Here is my final project, it is just the slides, as the music and animation would not work with slideshare. So if anyone wants the real version let me know, but this one is the boring version (same thing without music or animation). It was a great class and a great year!!! Also, for some reason the hyper links in the presentation aren't working. So
here is the UCC steeples add: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boyo8uK7G8Y
here is the UCC webpage: http://www.ucc.org/
and here is Pilgrims homepage: http://www.pilgrimuccgrafton.org/
FYI the music that actually goes with the slideshow is a traditional organ piece by Bach, and a more modern christian song.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Baha'i Temple
So, the Baha'i temple in Chicago. First off let me say Wow! It must have been quite a monumental event for the Baha'i to have this temple completed! It almost took 50 years! I was also intrigued to learn that the Baha'i only take donations from those who declare themselves to be of the Baha'i faith. Considering the Baha'i message of unity, one would think that they would gladly accept donations from anyone, because everyone is of one faith. But anyway, into the symbolism. The website and the video were very helpful in getting a better picture of what the temple looks like. Situated on the lake as it is, I imagine it gets plenty of light and is quite beautiful at certain times of day. The temple's architecture is very intricate, with swirling lacy designs everywhere. The building has nine sides, and I assume the number nine is important to the Baha'i faith but I was unable to locate a reliable source to tell me why. On the ceiling of the inside of the dome there is this symbol.
it is the sacred name (Baha'u'llah) according to the website it is from. This is similar to that of the cross; it serves to remind the people of the last special prophet they followed and the last true prophet of God, the founder of their faith.
In addition to the name in the center, the shape also has nine sides, bringing this significant number to the fore again.
The temple is also surrounded by gardens, ever so important to the faith as it was in a garden that their prophet announced himself. These gardens encircle the temple in a perfect circle shape, signifying peace, harmony and unity. The gardens are immaculately kept, and flowers can be seen blooming whenever possible.
Lastly, the video mentioned unity, as shown in the different kinds of people that flock to the temple to hold hands and worship together and to meditate and reflect within. Looking at the man different peoples who go to this temple, it is difficult to get a profile for the 'typical' Baha'i. i am sure that this is exactly what they are going for, the message that everyone and anyone is welcome no matter what.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Symbols in Islam
I know we are currently not studying Islam, but rather the Baha'i, but I figured that since the Baha'i came out of Islam, it is similar, so I looked up Yusef Islam's songs and found this one.
Though it mentions thoughts, people and actions more than specific symbols (such as the moon and star), these are symbols in their own right. Symbols can be not only actual items of religious importance, but rituals and belief can also be forms of symbols. Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are recognizable because they so often go door to door the preach their word, this action is a symbol of their religion and their beliefs. Similarly, for Islam, the month and rituals of Ramadan are a symbol of the Muslim faith. The definition of s symbol is "something used to represent something else". Therefor, rituals can be interpreted to be symbols because rituals often are meant to signify something else. In some Christian faiths, on a certain day palm fronds are paraded through the church by children, this ritual is symbolic of the palms that were waved upon Jesus' entry to Jerusalem shortly before he was killed. Just as an item such as the Pentagram is symbolic of important parts of a certain religion (Wicca in this case), rituals and beliefs also can be symbols because they help to identify someone as part of that certain group or belief system. This, I think is one of the two primary reasons for symbols in religion: identification as part of that group, and representation of events or beliefs that are important to that faith. And rituals or actions and thoughts can certainly fit into these catagories because they can do either or both.
Yusef Islam's song is showing the different beliefs and things that are important to the Islamic faith, and through his music he points out these symbols and ties them into language and morality making them very much a part of every aspect of the life in this faith.
Though it mentions thoughts, people and actions more than specific symbols (such as the moon and star), these are symbols in their own right. Symbols can be not only actual items of religious importance, but rituals and belief can also be forms of symbols. Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are recognizable because they so often go door to door the preach their word, this action is a symbol of their religion and their beliefs. Similarly, for Islam, the month and rituals of Ramadan are a symbol of the Muslim faith. The definition of s symbol is "something used to represent something else". Therefor, rituals can be interpreted to be symbols because rituals often are meant to signify something else. In some Christian faiths, on a certain day palm fronds are paraded through the church by children, this ritual is symbolic of the palms that were waved upon Jesus' entry to Jerusalem shortly before he was killed. Just as an item such as the Pentagram is symbolic of important parts of a certain religion (Wicca in this case), rituals and beliefs also can be symbols because they help to identify someone as part of that certain group or belief system. This, I think is one of the two primary reasons for symbols in religion: identification as part of that group, and representation of events or beliefs that are important to that faith. And rituals or actions and thoughts can certainly fit into these catagories because they can do either or both.
Yusef Islam's song is showing the different beliefs and things that are important to the Islamic faith, and through his music he points out these symbols and ties them into language and morality making them very much a part of every aspect of the life in this faith.
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