ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE SUMMER 2018 PHOTOS BY NATALIE DOWNE, LLYN SMITH, HOWARD G. CHARING, MARC VERAART, RAPHAEL FAUVEAU, AJMER DARGAH, ALEKSANDER DRAGNES, RUSTY STEWART, MCKAY SAVAGE, AND SEIER+SEIER
A Word from the Conference Chair Congratulations on being participants at the annual Anthropology of Religion virtual conference. Thank you for your many wonderful presentations and for providing all of us the opportunity to learn a little about your fascinating work on a vast range of religious beliefs and practices and the complicated ways that religious ideas shape our varied realities.. As scholars in an Anthropology of Religion course (a GE course with majors from all disciplines) we have been able to undertake individual research, explore our interests and grapple with the issues involved in ethnographic representation. Each scholar has been forced to confront how to present a critical glimpse of an aspect of a religious belief system, embedded in a particular culture, and raise questions about the relationship between the two. Please enjoy this opportunity for intellectual engagement and thoughtful reflection on the cultures and religions here represented in the work of your colleagues.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION...........................................................................................1 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE.............................................................................................................1 SUMMER 2018...............................................................................................................................1 A Word from the Conference Chair..............................................................................................2 Christianity......................................................................................................................................5 Catholocism: symbols and meaning.............................................................................................5 CATHOLICISM AND ITS EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS ......................................5 WISE WOMEN AND THE EARLY CHURCH............................................................5 THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY.............................................................................5 The Layers of Heaven and Hierarchy of Angels..........................................................................5 ASIAN.............................................................................................................................................6 Traditional Chinese Medicine and its Dark Side..........................................................................6 Hmong Religion............................................................................................................................6 BUDDHISM....................................................................................................................................7 Exploring Buddhism: THe Truth Behind the Myth......................................................................7 Samsara and the Search For Enlightenment.................................................................................7 Buddhist Symbols.........................................................................................................................7 Buddhism and the Chinese Invasion of Tibet...............................................................................8 Buddhism, Mythology, and THe Buddha.....................................................................................8 PAGANISM & WICCA..................................................................................................................8 Wicca: Goddess Worship and the Myth of Separation.................................................................9 Asatru: Viking Revival?................................................................................................................9 Asatru: A Re-Written Religion......................................................................................................9 HINDUISM.....................................................................................................................................9 Hinduism and the Essence of Yoga.............................................................................................10 The Hindu Caste System............................................................................................................10 Hinduism: What is God?.............................................................................................................10 ISLAM...........................................................................................................................................11 The History of Ritual Violence in Islam.....................................................................................11 Does ISIS Have Anything To Do With Islam?...........................................................................11 Sunni and Shia: Religious Culture and Conflict.........................................................................11 NORTH AMERICAN....................................................................................................................12 The Traditional Yurok Spiritual Ways........................................................................................12 The Church of Scientology: Religion, Philosophy, or Racket?..................................................12 Feeding Our Faith.......................................................................................................................12 the Amish Religion.....................................................................................................................12 Uncovering the Mormon Faith...................................................................................................13 SCientology................................................................................................................................13 OTHER..........................................................................................................................................13 A Journey of Mindfulness...........................................................................................................13 The Relationship Between the Mbutis and the Ituri Rain Forests..............................................14 Chabad: Making Judaism Fun Again..........................................................................................14 Religious Identity of Children and the Influence Of Parents.....................................................14 Judaism Beliefs and Rituals........................................................................................................14
The Culture of Shamanism and the Healing Technoques With Different Shaman Cultures......14 Zoroastrianism Cosmology & Myth and its Syncretism With Modern Religions......................15 Is Faith Compatible With Critical Thinking In THe Modern World?.........................................15
CHRISTIANITY
individuals will be able to have their own opinion and choose to follow the religion or not..
WISE WOMEN AND THE EARLY CHURCH Emily Koss ABSTRACT
CATHOLOCISM: SYMBOLS AND MEANING Garrett Ross ABSTRACT This presentation examines the Catholic religion, and more importantly focuses on the many symbols and the underlying meaning of those symbols. Symbols are very important in the Catholic religion and I will dive deeper into what the underlying meaning is and what it means to Catholics. This is an interesting topic because so many people don’t realize the true underlying meaning behind the symbols in Catholicism, as they simply don’t know. I will try to inform and educate the reader about the ritualistic practices and the symbolization within the culture. By understanding the ritualistic practices and symbolization of the Catholic religion, we can further understand and analyze the religion itself.
CATHOLICISM AND ITS EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS Diana Marcelo ABSTRACT This presentation is going to go into depth on Catholicism. I hope to go into depth about its history and where it originated from. I also hope to include some of the scandals the Catholic church might have gone through throughout the years. Catholicism has been around for many years and at a period it was something that was forced on individuals. To this day it is a highly recognized religion and I hope to be able to understand why so many individuals either follow this religion or are against it. I believe this is an interesting topic because I myself grew up following the Catholic religion therefore i will be able to give my own opinions and beliefs while I research and am able to get new perspectives and other opinions. By understanding more of the history of this religion
Understanding the history of female spirituality in Abrahamic religions is crucial to understanding the place of women in these religions today. If women in Abrahamic religions have been historically feared and marginalized, women’s spirituality was under even more scrutiny and duress. Modern-day American views of female spirituality are still very much shaped by European Christianity, due to centuries of occupation and colonialism. Understanding the role that the early church played in the marginalization of female spirituality is crucial for contextualizing the struggle of female clergy and the lives of female spiritual practitioners in the present day. This research explores the beliefs and practices of the so-called “Wise Women” of he European Middle Ages, and maps their interactions with the early Christian church.
THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY Brandon Tardiff ABSTRACT My presentation will further examine the birth of Christianity and where it all began until where it has come to in modern day. I will thoroughly examine the life of Jesus Christ and the claims he made that he was God and how he proved it. In order to understand this I will examine the holy texts as well of Christianity and how the Bible is an instrument to the foundation and standing of Christianity until this day. My mission is to identify and further examine the understanding of why this religion has lasted as long as it has and how it has so many followers.
THE LAYERS OF HEAVEN AND HIERARCHY OF ANGELS
Dylan Wicker ABSTRACT The goal of this research topic has been designed to provide a brief yet comprehensive understanding of what exactly the Church of Swedenborg is, along with what it
stands for and who follows its tenets. Throughout the past 2,000 years various sects of Christianity have sprouted for an innumerable number of reasons, all with slightly different goals or interpretations of the faith. From Seventh-Day Adventism to Charles Manson's envisioned holy war, every religion has an origin and a following; I intend to present both of those aspects and more in relation to the religious movement inspired by the writings of theologist Emanuel Swedenborg.
Chrsitina Pintado ABSTRACT My presentation is on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its use of environmentally threatened animals. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for thousands of years, is entwined with Taoism and with growing interest in natural medicines, its influence has spread all over the world. This is an important topic because many people all over the world are moving away from Western medicines in search of more natural remedies and many people, books and movies praise TCM but omit that many remedies require animal parts, so new practitioners do not know what they are using. .
ASIAN
HMONG RELIGION Gabriela Rivers Almansa ABSTRACT In my presentation I will explore the Hmong religion and culture through the lens of one of their biggest events, the New Year. The New Year is the only religious ceremony in which the entire community comes together, which is why I chose to focus on it. During this ceremony, many different ritual sacrifices are performed by the Shaman, Txiv Neeb. This tradition is centered around removing any evil spirits or influences that have gathered in the past year and promoting good fortune in the New Year. Sacred rites are also performed unique to each household, but during the Ntoo Xeeb ritual, all heads of household gather to promote the welfare of the entire village.
Photo by Topinambour TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AND ITS DARK SIDE
BUDDHISM
Photo by Aleksander Dragnes EXPLORING BUDDHISM: THE TRUTH BEHIND THE MYTH
Makayla Whitney ABSTRACT Buddhism, practiced mainly in Eastern and South Eastern Asia, focuses on the teachings of the prophet Buddha and encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and spiritual practices. This presentation aims to explore the use of myths within Buddhism and attempts to de-bunk myths surrounding Buddhism. The term “myth” is used within Buddhism at various levels to give spiritual and historical expression to the religious teachings. As a supernatural religion, Buddhism relies upon origin myths and Buddha’s teachings to spread its truths. Outside of the taught myths, there are many myths or rumors revolving around Buddhism, including dietary, reincarnation, and common rule myths. SAMSARA AND THE SEARCH FOR ENLIGHTENMENT Stephen Zazueta ABSTRACT
My presentation is on Buddhism, and more specifically Samsara. Samsara is the life cycle in Buddhism, with a cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. This cycle has no beginning or end and is seen as a cycle of suffereing. By attaining enligtenment, or understanding the true nature of reality, Samsara is broken and nirvana (selfless, eternal state of being) is reached. Overcoming Samsara through the journey of enligtenment is a primary goal for a Buddhist, because the cycle of suffering is broken. I thought this would be an interesting religion to research because Buddhism has many ideals that interest me, like its lack of worshiping a God and the fact that it is based around the individual. Also, I think the religion describes and discusses existence in an interesting way, one that put my own existence in a different perspective.
BUDDHIST SYMBOLS Cheyenne Clark ABSTRACT In my conference presentation I want to talk about the important symbols used within the Buddhist religion, with a specific focus on the 8 auspicious symbols. The 8 auspicious symbols are a white parasol, a pair of golden fishes, a treasure vase, a lotus, a right spiraling white conch shell, and endless knot or lucky diagram, a victorious banner, and a golden wheel. The white parasol symbolizes the protection of beings from harmful forces and illness. The pair of golden fish symbolize the auspiciousness of all sentient beings in a state of fearlessness without danger of drowning in saṃsāra. The treasure vase symbolizes health, longevity, wealth, prosperity, wisdom and the phenomenon of space. The lotus symbolizes the primordial purity of body, speech, and mind, floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire. The right spiraling white conch shell symbolizes the beautiful, deep, melodious, interpenetrating and pervasive sound of the dharma, which awakens disciples from the deep slumber of ignorance and urges them to accomplish their own welfare and the welfare of others. The endless knot symbolizes he ultimate unity of everything. The victorious banner symbolizes Buddha's victory over the four māras, or hindrances in the path of enlightenment. And the golden wheel
symbolizes Gautama Buddha and the Dharma teaching.
BUDDHISM AND THE CHINESE INVASION OF TIBET Kyle Escovedo ABSTRACT As with all religious practices, Buddhism has faced global adversity. This analysis will briefly go over the fundamentals of Buddhism, its origins and significant eras in its history. One era in particular is the Chinese invasion of Tibet and its effects on the natives and its effects on the Tibetan Buddhist community as a whole. Beginning in 1950 the Chinese looked to incorporate Tibet into the People’s Republic of China (PRC) but as violence ensued many were forced to flee, Including the Dalai Lama, amidst a national uprising against Chinese forces. During which time the values held predominately by the Buddhist culture were challenged to a great extent. To further clarify, the aim of this analysis is not to delve into Buddhism as a whole but rather look at the impact of the Chinese invasion of 1950 and the significance it had on the Buddhist practitioners of Tibet
BUDDHISM, MYTHOLOGY, AND THE BUDDHA Trevor Pennar ABSTRACT This presentation is about Buddhism. More specifically, about the Buddha and Buddhist stories or mythology in Buddhism. Most myths in Buddhism are about the life of the Buddha and they often provide a lesson. Buddhist stories and myth are not a very well known side of Buddhism in our society but they are very interesting and provide deeper insight into the beliefs of Buddhism.
PAGANISM & WICCA
ASATRU: VIKING REVIVAL? Jordan Legge ABSTRACT My presentation will examine the Ásatrú religion. This religion in a modern Neo-pagan religion based on the ancient Nordic pagan beliefs of Scandinavian countries before the year 1000 CE. Within this newer religion, I will be focusing my presentation on the origins, primary beliefs, and ritual practices, as well as the similarities and differences between modern pagan practices and the traditional pagan rituals. In recent years there has been an increase in entertainment media surrounding the Viking era. The romanticization of this era has lead to an increase in interest in pagan religions that were practiced by Vikings. I think it will be interesting to compare and contrast the similarities of the modern Nordic paganism versus the ancient Nordic paganism which Vikings would most likely have practiced.
. ASATRU: A RE-WRITTEN RELIGION Brandon Peterson ABSTRACT Photo by MarcelGermain WICCA: GODDESS WORSHIP AND THE MYTH OF SEPARATION Christian Grimes ABSTRACT Wicca is a contemporary religion based on preChristian pagan traditions of Northern and Western Europe. As a “primal” religion, Wicca has no sacred texts, official houses of worship or dogmas to accept blindly. Instead it is a movement based on myth, magic and personal intuition and empowerment. Wicca is a religion celebrating the cycles of nature and beautiful diversity within and without the individual and recognizing the divinity and purity of all phenomenon. This presentation will examine what Wicca is, the history of Wicca, and its core symbols, beliefs and practices. Wicca is not devil worship nor is it a cult but is founded on respect for all creation and stands in stark opposition to the imperialistic and patriarchal tendencies of religious fundamentalism.
This presentation will go in to short detail of the origin of the Asatru religion and how it came to be from the ancient paganistic Norse beliefs. I will also dive into some core differences between the two and how the two are related. Finally, we will go through a few rituals and beliefs that the new Asatru practice to put their belief system in to a comparative perspective. By the end of the presentation the goal is to have broadened your experience with this Nordic culture and history beyond what you have seen portrayed in the media.
HINDUISM
ABSTRACT This presentation discusses the Hindu religion, and more specifically examines the Hindu caste system and their lowest level of society, the “Untouchables”. This is a social rank, determined at birth, has been applied to a group of people who are seen as filthy, are given the lowest jobs, no education, and no livable wage. In recent years, from Gandhi in the 1930’s fighting against the discrimination of the “untouchables”, to now with millions of people wanting a different system, there has been more backlash to this caste system - a system which puts many within the Hindu system under humiliation and a life of unfair and evil standards. By understanding more about the caste system, we can learn more about Hinduism and the affects it has had on a large portion of our global population.
HINDUISM: WHAT IS GOD? Cory Monroy ABSTRACT
Photo by Graham Hills HINDUISM AND THE ESSENCE OF YOGA Clare O’Connell ABSTRACT This presentation delves into the Hindu belief system and practices, explaining the intertwined nature of culture and religion and delving deeper into transcendental meditation and the discipline of yoga. In Hinduism, it is believed that God exists within the soul of each individual; yoga means "the state of union," the state in which man discovers this God, or atman, within himself. Chanting mantras, written in Sanskrit, the sacred language, is an essential aspect of religious rites in Hinduism, and also used during the practice of yoga. As yoga has been adopted throughout the western world, among other Hindu beliefs and practices, understanding the traditional philosophy and approach behind the practice becomes increasingly essential.
THE HINDU CASTE SYSTEM Eva Hogue
This presentation will cover Hinduism, specifically it will focus on the concept of god. Hinduism is unique in that there are no religious authorities, no governing bodies, and no binding holy book. Hindus can choose to be either polytheistic, monotheistic, agnostic, and even atheistic. From a western perspective this makes Hinduism hard to understand because we are used to categorizing religion as being a particular way. We can learn much from understanding the many ways that Hindus choose to define their religion.
ISLAM
today that practice some of the punishments discussed in this presentation.
DOES ISIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH ISLAM? Alyssa Buie ABSTRACT This presentation analyzes the religion of Islam, most specifically on what being a Muslim entails. I contrasted this with why Islamophobia is so present in the world currently, and whether ISIS, the cause of much Islamophobia, has any connection with people who practice Islam. This was a topic I felt compelled to examine after all the recent political circumstances centered on Muslims and their religion, and wanted to shed light on the realities of what the religion of Islam actually believes versus what the world at large thinks they believe. .
SUNNI AND SHIA: RELIGIOUS CULTURE AND CONFLICT Sierra Farquhar ABSTRACT Photo by seier+seier THE HISTORY OF RITUAL VIOLENCE IN ISLAM Joshua Steiner ABSTRACT The purpose of this presentation is to analyze the religion of Islam with an emphasis on ritual violence practiced throughout the world. To begin, the distinction between Islamic state law and Sharia law must be highlighted as this greatly affects the normalization and practice of ritual violence. Sharia law dictates Muslim practices and procedures including some forms of harsh and violent punishments such as stoning which is still practiced today in some parts of the world. Other forms of ritual violence covered in this presentation are acts of violence against women as well as violence against the LGBTQ+ community. Like many other religions, the ways in which Islam's followers practice their faith has changed throughout history; including ritual acts of violence. While many regions have put an end to harsh forms of Islamic ritual violence, there are still places in the world
This presentation is an exploration of the intricacies of the Islamic religion. It examines the similarities and differences between the Sunni and Shia, the two main groups of practicing Muslims. It focuses on the history and reasons for the distinction between the two groups, and examines their beliefs, practices, symbols, and rites. The presentation will explore Islamic symbols such as the star and crescent, the Qoran, and the Rub el Hizb as well as rites such as circumcision and marriage in the context of both the Sunni and Shia. This topic is intriguing because it is important to examine why certain groups believe the way that they do in order to increase understanding of the complexities of religious conflicts and beliefs.
able to create abundant natural resources in the area which supported their physical and spiritual needs.
NORTH AMERICAN
THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY : RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY, OR RACKET? Jenna Lang ABSTRACT This presentation concerns itself with giving a brief overview regarding the inception of the Church of Scientology and its practices, rituals and belief systems. Furthermore this presentation examines the various controversies surrounding the classification of the church as an organized religion within both legal and societal and academic fields. Much debate has been had over what specific characteristics are needed to qualify any particular group with a structural belief system as a religion as opposed to a philosophy, and definitions laid out by academic scholars vary from definitions in both the law and loose definitions formulated by society.
FEEDING OUR FAITH Jane Kuszmaul ABSTRACT
Photo by Drew Zanki THE TRADITIONAL YUROK SPIRITUAL WAYS Michael McDermott ABSTRACT An investigation into the relations between traditional Yurok worldview and spirituality, and the tribe's ability to successfully and sustainably manage and live off the natural resource of the region. Yurok spirituality is deeply tied to the land and the resources around them. All throughout Yurok myths, formulas, and their rituals, as well as displayed in their cultural and spiritual laws, are ties to respecting and maintaining a natural balance in the world around them. Yurok spirituality or religion is their way of life, it is part of all aspects of life, and at work at all times. With ceremony, myths, and other spiritual and cultural practices, the Yurok and neighboring tribes were
This presentation examines the food rituals of Seventh Day Adventists, and how these food practices bring together communities and strengthen faith. By using diet to separate themselves from the rest of the population, Seventh Day Adventists mark themselves as the holy ones, who alone will reach salvation. Their dietary restrictions reach beyond this, because even though many followers do not follow all restrictions to the point, they find a sense of community in even thinking about what they are consuming in relation to their religion. Food is closely tied to community and culture, and as people in the first world become isolated from their food sources, connecting what they eat to some form of community is powerful.
THE AMISH RELIGION Ella Doherty ABSTRACT This presentation looks at the Amish religion, its formation, simple living and restrictions on education. By looking at the importance of limiting school and exposure to secular culture we can see how the Amish continue to regulate their religion and its’ beliefs. The basis of their beliefs is: do not “conform to this world” (Romans 12:2), anti-individualism, anti-technology, humility and calmness. One way to continue these traditional beliefs is
by limiting education and exposure to the outside world. The Amish are also major promoters of manual labor and therefore see no need to continue education past the 8thgrade. Restricting education is a survival technique for the Amish religion
OTHER
UNCOVERING THE MORMON FAITH Sarah McHale ABSTRACT This presentation explores the Mormon religion in inspecting its history and belief systems. Not only will it encompass an overview of these aspects, but will explore how these beliefs have affected its followers along with how society has responded to them. A re-occurring concept that is made apparent when exploring these ideas is the comparison to Christian ideology, so that will be highlighted as well. There are many alleged overlapping ideas that when analyzed, give way to certain confusing aspects of the religion and reveal the church's values. This is important to analyze because there are many misconceptions about the Latter Day Saints and in order to fully understand their theology, a deeper uncovering is critical.
SCIENTOLOGY Otilija Borisovate ABSTRACT This presentation examines the Church of Scientology. In this presentation I will talk about how my research has lead me to examine different aspects about the Religion. I will start the presentation off with where how to religion formed and some of its beliefs. Then I will discuss about different Scientologists and some of the churches that practice this religion. I will end the presentation about discussing where Scientology is today within our society. By understanding some of the ideologies that the Church of Scientology practices it will help people understand more about this religion that is not always accepted in society.
Photo by birdfarm A JOURNEY OF MINDFULNESS Sierra Cistone-Mehl ABSTRACT Mindfulness is a practice that is becoming increasingly attractive in western societies and this fact is made known not only in its prevalence in popular culture, but also in its presence in modern science and medicine. Its roots are found predominantly in Buddhism traditional practices of meditation however, mindfulness in its many forms can be found in countless cultures and religions around the globe. Across cultures, the aims of mindfulness are consistent in that they seek to relieve worldly suffering through purposeful intention and increasing awareness of the present moment. In western society however, this kind of peace of mind can be rather difficult to achieve and perhaps therein lies part of the answer as to why mindfulness is becoming ubiquitous. In this presentation I seek to expand on the “why mindfulness� question and to examine how it is being used today in our western and modernized society. Of course, to answer these questions,
it is important to have a sound understanding of what mindfulness is, and where it came from. These answers are what I hope to relay.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MBUTIS AND THE ITURI RAIN FORESTS Candace Michael ABSTRACT This presentation explains the importance of the Ituri forest to the Mbuti people, who inhibit it. The forest is the source of their food, tools, housing, and cultural structure, making it the main provider for the Mbuti people. Many of their religious ceremonies/rituals are focused on communication with the provider for a variety of reasons, which will be examined. Understanding the relationship between the Mbuti and the Ituri forest helps to see how and why this group of people have remained an egalitarian community.
ABSTRACT This presentation examines the influence of parents and society on the forming of religious identity of children. I will specifically be focusing on how life events in a child’s life, such as divorce and loss of loved ones create different perspectives on religion. I intend on exploring not only how parents influence their children but also how American schools influence children. Everything a child is taught from day one is from their parents and their belief, it is not until a child enters a school or social setting that it is faced with different views and beliefs. It is then when children begin to create their own religious identity and begin to question their beliefs. I believe it is important to understand what factors play into children forming their own ideas of religion, not only to measure the commitment level in different religions but also to understand the acceptance of other religious cultures children build over the years.
JUDAISM BELIEFS AND RITUALS Julie Sounart ABSTRACT
CHABAD: MAKING JUDAISM FUN AGAIN Sasha Ranjbar The title of my presentation will be “Chabad: Making Judaism Fun Again”. I will be doing my presentation on the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Judaism. I will be discussing the history and philosophy associated with this way of practicing Judaism. I will discuss the controversy with Chabad-Lubavitch movement, particularly in regard to false messianism and idolatry, and how it draws on mysticism and messianism. A large component of my presentation will also cover how the Lubavitch emissaries reach out to the surrounding communities to find nonpracticing Jews and attempt to reintegrate them back into the religion and culture through friendship, role modeling, and making Judaism fun and inviting.
This presentation focuses on the Judaism religion beliefs and rituals. This culture and people view themselves as “G-d’s chosen people” not only do they believe this, but they perform rituals in order to praise their G-d. The sacred texts of this religion are the Tanakh which consists of twenty-four other books. One of them being the famous Torah. In this religion, the symbol of the Star of David symbolizes their whole religion and represents the “High Holy Days”. I also plan to incorporate some of their stories they believe. I would like to discuss King David because he was an important figure in Judaism. I also plan to explain some important rituals that are believed and practiced by this religion such as male circumcision, barmitzvah, bat-mitzvah, marriage, dietary laws, and menstrual purification.
THE CULTURE OF SHAMANISM AND THE HEALING TECHNOQUES WITH DIFFERENT SHAMAN CULTURES Willow Smith ABSTRACT
RELIGIOUS IDENTITY OF CHILDREN AND THE INFLUENCE OF PARENTS Isabel Quintero
This presentation examines Shamanism, and more specifically focuses on the healing techniques used in different Shaman cultures. Shamans are individuals who are capable of entering the spirit world where they communicate with spirits. Shamans communicate with spirits for multiple reasons, such as to heal an individual who is experiencing pain or to ease some kind of unrest.
Though being a mediator between the spirit and human world is a ritual shared throughout each Shaman culture, within each culture lies a different way of performing the healing process. This is an interesting topic because of how different the healing process within Shamanism is compared to treating physical and mental health in the more developed areas of the world such as the United States. By understanding more about the different healing techniques used within the many Shaman cultures, we can learn a lot about what each varying healing method symbolizes in the belief system of Shaman culture.
ZOROASTRIANISM COSMOLOGY & MYTH AND ITS SYNCRETISM WITH MODERN RELIGIONS Rebecca Thomas ABSTRACT This presentation examines the Zoroastrian religion and its origins. More specifically it focuses on the influence that Zoroastrian cosmology and myth, had on the major monotheistic religions of the Jews, the Moslems and the Christians that came after. Based on archaeological and linguistic evidence Zoroastrianism is arguably the oldest continuously practiced monotheistic religion in the world. As a result of this it has influenced many of the monotheistic religions that came out of the same area of the world after its founding. Specifically looking at which of the Zoroastrian prophet Zarathustra’s religious philosophies were appropriated as original by the prophets of the newer religions as they shaped those religions.
IS FAITH COMPATIBLE WITH CRITICAL THINKING IN THE MODERN WORLD ? Jacob Turner ABSTRACT This presentation is going to analyze and explore the Christian world religion a long with its many sects around the world. Specifically, I would like to explore the definition of faith in various cultures around the world, within Christianity and compare it to non-christian religions like Islam or Buddhism. Then I will explore how faith and the process or skill of critical thinking are compatible, if they are at all. According to the bible faith is, "...the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) This will be a
fascinating topic for me to explore because in our modern world we all have access to nearly all the information man has ever discovered literally at our fingertips
Photo by Belgian Chocolate
You are searching the world for treasure but the real treasure is yourself If you are tempted by bread you will find only bread. What you seek for you become. Rumi - Hidden Music