Religion

After viewing the films the Crucible, you will need to write a three-page reflection on A) what you found most meaningful and/or surprising, and B) what this moment in Christianity’s past challenges the contemporary experience of Christianity.

Observe a religious service (there are many that are online). It can be your own religion or one that you are interested in. Be sure to cite the mode of observation (internet, in-person, the date and the time, the name of the organization). Describe the following: A) What was the order of the service? What elements of religious ritual did you observe? What was the significance of the ritual(s) observed? B) What was the message conveyed during the service? How does this reflect the ideology of the religion? How does this message reflect with issues of today? C) What is your overall analysis of the service? What did you learn? This paper should be 500 – 700 words in length.

You will simply read the passage of scripture and then follow the template provided. In this assignment, you will be going back to your work in Chapter 6 to apply the principles of interpretation to some of the observations and questions you had about Galatians 4:21-31. Your assignment is to think of 1 or more questions for each category: who, what, when, where. Next, study through the steps of content, context, comparison, and consultation to come to conclusions regarding Galatians 4:21-31. Lastly, you will seek to answer the final question: why? You must approach the question of “why” somewhat differently than the questions of “who,” “what,” “when,” and “where.” When you ask “why,” you must make conclusions about the meaning of the passage based on your study up to that point. Using the template provided for you in the Assignment Instructions folder, answer the following questions about Galatians 4:21-31 based on your findings and additional research. • Who? (The Characters) Description: Find out all you can about the author and the recipients, including their identities and situations. If specific people or groups are mentioned, now is the time to learn more about them. You will need to identify at least 5 “who” questions. You are not composing a detailed biography of their lives. You simply want to note what Galatians 4:21-31 says about each of them and how that aligns with other Scripture passages. • What? (The Key Truths or Events) Description: This is the time to investigate important words and ideas in the passage. What is the tone of the passage—joy, sorrow, disappointment, delight? If it is an action passage, what do the main actions represent? What are the key truths, events, or relationships mentioned in Galatians 4:21-31? Explore these first as they appear in this passage and then throughout Scripture. Identify at least 5 “what” questions. • Where? (The Geography and Location) Description: Where are the author and readers at the time of the writing? Are there places in the passage that need to be identified in geographic placement? Can anything be learned from the location of the events? Explore these places as they appear in this passage before considering their significance outside of Galatians 4:21-31. Identify at least 2 “where” question. • When? (The Time Factors) Description: Determine if there is anything critical related to the element of time in this passage. Does the message depend at all on certain aspects of the era in the church’s history in which it was written? Are there lesson to be learned based on the timing of the events? How is this presented first in Galatians 4:21-31 and then throughout Scripture? Identify at least 1 “when” question.

Is it morally permissible to believe in God just because it is to your practical advantage to believe? Why or why not? Use the material in Vaughn’s book to help you explain how Pascal argues for belief in God. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of other thinkers have identified in his reasoning. What does the argument against believing in God without sufficient evidence look like? Is it plausible that God would look kindly on atheists and agnostics to because they refuse to believe without evidence? After all, aren’t they simply using God’s gift of reason to arrive at their decision? 8-10 paragraphs using the books as the only resource. The book is called Philosophy Here and Now by Vaughn

Final. Take home. Each student shall write a 5 page paper in which they critically interact with the following questions: – 1. In Bible, What were the three most valuable lessons you learned in old testament? (Part 1: The Basis, Task and Method of the course (2 classes) Part 2: The Biblical Pre History (Gen 1-11) (1 class) Part 3: The Patriarchal Age (Gen 12-50) (2 classes) Part 4: The Formation of the Nation (Exodus, Lev, Numbers, Deuteronomy) (2 classes) Part 5: The Establshment of the Nation in the land of Canaan (Joshua, Judges) (1 class) Part 6: The Formation of the Monarchy (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11, Psalms) (2 classes) Part 7: The Divided Kingdom (1Kings 12-2 Kings 25, Proverbs) (1 class) Part 8: Judah Alone (Isaiah, Jeremiah) Part 9: The Exile (Ezekiel, Daniel?) Part 10: The Return From Exile (Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)) 2. Why were they the most valuable? 3. How have they affected your character and leadership style? 4. How will they influence your future life?

As you come to the close of your study of World Religions, it has become evident the past two weeks that religions will continue to have a place on the world stage and influence in the lives of many around the globe. In an ever-changing world environment that seems to get smaller every day, nations are discovering along the way that it is harder and harder to stay isolated from one another. In our study of World Religions, if there is one thing that that stands out above the rest, it is the notion that our world faces numerous global issues that demand attention and solutions for the betterment of all of the world. Could it be, given the historical nature of World Religions, that working together instead of in conflict with one another, that the world’s major religions could provide real-life, world-changing solutions that would pave the way for the betterment of humankind across the world? That is not to say it would be easy, but the benefits could be enormous for providing solutions to the Global Issues we face today. It is with that thought in mind that for your Week 7 Presentation: My Favorite World World Religion, you are being asked to develop a multi-media presentation representing what has become for you over this course, My Favorite World Religion. The purpose of this assignment is for you to demonstrate effective research skills in the development of a multi-media presentation that will highlight the study of your favorite religion and expand upon its place on the world’s stage of religions. You will need to include the following in your presentation: -A brief Introduction of your favorite religion and the reasons why you have selected to research it. -Provide a brief historical study and background information about your religion that will include: *The founder of the religion *The date of the religion *The geographical location and the role geography plays in the religion *Provide current demographical information about your religion -Detail and discuss the major components of this religion’s belief system. *The nature of a god or supreme being *Identify and define major rituals *Discuss views of the afterlife *Detail any worship practices and places of worship or no places -Detail and discuss the contemporary application of the religion in the world today *Highlight mission and services they provide to local communities *Highlight how this religion may be working with other religions to address world issues *What are those issues and how are they addressing them? -Project the future of your favorite religion *For the growth of it in the United States *For the growth of it on the world’s stage -Conclusion *Summarize your findings *Re-iterate why it is your favorite religion -Include MLA citations and a Works Cited Page to identify your resources. Use in-text citations directly on your slide to identify your resources and avoid plagiarism -Your presentation should not exceed 15 slides including your Title and Works Cited pages. -You will want to maximize your creativity and demonstration of the use of technology and the software $$$ – Adjust the price if needed. I did not see any option for a power point presentation and it needs to be between 8-15 slides

Found in Chapter 5 of the McMinn (2011) text is a discussion on the “relational nature of sin and healing” (p. 194). Expound upon the concepts presented: the 3 acts, relational theology of sin and healing, and finally, the mission of God.  God’s court room may solve many answer when a sin is committed. Jesus Christ God’s son was sent to involve himself while suffering and has endured the death penalty for us. This forensic evidence has shown its holy face when ever the implications of sin shows up in Gods court room. This established relationship created by nature rules many lives. It is our cross we carry to the day we are called to God judgment day. This natural relationship can coin the terms in a “Three-act play”. Act one is ” A relational God creates relational Human Creatures ” The imago Dei. Act two is the Sin Impedes Relationship Act thee God goes to extreme measures to redeem what is broken.’

The Case of Jim Bakker and PTL Jim Bakker created PTL, a Christian-oriented syndication network, in 1977. Prior to that time, Bakker had spent seven years working for the Christian Broadcast Network (CBN) owned by Pat Robertson. Bakker was not well educated in theology; he had dropped out of North Central Bible College after only three semesters. However, he was a natural on television, where he preached seed-faith and prosperity theology. These theological philosophies had originated with Oral Roberts in the 1940s and by the 1980s were widely embraced by many evangelists. The seed-faith philosophy taught that if the believers served and gave to God, they would be rewarded by God with an abundance of material needs. Prosperity theology, also known as “health and wealth theology,” asserted that God wanted the whole man, including his finances, to be healed. Those practicing prosperity theology recommended that believers pray for a specific outcome or object. Indeed, Bakker recommended that if his supporters prayed for a camper, they should specify the color; otherwise, they were asking God to do their shopping. Bakker, then, did not preach hard work, saving, and responsible planning. Instead, he subscribed to the belief that the Spirit willed financial miracles as well as the actions of Its followers. Bakker sermonized only on the love of God and ignored the topic of sin. This religious philosophy apparently appealed to a wide cross-section of middle-class Americans, as Bakker’s congregation grew rapidly. Only 20 percent of Bakker’s sup-porters came from his own Assemblies of God Pentecostal faith; the remainder came from other Pentecostal denominations, other Protestant denominations, and the Roman Catholic Church. Their contributions and support made PTL one of the three wealthiest and most popular media ministries in the nation. Consequently, by 1984, PTL served 1,300 cable systems of 12 million homes and had accumulated $66 million in revenues and $86 million in assets. PTL also had 900 people on the payroll and enormous operat-ing expenses and debt. Bakker often prayed, with his television audience, for the financing of specific projects, an evangelical university, a PTL show in Italy or Brazil, or the “Christian Disneyland” labeled Heritage USA. When the money for these projects poured in from viewers, however, Bakker would use the funds for something else because that was the way he had been moved by the Spirit. Because of this style of financial management, PTL debts mounted. Thus it was in 1983 that Bakker conceived the idea of selling lifetime partnerships for donations of $1,000 or more. The lifetime partnerships entitled the contributors to three free nights of lodging and recreation at Heritage USA for the remainder of their lives—a package previously valued at $3,000. The funds from the lifetime partnerships were to be designated for completion of construction at Heritage USA. Unfortunately, Bakker sold lifetime partnerships to more donors than he could accommodate at Heritage USA. Further, as the number of lifetime partnerships sold escalated, contributions to the general PTL fund diminished. In order for PTL to continue, funds from the lifetime part-nerships had to be diverted for everyday operating expenses. Consequently, construction on the lodging facilities at Heritage USA were never completed. Bakker’s followers were aware of where their contributions were being channeled. The Charlotte Observer regularly reported the financial actions of PTL and the Heritage USA construction cost overruns as well as Bakker’s purchases, which included three vacation homes, gold-plated bathroom fixtures, an air-conditioned doghouse, and vast amounts of clothing and jewels. Indeed, Bakker would display the headlines on television to demonstrate the hostility of the press. His followers never wavered. They supported and even endorsed Bakker’s materialistic lifestyle and promise of financial miracles. After all, Bakker was only acting out what he preached—a religion with standards of excess and tenets of tolerance and freedom from accountability. As a televangelist, he was free to preach what he pleased, and people were free to listen or not. No one coerced monetary contributions from Bakker’s supporters—they willingly sent in funds and did not hold Bakker accountable for the disbursement of those funds. Further, the government was aware of Bakkers’ actions. Bakker and his PTL operation were extensively investigated on separate occasions by the Federal Communication Commis-sion, the Justice Department, and the Internal Revenue Service beginning in 1979. Even though the agencies had substantial evidence ofmisconduct involving millions of dollars, no efforts were made to stop Bakker, and none of the agencies moved toward indictment. Bakker was allowed, indeed, encouraged in his behavior because he personified the cul-ture of the eighties. No government agency or public outcry arose to stop him until after Bakker, fearing reprisal concerning his affair with church secretary Jessica Hahn, resigned from PTL. Bakker’s actions could hardly be called covert because they had taken place in plain sight, exemplifying the religious philosophy he and his followers had daily espoused. In 1987, almost a decade after noting apparent misconduct in the operations of PTL, the federal government charged Jim Bakker with 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy, alleging that Bakker had bilked his supporters. Bakker was sentenced to 45 years in a federal prison and order to pay a $500,000 fine. In 1992, Bakker’s sentence was reduced to eight years and the $500,000 fine was voided. In that same year, Bakker’s wife, Tammy Fae Bakker (known for her mascara-streaking crying sessions while on camera), divorced Jim. In 1993, Bakker was transferred to a minimum security prison where he was paroled in 1994. Discussion Questions 1. What service properties inherent in religious groups contribute to consumer vulnerability? 2. Which types of moral philosophies could be argued to be the basis for Bakker’s actions? 3. What are the ethical issues involved?

In February 2015, a woman in Quebec had her car seized by the automobile insurance board, and when she went to court to reclaim her vehicle, the judge refused to hear her case. The woman in question was Muslim, and was wearing her hijab. The judge stated he would not hear her case unless she removed her hijab. During the hearing, the judge asserted, “The same rules need to be applied to everyone. I will therefore not hear you if you are wearing a scarf on your head, just as I would not allow a person to appear before me wearing a hat or sunglasses on his or her head, or any other garment not suitable for a court proceeding.” Bringing in examples from course materials and case law, as well as your own research, please answer the following questions: 1. Is freedom of religion reflected in this case? 2. Does the judicial system have the authority to refuse hearing a case because of the religion of the individual concerned? Does a judge have the power to enforce institutional rules that directly conflict with an individual’s fundamental freedoms? 3. Do the courts have the authority to limit when an individual can express their beliefs or religion (think here about judicial activism vs. deference)? 4. What are the policy implication s arising from this case? Does this impact Canada’s status as a multicultural country? Sources: https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/sikhs-and-hard-hats-let-freedom-reign/ https://www.thecourt.ca/face-coverings-and-the-canadian-citizenship-oath-the-federal-court-of-appeal-decides-ishaq-v-canada/ https://www.oktlaw.com/indigenous-religious-freedom-case-heads-supreme-court/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/supreme-court-rules-quebec-infringed-on-loyola-high-school-s-religious-freedom-1.3000724

Take a look at the prayers (laments) of Jeremiah and answer the following questions.Jeremiah 11:18-23 = The people tell Jeremiah not to prophesy and his life is threatened. He pours his heart out to God concerning his feelings.How does Jeremiah feel?What is God’s response?Jeremiah 15:10-21What is Jeremiah’s first complaint?What does he ask God to do for him?Why does Jeremiah claim that he deserves God’s favor?What is his final question before God answers?What is God’s response?Jeremiah 18:18-23What are the people planning on doing to Jeremiah?What does Jeremiah ask God to do?Why does Jeremiah claim that he deserves this from God?Does God get angry at Jeremiah’s bold prayer?Jeremiah 20:7-13What is Jeremiah’s complaint?What decision did her first make to deal with this problem?Why did he not follow through with it?What does Jeremiah finally affirm about God?Jeremiah 20:14-18What does Jeremiah curse?What does he wish for in this prayer?Does God condemn him for expressing these feelings?