Religious Studies

I went to my first shabbat service this morning. This was my site visit for my final paper for my Religious Studies class. I was invited to my friend's home for Hannukah, and my professor said I could use that for my project, but that isn't until next Saturday, and the final paper is due next Sunday. One of the psychiatrists I work with is Jewish, and he suggested a reform temple.  Read More »

Secularism comes from the Latin world saeculum, which means “world.” It implies a focus on this world, without reference to values or entities beyond this world. It seeks to create political institutions that are independent of any established religion.  Read More »

The Sabbath is recognized as important by both Judaism and Christianity. Speculation as to why the Christians hold their Sabbath on Sunday, the first day of the week, rather than on Saturday, the seventh day of the week as it is laid forth in the Ten Commandments is blurred and varied. However I found a very interesting article that addresses this question.  Read More »

Jesus as a human seemed to be very humble. He preached love, peace and nonviolence. At the same time he was viewed as a radical threat to society. He was treated as radical rebel, and executed accordingly. Who he was during his life does not adequately explain the impact he left on the planet.  Read More »

The scripture, or holy writings for Judaism are the collectively most commonly referred to today as the Hebrew Bible. Another term is the Tanakh. It is also accepted as part of the Christian Bible, which Christians refer to as the Old Testament, and it is also the foundation of Islamic scriptures. The first 5 books, known as Torah, were at one time thought to be have written directly by Moses.  Read More »

Just three years after Muhammad’s death, in 635 C.E., Islamic armies took over Syria. In 636 C.E. they took over Persia, then Egypt in 640 C.E. Islam spread across northern Africa, to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean from Arabia to East Africa. Islamic forces entered Spain in 711 C.E.  Read More »

Muhammad was born in what is today Saudi Arabia. His father died before he was born and his mother died when he was a small child. He was raised by extended family.  Read More »

Since I have started blogging here just this past October, I have felt the sting of religious intolerance in almost every thread I have participated in.  Read More »