Discovering Many Subjects Can Help Establish the True Meaning of Studying Religion

In Religious Studies we have discussed many books covering a wide range of religions, cultures, languages, customs and practices.  A topic that has been presented from each book is distinguishing how to study religion from each book and not a wide range of topics.  This past Friday in class we discussed all the possible subjects that Religious Studies can get confused with.  Some of the subjects that were mentioned included English, History, culture studies, and Philosophy.  Most notably philosophy seemed like the subject that our class most often misconstrued with Religious Studies.  

The precise definition of philosophy is the rational investigation of truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.  One can garner from this definition that philosophy involves personal or group reflection towards knowledge of moral and ethical well-being.  Through religion anybody can see the morals projected for people of that faith to follow.  By strictly studying religion, one will find out some knowledge that is based upon faith.  Each religion has a set of moral codes that are in encryption that must be deciphered.  It is easy to see how philosophy and religion cross paths because they have similar aspects of gaining knowledge.  Philosophy will always be encompassed through religion.

History can be seen viewed through religious studies but, religious studies is not a history class.  In history, one can see events from the past for future generations to learn from.  Religion has been a surviving entity throughout the course of mankind also like history.  The connection between the two will always coexist.  However, what makes these two subjects differ from one another is yes history details when religious events took place but history cannot examine the beliefs of humans.  By studying religion it helps justify many different beliefs for our existence, something that history cannot make legitimate.

By finding the difference in a wide range of similar subjects it can make it easier to find what one is actually looking for in religious studies.  Religious studies is more open to opinion than history but less personal reflection regarding philosophy.

Ethnicities Around the Hull House

By looking at some of these maps one can see how the many different ethnicities are displayed and particularly why.  Something that stuck out at me was how the Italians dominated in large clusters.  No other ethnicity seems to be closer together.  Italians usually have fairly large families, even by today's standard.  I have couple Italian friends and their families are similar to the family from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  Like in the movie, they always are working together, eating together, always spending leisurely time together, etc.  Also, these families always have a lot of kids and many relatives.  I believe that Italians practice the same kind of relationships within their own family.  One of the reasons that I think that Italians have families like they do is because by moving to America, they had no one to depend on but themselves.  By speaking a different language, eating different foods, or practicing another religion its hard to blend with other cultures right away.  It's simple to see why they lived together the way that they did.  

On the second map its interesting to see how that there are just about the same amount of English-speaking residents as foreigners.  But on the first map there is hardly any English-speaking residents compared to the amount of foreigners.  What I think the Hull house helped achieve was the integration of the many ethnicities.  By all the different people seeking the same necessities, it was easy access for them.

A group of people that are close together as one can see from the map are the Russians and Poles.   These two groups of people are similar in the fact that a good many of them are Jewish.  Also, these two countries present a strong slavic background.  

Hull House is not Full of Religious Strife

After reading Twenty Years at Hull House it is hard to see Jane Addams' work in the community as being a strictly religious mission.  First of all, throughout the reading it does not mention that there are any church services of any kind that take place.  It was Addams' goal to help those in her community, not help those in need for the glory of God.  One would think that her actions in building the Hull House are religious because of her Quaker upbringing.  Possibly, one could say that her work with the poor citizens of Chicago act like characteristics of the Christian faith that should be put forth.  However possible, she never speaks of religion in her undertaking of the poor folk.

Also, an important thing that she was very passionate was woman's rights and the ending of child labor.  She belonged to the NAACP and the first Woman's Peace Party in which she was elected president.  Her dedication in changing the world is not matched to many others.   Addams' never acted cenobitic in any of these dealings.

Bob Marley the Idol

In our latest discussions about Rastafari and talking about how Bob Marley's music reflects his beliefs, Bob Marley has to be one of the biggest influences in terms of religion or ideology.  Though this movement is not that old compared to Christianity or  Judaism in the last thirty to forty years I feel as though no other person has really influenced more people than himself.  

If you think about it he has reached all kinds of people around the world with his music.  Even to this day people listen to the lyrics and realize what he is preaching about.  In the movie I am Legend with Will Smith, Smith talks about how Bob Marley was shot right before a concert and two days later made it on stage.  A person asked him why he went on stage after being shot so soon and Marley responded that why should I take a day off when all the evil in the world is not.  His kind of enthusiasm towards about his life is what makes him so popular.  This kind of spirit is how he speaks of Rastas.  

Rastari Truly Evident in Boboshanti

By watching the video on you tube, it confirms a lot about Rastafarian life from the book.  During the video they interview people of a small congregation.  Like this small group they are one of many practicing the same rituals.  In Rastafari, its speaks of how there are individual groups that are separate but share the same core beliefs.

One of the important things that I picked up while watching the video like in Rastafari, was how one can see the Rastas' African roots.  Their African roots were evident with one of the Rastas' main beliefs in going back to Africa.  Also, an important aspect that I recognized in the video like in the book was the Rastas' wearing red, gold, and green.  The three colors of Rastafari.  You can also see how they wear dreadlocks.  

While watching the video, I felt as though this group of Rastas could be extremely violent if need be.  This is something that I did not really feel in Rastafari.  This group of Rastas also appears to be racist and not accepting any other races than black into their culture.

Rastafarian Concepts in America?

While reading Rastafari, I recognized how there are people in the United States that practice some of the Rastafarian rituals or identify themselves with Rastafarian style.  Particularly while I was in high school many kids that could relate to Rastafarian ideals took it upon themselves to follow the Rasta movement.  I feel like many students followed this ideology for its style more than its actual beliefs.

Throughout high school there was always a group of kids who had Rasta like characteristics.  They always had red, gold, and green wrist bands, tennis shoes, t-shirts, hats, and even piercings with these colors.  A few of them also grew out dreadlocks that they wore for weeks.  They were always listening to reggae in their cars and were especially keen for Bob Marley.  Not to mention, most of these kids also smoked marijuana.  This was the most common characteristic.

Although, I feel that this click of students in high school was actually one of the more accepting, non-racial, and non-violent groups in school, it is hard to see some of the connections of their style and actual beliefs of Rastafarian ideology.  Some people that you talk to will speak of why they dress the way that they do and with good reason but typically it is hard to find this person that is fully enriched in the Rasta movement.  

Ethiopian Status and Value

The Emperor of Ethiopia is one of Solomon's children.  The first born and eldest son of Solomon.  This blood line provides great genetics.  It is also says that God has given Queen of Ethiopia all the glory and riches that she deserves.  

When a rich Ethiopian merchant, Tamrin, travels and sees the wealth and especially the wisdom of Solomon the King he retreats back to Ethiopia to tell the Queen of his news.  After many discussions of Solomon the Queen decides that she would like to go see Solomon's wisdom for herself.  She is seeking the same wisdom, joy, and peace that is amongst the country of Judah and Jerusalem.  It also says that when she embarks on her journey that her heart has confidence in God.  This nation should receives God's blessings.  

Finally, when the Queen arrives she realizes Ethiopia's potential.  In order to gain all the wisdom and riches Solomon strongly points out that one must follow God.  The God of Israel is who they will follow now, "From this moment I will not worship the sun, but will worship the creator of the sun, the God of Israel."  The Queen says this with her true understanding.  Hence forth, from this point on Ethiopia has reached status and value.