Belief, Communal And Seeker Essays - Anthropology Of Religion

Belief, Communal And Seeker Belief, Communal and Seeker religious styles are used widely in the video series in this course. I believe most people can identify with each style at one point in their lives. The belief style deals with boundary questions. It is the basics that make up what you think and hold to be true. Communal style is belonging to a group that hold the same truths as you do. It is like being a part of a community. Seeker style is for those who may have held certain truths, but are now unsure. The community in which they belonged now doesnt seem to fit. Or the seeker may just be asking more profound questions. There is much validity in the study of each of these styles. It may turn our study inward to where we are, belief, communal, or seeker? All religions began with a myth of some sort. Be it Christianity and the creation of the world or Buddhism and the journey of Siddharta to enlightenment. Myth can also point to the future. The communication of myth is often acted out in ritual. One example is the Last Supper. Which is still celebrated today in most Christian churches in America. Each may have a peculiar way of doing so, but the message is still the same. Symbolic depth helps laity understand myth in religion. There may be certain truths that are either too abstract or difficult to understand, so explanantions are made to aid in understading. One may not be able to understand why humans are inevitably going to die. An Indian legend or story from Genesis in the Bible can satisfy the curiousity. It may be an explanation that is silly to some and widely accepted by others. Some key function of myth in religion as discussed in Beliefs and Believers and the video series are as follows: It answers profound life questions. This is important to religious followers as described in the above paragraph. It guides individual and collective behavior. Myth makes up the basics of religion. It is these basics that make up the behavior of the believer. It affects how they act and react in respect to their beliefs. It engenders self-esteem and empowerment. All people want to feel good about themselves. We have an inner need to believe we are a part of something great and we are important. It orders existence. From the history of the beginning to how its all going to end, myth in religion sets things in a certain order. It provides reverence for the past; hope for the future. In order for something or someone to have substance, there has to be a beginning. Credibility is not given to fly-by-night operations. History gives this depth and a clear plan for the future com pletes the package. Myths have certain characteristics. Myths are symbolic, imaginative, like art. This lends itself to the drawing power of religion. It can be poetic, beautiful, and peaceful. Myths are revelatory; they reveal special truths. To be part of a revelation allows the believer to truly belong to a religion. When a person knows more, they accept more. Other characteristics are subject matter including primeval origins, ancestral models, herioc lives, ritual specialists (shamans or priests), and future expectations. Mythic performance as described by J.L. Austin, a modern philosopher, is -words that do rather than state or describe anything. It seems that J.L. Austins insight into mythic performance is much about first and the celebration of such. In celebrating an event at relatively the same time each year, it almost makes it seem to the celebrators that that day is present. Like wise Mircea Eliade deals with the essence of time in understanding myth. In letting oneself truly explore the beginning, we can relive these things and come to a deeper understanding. The Australian Aboriginal Religions concept of myth is within their belief system in the Dreaming. In the Dreaming, Aboriginal truths are described such as the creation of all things, how to hunt, Basic laws (right and wrong), some only for men, some only for women. Once again, the Dreaming deals with firsts, how all there is came to be. It involves how out of a formless

Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatly and Mary essays

Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatly and Mary essays In the 18th Century, women were not expected to be educated, nor did their opinion have any weight in society. Many women were against those unspoken rules but only a few would dare attempts to make the necessary changes. The following women not only were educated but also had the courage to write and publish their work about freedom. Abigail Adams, John Adams wife wrote to him at many occasions, during the revolutionary war, about current politics in America. She insisted for him to change the code of laws and to allow more freedom to women. John Adams was not as open minded as his wife and refused to make any changes that would liberate women. Abigail Adams was so insisting that she promised a rebellion if nothing was done to emancipate women. History tells us that women were declined the right to vote until 1920, more that 144 years after the declaration of independence. In her letter to General Washington, Phillis Wheatley supports George Washington through the revolution. Her fight for freedom had been a long journey: Born in Africa, sold to an American family; she never had a taste of freedom. Her family taught her how to write and read, but many were not so lucky. In her letter to General Washington, she portrays freedom as a goddess; a goddess that is guiding Washingtons actions towards independence. Mary Wollstonecraft was more aggressive in her writings. After writing Vindication of the Rights of Woman, she became a classic of feminist history. She argued the fact that women had the right to be educated. She had very good arguments to support her theory. Women were responsible for the education of their children; therefore, it would make sense for them to be educated. She also argued that it would make marriages relationship stronger if women were equal partner with their husbands. She wanted women to be considered creature of reason. These women may not have made a tremendous impact ...

Friendship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Friendship - Essay Example This implies that in virtuous friendships, one must simply appreciate loving others rather than being loved, and always wish the best for others; in that case, Aristotle’s view of virtuous friendship is that it can only be found among a few people of high moral standing. It is evident that not many virtuous friendships exist in real life since it is human nature for people to want things in exchange for friendship, which explains why most friendships do not last even a fortnight. In many cases, friendships arise and survive on the products of the relationship rather than love; implying people are friends as long as the benefits of the relationship last and as soon as there is nothing to gain from friends, friendship is dissolved as quickly as it emerged. In that respect, it is true to say that love only exists in virtuous friendships that are based on the selfless love for others. Human beings are incapable of unity because they often pursue friendship not for the love of others, but for their own selfish gains, particularly because they are generally political creatures by nature. In that case, human friendships are plain and easily dissolvable as soon as there are no gains to be made in them, this is because an individual who only seeks their own personal gains at the expense of their so-called â€Å"friends† is not worth of the title of â€Å"friend†. A friend should be capable of sacrificing themselves for the sake of others, and to always want what is in the best interest of others too, rather than merely pursuing their ends. Unfortunately, this is a highly ambitious ideal, which is rarely achievable in normal circumstances considering the fact that the world is full of scheming individuals always preying on others for their own gains (Sivertsen, 2003). Aristotle acknowledges that indeed most relationships in life are based on love of utili ty and love of pleasure (Pangle 2002), and in that respect, most