RE Looking For Meaning Believing In God Why
RE – Looking For Meaning
Believing In God � Why? - Millions of people believe in a divine being or “God”. This may be because of personal religious experience this could be because; you were brought up by religious family or in a religious community, you could be influenced by the good work of religion, you could be drawn to the purpose and structure of religion, you have the desire to believe in something and the search for meaning. � Design – Many people also believe in God because of the universe. It can’t have come out of nothing. It needs a designer; God. Not everyone believes this. � Non-religious ideas – include theory of evolution and the Big Bang Theory. These could lead to someone being agnostic or atheist. � Evil – prevents people from believing in God because of the amount of evil and suffering in the world. If God who is good would allow these things to happen, maybe there is no God at all. � Secular Society – where religion and government are kept separate. People in these societies are free to follow whatever religion they choose or free to have no religion. The government does not take into account religious views when making laws. People think this is fairer. Means marriages and church attendance go down. Even in secular society religion still plays a huge part through religious traditions like Christmas. � Religion provides moral structure and makes believers follow laws and also brings people together as even non-religious people could enjoy religious activities.
Religious Experiences �A lot of ways people experience God which allow believers to know God exists. �How God reveals himself to the world is called a revelation. The methods for this are; Numinous, Miracles, Prayer, Religious Scripture and Charismatic Phenomena. �Non- believers think these are doubtful. They argue that these are just illusions brought on by hysteria and that events that seem miraculous can be explained by science. �General Revelation (everyone); Acts of nature, consciousness and morality, religious scripture, work of religious leaders. �Special Revelation (direct); visions, dreams and prophecies.
The Nature of God � Islam and Christianity both share ideas about God; he is; omnipotent, omniscient, Omni-benevolent and omnipresent. � ‘Personal God’ could be referred to as a person therefore his human compassion is validated and we can have a conversation with God. However, God is supposed to be omnipresent but a personal God can’t be everywhere at once. � ‘Impersonal God’ may refer to God as an idea, force or concept. The prime number theory is used to describe this. Problem is how can you have a personal relationship with a force or an idea. � Where is God? –Immanent (in the world) takes active part in the development of the world. Problem is God may appear small and fallible. � -Transcendent (outside this world) doesn’t directly act in human history. Makes him more remote and separate from Earth. Christians who believe in this type of God argue that they do the work for him. � Most can’t understand these concepts so they use a blend of both. � God may have been the source of the ‘cause and effect’ law of the universe, therefore he is the ‘first cause’.
Teachings on God � Christianity – The bible teaches about God through scripture. Roman Catholic Church also takes teaching from the pope. � Usually seen as male and is omnipotent, omniscient, Omni-benevolent and omnipresent. They believe he has given us free will. � They believe in the Trinity; - God(transcendent part, creator and judge. ), � Jesus(immanent and personal part, human incarnation) � The Holy spirit(immanent yet impersonal part, presence of God. ) � (Nicene Creed quote) � Islam – Word for God is Allah. He is the creator of everything and has ninety- nine names to show what Muslims believe about him. � They believe the Quran is the word of Allah, there is no arguing with it all Muslims should follow it and there is just one version. They must also read it in Arabic to make sure nothing is translated wrong. � They believe Allah is one. (monotheistic) this is called the Tawhid. The ninety-nine names sum up the nature of God. He cannot be thought of in human terms and has no equal. � Muslims believe he is both immanent and transcendent and that out lives are predestined by Allah, but we still have free will. � Teachings about the Satan – he was cast out by Allah, but Allah uses him to test us.
Worship and Vocation (1) � Christianity – Sunday is the ‘Lord’s Day’ to worship him. Way to worship him can � � � � take many forms. Can worship at own at anytime, but is important to come together to pray, most Christians pray on Sunday morning, it may be spontaneous or structured depending on which type of Christian you are. Most often hymns and songs are used. In roman catholic churches it is very structured and liturgical and they do Mass. Methodists have structural but non-liturgical services, e. g. ‘hymn sandwich’. Pentecostals and House Churches like spontaneous dance and expression. Holy Communion – remembers the last supper. Roman Catholics believe in transubstantiation (bread and wine become symbols for the sacrifice of Christ. Leftovers given to priest or put into a safe. Other Christians regard it as symbolic. Vocation – something God calls someone to do, ‘their calling in life’. Can be a job or just use of their talents. You will know if something is your vocation if you are drawn to it and you feel comfortable. However, they are meant to also be challenging and you need God’s help. Vocations include; dedicating your life to compassion and prayer like a nun, training to serve the church like a priest, being a doctor or nurse to help people, volunteering, charity work and marriage and children. You have to choose to follow your vocation. Non – religious people believe they have vocations too, but don’t believe God led them to it.
Worship and Vocation (2) �Islam – all life is worship. It all comes down to the five pillars. Shahadah ( Muslim declaration of faith), Salah (prayer five times a day), Zakah (charity), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj(pilgrimage). �Jihad is the personal struggle of a Muslim to live their fath as best as they can. They have to fight their own desires to please Allah. �Have to follow all the rules of the Five Pillars and being totally devoted to Allah. �The Greater Jihad may include learning the Quran off by heart, volunteering or becoming an Imam. �Pleasing Allah is the most important and on judgement day if they please Allah they will be sent to Paradise.
Symbolism In Religion � Christianity – has a lot of symbolism. Most common is the cross (reminder of crucifixion and resurrection. ) Others include; � Icons e. g. paintings of prophets and are greeted with a kiss. They show the presence of saints and are used to pray with. � Orthodox churches are shaped like a cross with a dome to represent Christ’s presence, eternity and nearness of heaven. � Dove represents the holy spirit and peace because a dove appeared at Jesus’ baptism. � The fish symbol to show their faith. It used to be a secret symbol back when Christians were being persecuted. Chosen because initials in Greek of Jesus Christ, God’s son, saviour, spell out fish. � Islam – doesn’t have too many symbols; � Mosque are simple but have domes symbolising the universe. � The star and the crescent remind Muslims that Islam guides and lights the way through life. � No pictures of Muhammad or Allah but Arabic letters are used. � Green is used in mosques because it was Muhammad's favourite colour and symbolises life.
Life After Death (1) � Christianity – Soul lives on after we die and that the body will be resurrected for judgement day just like Jesus. � You can either go to heaven or hell. Heaven is paradise where you’ll spend eternity with God, as log as you lead a Christian life and Hell is a place of torment and pain if you don’t. � Not all Christians believe this is an actual place, but states of mind. Heaven is a place where you'll know God and Hell is where you will not. � A few believe that God annihilates people who he find unacceptable. This means those who did not lead a spiritual life will not be resurrected. � Roman Catholics believe in purgatory, an in between place where sins are punished before they move on to Heaven, this isn't in the Bible. � The fear of punishment and want of rewards in the afterlife affects Christians in how they life their lives in a good way.
Life After Death (2) � Islam – Life after death is called Akhirah and not believing in this would mean this � � � � � life is pointless. Believe that nothing that happens to us while we are on earth is accidental, it is all planned by Allah. They believe we are being tested and how we act in this life will allow Allah to use this in his judgement about what happens when we die. We are then put in a cold sleep which is called barzakh and we stay in the grave until the day of judgement. On that day Allah will judge everyone including Muslims. Earthly life is very short compared to eternal life but it is very important because Allah uses it to judge us on character, reactions and way of life. Rewards include entry into paradise (al’jannah). Those who don’t believe in Allah or had committed bad deeds go to hell where they will be punished for eternity. However, Allah is merciful and may not put you in hell if you have committed bad deeds. The soul lives on and we are Allah’s greatest creation and better than animals because we know we will die. We all have free will and are unique but also believe our lives are predestined. Our body is only the vehicle for the soul. On judgment day our sould will be resurrected because it is essentially our soul.
Funeral Rites (1) � Christianity – mainly for the bereaved to show their love and respect for the dead � � � � person and helps them grieve. They are encouraged about eternal life and that they will one day meet again. Funerals are also used to celebrate life and talk about the good things about the person. They tend to be sad but with hope. They have confident expectation of God’s will and promises. 1. The coffin is carried into the Church and words from John II is read. Hymns, bible prayers and readings are made and the priest gives a sermon about life after death and the person. 2. there is a lot of sadness, particularly if the person was young or died suddenly. Prayers are said for the bereaved and people who come with feel empathy for them. 3. Black is often worn, but sometimes the family may feel that is inappropriate. Roman catholic funeral – coffin is brought in the night before and a prayer is said. The requiem mass is to pray for the soul while it is in purgatory. The priest wears white and the coffin is covered by white and is sprinkled with holy water. “May s/he now share with him in eternal glory. ” Then sprinkled with holy water again and then incensed. Most Christians don’t care if the body is buried or cremated because after resurrection they will have new spiritual bodies. Another service is at the graveside or crematorium and “earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust” is said. Friends and family have a meal.
Funeral Rite (2) � Islam – believe that death is not the end. � Don’t want to be alone when they die so are surrounded by family. � Spend last hours/minutes reciting the Quran and saying ‘There is no God but Allah” because its supposed to be the last words a Muslim hears. � After the person has died the body is washed three times by family members, perfume is applied and then the body is wrapped in a clean white shroud. � The funeral has to take place within 24 hours and although everyone attends the prayers at the mosque only men go to the graveside. � Funeral prayers (Janazah) are said to pray for the dead person to be judged mercifully and to go to paradise. � The person is buried on their right side facing Mecca. � There aren't lavish memorials (headstones etc) and then they grieve for three days through prayer. � Widows are supposed to grieve for 4 months and 10 days.
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