27Feb15 A Death Row Inmate Finds Common Ground With Theologians
An interesting tie to class
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/02/28/us/a-death-row-inmate-finds-common-ground-with-theologians.html
27Feb15 Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, Ex-President of University of Notre Dame, Dies at 97
By ANTHONY DePALMA
He stood up to the White House and the Vatican as he transformed Catholic higher education in America and raised a powerful moral voice in national affairs
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/02/28/us/rev-theodore-hesburgh-influential-ex-president-of-notre-dame-dies-at-97.html?referrer=
I see religion mainly as something that is handed on to us from our family and environment and later in life, something that we choose to follow. Many people are religious because of the comfort that religion can bring us. When someone dies, someone of a religious perspective such as Catholic might say, "That person went to Heaven and is with God now." Many people believe this to be true and I think that part of the reason they believe that is because it comforts them to think that their loved one went to Heaven and that they will someday go to Heaven and be with their deceased loved ones. I feel that the clergy guests expressed this in a way as well. They spoke about during their experiences with the dying and the families of the dying, it comforted them to know that they would go to Heaven. One of the clergy even said he tried to make a woman feel better by saying she was not going to Hell. There are other ways in which religion plays a role in our lives but I feel that this is the main way in which it relates to this class.
ReplyDeleteAfter hearing from the clergy and how they all had separate names for their religion (Catholic, Presbyterian and Quaker), yet they agreed on a lot of the questions about life and death. I believe religion is something that gives the human race some kind of answer to what happens after life. It gives us something to grasp without feeling completely lost and hopeless towards the idea of death. To some, religion comforts them, to others it creates fear inside them; knowing that they could be judged and condemned for certain earthly wrongdoings. I feel like this is apparent because all religions are different and some have more differences than others, but they all connect with some kinds of morals. We all have this innate idea of right and wrong, good and evil; this is called natural law. Religion is a way to put these morals into our daily lives and try to put purpose to our lives. We all want answers to why we are alive, and what happens after death, and so religion is the one thing that can help us understand life and death just a little better.
ReplyDeleteTo me, religion plays a huge role in our morality and how we live our lives. If a person chooses so, religion can have a continuous influence on every aspect of our lives including social, political, and economic issues. In some situations, people turn to religion in times of hardship because it provides a sense of comfort. Religion also has a way of bringing people together. For instance, although the clergy had somewhat different takes on religion as a whole, they still share the fact that they all have a love and belief in God. I found it interesting how similar their takes on death and dying were and how it seemed that they almost always agreed with one another on every aspect of this. I feel that the process of death is influenced greatly by an individual’s belief or lack of religion.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Melissa. I think that religion can have an influence on every aspect of our lives. My family is Greek Orthodox and we do not make it to church as much as we should. However, because of the faith they have instilled in my life I think that I am a much more stable person. They sent me to a catholic school from the time I was in kindergarten from all the way until now a college junior. There was something amazing about the clergy all agreeing on some level even though they practice religion differently than each other. For some reason when I walked into class on Wednesday I thought that there was going to be a heated debate on all of their different views. To my surprise it was almost peaceful to see that they all came together in someway.
DeleteReligion plays an important role in not only how we as a community view life and death but also impacts how every individual views death and dying. For hundreds upon hundreds of years we have used religion as a way to explain how our world works and has developed immensely over the years. After speaking to the clergy, of whom had varying views, it taught me the religion has played a role in our society in regards to how we handle death in dying and how it has developed into many different beliefs.. For example, I grew up with many different views on religion from family members, from atheism to catholicism. I believe this helped me develop my feelings towards religion and has helped me figure out what religion I identify with and ultimately my views on death and dying. Religion has certainly made a big impact on my life and how I see death and dying and I'm sure it has made an impact on others as well.
ReplyDeleteReligion plays an important role in not only how we as a community view life and death but also impacts how every individual views death and dying. For hundreds upon hundreds of years we have used religion as a way to explain how our world works and has developed immensely over the years. After speaking to the clergy, of whom had varying views, it taught me the religion has played a role in our society in regards to how we handle death in dying and how it has developed into many different beliefs.. For example, I grew up with many different views on religion from family members, from atheism to catholicism. I believe this helped me develop my feelings towards religion and has helped me figure out what religion I identify with and ultimately my views on death and dying. Religion has certainly made a big impact on my life and how I see death and dying and I'm sure it has made an impact on others as well.
ReplyDeleteI think religion can play several different roles in people's lives. In the past, it has been more of an individual thing with strictly religious implications. However, modern religion can provide a sense of emotional and spiritual support for people. I think modern culture is extremely resistant to talking about death because we fear things we do not understand. Religion can help us to "predict" what will happen to us when we die, and therefore, provides a sense of comfort to people who may be facing the inevitable. I do not think someone can consider themselves "religious" if they simply follow the religion because their parents have told them to do so. Religion is a very unique experience for everyone and I think it must be sought after for it to truly do its job. It should be pursued individually, and then shared after that.
ReplyDeleteFaith has played a role in the history of the world for hundreds of years. The separation of church and state and the reformation is just a single prime example of the profound impact religion has in our lives. The practice of faith gives us a map of how to live our lives and gives us hope that there is something out there beyond this world that will protect and guide us to making the right decision. The concept of religion is inborn into all of us as we age and we always have the decision to do the right thing and morality guides us most of the time into doing what is right and what is just according to the faith we believe. Faith can also cause destruction and despair when a group views his or her superior with the example of ISIS. Death is a time for most people when they fear the uncertainty of when they pass on. Having a solid foundation of faith and a support system can ease the transition.
ReplyDeleteTO me, religion is something that is handed down to us from our families. As you grow older, you can choose you own religion, but it is given to you when you are young basically. I also believe religion gives people something to depend on. It gives hope in all aspects of life. Whether one is having trouble in life or has had a great week or whatever the case may be, their religion can help them. After listening to the clergy, they each called themselves something different but in general, had similar answers when asked what their beliefs were in life after death. This gives me the idea that religions, all though they may have different beliefs and practices, all still have similar aspects and qualities. The religion of someone can help ease the transition to death and comfort them in knowing that they have somewhere to go after death occurs.
ReplyDeleteTo me, I think people turn to religion as a safety blanket. It's something in your family that gets passed on and while you may not know what or why you believe in certain things, you just do because that's what your family told you was right. I am not a religious person. I grew up going to a Catholic school, baptized Catholic, confirmed Catholic, and it was basically shoved down my throat. I knew I didn't really like what they taught, but I just went with the flow so I wouldn't get in trouble. It wasn't until my senior year of high school in my morality class that really gave me the courage to step out of the Catholic zone. The things they were teaching did not match up to my beliefs, so I thought "if I cannot even pretend to believe in these things, why even bother?". That's when I stopped identifying as a Catholic. So, religion is a safety blanket in my opinion. But the spirituality of believing in a greater power is comforting. I think if you find your right niche in the hectic world, you're one step ahead of everyone else because it serves as a foundation of YOUR beliefs and helps your develop your life based on your values and principles that mean something to you individually.
ReplyDeleteReligion is something that I believe really helps people throughout their lives. I'm not saying that those who aren't religious struggle in life more than those who are, but I believe that the people who are religious would say they can pin point the specific moments in which their faith helped them where nothing else could. It definitely brings people together, as well. My family and I know many of the people in our parish and would not have met these wonderful people if it weren't for our Catholic faith. In tough times, we all come together and support each other. Religion also may answer questions that may have gone unanswered in our lives otherwise. For example, the question of life after death. If I didn't have my Catholic faith, I don't know what I would believe about life after death. It's nice to believe in something and not be questioning what happens all the time. Faith can sooth a person, as well. If someone is upset, for any reason, their faith can bring them back up. Some people lose their faith in times of tragedy, but I have seen a lot of people come back around and in those cases faith is the only thing that can hold them up. I know praying always makes me feel better no matter what the situation is, because I can let out all of the things I keep bottled up inside and know that someone is listening and willing to help me. Religion is an amazing thing that has helped me throughout my entire life.
ReplyDeleteReligion is something that I believe really helps people throughout their lives. I'm not saying that those who aren't religious struggle in life more than those who are, but I believe that the people who are religious would say they can pin point the specific moments in which their faith helped them where nothing else could. It definitely brings people together, as well. My family and I know many of the people in our parish and would not have met these wonderful people if it weren't for our Catholic faith. In tough times, we all come together and support each other. Religion also may answer questions that may have gone unanswered in our lives otherwise. For example, the question of life after death. If I didn't have my Catholic faith, I don't know what I would believe about life after death. It's nice to believe in something and not be questioning what happens all the time. Faith can sooth a person, as well. If someone is upset, for any reason, their faith can bring them back up. Some people lose their faith in times of tragedy, but I have seen a lot of people come back around and in those cases faith is the only thing that can hold them up. I know praying always makes me feel better no matter what the situation is, because I can let out all of the things I keep bottled up inside and know that someone is listening and willing to help me. Religion is an amazing thing that has helped me throughout my entire life.
ReplyDeletei see religion as one of the most important things in our lives. there was a time when i stubbled with my religion not knowing where i belonged, and finding that was the most important thing that has ever happened to me. i do not believe that you need to be catholic or even christian. i believe in the validity and sanctity of all faiths. Some people go their whole lives believing in one thing, others spend their whole lives searching. some people don't find religion until they are down in life. and some never find it at all. the few years i struggled finding my faith were the hardest years of my life. i felt so lost in everything i did. i can't imagine living my entire life not having faith in something great than myself. i guess maybe because i am the type of person who worries and wonders, and having that higher being to pray to and meditate with gives me comfort.
ReplyDeleteI see religion as a central idea that connects people all over the world. Religion for me is so important. It reminds me that this life is not the end for all those who believe. also I believe that religion is a great outlet to put life in a positive perspective, which gives people comfort. Religion also helps people to find their place in the world. If you read the bible there are many verses that tell us what purpose the children of God have in the world.
ReplyDeleteReligion is a huge factor in parts of my family, some more so than others. Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with it because I've seen the politics behind the scenes. But, after hearing each of the clergy give their perspectives, I'm probably more fascinated with religion now, as opposed to before their visit. I also appreciated the openness they had, not only with us, but each other as well. Religion is a touchy topic and anyone can be sensitive to it, rightly so. To me, Religion can be interpreted in many ways, shapes, and forms depending on one's culture, location, up-bringing, and Religious decisions made as an adult. I tend to see Religion as a cornerstone of who I am and am becoming. My beliefs may change over time about a variety of things, but I still have Religion to fall back on when I need it.
ReplyDeleteReligion is a huge factor in parts of my family, some more so than others. Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with it because I've seen the politics behind the scenes. But, after hearing each of the clergy give their perspectives, I'm probably more fascinated with religion now, as opposed to before their visit. I also appreciated the openness they had, not only with us, but each other as well. Religion is a touchy topic and anyone can be sensitive to it, rightly so. To me, Religion can be interpreted in many ways, shapes, and forms depending on one's culture, location, up-bringing, and Religious decisions made as an adult. I tend to see Religion as a cornerstone of who I am and am becoming. My beliefs may change over time about a variety of things, but I still have Religion to fall back on when I need it.
ReplyDeleteReligion is a very important aspect in life. Recently I have started going back to church each Sunday and it has changed my life. Since I started going back I have been a much more positive person. Religion is very important to me and continues to better my life each and every day. Religion is tested a lot today because of all the things that can get in the way. People have other things that they are wanting to do and they can just not want to go to church on Sundays. And all of the media that we see today can cloud people's judgment.
ReplyDeleteI see modern religion as a sense of community and belonging. It consists of people with the same beliefs and interests as one another, who hail from all walks of life. It is the common denominator for all people. In a world that can seem bleak and unstable, religion provides stability and peacefulness. Many of these religions have been carried down for generations, and by continuing to practice the faith, we carry on the religion. Religion invokes emotions and sensations that the human mind yearns for. I do not feel that it is simply a relic from a former time, but a living, breathing organism.
ReplyDeleteReligion plays a large role in my life. It sets my moral and ethical code and guides how I want to live my life in preparation for what is to come after death. It also sets my beliefs for what comes after death. My religion completes meaning to my life as it is something I truly believe in.
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