Mohandas Gandhi

Mohandas Gandhi was, and is still believed to be one of the most peaceful human being that has ever walked the earth. Watching the movie in class on how he lived, left me with mixed emotions. I had feelings of sadness, and anger, because of the way he was treated, yet a part of me felt eternally grateful, knowing that he choose such humble and nonviolent method to get his point across. His peaceful and nonviolent demonstrations has been admired by the world, including many religions .It was the key ingredient that brought changes to India.Years later I can truly say we have benefited from his extraordinary example as the great Civil Right leader Martin Luther King fallowed his example, marched peacefully for freedom in America.
Gandhi was opposed to the caste system which was once considered to be a part of Hinduism. He believed that all human were created equally, and all should be treated with dignity. He practiced Hinduism through devotion, diet and fasting. He was always in a humble poster (namaste) both hands claps in a prayer like fashion with head bowed. This is a symbol of a humble greeting from the heart.
I believe that the part of Hinduism that he emphasized was moksha, liberation from birth, death and rebirth.He practiced unselfishness and was total devoted to his belief's as he understood what a good Hindu should be.He also emphasized karma not by words, but by his actions, refusing to physically fight back. It is said that when he was kicked he asked his abuser did your feet hurt? Because he believed that whatever wrong was done to him would be return by karma. There were times that he confessed that he did not consider himself a good Hindu, because of the killings and the brutality that the people suffered because of his protest.
Base on what I have learn about Hinduism, he would not be considered a good Hindu because he was defiant of some of Hinduism beliefs and practices.Gandhi did not gain world recognition by practicing Hinduism, he is admired because of his nonviolent demonstrations.Yet he died at the hands of one of his own people. One of the very thing he fought against ended his life.

Yoga and Hinduism

Yoga is a primary practice of the Hinduism faith and a way to adopt different peoples needs. Through yoga, many people find answers to cope with life's daily challenges and to accept the caste they were born to. There are four forms of yoga and each one has a different focus, for example; one form focuses on the path to overcome hardship, freedom from the shackles of their deeds and actions, while purifying the mind by removing impurities; training the mind and body.
The Bhakti form of yoga best fits my personal life, because it focuses on worship, and evokes emotions connecting to the creator of the universe.

Cardinal tenet of Hinduism

Hinduism conceive itself as adopting to different people's needs by developing what is called a caste system, base on vocations.They believe in stations of life, that people are different and everyone belongs to a caste.Whatever caste you were born to dictates your life, including where you live, what you eat, and who you choose as your mate. There are different types of caste including a group known as outcast, other wise known as the untouchable. They believe that because of their karma of previous life they were place into such caste.Therefore they
humbly accepted their caste hoping to have a better caste in their next life.

Jehovah's Witnesses

Religion is one of the most controversial topics. I found all religions to be very interesting, but the Jehovah's Witness (J.W) religion was the one that interested me the most; their members demonstrate discipline and persistence by going house to house knocking on doors trying to introduce their religion to others. Even when insultedat tines they politely leave, but only to return another day.
The J.W religion was started by a 18 year old man by the name of Charles Taza Russel from Pennsylvania. He was unaccepted of the teaching of eternal hell (the punishment after death by fire) and the telling of Christ. He started this religion giving bible classes teachings that God is a simple person, not a trinity. He also taught that Michael the Archangle was God's first creation and through him the universe including earth, Adam and Eve was created in 42,000 years. Their headquarters is located in Brooklyn, New York. Some of their beliefs are that they are the only earthly true channel of God's truth. They also believe that Jesus was born through Michael the Archangle and when Jesus died he was not crucified on a cross but it was on a tortured stake and that he would then return in 1914 ,and is now reigning in heaven. Heaven is a special place where only a special group of 144,000 J W; those who are born again,giving them immortal life,meaning they do not have resurrected bodies. The others have everlasting life. and will reside after death forever on Paradise earth.
Jehovah Witnesses do not celebrate Xmas or birthdays. They will not accept blood transfusions even in life threatening situations. They are not allowed to vote, salute the flag, sing the national anthem or even join the military. To become a member of this religious group one has to study the religion for at least 6 months, attend weekly meetings and have an extended interview by the Elders. To leave this organization you would be treated as an outcast and you would be shunned by the J W community. This however is a common practice of most religions.

Religions Originating in India

I found the assigned reading to be fascinating and enlighting. I was unaware that Hinduism is considered to be the oldest of all religions, and perhaps it could be the foundation of most other religions. More surprising to me is the revelation that Hinduism began with the migration of the Aryan people into India. My views on religion has certainly broaden. My belief is that religions were born out of some form of oppression, caused by either environmental or self imposed ritual.
It's amazing to read about the customs and practices that people perform in an effort to offer worship. I'm also amazed by the objects and symbols that civilizations select to call their gods. It's ironic that religion, while intended to create a vehicle, by which one could have peace of mind, and harmony, often times triggers conflicts, confusion, disharmony or even wars. A prime example can be found with the Muslims and the Hindus faith who have always had some kind of tension between them.

assignment

The assignment clearly define some of the religious believes and practices by different groups. Native Americans and Africans have similar religious practices.Worshiping objects that they consider scared.Music and dance have always been an important part of religion of every faith.Rites of passage is also an important part of religion of every culture.
Today religious practices have changed in so many ways. No longer are human sacrifices offered, and the use of peyote is illegal,but every religion continues to practice in it's own unusual way of worship.

Belief-O-Matic Quiz

Doing the Belief-O-Matic Survey, I was very surprised that my results showed that my beliefs relected the beliefs of an Orthodox Quaker. I actually did not know what Orthodox Quakers believed before I read about them on the website. I'm surprised we both have similar beliefs. I was able to learn about other religions as well through this quiz. The reason I believe these questions are important is because there are so many unanswered questions regarding religious and nonreligious beliefs in this world today.

My Results:
1.
Orthodox Quaker (100%)
2.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (90%)
3.
Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (83%)
4.
Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (81%)
5.
Jehovah's Witness (72%)
6.
Liberal Quakers (72%)
7.
Eastern Orthodox (72%)
8.
Roman Catholic (72%)
9.
Sikhism (72%)
10.
Unitarian Universalism (70%)
11.
Seventh Day Adventist (69%)
12.
Hinduism (66%)
13.
Orthodox Judaism (66%)
14.
Neo-Pagan (61%)
15.
Islam (56%)
16.
Reform Judaism (56%)
17.
New Age (55%)
18.
Mahayana Buddhism (54%)
19.
Bahá'í Faith (49%)
20.
Jainism (48%)
21.
Theravada Buddhism (46%)
22.
Taoism (43%)
23.
Secular Humanism (42%)
24.
Scientology (35%)
25.
Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (33%)
26.
New Thought (27%)
27.
Nontheist (21%)