Describe the main features of a synagogue and explain their significance (specify which tradition of Judaism the synagogue represents.)
Poco Evers-Fennell U5B Assignment 2 - The Synagogue ii) Describe the main features of a synagogue and explain their significance (specify which tradition of Judaism the synagogue represents.) In an Orthodox synagogue, the bimah, a raised platform from which the Torah is read, will be central. The seating will be segregated, with women sitting in an upper gallery, away from the male congregation. This is different to Progressive synagogues, where the bimah will be at the front of the synagogue, and men and women will often sit together. This is a description of an Orthodox synagogue and so will have differences to that of a Progressive synagogue. Externally, synagogues differ vastly, but there is one significant feature that will be present within all Jewish places of worship. All synagogues must have windows, like the Temple, letting light in. This is for two reasons; firstly, their worship should not be set apart from everyday life, as this leads faith to become more introspective than it should be. Religion is not something that should be incorporated into the life of a Jew, but rather should be their way of life, and should not be seen as something separate. Secondly, the windows let light in. The light pouring in represents God's strength, and guidance, and his presence in the synagogue. Often, the windows will be stained glass or etched glass, depicting the Magen
conflict between Islamic and West
Question 1: Some see the conflict between Islamic and Western societies as being based solely on religious differences. Choose a particular area of conflict between these two societies and evaluate the influence of religion in this issue. The term "Jihad" has been loosely used in recent and past times. This simple term and multiple meanings it holds has evidently caused great conflict between Islamic and Western societies. Some see this conflict of Jihad as being based solely on religious differences. On the other hand, many disagree with this opinion and believe that even though religious differences contribute to this conflict, there are other factors that fuel ongoing clashes between the societies. The following essay will evaluate the influence of religion on the conflict of Jihad as well as examine some other factors affecting the conflict. Before examining the conflict of Jihad between Islam and the west, we first need an understanding of Jihad itself. Despite a bad reputation it actually has positive connotations and is simply defined as the struggle for something greater. It is used frequently in the Islamic holy book, the Quran, as a sense of effort and strength in adversity and not in the sense of war and fighting as believed by many Western societies, such can be seen in the following quote, "Fight for the sake of God those that fight against you, but do not
"Baptising babies is pointless..."
"Baptising babies is pointless..." Some Christians believe that baptising babies is pointless, because they fail to understand the significance of what the Baptism service represents. In other cases, Christians that are against Baptism do not agree with the features involved when being baptised, ie. Promises undertaken by godparents on behalf of the infant. Other Christians believe that baptising babies is essential to a young Christian's life. It magnifies the grace of God. The helplessness and vulnerability of the child is an illustration of our own helplessness before God and inability to save ourselves. Baptism offers a helping hand to save us. Another reason for which some Christians feel so strongly about the Baptism service is the fact that Baptism healthily includes Christian children fully in the life of the church. Most children parents would agree that the ideal is for a child to know and love the Lord Jesus from their earliest years. Many adults who have had a Christian upbringing would say that they have never known the time when they have not believed in Jesus, although of course their knowledge of Jesus and of the implications of following him has grown and matured over the years. It's this concrete evidence which tips the scales in these Christian's favour. Many Christians in all sincerity question the wisdom of baptising babies, even the babies of
"Belief in the resurrection has more to do with wishful thinking than with historical fact" Do you agree?
(iii) "Belief in the resurrection has more to do with wishful thinking than with historical fact" Do you agree? I believe that this statement is correct. The resurrection is very hard to believe nowadays because of modern science and the points of view of many philosophers. A man rising from the dead is very hard to believe as from modern science we know that this is not physically possible. Once you're dead, you're dead and there is no possible way to be resurrected after death. There are also many other reasons why I do not believe these statements to be correct. Points of view from Philosophers such as Sigmund Freud have beliefs which I can relate to very well. Sigmund Freud believes that the reason people are religious is because they need something else to look forward to after death. Also he believes that people, when they are younger, look up to their parents and see them as 'all powerful', as you look up to them, but as you get older you realise that they are just normal people and you need something larger to look up to. Jesus, and God, is something people need to have in order to look up to them and hope that there is something after death. However others may have different points of view. Christians would say that Jesus was the physical God so therefore he would have the power to do the impossible, bring a dead man back to life. As Norman Geisler says in his book
"Belief in the resurrection of Jesus has more to do with wishful thinking that with historical fact."
"Belief in the resurrection of Jesus has more to do with wishful thinking that with historical fact." Do you agree? I agree that belief in the resurrection of Jesus has more to do with wishful thinking that with historical fact. Jesus could not have been resurrected as professional scientists state that dead people do not rise from the dead unless if they are placed into a coma and comas probably existed in Jesus' times but people probably didn't know the difference. Others could say that witnesses could have made the stories up to tell everyone that they had seen Jesus. It was all pure imagination and wishful thinking. However others may disagree with me and say that the resurrection was a historical event because the Christian Church was inspired by the resurrection and without it the Christian faith would not exist and be emptied of its meaning. Other people could say that if the tomb was not empty why did no one ever see Jesus body? Also, if the disciples had stolen the body, is it likely that they were prepared to suffer and die for belief in the resurrection? If the story was made up, why did the disciples use women as witnesses as women were unable to give evidence in a Jewish court? People could say that the resurrection did happen as Jesus' physical state after the resurrection was that he could be touched and he could eat food so he was not a ghost and
"Children can't be disciples so they can't be Christians either" Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers showing that you have considered more than one point of view.
"Children can't be disciples so they can't be Christians either" Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers showing that you have considered more than one point of view. From my perspective, I do not agree with this statement. Jesus preached to a variety of people and even his disciples consisted of those who sinned and were hated by the society. So why can't children be part of God's family? The Christian vocation is to spread the gospel to all and to seek to challenge people's belief and behaviour. "And they invite people of every era to enter into the joy of their communion with Christ" Catechism 425 There are many passages in Mark's gospel, which focuses on children. They are brought by their parents, blocked by the disciples, called and welcomed by Jesus. They are simply obedient and humble participants. Jesus said that of all the people involved, we should be like them. We should go where the Father wills, trusting in his love, blessing, and wisdom. Without this attitude it is impossible to receive the kingdom. "Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" Mark 10:14 What is a disciple? A disciple is one who learns from another so even though children don't understand everything, they can be taught about the kingdom of God. By learning about discipleship at a young age, children will grow to have a closer
"Children cannot be disciples, so they cannot be Christians either."
Michele Dominique- 11A1 9/10/03 RS Coursework Discipleship AO3 "Children cannot be disciples, so they cannot be Christians either." All Christians, this means the young as well as the elderly, began their faith through baptism. This is the first stage of becoming a true Christian disciple. The next two are taking the Eucharist and finally the Confirmation of being entered into the Kingdom of God. As soon as a Child is baptised by the Priest, I believe s/he has become a disciple, not fully obviously but definitely on the way of completing the three stages of becoming one. Therefore I disagree with the original statement. When it is said that children cannot be disciples, they can however, be Christians. The statement is both false and confusing. Like I mentioned above, when a child has been baptised, the moment the Priest has anointed it, s/he has automatically started being a Christian. This means Faith has been given to the child, coming not only from the parents but the God-parents too. Children of this world are highly valued, they are our future, our hopes and our descendants. They're the ones who will carry our faith through generations. For this, we need to give them credit. We often think of them as minors, and hardly listen to what they say; this shows that we're the ones who don't show what's it's
"Christian Festivals have lost their Religious meaning" Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers showing that you have considered other points of view.
"Christian Festival have lost their Religious meaning" Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers showing that you have considered other points of view. I agree that Christian festivals have lost their religious meaning. Leading up to Christmas shopkeepers just commercialise their products to make money this shows it has no meaning to them. It is no longer about Jesus being born, him dying and him rising from the dead. At Christmas time people think it is a time for giving and receiving presents but do they know how religion is involved in this? Many adults fell under pressure at this time. They have to get the presents the children want to please them. As a result of this many companies profit from this because children want what they see on T.V when big toy stores advertise there Christmas stock. There Christmas stock comes out months before the actual day arrives. Children focus on Father Christmas coming to give them their presents they should still believe this but their parents should tell them why he is coming. Who made it possible. Children should learn the religious meaning at an early age so they don't just wait until they receive presents they wait for the miraculous birth of Christ. Many shops decorate their windows with bright colourful lights and tinsel even though this looks attractive and gets you into a Christmas mood they should remember the
"Christians should not take part in sporting events or go shopping on a Sunday"
R.E Coursework Question 2 "Christians should not take part in sporting events or go shopping on a Sunday" I slightly agree but partly disagree also with this statement. Because God has stated to everyone that the seventh day of the week (or Sabbath day) should be kept holy and dedicated to him, It was also written in the Bible, that God exclaimed "On that day no one is to work neither you, your children, your slaves, your animals, nor foreigners who live in your country" Exodus 20:10. I think that sport has decreased its value for recreation and increased its value for money for instance, the majority of people who play sport now only play it for an obscene amount of money they receive for doing so, not their love for the sport. It would appear that because of watching football on a television set or in a stadium would be self-centred and inconsiderate because your presence may add to the fact that many more people would have to work because of you. Yet by playing sport on a Sunday, you are working but also causing others to. Nevertheless, in principle even if you are working, it is your choice, and if it may require others to work as well, then that cannot be blamed on you because they are not literally forced to work. Some may argue that it is disrespectful to God if you were to work on a Sunday, but they should have considered these facts before they took up the job. I
"Christians today are not prepared to suffer as Jesus did" Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. Your answer should refer to Mark's Gospel.
(b) "Christians today are not prepared to suffer as Jesus did" Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. Your answer should refer to Mark's Gospel. Well for me I need to look for both before deciding whether or not I agree with statement. To start I feel that there are not as many fully committed Christians nowadays so people do not know what to do when they face a type of persecution. You may say that we do not know our true faith until it is tested. But how do we know when were being tested? In earlier times, like for Jesus, it was clear when he was being tested and he made the correct choice by putting faith in his beliefs, but in these days we never hear of miracles from God, or that in our society today, faith is not a major issue for Christians, so we do not face persecution that much. But there are times recently like in Ireland when school children were being persecuted for their faith. But like Jesus, they did not give in to pressure and deny their faith; they had faith and believed in it. And even though we may be persecuted about being Christians it will not be to the same degree as it was in Jesus' day, but there again it is still persecution against our faith and no matter what type of suffering or persecution is involved, we should be true to our faith and ourselves. But even though we may be true to