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

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #9: The Incarnation of God: "After viewing 'The Nativity Story', analyzing your chosen Christmas carol, and reading Philippians 2:1-7, reflect on the meaning of Christma..."

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

The song that I chose is Silent Night. After watching the "Nativity Story" and reading Philipians 2:1-7 it is shown that Jesus is the human form of God that came down to this earth in order to live amongst humans. The first verse of Silent Night has much to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. Firstly it says "Round yon Virgin Mother" which is the description of Mary. Because when she was pregnante with Jesus she was still a virgin. The holy spirit came and impregnated her with Jesus thus leaving her as a virgin mother. This required Joseph to have trust in Mary that she recieved her child from the Holy Spirit and did not have an affair with another man. Also the verse "all is bright" is the reference to the start that shown over Bethalhem the city in which Jesus was born. This start led the wise men and sheperds to Jesus. The fact that sheperds were the first people to see Jesus plays a significant role in setting the way Jesus was brought into this world. The reason why is that back in Jesus' time sheperds were considered the lowest social class other then lepers. Sheperds were vagabonds who were not worthy of living in a city and had to wander from place to place with the sheep. This shows that Jesus did not place himself above others and that he accepted everyone. Also the three gifts that the wise men bring each symbolise and aspect of Jesus. The gold symbolises that Jesus is the King of Heaven and Earth. Frankincense was a highly valued incense used by the high priest. Myrrh was a the holy annointing oil used by prophets. These gifts show that Jesus is ment to be a King, Priest, and a Prophet.
Jesus in the song is described as a "Holy Infant so tender and mild" and Jesus came to earth as a baby is because God is humble. Despite the fact that he could've come to earth from the heavens splitting the clouds apart and having a huge band playing an epic song as he walks down the stairs made out of solid gold. He still chose to come on to earth as a defenseless baby. On top of that he was born in a stable which is a filthy place where animals are kept.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives: "Find where Islamic religious beliefs intersect with current events. Research a Western news source on the story and summarize the artic..."

Islamic article
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2010/09/201091112152289695.html
In this Islamic article the journalist talks about how the burning of the Quran planned out by Terry Jones a small time pastor in Florida has brought even more problems to the already strained relationship between the US and the Muslim world. However as the article progresses the journalist says that despite the burnings of the Quran it is somewhat excusable because Terry Jones is considered insane. The journalist then continues on the say what excuses do Obama, Petraeus, and Robert Gates have for their so called justifiable actions. With this the journalist is referring to the use of unmanned drones in targeting possible members of the Taliban or Al-Qaeda members which often lead to the involvement of civilians getting injured. This is all due to the "Islamophobia" that the westerners all have.

Western Article
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-07-29/us/florida.burn.quran.day_1_quran-burning-florida-church-terry-jones-american-muslims-religion?_s=PM:US
In the CNN article the journalist talks about how Terry Jones plans to burn Qurans on the ninth anniversary of 9/11 in order to remember the victims of the terrorist attack. The article continues on to talk about how the small church in Florida is promoting their event. They make t-shirts and mugs that say "Islam is of the Devil" and have a Facebook page and they have their own website. However there are also many Muslims and Christians that are fighting against the movement. They hold information seminars in order to properly educate the people of Islam.

As you can see in the Islamic article the journalist focuses more on the aspect of America's not being completely justifiable. That the act of burning Qurans is no more wrong then using unmanned drones and getting innocent bystanders involved. Also they refer to Islamophobia with quotation marks in the article which show the sarcasm in which they view it. In the western article they use the word Islamophobia with out the use of quotation because they consider it to be a serious phobia while Muslim people view it as a made up phobia which Westerners use an an excuse.

Personal Commemoration- Reflection #7

Personal Commemoration- Reflection #7

The event that i chose for my personal commemoration is my High-school Graduation. To me that is one of the biggest milestones in my life. It also signifies freedom and independence but at a same time I am given a great responsibility. The commemoration will take place every 4 years at Seoul Foreign School. All alumni will be required to wear a graduation cap and all together they will throw them up in the air. After that takes place the alumni will proceed to give they're parents hugs because our parents show us unconditional love and support. Then we proceed to the eating where there is a massive buffet with Western and Korean Food. (preferably not J&J) And also there will be a barbecue on the side and all the root beer that anyone could ask for. If people want to they may play sports after they are finished eating. Such as swimming, basketball, tennis, volleyball, or soccer. Of course we will be allowed to use the SFS facilities. (:
At midnight everyone will shout THANK YOU and all go home.

My Greek myth was the story of Damon and Pythias. In our skit I played a harpy which is what we chose to be one of the 4 obstacles that Pythias had to overcome. Damon and Pythias are two extremely loyal friends. In the town that they live there is a tyrant named Dionysius. Dionysius accused Pythias of plotting to kill him and sentenced Pythias to death. Pythias accepted this sentence, however, he requested that he return home one last time in order to settle his affairs. In order to leave Pythias left Damon as Dionysius' hostage. If Pythias did not return in time for his execution Damon would be killed in his place. On his way back Pythias encounters obstacles but he overcomes them and arrives at the last minute to save Damon. After seeing this Dionysius was so moved by their loyalty that he freed both of them and they became friends. The moral of this story is that loyalty and trust are what make a good friendship and it can bring about good results. The life mystery about trust and loyalty is that it is something where we must lay ourselves on the line for our friends. For example Damon put his life on the line for Pythias' sake. To the Greeks the values of friendship, trust, and loyalty are extremely important because it deals with the relationship that they have with other humans. In their relationship with the gods it is one sided so this myth touches on the aspect of human relationships.

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,..."

I believe that people seek out religion because of the things in life that we cannot explain. Nature and life is so extraordinary and intricate. I personally cannot accept the fact that we human beings and nature could have been created from something as simple as a Big Bang. Only a God with love and complexity would be able to create life. Also for example in Hinduism karma and reincarnation help answer the unexplainable. The question of what happens after death. Many religions help answer that questions. For Christians it is Heaven and Hell. For Buddhists it is also reincarnation.

Nature itself is a key foundation in Taoism. Taoists believe that we should not obstruct nature but that we should harmoniously flow with nature without disturbing it. Back then they didn’t have the technology that we have today. They spent most of their time experiencing nature. Through that experience that believed that in order to fully understand life they must achieve enlightenment, by immersing themselves in nature the came to the understanding of life and the significance of nature.

As I sat down to begin my meditation I sat down on the floor with my back against the wall. I began to breath in with my nose and breath out with my mouth. While thinking breathe in the blessings and breath out the blessings. At first I began to think of things in my life that were in the near future. Like the homework in needed to do. The volleyball game on Saturday. What my mom was making for dinner. Then my mind started to wander on to things further ahead. Like college apps. APAC. Basketball season. And then I started thinking about college and how I'll be graduating in a couple months. When I finished I felt relaxed and calm.

Reflection #3 - Gandhi: Hindu and Activist

Gandhi's idea of Hinduism was of a religion where all were accepted and united. Gandhis strong sense of unity can be seen in the movie when he chooses not to put of a flag when India and Pakistan split up. Because he was unable to gain Indias indepencence in unity he veiwed it as one of the biggest failures in his life. Also the sense of acceptence of others as well as other religions is seen throughout the movie. He fasts for numerous days in order to stop the fighting between the Muslims and the Hindus so that they would accept each other. Also he tells a riot in front of his house that he is a Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Hindu. This shows that he is accepting of other religions and believes if everyone accepts each other they may be united.

“A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” This quote exemplifies how Gandhi lived out his faith. Gandhi conducts countless acts that can be considered "perfect acts". For example he fasts despite his old and and poor constitution in order to stop the fighting between the Muslims and Hindus. He also only wears a tunic that is homespun so that he may be humbled and also to boycott British goods. This is how Gandhi lived out his life. Selflessly.