The Nature of Religious Tradition Created by M.Cuglietta, 2007 1

Can the Term “Religion” be Defined?

• What does the term “religion” mean?(Jot down a definition in your notes, 1 min.)

• Latin= religo which means “____________________”

• Religion =an individual that has ___________________themselves to something worthy of reverence

World Religions Challenge

• Which side will win??

Why Study World Religions?

• Why do YOU think it is important to study world religions

• To gain a better ___________________ of the present world

• To ___________________into other people by understanding their religious activities

• To gain understanding about one’s own ___________________

• To learn from some of the world’s greatest ______________________________________

Nostra Aetate: Catholic Church and World Religions

• Church does ___________________anything true and holy within the religions

• Church differs on the teachings and the ___________________

• Nonetheless, world religions often reflect a ray of ___________________

• Church must proclaim Christ “the ___________________, the truth, and the ___________________ (Jn 14:6)

Nostra Aetate: Catholic Church and World Religions

• We are all ______________________________________that are created in the image and likeness of God

• We must treat all in a brotherly and sisterly manner• We must avoid actions or languages that could lead to

___________________• We must be remain in open ___________________

and ___________________with other religions to work towards the betterment of humankind

Introduction to Judaism

What Do You Know??

• What do we know about Judaism??

Judaism is…

• “A 4000 year old tradition with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life)

• A “_____________________________________” between God and the Hebrew people

• A celebration and sanctification of life

• A faith, a people, a way of life…

God

• Characteristics:– ___________________Beyond universe and

separate from it• Creation ex nihilo –creation out of nothing• Not immediate; must be contacted (God first contacted

humans)

– ___________________ (not immediately there but can be contacted)

As a faith, Jews Believe…

• In one God, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal

• In prophets of old – especially ___________________, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people

• In ___________________ (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew– the Hebrew Bible does not include

the ______________________________________

The Hebrew Bible

• Patriarchs of the Hebrew Bible – Abram/Abraham– ___________________– Jacob/Israel– Joseph and his brothers

The Hebrew Bible• Pentateuch/Torah “instruction”– Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

“Hear, O Israel, the Lord is God, the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Deut 6:4-5

• Ascribed to Moses during 2nd BC• Passed on

______________________________________• God chooses because of love

Covenant • Agreement between human beings and God; usually involves

a blood bond

1. They are bound in an ___________________ covenant /union with their God.

2. He has made known His love and mercy to them.3. He has given them commandments to guide their

daily life.4. they owe Him worship, fidelity and obedience.5. they are marked by the sign of the covenant

/bond. Ex.) ___________________

Covenant

___________________

• Taking an oath is the foundation of the Covenant

• Taking an oath binds a person in a way that is above mere legality

• A covenant is personal, absolute and utterly secure, because it is a holy commitment made before- and enforced by God.

• Violation- God’s judgment is there

How does Judaism sanctify life?

Life cycle celebrations:• Bris – ritual circumcision, sign of the

covenant• ___________________– full adult status

and responsibility within the religion• Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply"

(Gen. 1:22)• Death – funerals, mourning (sitting

“Shiva”), and memorials (“Yartzeits”)

How does Judaism sanctify time?

The Jewish Holidays:• High Holidays:– ___________________ (Jewish New Year)– ___________________(Day of Atonement)

• Sukkot, the “Festival of Booths” (fall harvest festival)

• Simchat Torah – celebrating Torah• Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights”

How is Judaism related to Christianity?

• Judaism predates ___________________ – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it

• Jesus was ___________________, as were his followers and the Apostles

• Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah

• The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth

• Jews are not concerned about ___________________ and the “world to come”

Important Things to Note:

• Yahweh- Not taking the Lord’s name in Vain• 10 Words = Commandments – First 3= Our relationship with

___________________– Last 7= Our relationship with

___________________

Relationship with Others

Relationship with God

Important Things to Note:

• Waiting for a Messiah– A political Messiah that would conquer the

Romans not a Messiah that came to save the souls of His people

• Questions???

• http://video.visiontv.ca/#clip2228711-channel5725

• http://video.visiontv.ca/#clip2228719-channel5725

• http://video.visiontv.ca/#clip2228721-channel5725

• http://video.visiontv.ca/#clip2228709-channel5725