Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #9: The Incarnation of God

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #9: The Incarnation of God

Sweet little Jesus boy
They made you be born in a manger
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you were
Didn't know you'd come to save us Lord
To take our sins away
Our eyes were blind, we could not see
We didn't know who you were

- Sweet Little Jesus Boy

In the Nativity and Philippians 2:1-7, Jesus is described as the Son of God. He is given the name Messiah and is known as the Saviour of the world. In my christmas carol, the lyrics speak of how they didn't know who he truly was, and they were unknown of his incredible power. The lyrics have an apologetic tone, in the way that the people are so distraught at how they were blind to what was happening and who they were to encounter. Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the Persian astrologists all needed to believe in the unusual occurrences. Faith was crucial for them to take part in the christmas story. I feel that Jesus came to the earth in the form a child because he would be more relatable with God's sons and daughters. Also because he was born in a manger, he could relate to the lowly shepherds and be as mighty as a king. He could be a part of our individual lives, and be a personal and loving God by having intimate relationships with each and every one of us.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives:

View One: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,539864,00.html
In Britain, swimming pools have begun to create special Muslim swim sessions for all swimmers, including non-Muslims. During these sessions swimmers are required to dress in full dress code required by Islamic custom, if they fail to wear the correct attire they are banned from entering the pool. Some were angered by the creation of these sessions claiming they put a strain on the Muslim and non-Muslim relationship. However, a British lawmaker stated they showed an appreciation for certain religious groups.

View Two: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/20-Aug-2009/Muslim-women--barred-from-wearing-burqini
The Italian anti-immigration mayor banned Muslim women from wearing the burqini (full body concealing swimsuit). He said, "The sight of a 'masked woman' could disturb small children" and also mentioned it was unhygienic. Even though Europe is home to one of the biggest Muslim minority community, the head-to-toe covering and veil isn't welcome in some countries such as France and Northern Italy.

From these two articles I can see that the British are obviously more accepting of the many religions and have more respect for their different cultures, by creating the separate swim sessions. The article from the Pakistan news source brought attention to the reasons burqinis were banned, possibly hoping to inform readers of their absurd and unreliable reasons for them.

Personal Commemoration- Reflection #7

The most memorable event of my freshman year in high school was my first ever APAC tournament. We were champions of that APAC soccer 2010, and to be honest it was the best week of the 15 years I have lived. Competing in the games alone was an honor, but feeling the complete satisfaction of winning such a prestigious championship was even more phenomenal. The tournament was held in Kobe, Japan a beautiful man-made island, and hosted at Canadian Academy (CA). It began on April 14^th and we left Kobe on the 18^th of April.

My commemoration would begin on the same day the tournament began in 2010, April 14^th. On every day up until the 18^th, our team would dress in the colors of the opponents we defeated. We would also eat a different Japanese dish, commemorating the culture we experienced the days we visited. On the last and final day (April 18^th) we would wear the specific soccer uniforms we wore in the championship game against ISB. As the day passed we would end the commemorative ritual with an intense game of night soccer and close it with our traditional soccer chant of red meat.

Here is the chant

“What do we eat? RED MEAT

What do we eat? RED MEAT

How do we like it? RAAWWW”

Morality of Greek Myths - Reflection #6

Cupid and Psyche

In the Tale of Cupid and Psyche, Venus ordered Cupid out of jealousy of Psyche's beauty to strike her with his arrow so that she would fall in love with a man who would treat her cruelly. However, Cupid failed to do so and accidently fell in love with her. He secretly married her but never revealed his true identity which rose a great amount of curiosity in Psyche's thoughts. After a visit from her two sisters, she was convinced that he was a monster ready to eat her and came to the conclusion that she should kill him so she could indulge in all his riches with her sisters. At night she crept into his room with a dagger and lamp, but Cupid awoke in fury and betrayal, fled and told her that love could never dwell where there was suspicion.

There are many small morals to this story. The first is always be obedient and follow directions. This can be seen in two scenarios, when Cupid somewhat defies his mother's orders and when Psyche goes against Cupid's wishes. In both situations good things did not come as a result to disobeying, Cupid was stuck in the uncomfortable situation of never showing himself to his true love, and Psyche developed a curiosity to finding her (ex)husband's true identity. Another moral is never take too much or take advantage of a situation. Because Psyche was a princess and was compared to Venus in terms of beauty she had a great satisfying life even before she was given everything she ever desired at Cupid's palace. However, out of greed for taking the riches for herself and the curiosity of the true identity of her husband she took the risk of 'killing' him and ended up with nothing. Trust, obedience and self-satisfaction are evidently important virtues to the Greeks and their culture. One should learn to be satisfied with what they have to trust others no matter how curious and to be obedient.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk: "After visiting the Zen Buddhist Temple, Bongwonsa and attempting to see nature as a Taoist, answer this question: What is it about creation,..."

In society today, we are bombarded and immersed in an increasing number of scientific facts, discoveries and solutions to theories. Because we now have more access to historical information scientists and historical educators have found scientific evidence to some of the world's oldest religions' questions and beliefs. The reason people turn to creation and nature to seek out religion is because it's the purest most natural source of any living thing. It is the beginning of everything and people feel at one with nature, in itself nature is probably the most peaceful thing on earth. People attempt to empty their mind and feel nature's earthly vibrations whilst seeking religious truth, nurturing faith, or worshipping creation. Most people seek answers to life's most befuddling questions. To do so, some dedicate their entire lives, spending day and night meditating, fasting, praying or bowing. People may spend their lives seeking religious truth, nurturing faith or worshipping creation to become better people. For example, in Buddhist religions, people work their way to reach Nirvana, the state of eternal happiness. Hindus also believe in liberation of the soul from the effects of karma, and reincarnation, and work towards being a better person to later be reborn in a greater state.

While walking through the mountains I really took the time to appreciate nature and it's blessings. Sometimes whilst walking with my friends we would just stop our conversation and take a moment to absorb all the beauty and abundance. It made me realize how influential nature could be on a human being and to their soul. During our tour of the temples, I learned that Buddhists pray and pray for their utmost desires. I also learned that if one's wish was to come true the person must have the clearest of minds and the purest of thoughts. Buddhists are very dedicated people, they definitely are focused enough to clear their heads for long periods of time. Religion in general helps one reconnect with their inner self and requires a lot of self-discipline. Nature helps bring unity to one's mind and buy praying and believing in spirits helps the answers become more clear.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation:

During my 20 minute meditation time, I tried to empty my mind and body as much as I possibly could. I concentrated on the rhythm of my breathing and inhaling and exhaling. I would say I achieved quiet for only 5 minutes because it was too hard to achieve right concentration for the entire meditation period. My mind was too distracted because I was creating a list of all the homework assignments I needed to complete before Monday. Also, the other day I had a rather serious argument with my Mom, this took up a good 70% of my mind, making it hard to fully commit myself to thinking empty thoughts. My "fig tree" was in the garden, just being outside brought a more serene vibe to my mind, and helped with attaining of "right thoughts" and "right mindfulness". Meditating for only 20 minutes helped me realize how Buddhists are so focused since they can meditate for days on end.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist

Gandhi: Hindu and Activist

Mahatma Gandhi was a major political and spiritual leader of India and it’s spiritual movement. He believed in approaching situations with non-violence and civil disobedience in order to receive what he wanted. Gandhi’s idea of Hinduism was to lead a simplistic lifestyle and be one with his community. In the movie he was spinning his own cloth to make into his own clothes. After he returned from South Africa, he gave up wearing Western-style clothing and opted for linens made of homespun cloth. Gandhi associated Western clothing with wealth and success, and gave them up and dressed in homemade linens to be accepted by the poorest of Indians. Later in the movie, Gandhi subsequently began to wear a dhoti. Poorer Indians usually wore dhotis, and as a gesture of unity Gandhi began to wear one as well. He also did this to express the simplicity of his life.

Gandhi once said, “’Love thy neighbor as thyself’ is not something we Hindus prescribe to, but it is something we could learn from.” Gandhi was a Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jew. He believed he was a part of every religion, thus feeling he should ‘love thy neighbor as thyself’. Even though the Muslims and Hindus did not get along and caused chaos Gandhi still felt they should treat one another kindly and considerately. To end the incessant rioting between the Muslims and Hindus, Gandhi fasted for a very, very long time. As he grew weaker and weaker, the fighting yielded and Hindu rioters visited Gandhi leaving their swords, expressing that the fighting was coming to an end. A Hindu warrior came to Gandhi’s bed and confessed he had killed a little Muslim boy, because the Muslims had killed his own son. He asked Gandhi what he could do to get out of going to hell. Gandhi says that he should find a Muslim orphan, about the same age as his own son and raise him as a true Muslim. This is an example of loving thy neighbor as thyself, this is also a good example of Hindus not following this belief. But, with the help of Gandhi, is something they strive for.