World Religion 101

I have been doing lots of "religious reading", lately, meaning over the past six months or so.  It started as a search for devotional meat - something I could chew on - which I wasn't getting at church on Sundays.  First, I listened to Thomas Sheehan's "Historical Jesus" lectures through iTunesU.  Then, I read his book and several books he listed in the required reading for the course.  While searching for a book by Marcus Borg at the library, I saw "Religious Literacy" by Stephen Prothero on the shelf.  It's that particular book that prompted me to post here, because I want to take note of something and this seemed like a good place to keep the notes.

My musings about religion have led me to wonder about common religious themes, archetypes, core ideas.  Prothero's book traces the historical development of American religious illiteracy and then ends with a dictionary of information he considers essential for public discourse and understanding.  This begins with "Religion by the Numbers", which I hope to summarize here, for later consideration. 

4 Gospels.  Matthew, Mark, Luke and John narrate the life of Jesus (the Christ or Messiah), who lived around 2 BC - 33 AD.  Gospel means good news.  Each book emphasizes a different aspect of Jesus' life or teaching (and is thought to have been directed toward a different audience).  Matthew - how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies; Mark - the secret that he was the Messiah; Luke - his concern for the poor and women; John - his divinity.  Other noncanonical (considered unofficial) gospels have been re-discovered.  They tell the story differently and have raised a stir.

4 Noble Truths. Core truths of Buddhism, delivered by the Buddha in Sarnath (northern India)  around 560 - 480 BC are Existence of Suffering - human life is characterized by dukkha (suffering, unsatisfactoriness); Origin of Suffering - suffering is caused by clinging, which is caused by ignorance of the impermanence of things; Cessation of Suffering - the chain of suffering can be reversed producing nirvana; Path to the Cessation of Suffering - outlines the way to nirvana.

5Ks.  Symbols that identify male members of the Khalsa, a Sikh order. kes - uncut hair; kangha - comb; kirpan - ceremonial sword; kara - steel wrist bangle; kachh - short pants.  They were instituted in India in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh to distinguish Sikhs from Hindus and Muslims.

5 Pillars of Islam. Key practices of Islam. Shahadah - witnessing that there is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God; Salat - prayer in the direction of Mecca at dawn, noon afternoon, sunset and evening; Sawm - daytime fasting during Ramadan (lunar month, which migrates through the solar year, and is currently in July); Zakat - giving alms to the poor; Hajj - pilgrimage to Mecca.

7 Sacraments. A religious rite or ceremony that conveys God's gift of salvation to participants.  Baptism (water), Holy Communion (bread and wine), Confirmation (affirmation of Christian belief by someone who was baptized), Reconciliation (Confession followed by Forgiveness), Marriage, Ordination of Priests, Anointing of the Sick (oil).  Catholics recognize all seven, Protestants classically recognize the first two. Quakers reject all.

7 Deadly Sins. Listed by Pope Gregory the Great (540-604 AD).  Pride, envy, greed, anger, sloth, lust, gluttony.

8-Fold Path of Buddhism. Charts the course from suffering to nirvana. Wisdom (right view and intention), Morality (right speech, conduct and livelihood), Concentration (right effort, mindfulness and concentration). 

10 Commandments.  Religious and moral laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai on two stone tablets.  They are found in Exodus and Deuteronomy (Jewish Torah/Pentateuch, Old Testament Bible) and throughout the Quran (religious text of Islam).  I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods besides me. Do not swear falsely by my name. Keep the Sabbath day holy. Honor your father and mother. Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Do not covet your neighbor's wife or property.

Well, I have no trouble with any of them.  They all seem wise in their intent.   I can also think of instances when people have twisted them. 

And now, in order to avoid sloth, I must get on with my day.  May your reading of this post bless you and keep you.

Happy New Year.