative a -,'without, not', and 'theos', 'God'. It is not clear, however, that this could not equally mean 'godless' in the earlier sense as meaning a heretical or immoral person.
The exact meaning of 'atheist' varies between thinkers, and caution must always be shown to make sure that discussions of atheism are not working at cross purposes. Michael Martin, a leading atheist philosopher, defines atheism entirely in terms of belief.[1] For him, negative atheism is simply the lack of theistic belief, positive atheism is the asserted disbelief in God, and agnosticism is the lack of either belief or disbelief in God. This suggests that negative atheism, the minimal position that all atheists share, divides neatly into agnosticism and positive atheism. It is worth noting that the 'positive atheist' need not have certainty that God doesn't exist: it is a matter of belief, not knowledge.
The exact meaning of 'atheist' varies between thinkers, and caution must always be shown to make sure that discussions of atheism are not working at cross purposes. Michael Martin, a leading atheist philosopher, defines atheism entirely in terms of belief.[1] For him, negative atheism is simply the lack of theistic belief, positive atheism is the asserted disbelief in God, and agnosticism is the lack of either belief or disbelief in God. This suggests that negative atheism, the minimal position that all atheists share, divides neatly into agnosticism and positive atheism. It is worth noting that the 'positive atheist' need not have certainty that God doesn't exist: it is a matter of belief, not knowledge.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Mayan religion
Renowned for their pyramidal structures, their arts, and their mathematical system, the Maya of ancient times, located in what is now southern Mexico and Central America, operated under a complex theocracy that, like that of the Aztecs, emphasized calendar-making. The zenith of the agriculturally centered Mayan civilization, one of the most important pre-Columbian peoples, occurred between 300 and 900 C.E. The reason for the gradual depopulation of their great cities between 900 and 1100 C.E. has been a subject of continuing debate.
At its height, the Mayan civilization appears to have operated not under a single ruler, but as a loosely organized gathering of semi-autonomous cities and villages. These units seem to have emphasized kinship and genealogy as important social and religious factors. Ties to the earth were always vitally important. Advances in agricultural techniques supported population growth in the ancient Mayan culture—and, by extension, the accompanying breakthroughs in mathematics, calendar-making, architecture, and the arts for which the old civilization is best known today.
In ancient times, before there were people, the gods Tepeu and Gucumatz reigned. If they thought something, it came into existence. When they thought about the earth, it was born. When they thought about trees, or mountains, or any other feature of the landscape, it came forth. The moment they thought about animals, the animals were there.
Tepeu and Gucumatz soon realized, though, that something important was missing. Nothing that they had created was capable of praising them. And so they decided to create people. The first people were made of clay—but the gods found that these dissolved when they got wet. The next people were fashioned from wood, but they were troublemakers, and so the gods sent a flood to rectify their mistake and start anew. Finally the gods appealed to the mountain lion, the coyote, the parrot, and the crow to help them find the right material from which to build superior beings. The animals found corn, and it was from corn that the gods created the Four Fathers from which all humanity traces its lineage Among the most important points to remember about the ancient religious practices of the Maya are the following:
•The Maya placed a high degree of faith in the ability of the gods to control and order events and human undertakings within specific time periods.
•Nature, time, and agriculture were preoccupations of religious life—and, indeed, of life as a whole—in Mayan society.
•Like the religion of the Aztec peoples of central Mexico, Mayan religion incorporated elements of human sacrifice to appease key gods.
•Among the many other important deities were Kinich Ahau, the sun god; Chaac, the rain god; and the Maize god, strongly associated with the central obsession of the culture as a whole—ripened and healthy corn.
•Mayan mythology postulated four brother-gods who held up the sky. Each presided over a four-year span of time and represented one of the four directions. Colors associated with each of these deities were essential to Mayan religious and calendar-making practices.
•Current scholarship suggests that ancestor worship was an important part of life in ancient Mayan civilizations.
Although descendants of the ancient Mayans are alive and well in the region and modest rural settlements have characterized the region for centuries, Roman Catholicism has been the dominant religion since the Spanish conquest of the 1500s. However, many original Mayan traditions (including native religious practices) have been intertwined with their European counterparts.
At its height, the Mayan civilization appears to have operated not under a single ruler, but as a loosely organized gathering of semi-autonomous cities and villages. These units seem to have emphasized kinship and genealogy as important social and religious factors. Ties to the earth were always vitally important. Advances in agricultural techniques supported population growth in the ancient Mayan culture—and, by extension, the accompanying breakthroughs in mathematics, calendar-making, architecture, and the arts for which the old civilization is best known today.
In ancient times, before there were people, the gods Tepeu and Gucumatz reigned. If they thought something, it came into existence. When they thought about the earth, it was born. When they thought about trees, or mountains, or any other feature of the landscape, it came forth. The moment they thought about animals, the animals were there.
Tepeu and Gucumatz soon realized, though, that something important was missing. Nothing that they had created was capable of praising them. And so they decided to create people. The first people were made of clay—but the gods found that these dissolved when they got wet. The next people were fashioned from wood, but they were troublemakers, and so the gods sent a flood to rectify their mistake and start anew. Finally the gods appealed to the mountain lion, the coyote, the parrot, and the crow to help them find the right material from which to build superior beings. The animals found corn, and it was from corn that the gods created the Four Fathers from which all humanity traces its lineage Among the most important points to remember about the ancient religious practices of the Maya are the following:
•The Maya placed a high degree of faith in the ability of the gods to control and order events and human undertakings within specific time periods.
•Nature, time, and agriculture were preoccupations of religious life—and, indeed, of life as a whole—in Mayan society.
•Like the religion of the Aztec peoples of central Mexico, Mayan religion incorporated elements of human sacrifice to appease key gods.
•Among the many other important deities were Kinich Ahau, the sun god; Chaac, the rain god; and the Maize god, strongly associated with the central obsession of the culture as a whole—ripened and healthy corn.
•Mayan mythology postulated four brother-gods who held up the sky. Each presided over a four-year span of time and represented one of the four directions. Colors associated with each of these deities were essential to Mayan religious and calendar-making practices.
•Current scholarship suggests that ancestor worship was an important part of life in ancient Mayan civilizations.
Although descendants of the ancient Mayans are alive and well in the region and modest rural settlements have characterized the region for centuries, Roman Catholicism has been the dominant religion since the Spanish conquest of the 1500s. However, many original Mayan traditions (including native religious practices) have been intertwined with their European counterparts.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Mandaeism
The Mandaeans (literally, "the knowers") are the only surviving Gnostics from the time of late Antiquity. They have dwelled for the past eighteen hundred years in southern Iraq and southwest Iran, and increasingly, as a result of recent wars, in other parts of the world. They adhere to the typical Gnostic doctrines and mythologies regarding the soul's entrapment in earthly life and the existence of a heavenly Lightworld, the soul's true home. Being baptists, the Mandaeans consider John the Baptist their main prophet and renewer of the religion, which, they say, ultimately stems from Adam himself. The Mandaeans live next to but remain apart from their (mostly Moslem) neighbors, and throughout the centries they have preserved their traditions to a remarkable degree.
The Mandaeans are not an officially recognized minority religion in Iran. The Qur'an exempts them, as a "people of the book," from forced conversion to Islam. After the revolution in 1980, however, the government stopped supporting this protection. Since then, the Mandaeans have worked to regain it. About two years ago, the Iranian President, Khamenei issued a fatwa, an opinion, about the Mandaeans, stating that they seemed to be monotheists with a holy scripture and a prophet and should therefore be recognized as a protected religion. Since the fatwa, Mandaeans have had their hopes strengthened. I visited Iran in April, 1996. On What happened to be Easter Sunday, I saw my first Mandaean baptism as I sat on the bank of the Karun, the largest river in Iran. It was brown and flowing rapidly, swollen by melted snow from the mountains. Mandaeans practice repeated baptism, and full immersion must take place in flowing, fresh water, which is the form that the Lightworld takes on earth.
The religion is related to Judaism and Christianity but retains its own separate identity. Probably during the first century, and due to the persecution by the Jews, the Mandaeans were helped by one of the Parthian Kings to find refuge in Iraq and Iran, where they still survive. The Qur'an recognizes them as a "People of the Book," (and refers to them "Sabaeans"; not related to the Sabaeans of Yemen) as the Mandaeans fulfill the requirements of having a holy religious text and a prophet. However, the actual protection of the religion during the centuries has been disputed, and the "Mandaean question" remains a difficult legal-religious question in Islam.
Because Mandaeans are the smallest group and the least known among the people of the book (i.e. Christians and Jews), it has been harder for them to protect and assert themselves as a legitimate religion. Today, the Mandaeans enjoy official protection in Iraq (though under difficult circumstances due to the international embargo and the internal unrest), while the smaller Mandaean population in Iran, mainly centered in Ahwaz, Khuzistan, has lost its recognition since the fall of Shah Reza Pahlavi. Especially following the wars and unrest beginning in 1980, Mandaeans have emigrated individually and in groups to other countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and various European countries.
At less than 100.000, these sole remaining ancient Gnostics subscribe to a tempered dualism in which the heavenly, pre-existent Lightworld and its inhabitants keep in constant contact with earthly, concrete life. Through elaborate rituals such contact between the worlds ensure present and future
life. Most important is the capacity of he soul, which is captive in the human body, to achieve knowledge, gnosis, of its Lightworld origin. At the end of the soul's imprisoned life here on earth it must ascend home to the Light.
Human beings, of both genders, are divided into three forces: soul, spirit and body. The two upper elements are understood as female, sisters, who merge at the body's death to rise as one into the Lightworld--the body being of no further account. A pervasive gender balance reigns in Mandaean symbolism, so that the direction right, light, and gold are male, while the direction left, darkness/ earth, and silver are female. Imitating its Lightworld models and abhorring asceticism, Mandaeism advocates marriage and fertility. Early on, this view caused friction with Christian ascetic ideals.
Even John the Baptist, the primary Mandaean prophet and renewer of the religion, was married. Mandaeans practice repeated baptism in running, fresh water (yardna), for water is the form by which the Lightworld manifests itself on the earth. So, Mandaean baptism does not imply an initiation, and is unlike, for instance, Christian forms of baptism. Complex rituals for the living and the dead, vast mythologies and extensive commentaries on rituals continue to sustain the religion, which possesses an enormous literature and has remained remarkably consistent for nearly two thousand years. Dependent on texts meticulously copied throughout the ages in Mandaic, the religion's own, Eastern Aramaic language, Mandaeism is hierarchical, with priests as leaders in matters religious, legal and communal. Learned lay people, yalufas, are ritual helpers, teachers and mediators situated between priests and the regular lay population. Today, between twenty and thirty priests exist in Baghdad, at least three in Ahwaz, Iran, while two recently emigrated priests serve the Australian congregation in New South Wales. The North American continent still has no priests, but Mandaeans here are now working to obtain a priest from Iraq, so that the communities on the North American continent might achieve a spiritual center in the traditional sense.
The Mandaeans are not an officially recognized minority religion in Iran. The Qur'an exempts them, as a "people of the book," from forced conversion to Islam. After the revolution in 1980, however, the government stopped supporting this protection. Since then, the Mandaeans have worked to regain it. About two years ago, the Iranian President, Khamenei issued a fatwa, an opinion, about the Mandaeans, stating that they seemed to be monotheists with a holy scripture and a prophet and should therefore be recognized as a protected religion. Since the fatwa, Mandaeans have had their hopes strengthened. I visited Iran in April, 1996. On What happened to be Easter Sunday, I saw my first Mandaean baptism as I sat on the bank of the Karun, the largest river in Iran. It was brown and flowing rapidly, swollen by melted snow from the mountains. Mandaeans practice repeated baptism, and full immersion must take place in flowing, fresh water, which is the form that the Lightworld takes on earth.
The religion is related to Judaism and Christianity but retains its own separate identity. Probably during the first century, and due to the persecution by the Jews, the Mandaeans were helped by one of the Parthian Kings to find refuge in Iraq and Iran, where they still survive. The Qur'an recognizes them as a "People of the Book," (and refers to them "Sabaeans"; not related to the Sabaeans of Yemen) as the Mandaeans fulfill the requirements of having a holy religious text and a prophet. However, the actual protection of the religion during the centuries has been disputed, and the "Mandaean question" remains a difficult legal-religious question in Islam.
Because Mandaeans are the smallest group and the least known among the people of the book (i.e. Christians and Jews), it has been harder for them to protect and assert themselves as a legitimate religion. Today, the Mandaeans enjoy official protection in Iraq (though under difficult circumstances due to the international embargo and the internal unrest), while the smaller Mandaean population in Iran, mainly centered in Ahwaz, Khuzistan, has lost its recognition since the fall of Shah Reza Pahlavi. Especially following the wars and unrest beginning in 1980, Mandaeans have emigrated individually and in groups to other countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and various European countries.
At less than 100.000, these sole remaining ancient Gnostics subscribe to a tempered dualism in which the heavenly, pre-existent Lightworld and its inhabitants keep in constant contact with earthly, concrete life. Through elaborate rituals such contact between the worlds ensure present and future
life. Most important is the capacity of he soul, which is captive in the human body, to achieve knowledge, gnosis, of its Lightworld origin. At the end of the soul's imprisoned life here on earth it must ascend home to the Light.
Human beings, of both genders, are divided into three forces: soul, spirit and body. The two upper elements are understood as female, sisters, who merge at the body's death to rise as one into the Lightworld--the body being of no further account. A pervasive gender balance reigns in Mandaean symbolism, so that the direction right, light, and gold are male, while the direction left, darkness/ earth, and silver are female. Imitating its Lightworld models and abhorring asceticism, Mandaeism advocates marriage and fertility. Early on, this view caused friction with Christian ascetic ideals.
Even John the Baptist, the primary Mandaean prophet and renewer of the religion, was married. Mandaeans practice repeated baptism in running, fresh water (yardna), for water is the form by which the Lightworld manifests itself on the earth. So, Mandaean baptism does not imply an initiation, and is unlike, for instance, Christian forms of baptism. Complex rituals for the living and the dead, vast mythologies and extensive commentaries on rituals continue to sustain the religion, which possesses an enormous literature and has remained remarkably consistent for nearly two thousand years. Dependent on texts meticulously copied throughout the ages in Mandaic, the religion's own, Eastern Aramaic language, Mandaeism is hierarchical, with priests as leaders in matters religious, legal and communal. Learned lay people, yalufas, are ritual helpers, teachers and mediators situated between priests and the regular lay population. Today, between twenty and thirty priests exist in Baghdad, at least three in Ahwaz, Iran, while two recently emigrated priests serve the Australian congregation in New South Wales. The North American continent still has no priests, but Mandaeans here are now working to obtain a priest from Iraq, so that the communities on the North American continent might achieve a spiritual center in the traditional sense.
Monday, 25 July 2011
Mormonism
The Mormon religion was founded by Joseph Smith around 1830 in the United States of America. It is a fast growing religious movement which claims more than 12 million adherents worldwide. Mormonism teaches that historical Christianity is totally apostate, and God raised up Joseph Smith as a prophet to restore it. In addition to using the Bible (which they believe is totally inadequate by itself to tell us what we need to know), mormons believe that the "revelations" "discovered" by Joseph Smith which came to be written down as the "Book of Mormon" are Scripture. They also base their religious system on two other books: "Doctrines and Covenants" and "The Pearl of Great Price" as well as the pronouncements of their "living prophets", which they teach are Scripture and binding on all true believers.
Mormonism spreads primarily through its worldwide missionary efforts - good young unmarried mormon men are required to do two years missionary service. There are other recommendations for women and for those who have finished with child rearing responsibilities. Mormonism appeals to many on the basis of its appeal to strong family values. But when you look deeper into this mysterious and fascinating religion, you will find all kinds of bizarre practices and beliefs.Mormonism can look good to sincere people who are untaught in the Scriptures. They have a well-oiled religious organisation and an incredible amount of money to back it. They don't teach people all their strange beliefs until later on - especially after they are baptised. If Mormon beliefs were widely known by all, that cult would have a hard time gaining any new converts. But they will continue to gain converts no doubt, as long as widespread ignorance concerning the Bible exists around the world, and people remain open to the deceptive religious spirits in this world which deceive people by a thousand and one methods of false religion.
The other thing to note is that Mormons teach things which promote wholesome family life and they are really good at organizing family and community events in such a way as to create a tremendous support network for their members. Even so, lovers of truth need to look at the foundations of the movement, for what shall it profit a man if he has a great family life, if he loses his soul?
Mormon Beliefs:
God was once a man - Brigham Young said, "If our Father and God should be disposed to wak through these aisles, we should not know Him from one of the congregation. You would see a man and that is all you would know about Him." (Journal of Discourse, Vol II, pg 40). Mormons belief that through faithfulness to the mormon doctrine they too may one day become gods with a planet of their own.
God the Father has many wives - God the Father, according to the "Pearl of Great Price" in "Abraham 3:9,16", is said to be living on a planet near the star Koleb with his wives having spiritual children.
Jesus was the spirit brother of Lucifer - according to this doctrine Jesus became the Savior because he came up with a better plan than Lucifer concerning how to get the people on earth to worship God (see The Kingdom of God, by Oscar McConkie Jr pg 46; Pearl of Great Price, Book of Moses, 4:1-3).
Black-skinned people are of inferior origin - mormonism teaches that the spirit beings that did not fight valiantly for God come to earth as blacks, while those who fought valiantly come to earth as whites. Until very recently blacks could not become priests in the mormon system of worship for reasons related to this and other demeaning doctrines.
Mormonism now teaches that God was once a man, and that man may become a God (through mormonism, of course). This contradicts the book of mormon itself, but mormons don't really follow what the book of Mormon says anyway. Mormons are taught that God the Father is now on a planet near the star Kolob with his wives having spiritual children. They believe that Jesus and Lucifer (Satan) were once spirit brothers. They once taught that Jesus was married to more than one wife (I'm not sure if this doctrine is still taught). Some of the other fascinating religious beliefs of this group are listed below later in this page.
Mormonism spreads primarily through its worldwide missionary efforts - good young unmarried mormon men are required to do two years missionary service. There are other recommendations for women and for those who have finished with child rearing responsibilities. Mormonism appeals to many on the basis of its appeal to strong family values. But when you look deeper into this mysterious and fascinating religion, you will find all kinds of bizarre practices and beliefs.Mormonism can look good to sincere people who are untaught in the Scriptures. They have a well-oiled religious organisation and an incredible amount of money to back it. They don't teach people all their strange beliefs until later on - especially after they are baptised. If Mormon beliefs were widely known by all, that cult would have a hard time gaining any new converts. But they will continue to gain converts no doubt, as long as widespread ignorance concerning the Bible exists around the world, and people remain open to the deceptive religious spirits in this world which deceive people by a thousand and one methods of false religion.
The other thing to note is that Mormons teach things which promote wholesome family life and they are really good at organizing family and community events in such a way as to create a tremendous support network for their members. Even so, lovers of truth need to look at the foundations of the movement, for what shall it profit a man if he has a great family life, if he loses his soul?
Mormon Beliefs:
God was once a man - Brigham Young said, "If our Father and God should be disposed to wak through these aisles, we should not know Him from one of the congregation. You would see a man and that is all you would know about Him." (Journal of Discourse, Vol II, pg 40). Mormons belief that through faithfulness to the mormon doctrine they too may one day become gods with a planet of their own.
God the Father has many wives - God the Father, according to the "Pearl of Great Price" in "Abraham 3:9,16", is said to be living on a planet near the star Koleb with his wives having spiritual children.
Jesus was the spirit brother of Lucifer - according to this doctrine Jesus became the Savior because he came up with a better plan than Lucifer concerning how to get the people on earth to worship God (see The Kingdom of God, by Oscar McConkie Jr pg 46; Pearl of Great Price, Book of Moses, 4:1-3).
Black-skinned people are of inferior origin - mormonism teaches that the spirit beings that did not fight valiantly for God come to earth as blacks, while those who fought valiantly come to earth as whites. Until very recently blacks could not become priests in the mormon system of worship for reasons related to this and other demeaning doctrines.
Mormonism now teaches that God was once a man, and that man may become a God (through mormonism, of course). This contradicts the book of mormon itself, but mormons don't really follow what the book of Mormon says anyway. Mormons are taught that God the Father is now on a planet near the star Kolob with his wives having spiritual children. They believe that Jesus and Lucifer (Satan) were once spirit brothers. They once taught that Jesus was married to more than one wife (I'm not sure if this doctrine is still taught). Some of the other fascinating religious beliefs of this group are listed below later in this page.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Wicca or Witchcraft
Wicca is the largest of the Neopagan religions. Wiccans have great reverence for the Earth and for their Goddess and her consort, the horned God. Their main rule of behavior is the Wiccan Rede which forbids them from harming people, including themselves, except in some cases of self-defense.
Many, perhaps most, are solitary practitioners. Others form small groups of believers, called covens, groves, etc. Because of centuries of religious propaganda and misinformation, many conservative Christians, and others, associate Wiccans with Satanists even though the two belief systems are as different as Christianity and Atheism.
Our essays on Wicca are very different from those on Christianity.
Wicca is a very decentralized religion; many Wiccans develop their own beliefs, rituals, and other practices. The latter are often not known outside the solitary practitioner or Wiccan coven. So we describe the beliefs and practices that most Wiccans hold in common.
Many, perhaps most, are solitary practitioners. Others form small groups of believers, called covens, groves, etc. Because of centuries of religious propaganda and misinformation, many conservative Christians, and others, associate Wiccans with Satanists even though the two belief systems are as different as Christianity and Atheism.
Our essays on Wicca are very different from those on Christianity.
Wicca is a very decentralized religion; many Wiccans develop their own beliefs, rituals, and other practices. The latter are often not known outside the solitary practitioner or Wiccan coven. So we describe the beliefs and practices that most Wiccans hold in common.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Adonism
Adonism a philosophical secret doctrine, which was invented by the Orientalists and occultists Franz Sättler (pseudonym: Dr. Musallam) (* 1884, † 1942), Friedrich Wilhelm Quintscher (* 1893, † 1945) (pseudonym: Rah Omir-Quintscher) and Franz Bardon (* 1909, † 1958). It was spread in the twenties and was founded by followers of Franz Sättler who set up the"Adonis tables society". The legend says the legendary Franz Adonism Sättler was on a trip to the Middle East after the first World War and there he was accepted by "oriental adepts" ("Chakimîm") in their "adonis tables secret society" , and attended as an initiate in "Nuristan" (land of light), reputedly the city of temples "Bit Only" (House of Light), which houses the world's largest secret scientific library. There Sättler studied the "original religion of humanity". In addition to the "oriental adepts" Sättler is thought to have followed Zarathustra: "Zarathustra I. .. was the magician and keeper of adonis doctrines" (Sättler). Adonism has a dualistic worldview with oppositely acting forces and principles, which include the opposition of male and female. The focus of ethics is an anarchic doctrine of liberation that will free humanity from institutions such as senseless, according to her commandments and prohibitions, laws or legal ethics and morality. Since the Adonisten should have practiced their rituals and sexual magic within, they were attacked by the bourgeois press in Austria.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Baha'i
The Baha’i (Bahai) religion embraces several prominent individuals as central figures in the establishment of their beliefs and practices. The Baha’u’llah (Baha’u’llah)claimed that he was the manifestation of God that would take mankind to the next stage of human development. The Baha’is believe that he is the fulfillment of the coming one as projected in the holy writings of all religions. The Baha’u’llah was originally a follower of the Babi religion founded by the Bab. The Bab, as a youth, was devout and pious, a seeker after religious things and went on a pilgrimage. Later he had a series of divine revelations and visionary dreams and began to write holy verse. He considered himself to be blessed with the grace of the Hidden Imam -- Imam being a Sign of God on earth who receives inspiration from God. Baha’is accept him as an independent manifestation of God and the forerunner of The Baha’u’llah.
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Daoism or Taoism
Daoism (Chinese dàojiào = Teaching of the Way)or Taoism is a Chinese philosophy and religion, and is regarded as China's own and authentic Chinese religion. Its historical origins are secured in the 4th Century BC, when the Daodejing (in older romanization Tao Te Ching, Tao te ching ...) of Laozi (Lao Tzu, Lao-tzu) was formed. In addition to Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism is the one of the "three teachings", which China largely dominated. Despite some very different views on the Chinese intellectual life, they could merge into a tradition. They are therefore also under the term "Chinese Universism" combined. In China, Taoism influenced the culture in the fields of politics, economics, philosophy, literature, art, music, medicine, food science, chemistry, martial arts and geography. Because of the various manifestations and the unclear distinction from other religions, the exact number of followers of Taoism is difficult to detect. A large number of Taoists live in Taiwan.
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Hinduism
Hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world. It is also known as Sanatan Dharma – the “Eternal Law”. Hinduism is more than 7000 years old (even older than Jesus) !
Hindus believe there is only one God.
Being universal, God can be “felt” and “experienced” in many ways. Different aspects and characteristics of God are expressed in different “forms” of God.
Hindu philosophy is based on its sacred scriptures.
The Singular God of the Vedas is expressed as the many “Gods” that represent different aspects of the divine.
The Divine is expressed in male and female forms.
Brahma, with his wife Sarasvati is the creator and educator of the universe.
His children are the 7 Rishis (sages). All living things in the universe are the children of these seven sages.
Shiv, with his wife Parvati is the destroyer, and they keep the universe in balance.
Their children are Ganesh and Kartikeya.
Vishnu with his wife Lakshmi nourishes the universe.
Brahma and Kamdeva, the God of love are their children.
Hindus believe that all animals should be treated nicely !
Hindus believe there is only one God.
Being universal, God can be “felt” and “experienced” in many ways. Different aspects and characteristics of God are expressed in different “forms” of God.
Hindu philosophy is based on its sacred scriptures.
The Singular God of the Vedas is expressed as the many “Gods” that represent different aspects of the divine.
The Divine is expressed in male and female forms.
Brahma, with his wife Sarasvati is the creator and educator of the universe.
His children are the 7 Rishis (sages). All living things in the universe are the children of these seven sages.
Shiv, with his wife Parvati is the destroyer, and they keep the universe in balance.
Their children are Ganesh and Kartikeya.
Vishnu with his wife Lakshmi nourishes the universe.
Brahma and Kamdeva, the God of love are their children.
Hindus believe that all animals should be treated nicely !
Monday, 28 February 2011
Islam
Islam was founded at the beginning of the 7th century by Prophet Mohammed and is the youngest of the three monotheistic religions. His followers call themselves Muslims. Islam sees itself as the completion of the Jewish and Christian religion. Mohammed (about 570-632 AD), announced the revelations of the one and only God (Allah) gradually after his 40th birthday, which were sent to him according to Muslim traditions by the Archangel Gabriel. Since Mohammed was not accepted in the then pagan dominated (= belief in many gods) Mecca, he travelled to Yathrib (now Medina) in 622. The emigration is the beginning of the Islamic era. Islam requires from its followers absolute obedience. The Koran is regarded as the direct word of God and is therefore only authentic in Arabic. All translations into other languages are described as just appropriate. In addition to the Quran Muslims regard the Sunnah as a source of law and rule which tells the tradition of Muhammad's life and work. An important part of the Sunnah, the Hadiths are a collection of Muhammad’s sayings and comments.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Buddhism
Buddhism does not require a personal God. The emergence of Buddhism goes back to Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in the sixth century before the birth of Christ. From a Western perspective Buddha was like the first psychotherapist. He wanted to help people in life crises and overcome suffering. However, he moves more radical. He teaches that ultimately nothing in the world stays like it is, everything is changeable. Which in his opinion meant, that the suffering of the people is created by holding on to the own ego - which one should try to free themselves from. There is no personal God, Buddhism manages without a personal God – like known from Christianity or Islam. That’s why a lot of people say that Buddhism is not a religion but a philosophy.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Judaism
So, to make a decision and understand why some thing are like they are, we need to look at the “big” religions of this world a bit closer. So, let’s go back in time and look at the one which is the oldest of the three main European religions – Judaism.
The biggest obstacle on they way to understanding Judaism is misunderstanding. Hardly and historical events or appearances are exposed to so much misunderstanding like Judaism. This has several causes which each and for themselves are a powerful, almost insurmountable barrier to the understanding of Judaism. The first one is the behaviour of Jews. It is a historical fact that the Jews do not feel the inner urge to expose them and their belief to the outer world. They do not go round and try to convince non-Jews of their religious belief. Jews are Jews by birth not through convertion. Because of this,they have always excepted other religions. But the other side of this, they do not try to mix with non-Jews. Of course in happens all the time - but they prefer to mix in marriage with people of the same religion, simply because it makes life a lot easier. Also this guarantees the existance of Judaism in the future. The moral of Judaism is simply that it is not necessary or desirable that all people are Jews. Yes, there are ways of converting to Judaism, but it is not as easy as it is with other religions.
The biggest obstacle on they way to understanding Judaism is misunderstanding. Hardly and historical events or appearances are exposed to so much misunderstanding like Judaism. This has several causes which each and for themselves are a powerful, almost insurmountable barrier to the understanding of Judaism. The first one is the behaviour of Jews. It is a historical fact that the Jews do not feel the inner urge to expose them and their belief to the outer world. They do not go round and try to convince non-Jews of their religious belief. Jews are Jews by birth not through convertion. Because of this,they have always excepted other religions. But the other side of this, they do not try to mix with non-Jews. Of course in happens all the time - but they prefer to mix in marriage with people of the same religion, simply because it makes life a lot easier. Also this guarantees the existance of Judaism in the future. The moral of Judaism is simply that it is not necessary or desirable that all people are Jews. Yes, there are ways of converting to Judaism, but it is not as easy as it is with other religions.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Converting
I always find it very interesting to talk to people who converted to a religion they were not born into. What makes people change their old life in such a dramatic way?
What I find- but this is, of course just my personal experience- it’s mainly women who convert for their partner. And by this I do not mean, they have been told by their husband’s or boyfriends to do this. But the woman think it’s such an important part of their man’s life and believe they will be closer, if they convert. I always hear, this is the right religion for me. I feel more like a human being since I converted. But when I ask more in depth, most of them cannot give me any details why their chosen religion is so much better than their old one. What is it exactly?
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
THE MEANING OF RELIGION
I started this blog because religion is a big part of my life. No, I do not mean I am part of a religious community or go to church every sunday or to a mosque on Fridays. What I mean is, that religion surrounds me every day. i can see it on my way to work, when people are dressed in their traditional clothing and I hear people talking about it. I would class myself as being agnostic. So far I do not have a reason to believe there is a god, but I am prepared to change my mind.
What I do believe in is freedom. Freedom of speech and the freedom to live my life like I want to. Obviously there are restrictions. I would like to be a millionaire. But lets face it- this is not very likely to happen. Also, what I believe is, the “problem” of religion cannot be solved. But I find nothing more interesting to discuss why people believe they have to dress up or behave in certain way to impress a mystical creature. I hope a will have a long and meaningful discussion with my readers, as to why things are the way they are and how the think religious problems can be solved.
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