11. How does the miracle story surrounding Our Lady of Guadalupe inform and impact the spiritual lives of those who are believers? Clue: select a few limited examples.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a miracle story which has one of the largest impacts within the Latino religious experience here in America. It is a story which plays a part alongside the Catholic faith, although it moves away from many of the traditionally grounded principles, and provides alternate visions for those who believe and spiritually accept the tale. The story itself tries to look at the world from the viewpoint of those who are commonly marginalized and oppressed in everyday society, and therefore it specifically gives many of these individuals a way to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel no matter how low in social society you may be classed. I think that the common image that the picture holds, and the underlying principles we take from it highlights why the diversity that we commonly relate to the Latino culture exists so prominently in America culture today, and I see it being the story that has primarily given many oppressed Latinos a spiritual path to hope and greatness.
Probably the biggest influence that the story has can be seen from the viewpoint of women in the Latin American heritage. Although traditional Catholicism is founded on the patriarchal lineage and surrounds its practices on male based ideology, the image of Guadalupe introduces discussion of women into mass society, and shows that their caring and nurturing nature plays a hugely important role in the world that we live. I think that female followers of the miracle story are therefore given hope in society, and it allows them to see that they shouldn’t be a marginalized gender, and should have a voice in which they can project themselves. I would say that it is probably women who are able to take the most from the image of Guadalupe, and I think that may Latinos use her as a symbol and icon that they frequently use whilst transitioning through life
I also think that many of the believers are able to gain a better sense and understanding of equality from the story, and I think it provides an outlet of expression which shows how this should prevail in all aspects of like. The religion is itself provides a more even playing field for global order that we are commonly used to, and as it eradicates the traditional hierarchy that exists in most religious settings, it awards power to many who haven’t experienced it in the past. Therefore, I think that those individuals who follow and believe in the story see the world in a very different way from what is considered as the norm, and this is because I think it highlights the amount of marginalization that constantly exists in the world that we live today. For those who are believers in the miracles surrounding the image, I think it gives them a sense of hope that oppression isn’t something that needs to exist in society, and as the story envisages a great world where equality reigns, it also shows how oppression isn’t actually beneficial at all. Therefore, I think that those who become spiritually engaged with the story are often inspired by its principles and ideology it projects, and consequently I see that it echoes a much better world that promotes freedom, alongside an acceptance and tolerance of others.
12. How is the Latino/a religious experience (as detailed in our Reader) different than the Asian religious experience in North America? In what ways are they fundamentally similar? Be specific in your answers.
Both Latino and Asian religious experiences play a vital role in our cultures and heritage, but they are concepts that play very different roles within our overall societal structure here in America. In terms of the Latinos, they now probably constitute the largest ethnic group in California, and living here it is very obvious to see how great a role they play on our culture. Latino ancestry developed in Mexico, and therefore it is primarily from the south, and from other areas of Latin America that the foundations of their cultural experiences have come. They are Christian in nature, and although in the past they have primarily been seen as Roman Catholic, in more recent times they have also started to depict many Protestant ideologies. They rarely follow the traditional notions of American Christian beliefs however, and it has been their specific cultural and socio-historical flavors which have created the specific Latino religious influences that we see played out in the American nation today. They have very specific notions and ideologies, and as their traditions have focused on things such as Guadalupismo, curanderismo, and Penitente traditions, they have managed to shape their own unique cultures within the American Catholic following. For example, the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe has played a major role throughout Latino religious developments, and this depiction has made Latinos often very spiritually aware and continually devoted to the following of Virgin Many, as well as many other Saints as well. Traditional Latino religious practices are usually undertaken Spanish, and often they are centered around legends, hymns, ballads and dramatic representations which mainly focused on the birth, life and death of Christ. The religious principles often focus on expression and grandeur, and frequently the ideologies are based on extravagance and miraculousness. This is again highlighted in the tale of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and it shows how many individuals frequently turn to miracles as a way to try and substantiate and understand the oppressions that are constantly ongoing
These have become iconic and spiritual figures within the religions, and they are commonly classed as patron saints who may be given days of that the followers admire and give respect to. The biggest one of these is probably Dec 12th which is the day devoted to Virgin Mary, and she is again another icon and symbol of greatness across the Latino religious environment. Overall however, I would say that the Latino cultures and religions give individuals coming from this ethnic background an outlet to see how they can achieve equality, and it gives them a way to project their ideas and historical notions out the masses. Therefore, it is through this that they are able to bring their own image to America, and they can therefore be symbolized as unique and different from the masses when they get here.
The Asian American religious experience is very different from that of the Latino culture, and therefore it holds a very different forum in American society today. Unlike the Latino experience which primarily focuses on Christianity, the Asian foundations encompass Buddhism, Christianity, along with a variety of the other major religions in our world today. As a result of this, the experiences therefore include a wide range of different theologies that are constantly developing, and this is probably why the Asian culture is has the most diverse religious establishment out of all that exist in our world today.
Firstly, unlike the Latino religions, the Asian American experience isn’t monotheistic, and therefore individuals often look towards many different Gods when they establish their religious ideals. Along with this, the initial Asian settlers came to this part of the world much later than the Latinos, and their primary intent was to advance their economic situations, and earn money which they would then be able to send back to their families at home. The immigrants were often greatly marginalized when they first settled here, and over the years they have been faced with continual oppression by the Native Americans which have made integration often difficult.
Unlike in the Latino culture, there seems to be great structure to the majority of Asian religious and cultural practices, and many of the individuals adhere to their beliefs often in a very quiet and unassuming way. I think that as a community they have often accepted the oppression with which they are faced, and as they see it as inevitable, over the years, they have rarely done much to challenge it. In many cases I would say that they feel that the best way to advance in society and to individually prosper is to conform to mass ideology, but I think that this desire for conformity has meant they now have little voice is the overall American religious arena. In Asian American religious and cultural practices, economic gains are always considered as of primary importance, and I think that many try to achieve this by invoking this quiet sense of controlled rationalism in their lives. Everything seems to be about portraying a positive image, and as there is so little emotion and visible expression, when it comes to mass American society I think their individual identities are frequently lost.
Within the Asian Religions themselves, the practices tend to focus on traditionally held beliefs, and it is primarily the family which establishes the foundations of this. Family life, tradition and loyalty as very much seen at the core of Asian culture, and therefore this also plays out in the religions they practice. Religions are copied from generation to generation, and it is past structures which tend to prevail over more modern day customs. The excerpt from the reader titled Religion in the Family shows how strong the link to the family is in this culture, and it highlights how simple yet structured many Asians lives are.
Overall compared to Latino Religions, I would say that the Asian Americans aren’t as prominent in our current society today. I think that the fact they are so quiet, and try to always work hard and keep their heads down is the primary factor of this, and I see that they are always trying to make some gains, rather than looking to be accepted how they are. I think that the Asians have constantly struggled to get rid of their marginalization across American society, and although I think that the impact of their foods has played a role over recent times, I don’t think that they are likely to gain much progress in projecting their religious ideologies onto the American masses at any point soon.
Although I have shown that these two religious experiences are incredibly different in many ways there are some fundamental similarities between them. Firstly they have both had a major influence on the cultures here in America and are both growing populations across the American nation. Alongside this they both became most influential here after the occurrence of a war, as it was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that gave many Latinos citizenship and the outcome of the Vietnam War which led to many Asians travelling across the Pacific. Although the religions developed during different time periods, once they did reach the American nation, they both seem to have formed set communities and become prominent within set areas of the US. For example, the Latinos have a huge influence in California and the South, whereas the Asian Chinatowns and Little Tokyo’s seem to have been confined mainly to the North East on the country. Both ethnicities faced discrimination at first, and they were initially treated as the lower class within society as they were seen as different and likely to cause trouble, but over time they have managed to integrate more, and have added their own character to certain parts of the nation. I think that this establishment of their own communities within set regions has been the reason why they have been able to stay so true to their foundations over the years, and as the specific groups and ethnicities have been able to stay together, they have not only been able to keep their identities intact, but have also managed to keep their religious principles fairly similar to the traditional concepts as well.
Over the years however, it is clear that both of the communities have faced struggles whilst trying to maintain their core values, and I think this has meant that their religious foundations have also been altered to be more in line with American ideals. In terms of this, I do think that both of the religions have probably been Americanized to some degree, and I think that many of the generations growing up here today probably relate first with the white Protestant culture, rather than to their traditional and historical foundations. At present I see this occurring simply because they are exposed and socialized to these American ideals on a much more profound level, and I think that this occurs as we are meemed, and constantly stereotyped down one set social path. Over the more recent eras I do think that both Latinos and Asians have become more ethically and gender conscious and I think that providing the individuals of these communities are prepared to step up and challenge their marginalization, they may be able to make their cultural existence and diversity more common to the masses, and this will allow them maintain a vital role in American religious diversity. Also as the numbers of immigrants grow, they may both be able to increase in voice, and therefore if the communities grow so much that they start to gain a political influence, I don’t think I would be long before they help a more influential religious influence as well.
13. What role did the Buddhist Church serve in the "ethnic adjustment of Japanese Americans"? (see pages 512 to 526 of the READER).
When many Japanese came to the US at the turn of the 20th century, they were met with an entirely different culture from what they had been used to. Not only was the daily life of these individuals totally different, but also the societal norms and fundamental belief systems also had a very new structure to what many had been used to in the past. In order to be accepted into the new way of life that they faced, the Japanese had to change many of their common beliefs and practices, and it was frequently through religious settings like the Buddhist Church, that they were shown and guided along the path to inclusion.
Over the years the churches themselves have continually provided an outlet for Japanese citizens to come together after arriving in America, and since the beginning these have also been used as a social forum and outlet for individuals to discuss with each other the fundamental problems that were arising. The churches unintentionally therefore provided an internal support network which gave immigrants a chance to associate with others facing the same problems as themselves, and in the long run this has probably prevented many from experiencing problems such as isolation and loneliness which could so easily have arisen.
When the initial settlers came from Japan, many were faced with tough social and economic problems, and therefore the church became something that was seen as positive in the lives of many of these men. It gave them almost a connection to their homelands, and as it was envisioned as a happy place, many relied on it to see the world through a more positive lens. Once the 1940s hit however, the Japanese themselves started to be seen by the Americans as much more suspicious, and subsequently as a result of this, the church was also forced to change. For many of these Japanese citizens the churches themselves became a haven of shelter, and therefore many ended up coming under violent attack throughout the era. Throughout the 40s many were consequently forced to close, and in terms of ideology, Japanese citizens as well as the Buddhist church continued to be seen as more and more negative throughout all aspects of American society. During this time I think both outlets were suppressed for the ideologies they promoted, and they were almost forced underground, so as not to be seen or heard by the masses. However, throughout this time I think that the two factors managed to stay closely linked alongside each other, and as many Japanese citizens lived within Buddhist churches, the Church started to be seen as the face of Japanese identity. As they became more and more oppressed, they also become more integrated with each other, and this is why I personally believe that the traditional Japanese roots remain a factor throughout the Buddhist churches located here in America even today.
Overall I would say that the Japanese population in America has changed and correlated alongside the Buddhist Church, and it has been the institution that has enabled Japanese identity to remain in America throughout all the years of struggle. For many years, being a Japanese Buddhist was seen as holding such a negative identity that certain individuals were too scared to follow its practices. However, as time has passed, the oppression has started to lift, and nowadays individuals again want to identify with their true cultures, and have returned to the traditional ethnic identities. Over the years however, I do think that the Church itself has become much more Americanized in its nature, and therefore I think it has lost the power and distinct ideology that it did hold many years ago. In this sense, I think that western ideals have to a degree taken control over the traditional oriental methods, and some of the traditional customs have also been lost in the process as well. However, even with this occurring, the simple fact that there are increasing numbers of Japanese citizens living who are trying to get back to their roots, shows how their belief in true ethnicity obviously does still play a role here, and I would personally say that it is the Buddhist Church we have to thank for that.
14. Overall, what lessons should we draw from the diversity of religious experiences in America? More specifically, what hurdles or conflicts do Americans still face in trying to practice their respective religions? Can they be overcome? How?
Obviously this entire course has focused on the different religions across the American nation, and it has highlighted just how diverse and extreme the cultures and faiths here actually are. Although we often see ourselves in one single way, if we look below the surface, I think that each one of us is extremely unique, and we all have varied ideologies which vary profoundly and have a great impact on the way that we live our lives. I think that over the years our religious diversity has been suppressed and pushed below the surface, and it seems that many of our religious experiences have either been forgotten, or retold in a certain way which doesn’t actually mirror the truth. If we look at our experiences, we can see how many of the main religions such as Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity, as well as much smaller tribal religions such as the Native American ones, or the Latino experiences have all had certain impacts within our society, and these have all led to the way our culture and ideologies are shaped today.
Although many different religious factors have played a role in the development of our society and the formation of our ethnicity, I feel that many people forget this, and today I think we are constantly depicted as a society which has little diversity or history. I think that through meme theory our religious experiences have been depicted in a very homogenous way, and therefore I think that we often need to look a little deeper to see how false this depiction actually is. The main lessons that I think we need to draw from the transitions of American religion is that diversity is extremely prominent and that we shouldn’t just look at our stereotypes to determine the overall culture. If we look below the surface I think that we see how a wide range of experiences and influences have made us who we are today, and therefore we need to learn how religion is constantly changing and playing a vital role in the formation of our identity, whether we really believe it or not.
In many cases, I think today we have become so caught up and consumed with conformity within society that we fail to see the religious influences that are placed on us, and the diversity that does actually exist if we look just a little deeper into our history. As individuals are so highly judged on their ethnic backgrounds and what they believe in, I think that many feel suppressed with their ideologies, and therefore do not think they are able to practice their respective faiths and ideas they truly believe. As there are so many conflicting reports and questions as to what theories are actually true, I also think that this causes conflict for many as they are unsure if their faith is actually real/ logical. Alongside this, religious diversity also causes extreme tension throughout many areas of the world, and therefore I also think many individuals feel that if they were to make their ideologies more open, they would bring tension and problems into the community. In this sense, I feel that because individuals don’t want to be judged and criticized, they feel that they must conform to mass ideas, and commonly this means that they end up following the Christian faith which is seen as dominant throughout America today. I would consequently say that the world we currently live in today prevents us from being able to follow our true callings, and as a result individuals face constant barriers in terms of the ideas they must follow. In this sense I think that our diversity is lost simply because it is told to us in set ways that we rarely question, and as a result we have lost many of the native religions which formed the foundations of American society.
Personally I don’t see that in the present world we live that these problems will be overcome, and that we will be able to return to the native ideologies and beliefs that were present for so long. Nowadays religious diversity is seen almost as a sin, and as many of the traditional practices have become so controversial, they probably wouldn’t be tolerated today. Therefore, in order to truly allow the native diversity to return to America in the way it once did, there would have to be a major ideological chance across the nation as a whole. We would need to all come to terms with the uniqueness of individuals, and we would need to look into the past to fully understand the experiences that got us here today. We would need to understand that no two belief systems can ever be the same, and that even when we consider two people of a certain denomination, their ideas and followings will never be identical.
I believe that in order to overcome this lacking religious and cultural diversity, we need to understand how easily influenced we can be, and that the way we have been socialized in a way that pre-determines our social norms and societal beliefs. In this sense I think that we need to see that the religion we are told today may not exactly be represented in the way it occurred in the past, and therefore, instead of judging our historical diversity, we should use it to better understand where our current society has stemmed, and how it may develop and transition in the future.
15. Describe how one new religious movement (founded in America) has transformed American life in unexpected ways? Clue: choose one group and trace any specific influences.
Scientology is a new religion in America that has raised great controversy over recent times. As it was only founded in 1953, it is still developing and being integrated into the main American cultures, and therefore its underlying role and impact is still unknown and may be considered still as a little unstable. Today, however, I do think that it is quickly becoming part of our modern American culture, and as it has started to become discussed in many of our media outlets over recent times, the masses have become more exposed to the principles it mirrors and depicts. It was first established and founded by a man named L.Ron Hubbard, and at the center of his ideology, and at the core of the faith, it is said to be the ‘principles of truth’ that can be found.
In terms of the fundamental ideologies surrounding the religion, it uses modern day topics to search for, and study the truth. It centralizes it focus on the fact that any individual can achieve success and greatness, and alongside this, its aim is to eradicate common problems such as war and criminals. In terms of the teachings within the religion itself, they are focused on over 40 books and 2,500 tape-recorded lectures made by the founder and creator Ron Hubbard, and according to his website the religion itself encompasses “the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life….and it comprises a body of knowledge extending from certain fundamental truths.” The major belief that followers worship is that “man is an immortal, spiritual being whose experience extends well beyond a single lifetime,” and as followers see that the capabilities of man are unlimited, it can be concluded that each and every person holds the potential for greatness.
As it considers itself as the first real religion in the highly global and technological age of the 21t century, the concepts also include many of the more modern day issues that are frequently prominent in our mass society. These include things such as human rights and drug rehabilitation, and as a result of this, I think that many see it as a religion that is much more in tune with our current times. In this sense I think it is has been a movement which has transitioned a new concept of religion into the 21st century, and therefore I think that individuals can relate to its discussions simply because they are more closely associated with the modern day situations it depicts. I think that nowadays the traditional religions are so old that the tales within them cannot be related to our modern day culture, and therefore I think that for some, the classical religions like Christianity and Islam aren’t seen as so inviting, simply because they cannot be easily related to.
Personally I think that the biggest role the church of Scientology has played on our society is the fact that overall it has made the concept of religion almost like a fashion and in many ways it can be viewed as a form of popular culture. I think that for many, the religion is almost seen as something which would be cool to associate with, and therefore many individuals, especially youngsters say they are followers simply because they think it sounds good. Also Scientology has a very close connection with the ‘Hollywood,’ aspect of our society, and over recent times, the media has been continually discussing celebrities and their links alongside this specific faith. Obviously the biggest discussion has surrounded the actor Tom Cruise, and he has openly admitted that he is a devoted follower of this faith, and that he practices many of its principles. Due to celebrities like these openly associating with the Church, I think this has provided a platform for many to also say they are followers, often because they feel this gives them a closer connection to their most commonly idolized celebrities even though they may know nothing about the actual religion at all.
Overall, I definitely think that the church of scientology has regenerated and given life to the entire concept of religion here in America, and I think that this discussion in the media has made many reconsider religion as something which may be beneficial in their lives. In relation to this I also think it has brought about new and unexpected discussion regarding a number of topics that haven’t been openly discussed in society in the past, and these include such things as birth control, drugs, and many other human rights issues. Although I don’t think the viewpoints and ideas of Scientology should be necessarily used to solve these issues, I think that the fact the media has brought discussion of them into mass society, means that a new forum has been created for new and different concepts to be continually envisioned and discussed. In this sense I think that we have started to discuss a broader range of societal issues in terms of religion, and therefore I think that it is a more modernized outlet which has allowed controversial topics move from the private realm, into the public.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Two Religious Field Trip Experiences
First Field Trip – Los Altos United Church of Christ
When first handed the assignment of visiting two religious settings in Southern California, I thought that it was going to be very hard for me to find something interesting to report on. As I am not American, and live in the dorms at Long Beach State, I do not own a car, and therefore it is very hard for me to get anywhere different and diverse. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to any of the religious settings that had been suggested on the assignment sheet, so therefore I needed to try to find places in the immediate vicinity that I could use. Although I didn’t initially have any idea about where I could go, whilst out running one day, I noticed a small church, located probably less than 200 meters from the dormitories. Even though I have lived on campus for 3 years now, this is the first time I had actually noticed the church, and I thought that this would be perfect to use as part of this assignment. I decided to attend a Sunday morning service, and picked November 30th, the Sunday after thanksgiving, as the day to attend.
The Church itself is called Los Altos United Church of Christ, and is located on 5550 Atherton St in Long Beach. It is obviously a Christian Church which focuses its followings on the Bible and path of Christ, but when I attended and after I did a little more research, I found out that at its core are the ideas which were developed by the New England pilgrim heritage. The teachings follow the ideologies of the United Church of Christ faith which was founded in 1957, but the Church itself is primarily centered on the wishes of the local community, as the congregations believe in controlling their own decisions and direction. It is a church that is primarily considered of mainline Protestant denomination, and the United Church of Christ faith is generally thought of as a reformed movement which originated when the Evangelical Reformed Church, and the Congregational Christian Churches unified.
Before attending on that Sunday at the end of November, I presumed I would be attending a Church service just like any I had been to in the past, so therefore, I was surprised to see that there were many differences, and therefore, even though it follows mainline Protestant ideals, I actually ended up learning a great deal from my experience. When I first arrived for the 10am service on the final Sunday in November, I was welcomed at the door by the female minister, who I later found out was Terry LePage, and a young boy who was handing out pamphlets and the order of service. I attended on my own, and even though I had never been inside this community church before, I was warmly welcomed, and invited to take a seat inside. I took a place on a pew near the back, and was immediately drawn to the fact that the congregation seemed a very tightly knit community of families, couples, singles, youth, seniors, neighbors and friends. Many people seemed to know each other, and were greeting each other with hugs and kisses. I would say there were around 60-80 people in attendance, and although many were in their seats when I arrived, I definitely didn’t feel as though I stuck out in the crowd, and nobody gave the impression that I wasn’t welcome.
The service started firstly with the formal greetings, and then by an introduction, and prelude by the Minister, Rev. Terry Le Page. At this point we were then ask to be respectful and attentive throughout the service, before being asked to stand for a responsive call to worship that took place between the minister and the congregation. At first I was unsure what was happening when everybody stood and spoke back to the minister in unison, but when I looked at the order of service, I realized what was going on, and the words people were saying. I had never heard anything like this before, and in the Christian services that I have attended in the past, this has never occurred. I was initially shocked by the situation, but soon realized that the words were just being read out of the pamphlet, and therefore by the 3rd and final response, I realized what I need to do, and joined in with the rest of the people in the crowd.
The words spoken focused on asking God to help and guide us all as individuals through life, and it ended with the word Amen, just like a prayer. I was surprised at how intense some people in the congregation seemed to be, and how clearly they obviously wanted to reach to God, as they saw him as their savior and leader in life. As soon as this call to worship ended, the organ started to play, and everyone remained on their feet for the first hymn “We Hail You God Anointed.” We all turned to number 104 in our hymn books and sang together. As I used to attend church whilst growing up, I am used to the hymns that are sung, and I am always surprised at how passionately people try to sing, and that the singing always sounds so good, even though there are such a wide and diverse range of individuals taking part in this communal choir! I think that the singing highlights a time when the energy seems so positive within the church, and I think that singing the hymns always make people feel good about themselves, whether they are truly meaning the words they are saying or not.
After the song ended, there was the main portion of the service seemed to officially begin, and the first issue discussed the notion of Advent. As it was the final weekend in November and 4th weekend before Christmas it was the day on which to light the first Advent Candle. At this point, there was much discussion from the minister about the lead up to Christmas, and what Christmas itself represents within the Christian faith. Great focus was placed on the works of Jesus during his life, and Rev. Le Page stressed how this was a time for sharing and giving. At this point she also made it clear that everyone should be cared for at this time, and she made it very clear that society should be acceptant of all, and we should all make a conscious effort to extend our hand to anyone in need at this time. Following the ministers talk, a story was read about the birth of Jesus, titled “Who’s Coming” and this was read by a member of the congregation, Heather Lytwynec. The next period of the service, was devoted to a time of prayer. It started with a spiritual reflection taken from one of the Psalms, and then went into a time for the audience to silently pray, before ending with a communal reading of the Lord’s Prayer. Obviously as I was brought up attending a Baptist church, I know the words off by heart to this prayer, and it therefore shows an example of a religious similarity that is obviously practiced all over the world.
Shortly after I started to feel more at home, and started to think that the service resembled something similar to what I had been to before, I was again introduced to an entirely new concept. There was a mass call to offer gifts from the minister, and this was followed by a short hymn which I now know is a Doxology. It was simply a short 4 liner praising God, and it was written in the order of service more like a poem than a song. During this time, a number of individuals did go to the front of the church and place down gifts, and I think these included both monetary donations to help with the running of the church, as well as a number of wrapped gifts that were to be taken to a local charity. Although I know that many churches rely on monetary donations to ensure their smooth running, this was the first time that I had seen it take place during the service, and I was surprised that a certain period of time was so openly and obviously dedicated for this purpose.
Once the doxology was sung, the congregation once more stood up and there was a unison prayer, again rejoicing God. I was shocked at how involved many people in the audience seemed, and some even looked as though they were almost in another world. I think that some people believe so strongly about religion that they almost enter a subconscious state when within religious environments, and I think this was what I witnessed that Sunday morning. After the prayer, the minister informed us that we were going to ‘hear the word,’ and she read a scripture from the book Isaiah, before a more modern day reading was read. This was called the Heavenly Council, and was almost more like a miniature play than a reading. Four individuals acted out a modern day situation, and they showed how the word of God plays out and can help others in the world that we live in today. It had obviously been well rehearsed, and the readers did a good job of making the situation very dramatic, and like a situation that can occur in everyday life. As two of the readers were children, I think that it was probably recited in this way to target the younger members of the congregation, and I therefore think that it was an excellent method to try and get children to see how religion can play a role in their daily lives.
Once this was completed, a final hymn was sang called “Angels We have Heard on High,” and as we finally got to the end of the song, I thought it was the end of the service. However, one final surprise was in store for me as the congregation stayed on their feet and once again engaged in a mass responsive chant. According to the order of service this is called a responsive Benediction, and it is obviously the method that the United Church of Christ faith uses to close any Sunday morning service. It focuses on the ways individuals will now go forward to share and promote God’s message, and the people end with the line “God is faithful and will supply everything we need. Amen.” Obviously this shows how individuals personally feel that they are the direct messengers of God, and I think it probably shows the regular at tenders that they now have a duty to live up to as they go on in their daily business. As this benediction came to a close, the liturgist walked up the main isle and out through the door of the Church carrying a huge candle that had been lit throughout the service. Apparently this is supposed to act as and resemble the symbol of Christ’s light moving out into the world, and it determines the end of any Sunday service here. At the point that the doors were opened, the service was ended, and I slowly started to file out of the church, and made my way home.
In terms of my overall experience, looking back I am surprised that it did vary in so many ways from the church services I have attended in the past. This allowed me to see however, that there are many different ideologies/followings/beliefs within any given faith, and that no single religion can relay the exact same message to each one of its followers. From this, it is obviously easy to see why religious diversity exists so profoundly across America, and this was the one thing that was made so blatant during my experience at the Los Altos service that day. In conclusion, I was intrigued and fascinated by my experience, but overall it did little to alter my feelings pertaining to the concept of faith. I am still not convinced in the overall theories behind religion, and therefore as a result of this, I don’t think I am likely to be going back to another service at any point in the near future. As I like to continually question ideas and make sure I have firm evidence before I believe something, I am very skeptical of the entire notion of religion, and therefore, see myself as an atheist. Even though I grew up attending church, trying to reach out to a God is not something I see as logical, and therefore I personally don’t find it beneficial to me. Overall, however, I do not disapprove of the practices that took place, and I think that if individuals feel that their lives are better if they are religious in nature, then churches like Los Altos are obviously providing some benefit in society. Consequently, they should continue to be successful for many years into the future, and I don’t think that anyone should criticize or judge the practices that take place there.
Second Field Trip – Open Sesame Mediterranean Grill in Belmont Shore
As I attended an official religious establishment and actual church service for my first field trip, I decided to do something entirely different for my second one. I thought it would be interesting to see how religions may play a role in the daily lives of individuals here in America, and therefore I decided to go to a restaurant that was culturally different, to see how different ethnicities and beliefs may inadvertently play a role in our lives here in the US. The restaurant I chose to attend was Open Sesame Mediterranean Grill which is located on Second Street in Belmont Shore. It is a Lebanese restaurant which is family owned, and has served authentic Lebanese cuisine since its opening in 1999. This was the first time I had visited the restaurant and as I had never eaten cuisine like this before I had no idea what it was going to be like, so was therefore intrigued as to how my experience would play out. Since I arrived in Long Beach I have heard many good reviews about the restaurant, so took this opportunity to give it a go.
Growing up in England I was used to attending restaurants that serve foods from different cultures, and as I love the different tastes of Indian, Chinese, Thai and Mexican, I wasn’t hesitant of trying anything on the menu at this restaurant either. As I have already mentioned, I like to experience new cultures, and therefore I was intrigued to see how the restaurant would be laid out, and what Lebanese influences and looks would be present. On first appearance the restaurant from the outside looks modern and large, but when we entered I was shocked at how small and dainty it was. There are not that many tables, and the set up is very compact, but as soon as I walked through the door I was met with an entirely different feeling and ambience. Inside, the décor was very rustic, and the open kitchen made it warm and almost homely. The colors were soft and inviting, and the deep purples and low lighting instantly made me think of the orient, and also made me consider it similar to African nations such as Morocco. As I have never been to Lebanon, or eaten Lebanese food in the past, I do not know how closely the restaurant depicts its culture, but I think that it probably captures its feel very closely.
Although the majority of the tables were laid out for 2 to 4 persons, and located down the left hand wall, I was immediately drawn to the back of the restaurant where there was a larger table that was raised in height, and was filled with cushions and very soft, comfy seating. It was clearly the focal point of the room, and as it was coved in by the back wall, it looked back out onto the restaurant. Above this seating on the back wall, there was a huge, colorful and patterned item of clothing almost like an Indian sari, and this is obviously a traditional item that has come from Lebanon itself. It created the centerpiece of the entire restaurant, and throughout my meal I couldn’t stop looking at how extravagant and detailed it clearly was. As I was just with my mum, we were taken to a small table along the left hand wall, and immediately given the menu, and asked about drinks. They obviously serve wines and spirits from the local culture, as well as many soft drinks such as Jalab which is rose water infused with grape syrup, and Tamarind which is a beverage made with date. Therefore, there were many options in which to choose from but, neither my mum nor I decided to try any of these traditional drinks, and instead opted for the more commonly renowned Diet Coke!
Once the waitress left to go and get our drinks, we were both left with the menus, and the first thing I was immediately drawn to was that on the front page, it made it very clear that the restaurant itself was entirely Halal. This was something that I hadn’t known before coming, but it immediately made me consider the restaurant within the aspect of faith and a variety of religious principles. As Halal practices are associated alongside Muslim beliefs and laws, which state that meat must be killed, cooked and consumed is set ways, I instantly presumed that the Lebanese nation itself must therefore be Islamic and that the founders of the restaurant were also likely to be Muslim. As I have attended many Indian restaurants in England, I am used to the Halal dietary laws that are used in many of the restaurants, but this is the first restaurant I have been to where this has been followed in America. As a result of this, I also knew that I wasn’t going to find any pork on the menu, and I also knew that Lebanon must be an Arabic speaking nation, as they are the countries which use the term halal, rather than just ‘Muslim Dietary Laws.’ Therefore, I knew right from the get go that my eating experience was going to be different to any one I have had before here in America, and was excited and intrigued by the prospect. As I opened my menu, and before the foods were listed, there was a front page that was dedicated to talk about the restaurant itself, and there was a couple of paragraphs written by the founder about how the restaurant came about, and what was so special about the Lebanese nation and cuisine. Obviously for, me this page was extremely useful, as it allowed me to learn about the culture of the Lebanon itself, and I was able to learn a number of things which allowed me to gain a more informed experience. It was at this point I realized I had been wrong by considering the country as purely Muslim, and I learnt that religiously the country is actually a very diverse mix encompassing the faiths of both Christianity and Islam together. The information in this section of the menu also described the extreme cultural diversity within the nation of Lebanon, and it highlighted the fact that the country has been engulfed by great tension over recent years. It stated how this is primarily as a result of religious influences in the region, and therefore stated how it has now become an area of great diversity where the people continually influence and alter the overall culture that resides. Once I had finished studying the information, I did eventually turn to the food and what I wanted to eat! I had no idea about what to have, and as my mum and I both wanted to try everything, we decided to order a number of things to share and split. Therefore, when our waitress came back with the drinks, we ordered the Open Sesame Combo, which was a combination of different skewers of meat, as well as rice, salad, and a side portion of hummus. We knew this mixture would give us a taste of the different meats, whilst also have things within it that we would be sure to like.
As the food was subsequently made, I took time to fully take in the culture of the restaurant, and try to think about the ethnic diversities that were present. I looked at the restaurant in comparison to a traditional American eatery, and through this lens, I could see that it did try to closely capture the traditional ambience of the Lebanese culture, with local music playing in the background, and old pictures and ornaments taken directly from the nation spread out across all of the walls. Alongside this, as the restaurants founder grew up in Lebanon until the age of nineteen, he obviously had knowledge of how to capture the ambience, and therefore the restaurant managed to move away from the Americanized feel, that so many places I have been to in the past, fail to do. This highlights the different aura that was so obvious, and with this the various aromas also gave off a very diverse feel to them. I would associate these smells alongside ethnicities and cultures very different to the ones that are typically associated with America, and the constant scents of oils and spices, again gave me the sense that I was in a different world. Throughout my time, I could continually sense aromas of garlic, mint and lime in the atmosphere, and as the cooking was taking place on the appliances that were visible to the customers, these scents were constantly changing and developing.
When it arrived at our table, the food itself not only looked great, but the tastes were also fantastic. It was obvious right from the first mouthful that all of the food had been traditionally cooked in authentic spices, and that fresh produce had been used to create the dishes themselves. Fresh pita bread was served to the table alongside the hummus, and fresh, flavorful food was laid out in a simple, yet creative fashion. It all looked very healthy, and although we order a variety of skewers such as kafta, chicken tawook and beef kabob, there was just a good amount, and it had all been perfectly cooked in a way which maximized the flavors. Although I thought it may be spicy, this wasn’t the case at all, and instead the flavors of herbs eluded from the various meats. The salad was very basic, being comprised primarily of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green onion, radish, bell pepper, but the fact that it also had parsley and fresh mint, along with a very basic dressing of oil and lemon, allowed all the flavors to be individually tasted. The simplicity of it all allowed the flavors of the different foods to be all tasted separately, and sometimes this is what I feel lacks in the American kitchen which is surrounded with fats, sweet enhancers and many other additives.
On simply just the food alone I will definitely return to this restaurant, and would recommend it to anybody who wants a new and different taste. Obviously I’m sure that the menu has been somewhat adapted to satisfy the American palette, but the fact that it remains so fresh and healthy allows it to stay different yet delicious. The experience I had was very different to an eating experience I have had in America before, and although I am used to trying foods from different cultures and ethnicities, I now would love to visit other independent restaurants that capture the mood of the diverse areas within the world. In short however, I think that this particular restaurant does a good job of capturing a different feel both culturally and ethically, and I think that because of this, it has its own unique sense of distinction. I found my overall trip there very interesting, and I’m glad that I managed to experience something so different from what I am primarily used to.
I see the American nation now more willing to integrate and accept cultures that are different from our own, and I think that it is in restaurants like these that we see this most prominently existing. I also see that as restaurants like this have continually sprung up and become so successful over the last few years, we have also seen how much more the American nation is becoming open to diversity, and therefore I think that it is through this area that we are now being influenced by others, rather than us being the ones to project our American culture on top of others. I believe that religion also has a huge role to play within this however, and I think that we can see how all these avenues have interacted, changed and developed in the past, and will continue to do so well into the future. As a result of this our acceptances have been shifted, and our social and ethical norms are going to continue to be altered well on into the future.
When first handed the assignment of visiting two religious settings in Southern California, I thought that it was going to be very hard for me to find something interesting to report on. As I am not American, and live in the dorms at Long Beach State, I do not own a car, and therefore it is very hard for me to get anywhere different and diverse. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to any of the religious settings that had been suggested on the assignment sheet, so therefore I needed to try to find places in the immediate vicinity that I could use. Although I didn’t initially have any idea about where I could go, whilst out running one day, I noticed a small church, located probably less than 200 meters from the dormitories. Even though I have lived on campus for 3 years now, this is the first time I had actually noticed the church, and I thought that this would be perfect to use as part of this assignment. I decided to attend a Sunday morning service, and picked November 30th, the Sunday after thanksgiving, as the day to attend.
The Church itself is called Los Altos United Church of Christ, and is located on 5550 Atherton St in Long Beach. It is obviously a Christian Church which focuses its followings on the Bible and path of Christ, but when I attended and after I did a little more research, I found out that at its core are the ideas which were developed by the New England pilgrim heritage. The teachings follow the ideologies of the United Church of Christ faith which was founded in 1957, but the Church itself is primarily centered on the wishes of the local community, as the congregations believe in controlling their own decisions and direction. It is a church that is primarily considered of mainline Protestant denomination, and the United Church of Christ faith is generally thought of as a reformed movement which originated when the Evangelical Reformed Church, and the Congregational Christian Churches unified.
Before attending on that Sunday at the end of November, I presumed I would be attending a Church service just like any I had been to in the past, so therefore, I was surprised to see that there were many differences, and therefore, even though it follows mainline Protestant ideals, I actually ended up learning a great deal from my experience. When I first arrived for the 10am service on the final Sunday in November, I was welcomed at the door by the female minister, who I later found out was Terry LePage, and a young boy who was handing out pamphlets and the order of service. I attended on my own, and even though I had never been inside this community church before, I was warmly welcomed, and invited to take a seat inside. I took a place on a pew near the back, and was immediately drawn to the fact that the congregation seemed a very tightly knit community of families, couples, singles, youth, seniors, neighbors and friends. Many people seemed to know each other, and were greeting each other with hugs and kisses. I would say there were around 60-80 people in attendance, and although many were in their seats when I arrived, I definitely didn’t feel as though I stuck out in the crowd, and nobody gave the impression that I wasn’t welcome.
The service started firstly with the formal greetings, and then by an introduction, and prelude by the Minister, Rev. Terry Le Page. At this point we were then ask to be respectful and attentive throughout the service, before being asked to stand for a responsive call to worship that took place between the minister and the congregation. At first I was unsure what was happening when everybody stood and spoke back to the minister in unison, but when I looked at the order of service, I realized what was going on, and the words people were saying. I had never heard anything like this before, and in the Christian services that I have attended in the past, this has never occurred. I was initially shocked by the situation, but soon realized that the words were just being read out of the pamphlet, and therefore by the 3rd and final response, I realized what I need to do, and joined in with the rest of the people in the crowd.
The words spoken focused on asking God to help and guide us all as individuals through life, and it ended with the word Amen, just like a prayer. I was surprised at how intense some people in the congregation seemed to be, and how clearly they obviously wanted to reach to God, as they saw him as their savior and leader in life. As soon as this call to worship ended, the organ started to play, and everyone remained on their feet for the first hymn “We Hail You God Anointed.” We all turned to number 104 in our hymn books and sang together. As I used to attend church whilst growing up, I am used to the hymns that are sung, and I am always surprised at how passionately people try to sing, and that the singing always sounds so good, even though there are such a wide and diverse range of individuals taking part in this communal choir! I think that the singing highlights a time when the energy seems so positive within the church, and I think that singing the hymns always make people feel good about themselves, whether they are truly meaning the words they are saying or not.
After the song ended, there was the main portion of the service seemed to officially begin, and the first issue discussed the notion of Advent. As it was the final weekend in November and 4th weekend before Christmas it was the day on which to light the first Advent Candle. At this point, there was much discussion from the minister about the lead up to Christmas, and what Christmas itself represents within the Christian faith. Great focus was placed on the works of Jesus during his life, and Rev. Le Page stressed how this was a time for sharing and giving. At this point she also made it clear that everyone should be cared for at this time, and she made it very clear that society should be acceptant of all, and we should all make a conscious effort to extend our hand to anyone in need at this time. Following the ministers talk, a story was read about the birth of Jesus, titled “Who’s Coming” and this was read by a member of the congregation, Heather Lytwynec. The next period of the service, was devoted to a time of prayer. It started with a spiritual reflection taken from one of the Psalms, and then went into a time for the audience to silently pray, before ending with a communal reading of the Lord’s Prayer. Obviously as I was brought up attending a Baptist church, I know the words off by heart to this prayer, and it therefore shows an example of a religious similarity that is obviously practiced all over the world.
Shortly after I started to feel more at home, and started to think that the service resembled something similar to what I had been to before, I was again introduced to an entirely new concept. There was a mass call to offer gifts from the minister, and this was followed by a short hymn which I now know is a Doxology. It was simply a short 4 liner praising God, and it was written in the order of service more like a poem than a song. During this time, a number of individuals did go to the front of the church and place down gifts, and I think these included both monetary donations to help with the running of the church, as well as a number of wrapped gifts that were to be taken to a local charity. Although I know that many churches rely on monetary donations to ensure their smooth running, this was the first time that I had seen it take place during the service, and I was surprised that a certain period of time was so openly and obviously dedicated for this purpose.
Once the doxology was sung, the congregation once more stood up and there was a unison prayer, again rejoicing God. I was shocked at how involved many people in the audience seemed, and some even looked as though they were almost in another world. I think that some people believe so strongly about religion that they almost enter a subconscious state when within religious environments, and I think this was what I witnessed that Sunday morning. After the prayer, the minister informed us that we were going to ‘hear the word,’ and she read a scripture from the book Isaiah, before a more modern day reading was read. This was called the Heavenly Council, and was almost more like a miniature play than a reading. Four individuals acted out a modern day situation, and they showed how the word of God plays out and can help others in the world that we live in today. It had obviously been well rehearsed, and the readers did a good job of making the situation very dramatic, and like a situation that can occur in everyday life. As two of the readers were children, I think that it was probably recited in this way to target the younger members of the congregation, and I therefore think that it was an excellent method to try and get children to see how religion can play a role in their daily lives.
Once this was completed, a final hymn was sang called “Angels We have Heard on High,” and as we finally got to the end of the song, I thought it was the end of the service. However, one final surprise was in store for me as the congregation stayed on their feet and once again engaged in a mass responsive chant. According to the order of service this is called a responsive Benediction, and it is obviously the method that the United Church of Christ faith uses to close any Sunday morning service. It focuses on the ways individuals will now go forward to share and promote God’s message, and the people end with the line “God is faithful and will supply everything we need. Amen.” Obviously this shows how individuals personally feel that they are the direct messengers of God, and I think it probably shows the regular at tenders that they now have a duty to live up to as they go on in their daily business. As this benediction came to a close, the liturgist walked up the main isle and out through the door of the Church carrying a huge candle that had been lit throughout the service. Apparently this is supposed to act as and resemble the symbol of Christ’s light moving out into the world, and it determines the end of any Sunday service here. At the point that the doors were opened, the service was ended, and I slowly started to file out of the church, and made my way home.
In terms of my overall experience, looking back I am surprised that it did vary in so many ways from the church services I have attended in the past. This allowed me to see however, that there are many different ideologies/followings/beliefs within any given faith, and that no single religion can relay the exact same message to each one of its followers. From this, it is obviously easy to see why religious diversity exists so profoundly across America, and this was the one thing that was made so blatant during my experience at the Los Altos service that day. In conclusion, I was intrigued and fascinated by my experience, but overall it did little to alter my feelings pertaining to the concept of faith. I am still not convinced in the overall theories behind religion, and therefore as a result of this, I don’t think I am likely to be going back to another service at any point in the near future. As I like to continually question ideas and make sure I have firm evidence before I believe something, I am very skeptical of the entire notion of religion, and therefore, see myself as an atheist. Even though I grew up attending church, trying to reach out to a God is not something I see as logical, and therefore I personally don’t find it beneficial to me. Overall, however, I do not disapprove of the practices that took place, and I think that if individuals feel that their lives are better if they are religious in nature, then churches like Los Altos are obviously providing some benefit in society. Consequently, they should continue to be successful for many years into the future, and I don’t think that anyone should criticize or judge the practices that take place there.
Second Field Trip – Open Sesame Mediterranean Grill in Belmont Shore
As I attended an official religious establishment and actual church service for my first field trip, I decided to do something entirely different for my second one. I thought it would be interesting to see how religions may play a role in the daily lives of individuals here in America, and therefore I decided to go to a restaurant that was culturally different, to see how different ethnicities and beliefs may inadvertently play a role in our lives here in the US. The restaurant I chose to attend was Open Sesame Mediterranean Grill which is located on Second Street in Belmont Shore. It is a Lebanese restaurant which is family owned, and has served authentic Lebanese cuisine since its opening in 1999. This was the first time I had visited the restaurant and as I had never eaten cuisine like this before I had no idea what it was going to be like, so was therefore intrigued as to how my experience would play out. Since I arrived in Long Beach I have heard many good reviews about the restaurant, so took this opportunity to give it a go.
Growing up in England I was used to attending restaurants that serve foods from different cultures, and as I love the different tastes of Indian, Chinese, Thai and Mexican, I wasn’t hesitant of trying anything on the menu at this restaurant either. As I have already mentioned, I like to experience new cultures, and therefore I was intrigued to see how the restaurant would be laid out, and what Lebanese influences and looks would be present. On first appearance the restaurant from the outside looks modern and large, but when we entered I was shocked at how small and dainty it was. There are not that many tables, and the set up is very compact, but as soon as I walked through the door I was met with an entirely different feeling and ambience. Inside, the décor was very rustic, and the open kitchen made it warm and almost homely. The colors were soft and inviting, and the deep purples and low lighting instantly made me think of the orient, and also made me consider it similar to African nations such as Morocco. As I have never been to Lebanon, or eaten Lebanese food in the past, I do not know how closely the restaurant depicts its culture, but I think that it probably captures its feel very closely.
Although the majority of the tables were laid out for 2 to 4 persons, and located down the left hand wall, I was immediately drawn to the back of the restaurant where there was a larger table that was raised in height, and was filled with cushions and very soft, comfy seating. It was clearly the focal point of the room, and as it was coved in by the back wall, it looked back out onto the restaurant. Above this seating on the back wall, there was a huge, colorful and patterned item of clothing almost like an Indian sari, and this is obviously a traditional item that has come from Lebanon itself. It created the centerpiece of the entire restaurant, and throughout my meal I couldn’t stop looking at how extravagant and detailed it clearly was. As I was just with my mum, we were taken to a small table along the left hand wall, and immediately given the menu, and asked about drinks. They obviously serve wines and spirits from the local culture, as well as many soft drinks such as Jalab which is rose water infused with grape syrup, and Tamarind which is a beverage made with date. Therefore, there were many options in which to choose from but, neither my mum nor I decided to try any of these traditional drinks, and instead opted for the more commonly renowned Diet Coke!
Once the waitress left to go and get our drinks, we were both left with the menus, and the first thing I was immediately drawn to was that on the front page, it made it very clear that the restaurant itself was entirely Halal. This was something that I hadn’t known before coming, but it immediately made me consider the restaurant within the aspect of faith and a variety of religious principles. As Halal practices are associated alongside Muslim beliefs and laws, which state that meat must be killed, cooked and consumed is set ways, I instantly presumed that the Lebanese nation itself must therefore be Islamic and that the founders of the restaurant were also likely to be Muslim. As I have attended many Indian restaurants in England, I am used to the Halal dietary laws that are used in many of the restaurants, but this is the first restaurant I have been to where this has been followed in America. As a result of this, I also knew that I wasn’t going to find any pork on the menu, and I also knew that Lebanon must be an Arabic speaking nation, as they are the countries which use the term halal, rather than just ‘Muslim Dietary Laws.’ Therefore, I knew right from the get go that my eating experience was going to be different to any one I have had before here in America, and was excited and intrigued by the prospect. As I opened my menu, and before the foods were listed, there was a front page that was dedicated to talk about the restaurant itself, and there was a couple of paragraphs written by the founder about how the restaurant came about, and what was so special about the Lebanese nation and cuisine. Obviously for, me this page was extremely useful, as it allowed me to learn about the culture of the Lebanon itself, and I was able to learn a number of things which allowed me to gain a more informed experience. It was at this point I realized I had been wrong by considering the country as purely Muslim, and I learnt that religiously the country is actually a very diverse mix encompassing the faiths of both Christianity and Islam together. The information in this section of the menu also described the extreme cultural diversity within the nation of Lebanon, and it highlighted the fact that the country has been engulfed by great tension over recent years. It stated how this is primarily as a result of religious influences in the region, and therefore stated how it has now become an area of great diversity where the people continually influence and alter the overall culture that resides. Once I had finished studying the information, I did eventually turn to the food and what I wanted to eat! I had no idea about what to have, and as my mum and I both wanted to try everything, we decided to order a number of things to share and split. Therefore, when our waitress came back with the drinks, we ordered the Open Sesame Combo, which was a combination of different skewers of meat, as well as rice, salad, and a side portion of hummus. We knew this mixture would give us a taste of the different meats, whilst also have things within it that we would be sure to like.
As the food was subsequently made, I took time to fully take in the culture of the restaurant, and try to think about the ethnic diversities that were present. I looked at the restaurant in comparison to a traditional American eatery, and through this lens, I could see that it did try to closely capture the traditional ambience of the Lebanese culture, with local music playing in the background, and old pictures and ornaments taken directly from the nation spread out across all of the walls. Alongside this, as the restaurants founder grew up in Lebanon until the age of nineteen, he obviously had knowledge of how to capture the ambience, and therefore the restaurant managed to move away from the Americanized feel, that so many places I have been to in the past, fail to do. This highlights the different aura that was so obvious, and with this the various aromas also gave off a very diverse feel to them. I would associate these smells alongside ethnicities and cultures very different to the ones that are typically associated with America, and the constant scents of oils and spices, again gave me the sense that I was in a different world. Throughout my time, I could continually sense aromas of garlic, mint and lime in the atmosphere, and as the cooking was taking place on the appliances that were visible to the customers, these scents were constantly changing and developing.
When it arrived at our table, the food itself not only looked great, but the tastes were also fantastic. It was obvious right from the first mouthful that all of the food had been traditionally cooked in authentic spices, and that fresh produce had been used to create the dishes themselves. Fresh pita bread was served to the table alongside the hummus, and fresh, flavorful food was laid out in a simple, yet creative fashion. It all looked very healthy, and although we order a variety of skewers such as kafta, chicken tawook and beef kabob, there was just a good amount, and it had all been perfectly cooked in a way which maximized the flavors. Although I thought it may be spicy, this wasn’t the case at all, and instead the flavors of herbs eluded from the various meats. The salad was very basic, being comprised primarily of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green onion, radish, bell pepper, but the fact that it also had parsley and fresh mint, along with a very basic dressing of oil and lemon, allowed all the flavors to be individually tasted. The simplicity of it all allowed the flavors of the different foods to be all tasted separately, and sometimes this is what I feel lacks in the American kitchen which is surrounded with fats, sweet enhancers and many other additives.
On simply just the food alone I will definitely return to this restaurant, and would recommend it to anybody who wants a new and different taste. Obviously I’m sure that the menu has been somewhat adapted to satisfy the American palette, but the fact that it remains so fresh and healthy allows it to stay different yet delicious. The experience I had was very different to an eating experience I have had in America before, and although I am used to trying foods from different cultures and ethnicities, I now would love to visit other independent restaurants that capture the mood of the diverse areas within the world. In short however, I think that this particular restaurant does a good job of capturing a different feel both culturally and ethically, and I think that because of this, it has its own unique sense of distinction. I found my overall trip there very interesting, and I’m glad that I managed to experience something so different from what I am primarily used to.
I see the American nation now more willing to integrate and accept cultures that are different from our own, and I think that it is in restaurants like these that we see this most prominently existing. I also see that as restaurants like this have continually sprung up and become so successful over the last few years, we have also seen how much more the American nation is becoming open to diversity, and therefore I think that it is through this area that we are now being influenced by others, rather than us being the ones to project our American culture on top of others. I believe that religion also has a huge role to play within this however, and I think that we can see how all these avenues have interacted, changed and developed in the past, and will continue to do so well into the future. As a result of this our acceptances have been shifted, and our social and ethical norms are going to continue to be altered well on into the future.
Religious Autobiography
Religion is a concept that we are all continually exposed on a daily basis in life, and whether we want to consume it or not, it is something we are constantly surrounded by. On a constant basis we hear rhetoric relating to it, and as most issues hold some moral or religiously grounded link, it is frequently seen as a controversial discipline that we all have our own unique ideas and thoughts about. Personally, I have both heard and witnessed a wide range of ideas and concepts that encompass numerous religious practices throughout the course of my life, and these have been the core concepts that have shaped my own religious foundations.
If I look at my own faith, and try to depict my own thoughts on the discipline, although I have heard a wide range of different theologies, I would classify myself as an atheist or non believer. Even though I have been exposed to numerous religious practices during my upbringing, the knowledge that I have and belief system I depend on, makes me sceptical that a God like figure can fundamentally exist. With my knowledge base of the way the world works, I see God as an illogical ideology, and think that there is a lack of empirical `evidence to say that he is the Supreme Being. This issue is something that I frequently think about and am confused by however, and overall I wish it was something we all had more definitive answers to.
As I grew up in England until the age of 18, my socialization regarding religion is sure to be different the majority of Americans. England is a nation that has large cultural diversity within the population, and as a result of this, the same thing can be seen within religious settings and beliefs as well. Although the UK is primarily regarded as a Protestant nation, over recent times many other religions, especially Islam, have doubled in stature, and nowadays we see temples and mosques popping up all over our towns and cities. Like here in America however, England is a place where an individual has freedom over their religious beliefs, and there is not one pre-established faith in which the masses are expected to follow. This therefore, gives every individual the right to discover and create his/her own ideologies, and a result we have ended up shaping our personal theologies, ending up being able to shape our own unique belief systems. As a result of this, the majority of us have been influenced by our socialization processes whilst growing up, and I would say that for me personally, the main factors which led to the shaping of my religious identity were the influences of my family, my friends, school and the media.
One of the largest exposures I had to religion whilst growing up was during my schooling, and personally I would say that the schools I attended played a major role in shaping my ideologies. I think that in England, schools promote religious tolerance, and this allows individuals to choose the religious path that they want to take, whilst at the same time being accepting of others. I think that although some schools do have religious foundations, the majority of them are not linked with a religious denomination, and therefore youngsters are able to establish their own beliefs, and are free from the pressure of others. Both of the schools that I personally went to did have religious foundations, and they were consider part of the Church of England denomination. This meant that on special occasions such as at Christmas and Easter, we attended church services with the entire school, and on three mornings every week we had a full school assembly. This was a time when everyone would congregate to hear the different things that were happening throughout the school, and it was a time during which we also said prayers and sang hymns. Although this setting sounds very religious and as though certain practices were being forced on us, it was really undertaken in a very social arrangement, and personally I never really thought about the religious implication it had. School assemblies are very common in the UK, and along with most of my friends I know I went along and listened to the prayers and sang the hymns without really thinking about the meanings they held. To me, the praying and singing was just something that was part of the norm which we had to do, and I never considered that we were actually do it to thank or praise the person who was considered to be our saviour. It was almost like I was just conforming to the demands of society, yet I never truly tries to engage with and believe the stories and ideas that were being told to me.
Although we were giving our thanks to God, there were a number of children in my school who very clearly did not follow the Christian faith. For example, there were a number of boys in my class who wore a turban, and also a girl in my year who attended with a burkha. This therefore was a very clear sign that it wasn’t just Christians that were accepted into the school, and as far as I know these individuals were never picked on or singled out because they were different and followed something else.
Alongside this, I also studied religion as a specific subject whilst growing up. Throughout my years in the British school system, every child had to take religious Studies classes, and this is something mandated by the education authority as a way to deepen the knowledge of faith and religious practices. I used to spend at least two hours per week studying the topic, and during these classes I was taught about the major religions, alongside the various issues that play a role in ones faith and ideologies. As a result of this, from as young as age 6, I was shown how we all individually hold unique beliefs, and how this creates diversity which plays a primary role in our global culture. I think not only did these classes socialize me into understanding that we can believe different things, but with this, I also think it helped further establish that as humans we are all unique. It helped give me an insight into various cultures around the world, and I think that through this I was provided with an avenue to see and accept the multitude of ethnicities that reside in this globalized arena in which we live.
Although my educational environment had a huge impact on the fundamental beliefs I now hold today, my family played what I believe was the biggest influence on my religious foundations whilst growing up. A number of factors played a role in this, but I would say that it was my parent’s religious beliefs and backgrounds that were probably the primary determinants. Firstly it is important to note that my father’s side of the family are not religious at all, so therefore whilst growing up he had never attended church and wasn’t affiliated to any faith. However, my mother’s side of the family were and still are very religious people. My mother is an only child who was born in a Welsh village, before moving to England with her parents from a young age. Her parents, my grandparents attended church ever since birth and therefore, whilst growing up my mother was also taken along on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. She was a member of Sunday school, alongside a variety of the other youth organizations which were linked or associated with the Church. The problem was that she was never given the option of attending, and was forced to dress up every Sunday, no matter what was happening, and go along to the services. It is my understanding from talking to her now that because she was forced to attend from such a young age made her somewhat resent both the church and even religion itself in the long run, and this is the ultimate reason why she hasn’t attended at all since leaving home and going to university at the age of 18.
As my parents weren’t therefore following any religious practices by the time I was growing up, it was an issue that was very rarely discussed, and therefore they didn’t push me down any set religious path. Although they didn’t have much religious influence on me, the beliefs that my grandparents held did play a role however, and I think that as I look back, I probably ended up going through the same kind of resentment as my mum had done in the decades before. My grandparents have always lived close to us, and when I was first born, my parents spent 6 months living with them, before finding a home just 2 miles down the road. They obviously disliked the fact that my neither my mother or father attended church, so when I was born, they asked my parents if they could take me along, telling them of the educational importance, and almost making them feel guilty it wasn’t something they were doing themselves. My mother, not wanting to cause controversy said they could, and this started a trend where I had to go to with them on a weekly basis. They would pick me up from home, and take me along to the Sunday school which was attached to the church. Even today, I clearly remember how much I used to dread it. I got forced along, sent into a separate room to engage in activities with a number of other children, and then collected 2 hours later, after my grandparents had attended the actual church service itself. I remember how bored I used to be, and how little interest I had in spending time doing the activities which I saw as pointless. As there were no other children that were close to me in age, I had nobody to really connect and become friends with, and therefore, I used to sit down and resent the fact that my parents were at home doing far more productive things. I constantly begged my parents not to send me, and I always tried to find excuses as to why I may not be able to go. This went on for a long time, but I was lucky that I started to take up tennis seriously at a young age, and therefore once I got to the age of 8 or 9, I was away most weekends at tournaments, and consequently actually did have a legitimate excuse as to why I couldn’t attend. By the time I got to the age of about 11, I think that my grandparents got fed up of me continually saying I couldn’t go, so they eventually stopped asking. By this point, I think they eventually understood that although I had been attending for many years I was never going to be religiously inclined, and although I’m sure they were deeply disappointed at first, I have never directly felt any resentment from them.
Although I think that it is my education alongside my upbringing which has provided the primary basis for my religious ideology, I also think that our societal norms play a role. For example, as I grew up in a Western society where most people are Christian followers, I was only really ever exposed to this religion, and therefore it was the only one that was ever likely to really influence me. In this sense, I was never going to become a Muslim or a Buddhist simply because I never had any exposure to their practices, and this shows how and why certain beliefs and ideologies are typically confined within certain areas of the world. I also see that in the modern era, religion is not viewed as such an important aspect within our culture, and therefore it is no longer seen as a necessity in life. As a result of this, being a non-believer is classified as normal and acceptable in our current society, and this is unlike past generations when it was presumed everyone would follow God. Due to this, I am able to uphold the notion of atheism today, and by doing so, I am still considered and accepted within the normal boundaries of society.
Looking back now, however, I would say that fundamentally it was the constant pressure I was under to go to church every week, and the fact that I knew my parents weren’t religious and didn’t agree with the fact that I should attend, which meant that ultimately I never accepted the religious principles that were being taught to me. I was almost so stubborn that I probably never really allowed myself to listen to the ideas that were being told to me, and as I didn’t see the stories of Jesus’ life as logical or fundamentally possible either, I didn’t see the notion of God as viable. Consequently, this is the underlying reason to why I determine myself an atheist today, and therefore why I do not follow any religious practises, or believe in any set faiths either.
In the overall context of faith, I have never personally been able to fathom the idea that there is this supreme being that guides the way for us, and as I have never had a near death experience or second coming in which I have connected with a truly religious figure, I have not experienced the joys so many say it brings.
Although this describes my reasons for not being religious, I do still believe that religion has played a role and influence in my life. I feel that it is discipline which has influenced the way I think about the world, and it has allowed me to think about the different mentalities and philosophical principles that many of us hold. I think that both my schooling and the socialization mechanisms originating from my family informed my of the overall notion of faith, and this has allowed me to see the diversity that is present within the world that we live, and that individuals all follow varying paths. I would say that this concept, along with my other educational teachings has made me tolerant and accepting as a human in general, and this is why I personally see myself as someone who can understand others. As I also like to learn, I find studying various cultures as interesting, and as I have travelled to many areas of the world, I have seen and can conceptualize how culture and religion intertwine and play a role. As a result I find it fascinating how different religions play out in our global culture today, and I almost find it scary how much influence it has and how much controversy it causes.
Although I feel that the things I have been exposed to and witnessed during my life have all played a role in contributing towards my overall religious foundations and beliefs, I don’t think I will ever believe in a God like figure, or be able to closely follow any set religious worship. However, I do think that as I get older and as society progresses, I will probably end up creating more defined belief systems, and in the long run, these will provide me with greater reason and meaning within my life. In this sense I think that in the future I will learn to understand the concept of faith more, and through this I may be able to connect with the ideas that are held at its core.
If I look at my own faith, and try to depict my own thoughts on the discipline, although I have heard a wide range of different theologies, I would classify myself as an atheist or non believer. Even though I have been exposed to numerous religious practices during my upbringing, the knowledge that I have and belief system I depend on, makes me sceptical that a God like figure can fundamentally exist. With my knowledge base of the way the world works, I see God as an illogical ideology, and think that there is a lack of empirical `evidence to say that he is the Supreme Being. This issue is something that I frequently think about and am confused by however, and overall I wish it was something we all had more definitive answers to.
As I grew up in England until the age of 18, my socialization regarding religion is sure to be different the majority of Americans. England is a nation that has large cultural diversity within the population, and as a result of this, the same thing can be seen within religious settings and beliefs as well. Although the UK is primarily regarded as a Protestant nation, over recent times many other religions, especially Islam, have doubled in stature, and nowadays we see temples and mosques popping up all over our towns and cities. Like here in America however, England is a place where an individual has freedom over their religious beliefs, and there is not one pre-established faith in which the masses are expected to follow. This therefore, gives every individual the right to discover and create his/her own ideologies, and a result we have ended up shaping our personal theologies, ending up being able to shape our own unique belief systems. As a result of this, the majority of us have been influenced by our socialization processes whilst growing up, and I would say that for me personally, the main factors which led to the shaping of my religious identity were the influences of my family, my friends, school and the media.
One of the largest exposures I had to religion whilst growing up was during my schooling, and personally I would say that the schools I attended played a major role in shaping my ideologies. I think that in England, schools promote religious tolerance, and this allows individuals to choose the religious path that they want to take, whilst at the same time being accepting of others. I think that although some schools do have religious foundations, the majority of them are not linked with a religious denomination, and therefore youngsters are able to establish their own beliefs, and are free from the pressure of others. Both of the schools that I personally went to did have religious foundations, and they were consider part of the Church of England denomination. This meant that on special occasions such as at Christmas and Easter, we attended church services with the entire school, and on three mornings every week we had a full school assembly. This was a time when everyone would congregate to hear the different things that were happening throughout the school, and it was a time during which we also said prayers and sang hymns. Although this setting sounds very religious and as though certain practices were being forced on us, it was really undertaken in a very social arrangement, and personally I never really thought about the religious implication it had. School assemblies are very common in the UK, and along with most of my friends I know I went along and listened to the prayers and sang the hymns without really thinking about the meanings they held. To me, the praying and singing was just something that was part of the norm which we had to do, and I never considered that we were actually do it to thank or praise the person who was considered to be our saviour. It was almost like I was just conforming to the demands of society, yet I never truly tries to engage with and believe the stories and ideas that were being told to me.
Although we were giving our thanks to God, there were a number of children in my school who very clearly did not follow the Christian faith. For example, there were a number of boys in my class who wore a turban, and also a girl in my year who attended with a burkha. This therefore was a very clear sign that it wasn’t just Christians that were accepted into the school, and as far as I know these individuals were never picked on or singled out because they were different and followed something else.
Alongside this, I also studied religion as a specific subject whilst growing up. Throughout my years in the British school system, every child had to take religious Studies classes, and this is something mandated by the education authority as a way to deepen the knowledge of faith and religious practices. I used to spend at least two hours per week studying the topic, and during these classes I was taught about the major religions, alongside the various issues that play a role in ones faith and ideologies. As a result of this, from as young as age 6, I was shown how we all individually hold unique beliefs, and how this creates diversity which plays a primary role in our global culture. I think not only did these classes socialize me into understanding that we can believe different things, but with this, I also think it helped further establish that as humans we are all unique. It helped give me an insight into various cultures around the world, and I think that through this I was provided with an avenue to see and accept the multitude of ethnicities that reside in this globalized arena in which we live.
Although my educational environment had a huge impact on the fundamental beliefs I now hold today, my family played what I believe was the biggest influence on my religious foundations whilst growing up. A number of factors played a role in this, but I would say that it was my parent’s religious beliefs and backgrounds that were probably the primary determinants. Firstly it is important to note that my father’s side of the family are not religious at all, so therefore whilst growing up he had never attended church and wasn’t affiliated to any faith. However, my mother’s side of the family were and still are very religious people. My mother is an only child who was born in a Welsh village, before moving to England with her parents from a young age. Her parents, my grandparents attended church ever since birth and therefore, whilst growing up my mother was also taken along on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. She was a member of Sunday school, alongside a variety of the other youth organizations which were linked or associated with the Church. The problem was that she was never given the option of attending, and was forced to dress up every Sunday, no matter what was happening, and go along to the services. It is my understanding from talking to her now that because she was forced to attend from such a young age made her somewhat resent both the church and even religion itself in the long run, and this is the ultimate reason why she hasn’t attended at all since leaving home and going to university at the age of 18.
As my parents weren’t therefore following any religious practices by the time I was growing up, it was an issue that was very rarely discussed, and therefore they didn’t push me down any set religious path. Although they didn’t have much religious influence on me, the beliefs that my grandparents held did play a role however, and I think that as I look back, I probably ended up going through the same kind of resentment as my mum had done in the decades before. My grandparents have always lived close to us, and when I was first born, my parents spent 6 months living with them, before finding a home just 2 miles down the road. They obviously disliked the fact that my neither my mother or father attended church, so when I was born, they asked my parents if they could take me along, telling them of the educational importance, and almost making them feel guilty it wasn’t something they were doing themselves. My mother, not wanting to cause controversy said they could, and this started a trend where I had to go to with them on a weekly basis. They would pick me up from home, and take me along to the Sunday school which was attached to the church. Even today, I clearly remember how much I used to dread it. I got forced along, sent into a separate room to engage in activities with a number of other children, and then collected 2 hours later, after my grandparents had attended the actual church service itself. I remember how bored I used to be, and how little interest I had in spending time doing the activities which I saw as pointless. As there were no other children that were close to me in age, I had nobody to really connect and become friends with, and therefore, I used to sit down and resent the fact that my parents were at home doing far more productive things. I constantly begged my parents not to send me, and I always tried to find excuses as to why I may not be able to go. This went on for a long time, but I was lucky that I started to take up tennis seriously at a young age, and therefore once I got to the age of 8 or 9, I was away most weekends at tournaments, and consequently actually did have a legitimate excuse as to why I couldn’t attend. By the time I got to the age of about 11, I think that my grandparents got fed up of me continually saying I couldn’t go, so they eventually stopped asking. By this point, I think they eventually understood that although I had been attending for many years I was never going to be religiously inclined, and although I’m sure they were deeply disappointed at first, I have never directly felt any resentment from them.
Although I think that it is my education alongside my upbringing which has provided the primary basis for my religious ideology, I also think that our societal norms play a role. For example, as I grew up in a Western society where most people are Christian followers, I was only really ever exposed to this religion, and therefore it was the only one that was ever likely to really influence me. In this sense, I was never going to become a Muslim or a Buddhist simply because I never had any exposure to their practices, and this shows how and why certain beliefs and ideologies are typically confined within certain areas of the world. I also see that in the modern era, religion is not viewed as such an important aspect within our culture, and therefore it is no longer seen as a necessity in life. As a result of this, being a non-believer is classified as normal and acceptable in our current society, and this is unlike past generations when it was presumed everyone would follow God. Due to this, I am able to uphold the notion of atheism today, and by doing so, I am still considered and accepted within the normal boundaries of society.
Looking back now, however, I would say that fundamentally it was the constant pressure I was under to go to church every week, and the fact that I knew my parents weren’t religious and didn’t agree with the fact that I should attend, which meant that ultimately I never accepted the religious principles that were being taught to me. I was almost so stubborn that I probably never really allowed myself to listen to the ideas that were being told to me, and as I didn’t see the stories of Jesus’ life as logical or fundamentally possible either, I didn’t see the notion of God as viable. Consequently, this is the underlying reason to why I determine myself an atheist today, and therefore why I do not follow any religious practises, or believe in any set faiths either.
In the overall context of faith, I have never personally been able to fathom the idea that there is this supreme being that guides the way for us, and as I have never had a near death experience or second coming in which I have connected with a truly religious figure, I have not experienced the joys so many say it brings.
Although this describes my reasons for not being religious, I do still believe that religion has played a role and influence in my life. I feel that it is discipline which has influenced the way I think about the world, and it has allowed me to think about the different mentalities and philosophical principles that many of us hold. I think that both my schooling and the socialization mechanisms originating from my family informed my of the overall notion of faith, and this has allowed me to see the diversity that is present within the world that we live, and that individuals all follow varying paths. I would say that this concept, along with my other educational teachings has made me tolerant and accepting as a human in general, and this is why I personally see myself as someone who can understand others. As I also like to learn, I find studying various cultures as interesting, and as I have travelled to many areas of the world, I have seen and can conceptualize how culture and religion intertwine and play a role. As a result I find it fascinating how different religions play out in our global culture today, and I almost find it scary how much influence it has and how much controversy it causes.
Although I feel that the things I have been exposed to and witnessed during my life have all played a role in contributing towards my overall religious foundations and beliefs, I don’t think I will ever believe in a God like figure, or be able to closely follow any set religious worship. However, I do think that as I get older and as society progresses, I will probably end up creating more defined belief systems, and in the long run, these will provide me with greater reason and meaning within my life. In this sense I think that in the future I will learn to understand the concept of faith more, and through this I may be able to connect with the ideas that are held at its core.
Restaurant for Field Trip
I noticed a few people in earlier postings were asking about restaurants to go to for their field trips. I went to Open Sesame Mediterranean which is a Lebanese Restaurant just down on Second Street in Belmont Shore.
Its close, the place was really nice, and above all, the food was awesome!
Therefore, I would definitely recommend it to anyone!
Its close, the place was really nice, and above all, the food was awesome!
Therefore, I would definitely recommend it to anyone!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Crazy Religions!
Last week Dr. Lane brought up the notion that new religions are almost like cults, and he discussed that no matter what theories are brought up, and no matter how crazy some ideas are, most new cults do gain some followers. I wasn’t initially sure how crazy a religion could actually be, but after some searching, I came across a very interesting websites about some of the most bizarre religions that apparently exist
The website http://www.oddee.com/item_90977.aspx, is more of an online blog which details different oddities within the world, and it has a section which lists what one poster believes are the 8 most bizarre religions and cults around the world.
For example, coming in at number one of the list is the Church of Euthanasia, and its official slogan is "Save the Planet, Kill Yourself." Apparently it is a religion based on four principle pillars of suicide, abortion, cannibalism and sodomy, and according to its website the followers “use sermons, music, culture jamming, publicity stunts and direct action combined with an underlying sense of satire and black humor to highlight Earth's unsustainable population.” Although I was initially skeptical as to whether it could have any serious followers, members of the religion have apparently made appearances on the Jerry Springer show, and according to reports it has existed with its base in Boston since 1995!
The website discuss all the religions in greater detail but below is the rest of the list from number 2 thru 8, and I have included the name of the religion, alongside the slogan or main idea they try to adhere to:
2 – Nation of Yahweh:
"Black people are the true Jews"
3- Raëlism
"Scientifically advanced humanoid extraterrestrials created humans"
4- Heaven's Gate:
Committed suicide to take their souls to a spaceship behind Comet Hale-Bopp
5- Aum Shinrikyo
6- Creativity Movement
"Inferior colored races are our deadly enemies"
7 - The Body of Christ
Founder's son was not fed and died; they were "waiting for a sign from God to feed him"
8- The Church of Maradona
Obviously most of these are probably not followed by anyone seriously, but personally I think the page is definitely worth checking out just to see how crazy some ideas can actually be, and the extreme ideas some people actually have!
The website http://www.oddee.com/item_90977.aspx, is more of an online blog which details different oddities within the world, and it has a section which lists what one poster believes are the 8 most bizarre religions and cults around the world.
For example, coming in at number one of the list is the Church of Euthanasia, and its official slogan is "Save the Planet, Kill Yourself." Apparently it is a religion based on four principle pillars of suicide, abortion, cannibalism and sodomy, and according to its website the followers “use sermons, music, culture jamming, publicity stunts and direct action combined with an underlying sense of satire and black humor to highlight Earth's unsustainable population.” Although I was initially skeptical as to whether it could have any serious followers, members of the religion have apparently made appearances on the Jerry Springer show, and according to reports it has existed with its base in Boston since 1995!
The website discuss all the religions in greater detail but below is the rest of the list from number 2 thru 8, and I have included the name of the religion, alongside the slogan or main idea they try to adhere to:
2 – Nation of Yahweh:
"Black people are the true Jews"
3- Raëlism
"Scientifically advanced humanoid extraterrestrials created humans"
4- Heaven's Gate:
Committed suicide to take their souls to a spaceship behind Comet Hale-Bopp
5- Aum Shinrikyo
6- Creativity Movement
"Inferior colored races are our deadly enemies"
7 - The Body of Christ
Founder's son was not fed and died; they were "waiting for a sign from God to feed him"
8- The Church of Maradona
Obviously most of these are probably not followed by anyone seriously, but personally I think the page is definitely worth checking out just to see how crazy some ideas can actually be, and the extreme ideas some people actually have!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Reaction to class discussion about Social Constructions and Religion
In class on Monday, Dr. Lane argued that religion is primarily a set of socially constructed theories. This is something that I have always considered to be the case, and I think that this is the reason why I struggle to believe and follow any religious practices myself. I see that religion is a subject which can be easily manipulated and as individuals are so desperate to believe/follow/blame something, I think that we are easily influenced and willing to accept almost anything that may sound great or miraculous.
I also see that as the world has become more interconnected and globalized over recent times, and this has probably added to the ease at which we are able to be abused and manipulated by pressure placed on us by the general principles that society adheres to. In general, I think that the vast majority of us go along with the most commonly believed ideas held by the masses, and I think that therefore we are influenced through this method in every aspect of society, whether it be the religion that we follow, or the politician that we support.
Alongside this, I personally see our society as fundamentally a nation of conformers, and therefore I think that in many instances we are happy to accept the things we are told, and rarely consider or demand empirical evidence which will proves it as true. When looking specifically at our religious influences, I see this as the primary factor which will determine the practices we end up following, and therefore this highlights the reasons why I support Dr. Lane’s hypothesis that human psychology is the biggest determinant in the religious principles we end up following across society. In many instances I see that we take our belief systems and ideologies for granted, and rarely consider what the fundamental principles of them truly mean. In terms of religion we are happy to accept the things that have been believed before, and as we rarely challenge the ideas and stories, over time these become part of our norms, and as time continues to progress, they become harder and harder to question and reject.
When new religions, theories start to get talked about, I think that most people are usually willing to listen to its principles and as so many see discussions surrounding faith as risqué in nature, many react to new ideas by simply agreeing and accepting them. Overall, I think that the more and more these issues then get talked about in the public domain they become quickly and easily accepted within societal norms, therefore I think that public reaction to any given idea, alongside its subsequent exposure shows how an idea can become a social norm, and from this, why religious principles are so frequently changed and accepted in the world we live today.
I also see that as the world has become more interconnected and globalized over recent times, and this has probably added to the ease at which we are able to be abused and manipulated by pressure placed on us by the general principles that society adheres to. In general, I think that the vast majority of us go along with the most commonly believed ideas held by the masses, and I think that therefore we are influenced through this method in every aspect of society, whether it be the religion that we follow, or the politician that we support.
Alongside this, I personally see our society as fundamentally a nation of conformers, and therefore I think that in many instances we are happy to accept the things we are told, and rarely consider or demand empirical evidence which will proves it as true. When looking specifically at our religious influences, I see this as the primary factor which will determine the practices we end up following, and therefore this highlights the reasons why I support Dr. Lane’s hypothesis that human psychology is the biggest determinant in the religious principles we end up following across society. In many instances I see that we take our belief systems and ideologies for granted, and rarely consider what the fundamental principles of them truly mean. In terms of religion we are happy to accept the things that have been believed before, and as we rarely challenge the ideas and stories, over time these become part of our norms, and as time continues to progress, they become harder and harder to question and reject.
When new religions, theories start to get talked about, I think that most people are usually willing to listen to its principles and as so many see discussions surrounding faith as risqué in nature, many react to new ideas by simply agreeing and accepting them. Overall, I think that the more and more these issues then get talked about in the public domain they become quickly and easily accepted within societal norms, therefore I think that public reaction to any given idea, alongside its subsequent exposure shows how an idea can become a social norm, and from this, why religious principles are so frequently changed and accepted in the world we live today.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Reaction to christian=republican?? What do you guys think?
In response to the postings in this thread, I definitely think that a very direct link can be seen between politics and religion, and research shows that on average the more Christian an individual, the more likely they are to vote Republican. I made my movie for this class on the overlap between the two subjects, and after doing a lot of research it was interesting to see how the factors played out. On this issue, studies are frequently undertaken by the PEW research group, and they represent a good example of the representation of the voting preferences across America. The studies are undertaken on a wide and diverse cross section of the population, and then the results are sorted before being detailed and published on their website, at www.pewresearch.org/
These studies have been used for many years now, and therefore we have been able to see the changes in voter preferences that have transitioned over time. It is obvious to see from the results that Christians have primarily voted republican in the past, and I think this can be attributed to the more conservative policies that they classically promote. Although the United States has a constitutional barrier which actually separates church and state, the vast majority of Americans want their leaders to be religious, as a poll conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that 72% agreed with the statement "The president should have strong religious beliefs." I found this statistic very interesting when I came across it, because I was surprised that religion was such a major issue for so many Americans, and that it played a role in their voting decisions. When thinking about this, I was then also surprised that the Democrats went on to win this most recent election so convincingly, as I would think that religious citizens would generally vote for the more republican centered policy ideas that ban gay marriage and prevent abortion from occurring.
However, even though Obama did win this election so easily, the stats still show how the more religious tend to vote Republican, and although Barack Obama received equal or higher levels of support amongst nearly every religious group compared with the 2004, the research also shows how “a sizeable gap persists between those who attend religious services regularly and those who attend less often.” From this I would say that there is a direct link between those who attend church more being the ones who are more likely to vote Republican, and as a result this election result may also shows a correlation to a decreasing amount of church goers in recent periods?? I’m not sure how religious affiliations are changing throughout the nation as a whole at the moment, but does anyone have any more information on this, or other thoughts on the issue??
In general, I do think that if we look at the voting demographic of the nation as a whole it is easy to see the fact that religious individuals tend to vote Republican. For example the supposedly more religious ‘bible belt’ states in the US always seem to be the ones which are guaranteed to be the Red states. This must surely be because citizens here prefer the slightly more conservative based ideals of the Republican party, and as they are stereotypically the more sheltered Americans, they are also the ones who believe in the more conservative centered policies. I therefore see that Christians do vote republican, and although I see this divide starting to be broken down as the nation becomes more open and diverse, I would be interested to hear what people think may happen in the future, and whether there is anyone out there who would argue religion plays no role at all in US politics??
These studies have been used for many years now, and therefore we have been able to see the changes in voter preferences that have transitioned over time. It is obvious to see from the results that Christians have primarily voted republican in the past, and I think this can be attributed to the more conservative policies that they classically promote. Although the United States has a constitutional barrier which actually separates church and state, the vast majority of Americans want their leaders to be religious, as a poll conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that 72% agreed with the statement "The president should have strong religious beliefs." I found this statistic very interesting when I came across it, because I was surprised that religion was such a major issue for so many Americans, and that it played a role in their voting decisions. When thinking about this, I was then also surprised that the Democrats went on to win this most recent election so convincingly, as I would think that religious citizens would generally vote for the more republican centered policy ideas that ban gay marriage and prevent abortion from occurring.
However, even though Obama did win this election so easily, the stats still show how the more religious tend to vote Republican, and although Barack Obama received equal or higher levels of support amongst nearly every religious group compared with the 2004, the research also shows how “a sizeable gap persists between those who attend religious services regularly and those who attend less often.” From this I would say that there is a direct link between those who attend church more being the ones who are more likely to vote Republican, and as a result this election result may also shows a correlation to a decreasing amount of church goers in recent periods?? I’m not sure how religious affiliations are changing throughout the nation as a whole at the moment, but does anyone have any more information on this, or other thoughts on the issue??
In general, I do think that if we look at the voting demographic of the nation as a whole it is easy to see the fact that religious individuals tend to vote Republican. For example the supposedly more religious ‘bible belt’ states in the US always seem to be the ones which are guaranteed to be the Red states. This must surely be because citizens here prefer the slightly more conservative based ideals of the Republican party, and as they are stereotypically the more sheltered Americans, they are also the ones who believe in the more conservative centered policies. I therefore see that Christians do vote republican, and although I see this divide starting to be broken down as the nation becomes more open and diverse, I would be interested to hear what people think may happen in the future, and whether there is anyone out there who would argue religion plays no role at all in US politics??
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