Response to: Religious legitimacy or legitimately religious?

December 3, 2007

Mr. Shrinsky asks the question, are religous leaders more powerful? It really depends on the society. In some societies, religion of the country is more important than nationalism, however in others nationalism is more important than the main religion of that country. Leaders use the local beliefs of the people to gain power and some leaders chose to take religious beliefs and incoroporate those beliefs into the government and how that leader rules. Leaders use legitamacy and there is not one correct answer to whether religious leaders become more powerful. In our times now,leaders still do use religious beliefs in their campaign because they believe that religion is a big part of many people's lives and many people rely on their religious beliefs. Sometimes completing your religous duties (as a leader might show in his campaign) is considering a very honorable thing in our society. However, many believe that religion shouldn't be incorporated into the government. Religious leaders (like the Pope) do hold a lot of power over the people associated with his religion, but not necessarily more power than the government. In conclusion, there is not one correct answer to the question, are religious leaders more powerful than a non-religious government?

Syncretism

November 21, 2007

In our last couple of classes, we discussed syncretism, which is the blending of ideas that come from many different cultures, to form one new idea. In the classical age, the goal was to combine Buddhism in China and in India to form one religion with mixed ideas from each country. As read in Old World Encounters by Jerry Bentley, we learned that Chinese pilgrims passed through many villages with Buddhist monks. (such as Palembang) The Chinese pilgrims found that they were very similar to the Buddhist monks and were advised to stay in Palembang until they decided to continue on their journey to India.

Connections to Today

To begin this time period in class, we discussed different things in our society that may have been changed or blended with other ideas to form one different idea. Here are some examples:

Hannukah- In Israel, Hannukah was never a gift-giving holiday. However, once it started to be celebrated in the United States, it became a gift giving holiday. This is because it is right around the holiday Christmas.

Languages- Latin is the basis of the romance languages. It was mixed with new phrases and formed different languages that still have connections to Latin. Also, in Spanish speaking countries today, some phrases of the language have been changed to be more alike to the American language.

Christmas- Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. However, this corresponds with the winter solstice also corresponding with Pagan beliefs.

Theme Reflection

November 13, 2007

Development and Interaction of Cultures

Religion- We discussed the development of the following belief systems in connection with the development of a woman's and man's role in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism in ancient China and India. In Hinduism the ideal characteristics of women and men developed through famous stories like the Ramayana. It was told that men were supposed to be handsome and strong while women were supposed to be beautiful and completely devoted to her husband. In Buddhism, Buddhist women were able to escape their normal domestic lives to become a nun. Women's status increased. (Ben Zhau)

Neolithic vs. Paleolithic: We also discussed the development from a Paleolithic culture to a Neolithic culture and lifestyle. In Paleolithic times there was very little technology and it was a nomadic society. (Hunting and gathering) However, after the idustrial revolution, the Neolithic society was formed. There was an increase in technology, job specialization, trade, and FARMING.

For the future:

As we begin to discuss our next time period (600 BCE - 600 CE) we learn that there is an immense amount of cultural diffusion through art in Asia. Many different kinds of art styles are discovered and spread. We also learn that there will begin to be more mathematical and scientific discoveries, advances, and developments. Cultures will drastically change because of this.