Tolerance of World Religions

Religious Entertainment

Every Christian church or school has a Christmas pageant. The Christmas pageant can be anything from a choir singing beautiful holiday hymns, to the retelling of the birth of Christ. Different Christian religions tell the story their own way. At any given time during the Christmas season you can hear the Christmas story, the story of the birth of Christ through the eyes of Mary, through the eyes of Joseph, his father. There are even versions that tell the story from the point of view of the animals in the stable the night Jesus was born. Everyone wants to tell the story of the birth of the Savior. A Christmas pageant can be an adult cast, or the cast can be made completely from the children of the church. On any given weekend you can get both versions in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Churches often have choirs singing the joyous news that the Savior has been born. Beautiful voices in perfect harmony singing for joy, worshiping the newborn Son of Man. Children’s choirs logs many, many practice hours trying to perfect the harmonies that make the religious hymns so beautiful.

On a larger scale, religious movies and plays have done very well throughout the years. Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, two award winning musicals, one comprised solely of the story of the life of Christ, the other highlighting different parts of the Christian Bible, stories set to song and dance. More recently we have seen Mel Gibson’s The Passion Of The Christ surpass all expectation to become a huge money maker. We do not all have to agree on one religion, but we will always have the fascination of the story that is told over and over, and never gets old.

Filed Under: Art, Spiritual Tagged With: Christ, Christmas, Jesus

Religious Art

The Vatican in Rome, home base of the Catholic church, is the house to many priceless pieces of religious art. The cloth that wiped the face of Jesus, The Shroud of Turin, artifacts that lay claim to have actually touched Jesus, The Savior. These articles can only be described as priceless pieces of religious art. They are heavily guarded and do not even have estimates on their value, they are unable to be valued they are so priceless.

Then there are the religious art websites. There are many artists out there making a good living recreating the priceless religious art of the Vatican and other museums that house priceless religious art. There are entire books of saints, and there are legions of artists trying to capture their images. There are so many interpretations of images of Christ, his disciples, the saints, the martyrs. There are almost as many different crucifixes. There are many Christian religions whose followers all hang crucifixes somewhere in their homes. Everyone can choose the crucifix that best represents their family.

Religious art can be very collectible. There are collectors who are searching all the time for the religious art that will get the big bucks. While extremely collectible, religious art for the most part is a personal choice, you will find that one picture, painting, sculpture, crucifix that for you will represent your religious beliefs. Maybe it is something that reminds you of the crucifix that hung in your grandmother’s house or the painting of Christ that your aunt always spoke to, even prayed to when she needed it. Religious art is as valuable as what it means to the individual. While there is priceless art in the Vatican, there is irreplaceable art, handed down through the generations is most any Christian home in the country. Our religious art is a direct representation of the icons to which we pray, to which we worship, and represent our feelings towards the way we see our own faith.

Filed Under: Art, Spiritual Tagged With: Catholic Church, Rome, Sacred art

Catholicism and The Belief of The Eucharist

Through the Constitution of the United States, every person in the country has the right to worship as he or she chooses. Every person is free to engage in whatever religious beliefs they find work for them. There are many, many Christian religions, many different sects of Christianity, each with their own unique worship. While all Christian religions believe in Christ, as opposed to the Jewish religion who believe they are still awaiting their Savior, each religion has different worship practices. Most Christian religions use communion. This is a place in their worship ceremony that mimics The Last Supper. In most Christian religions, there is a plate of bread passed around, as well as a cup, or individual cups of wine. For most Christians, these represent the body and blood of Christ that was shared at the Last Supper.

For Catholics their belief takes this to a higher level. In the Catholic religion, during the Consecration, the priest has the power to change the bread into the Body of Christ and the wine into the Blood of Christ. This process is called transubstantiation. The Catholic religion is the only Christian religion to practice this. They believe that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. This is why the Catholic religion does not participate in the communion of other Christian religions, as these religions use their bread and wine as symbols only. While they are constantly seeking for full communion with all Christians, they believe that they should only receive communion as the Body and the Blood of Christ. When Christians attend other Christian ceremonies, they do partake of the passing of the bread and wine. When a priest takes his final vows, he is given this power, to perform transubstantiation during the Consecration of the Body and Blood at Mass.

This is another way in which all Christian religions, while sharing many of the same beliefs, have their differences to set them apart from one another.

Filed Under: Catholic, Traditions Tagged With: Christ, Christian, Christianity

Tolerance Is Important

While the Constitution makes freedom of religion one of those inalienable rights of every person, it is not always accepted. Religious persecution is as old as religion itself. There are people who have died for their religious beliefs, and it should not be this way. Why can’t everyone worship the way they choose? Why are there people out there who believe it is okay to tell someone they can only worship one way. We do not have a God that even constrains us this way. He has given us the freedom of choice, and as dangerous as that can sometimes be, we are free to worship any way we choose. We are free to worship on our own time, in our own way, in whatever venue we like, whatever building we like, with whomever we choose to share that worship with.

If you believe that you should be able to choose your own religion, then it only stands to reason that you should believe that everyone else has that same right as well. Allowing someone to exercise their own right is not a statement against the way you worship. If anything it is just the opposite. If you are strong enough in your own faith, how someone else chooses to express their faith is neither a threat to your faith, nor is it a judgment that your faith is the wrong one. God is God, He is Perfect Love. You may choose to worship in a temple, a church, a hut. You may choose to go to services, Mass or a gathering with people who share your same religious beliefs. You can discuss the finer points of your faith, you can sing, you can pray, you can do whatever it is your religious sect uses as their rituals. The most amazing thing about all of these forms of worship is that Jesus told us in his own words, “Where there are two or more gathered in my name, there am I. There is love.” What could possibly be wrong with that?

Filed Under: Society, Spiritual Tagged With: God, Natural and legal rights, Religion

Tolerance and Religion

Just as all things evolve over time, so has religion and religious beliefs. The dividing lines have become gray, no more black and white. There are almost as many religions as there are groups of people. Anyone with $20 and a computer can become a minister and start their own church. Of course, along with that, comes the growing problem of religions made up for personal gain. Never before have we lived in such a world that literally allows us to worship in any way we choose. We just have to be careful how we choose.

Maybe you were raised in traditional Judaism, believing in God, waiting for the Savior. Perhaps you were raised strict Catholic, following the Gospels and believing that Jesus is our Savior. There was a time when people of these two religions could not see eye to eye. It was unheard of for a Jewish person to marry a Catholic or any other Christian for that matter, and most Christian religions stayed to themselves as well.

It is written in our Constitution that we have Freedom of Religion. We have a right to worship any way we want. Nobody gets to tell us how, of even if, we have to worship. As this freedom grows in our country, with the springing up of many, many different religions, tolerance has become an important part of our religious worship culture. We do not have to agree with the way other people worship God, but part of what the Bible preaches, is that we have to accept that they have the right to do so. No one has the right to tell you not to pray, anymore than they have the right to make you pray. You can choose to baptize your children into your faith, or you can choose not to. These are our rights, God given rights, supported by the Constitution of the United States. We just need to remember that everyone else has that right as well, and we should not judge them.

Filed Under: Society, Spiritual Tagged With: Freedom of Religion, Jesus, Religion

What We Believe

Have you really stopped and thought about what you believe and why you believe it. What we believe can determine how we live and act. For example, during the time of Christopher Columbus people believed that the world was flat like a piece of paper. Columbus was thought of a crazy man for wanting to travel. As a result they did not travel to other countries because they were afraid that they would fall off the Earth. Imagine having a fear like this!

We might shake our heads or laugh at this. However, we should continually look at ourselves and see what we believe and understand our beliefs. We can use what we belief to strengthen us and those around us. Spend some time thinking about any areas that you might not have solid convictions or beliefs in. You can also think about those areas that you know for certain that you do not understand why you believe this. This cannot only apply to religion but to other aspects of our lives. If there are areas you are unsure about, now is the time to seek the answers or clarification.

You can start by doing further reading, either a book or magazine. You can seek the answer by asking someone who might know. This can be someone older or more experienced than yourself. Regardless of how you get the answers or clarity, this is something that should be done to understand what and why you believe this. This can also be used as a time to see if your thinking might be incorrect or incomplete in certain areas. By doing so, we can pass down good values and belief systems to the future generations. We should be able to explain our religious and mental beliefs to our children and to other future generations.

Filed Under: Society

Tolerance of Religion

Image via Wikipedia

When you are tolerant of other religions this does not mean that we are saying the we believe the same thing that the other religious followers might believe. Instead it is a matter of just respecting the person’ right to the beliefs. Without this tolerance of other religions, we have seen the examples in the past of what this can lead to. Even today we are still seeing holy wars and battles being fought due in the name of religion or because someone other group might believe something different.

Even more so should the people who have religious beliefs be one of the first set of people to show tolerance or be the guardians of religious tolerance to others. In the past throughout history, the society has shown that when people believe that religious tolerance means that you agree with the other religion and their beliefs, this can lead to people rejecting the idea or notion of tolerance. This does not have to be the case.

Tolerance of religion in someone else is not saying that your beliefs are wrong and the other person’s beliefs are right. However, tolerance does allow you and the other person to have those religious beliefs. Even if you were to look at the beliefs of other religions and think, “This is so contradictory to mine.”

Another scenario is that you might hear a religious belief or dogma and think how can anyone possibly believe this. Just remember there might be someone thinking the same of your own religious beliefs. However, neither of these are tolerant situations. Instead you should see this as an opportunity to show the world and those that are not religious that tolerance of religion does exist and it is not something that can be overlooked or swept under the carpet.

Filed Under: Spiritual

A Day of Rest

As humans we should be looking towards the laws and commandments established by our Creator. Instead we are constantly thinking of new things to get involved in. Instead our focus should not be on the busy world but rather seeking to find the rest that we are commanded to have. In the world in which we live, it is hard to imagine that we are called to rest. However, we are reminded that the world was created and formed with a period of six days.

After the the six days God rested on the Sabbath and commands us to do the same. We can read the account of what happen, and how everything in the known and unknown universe was fashioned during this time. From all the birds in the air to the fish in the sea, they were created in the beautiful mystery of the six days of creation. To think about those six days is to think about every living thing being created during this time.

To suddenly have waters teeming with life or to have the vegetation appear. During one of those six days we also see the creation of human beings. Our own human brains cannot fully understand all that happened during this time. However, we should not overlook the importance of the seventh day or the Sabbath. It is the day that the Creator rested himself. Not because of tiredness or fatigue but rather to enjoy the quiet and beauty of everything that had happened.

We should step back if we find ourselves in a stressful situation during the six days and remember that the Sabbath calls us to rest and reflect. By doing so we can truly enjoy all that has been created in our life. We can truly enjoy the full glory of Him and everything that has been created.

Filed Under: General

Meditation

The term “meditation” is used in different ways to refer to certain exercises that can be completed to help with your emotional, spiritual, and physical management. These are exercises that cause a very pleasant mental state of deep awareness, and also generate a powerful spiritual state. There are various techniques and ways in which be are encouraged to undergo meditation and reflection. However, ultimately the purpose of meditation is to create a more aware spiritual state. This can create new possibilities for a person who practices it.

Some people have declared that they have more confident people, who are sensitive and open to understanding. They are able to reflect on their existence in the world and why they have been created. It is an extraordinary tool for personal growth and deep psychological fulfillment. Meditation has been practiced for years as it provides tremendous benefits. and every time they checked, the advantages of practice. The ability to meditate on His truth bring benefits both spiritual, emotional and physical well-being.

Physical benefits of practicing meditation are quite numerous. They include physical relaxation and the relief of discomfort caused by muscle tension. Some people have stated that it has helped them with the gastrointestinal problems related to stress. The person is able to learn how to breathe slowly and deeply. This can lead to better circulation of the blood throughout the body. From this point, the original meditation results in more oxygen going to the tissues and organs.

Some of the spiritual benefits of meditation can include the ability to focus more on God. It is also a great way to overcome the flesh and focus on the commandments that were given. Spiritually meditation can help people understand the current circumstances that might be plaguing them. Therefore, you can develop a deeper sense of love and happiness.

Filed Under: Spiritual

Our Tolerance of Age

When we think of tolerance, we want it when it is directed towards us, but how tolerant are we of others? Do we believe the way in which the media has portrayed others such as ethnic minorities single mothers, or people who are currently out of work. Tolerance should not only be enjoyed when it is extended towards us, but we should show an example ourselves in all areas and extend it towards others.

One area we can examine if we are tolerant of others is in their age. In the pase we used to be a society h that valued people of all ages. For example we had respect of the elders in the community and not just those who were related to us. Now this has changed in some people. Are we tolerant of the older age person and still see them as a valued member of society? Or do you think of them as just people who should be locked away, out of sight because you feel they are past their prime.

Let us look inside and see how tolerant we are in terms of someone’s age. In the same way that we might expect people to tolerate the characteristics about us, we should be like that with others.

On the opposite side of this, how as a society do we treat and view young people. Do we see them as the future of the nation or just lazy and selfish…causing trouble. This is not a tolerant attitude to have towards the youth. In the same way we can value people within an older age bracket, we should do the same for young people. They might not have the experience of older people, but they can present fresh and innovative ways to looking at a problem. So let’s be mindful of their contribution in all areas.