Ethiopia steals...

So after reading the "history" of Ethiopian religion, I was very interested on the outlook that I have on the Ethiopian culture. I really found the story of the sun very interesting. When the text described how the sun of Israel left and permenantly found its true home in Ethiopia. It's peculiar that Ethiopia somewhat "claimed" the original spiritual force as their own when it "left" Israel. The story also goes onto describe how a second sun descends upon Israel. The Israelites cast out this sun until it rises to illuminate the world (aka....HUGE JESUS METAPHORE!) I don't know what to think about Ethiopians. To me it sounds like they jacked a story from another religion and also claimed the Queen of Sheba as their own. It's great that they consider themselves the royal blood line of Soloman, but the way the culture comes to that conclusion is a little skewed and/or questionable.

Metaphorically speaking...

Hooray for metaphors! I think the article that was read for the assignment does relate to what we have been discussing for most of the term thus far. Let's take a look at what we've read thus far. In regards to the mounds of the native americans, is it possible that these people looked at these symbols to depict, metaphorically and physically, what they believe? Do the Psalms depict literally what we should do in our lives to reach God, or do they depict metaphores that aren't to be taken literally? These are the questions we need to be asking ourselves when we study the works of religion. The metaphorical ideas expressed in all the works we studied could be interpreted an infinite number of ways (well....some of them at least). The video we watched of the atheist stated that "many passages in the Bible can't be interpreted any other way and there is no room for interpretation". I don't really believe that to be true. Whether you would like to admit it or not, everything could be looked at as a metaphor. I am not saying, however, that everything should be looked at as a metaphor, but simply to understand that many people could interpret religious writings differently.

The "Good Word"?

On Christian Teaching

On Christian Teaching does give some insight on how to read the Psalms. I believe St. Augustine would be upset with how we have been interpreting the Psalms. St. Augustine suggests that in order to fully understand the true meaning of Christianity, one must look at Christian history from beginning to end. In other words, we cannot read the Psalms and only the Psalms and expect to gain any truth from God's words. One must look at the Psalms in context of the entire Bible in order to fully understand the meaning of the Bible.
In a way St. Augustine is right. It's really hard to micro manage one part of the Bible without considering the context. However, asking people to memorize the Bible is pretty ridiculous. I'm way to busy to even consider that task. I don't think people need to memorize the Bible in order to gain it's worth, but I do agree, however, that while reading people should consider the context in which it was written. Also, one should be aware that interpretation of one person may be different than another persons.

Just remember...

So I know this blog is a little late coming, but I think it's still worth taking a look at. While reflecting on the psalms I am beginning to understand the origin of the psalms and the historical events in which they were derived from. It's so interesting that these stories are told through the eyes of one man's interpretation. Again, i'm going to talk about interpretation. I don't have a lot to say about this topic that I haven't already emphasized, but one thing to take away from this blog is to remember that just because it's interpreted differently doesn't mean that the various interpretations are wrong. But one should remember the historical context in which it was written.

God...armor and battle helmet included?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gfZnWVoqZ8


So when I read Psalm 18, the overall theme of sinners who do not repent eventually being punished is clearly present in this psalm. It is very interesting when the psalm describes God as "letting loose His arrows and scattered them, lightning bolts shot, and He panicked them (Psalms 55)." In reference to the question being asked....yes, this is terrifying. This psalm is describing the power that God has, however, there is another underlying message that I think may be a bit more pressing. Along with the Sparticus-esque God being portrayed, the psalm also describes the speaker as having God be a foundation in order to "battle" evildoers. The psalm states "and who the Rock except our God? The God who girds me with might and keeps my way blameless, makes my legs like gazelle's, and stands me on the heights, and trains my hands for comba, makes my arms bend a bow of bronze. You gave me your shield of rescue (Psalms 57)." I'm sure people during the time that the Psalms were written most likely interpreted the physical fighting for what they believed was just. However, if you asked someone today how they would interpret the psalm, the answer may be a bit different. In order for religion to be applicable to today's society, one may approach this psalm more metaphorically. For example, maybe the God that throughs lightning bolts and makes the Earth shake is merely a representation of power. Maybe having the earth shake and God battling is a representation of how a person may feel without God. These are not my view points, I'm merely looking at this from as many view points as possible. And referring back to God being someone's "Rock" in battle, could be viewed as having God as a foundation in order to make decisions in life that will lead a person to Heaven (again not necessarily my opinion, just another way to look at things).

Interpretation Part II

So in my last post, my main talking point was primarily focused on interpretation. Going throughout the week, I kept asking myself how many different people interpreted the events that occured throughout history and interpreted and made them relevant to their own personal beliefs. I mean think about it...depending on what people are/were looking for in terms of divinity they could've have interpreted anything as being divine. I think it's so interesting that so many religions spawned off some of the same historical events. How can one person or a group of peoples' depiction of religious events or figures create relgions that appear to be unrelatable.

Although I may be taken a negative approach thus far to this topic, I'm actually in favor of interpretation. Isn't spirituality used as a guide to interpret a person's world and events in order to make their world a more predictable safe place? Many religious figures interpreted what was going on around them and applied religion to in order to explain things. People who were confused found comfort in believing in a higher power and felt safe by doing so. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that spirituality should be personally relevant to your own world and own personal situations in order to make sense of it all. However, that being said I believe it is ignorant to respond negatively to other's personal interpretation of faith.