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Rel 134 Issues in Western Religions Judaism Judaism is one of the world’s oldest religious traditions. For Jews Judaism is a way of life with a set of beliefs and values. Anti-Semitism is one of the current issues still facing Jews. Anti-Semitism is a belief of hostile behavior toward Jews just because they happen to be Jewish along with their religious teachings that proclaim them as the only chosen people by God. These sentiments manifested discrimination, prejudice and stereotype views about Jews ranging from individual hatred to violent persecution. Anti-Semitism is not new it has existed for many years dating back to ancient times. Jews criticized and in many cases punished because of their refusal to adopt the belief of the non-Jewish society in which they live. A more current issue facing Judaism is the different viewpoints regarding homosexuality. The views concerning homosexuality under traditional Jewish law were that homosexuality was a violation and an abomination in the eyesight of God. Progressive movements of Judaism have adopted the belief that when writing the Bible homosexuality was not fully understood and now needs to be considered. Within the Jewish denomination this subject has led to enormous debate and division. Because the Torah specifically forbids homosexual intercourse the view among Orthodox Jews has been adjusted to regard homosexual desires given that the Torah only forbids the specific act of homosexual intercourse and not homosexual desires. However, those Jews who nurture the values of Liberal Jewish tradition, known as “The Society of Classical Reform Judaism” validate both homosexual desires and intercourse making these issues a major current topic in Judaism. Christianity In the eastern Mediterranean sometime mid-first century as a Jewish division, Christianity started. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God. This belief was the subject of persecution of Christians by the Jewish leaders, who disagreed with the Apostles’ teachings. Because of their beliefs Christians were punished and even put to death. Today’s issues of internal battles include homosexuality within the Christian faith and the different views of the numerous denominations of the Christian Churches. Many Christians confirm the importance of accepting and welcoming homosexuals and protecting their rights. The struggle within Christianity simply defaults to some denominations firm position on homosexuality as a sinful act others regard it as a natural. This controversy is not only between Christian denominations but also more common between the liberal and conservative branches of some denominations. Another major issue that is vocal and active in the many Christian denominations is abortion. Christians regard pregnancy as a gift from God. Like the controversy over homosexuality, the Christian faith is also divided over abortion. The major opposition to abortion comes from conservative Christian religious groups who belief all life is sacred and that every fertilized egg is a human being thus making abortion murder. Controversy over abortion has not only become a vast debate in the Christian community it has become a major issue in American. The division cuts across church, state, and political levels in which many women are defending their right to abortion. Islam Muhammad in the early seventh century founded Islam. He claimed to receive messages from God for the Muslim people. The Koran-Islam’s holy book was compiled with the messages and recorded. The faith spread rapidly and today Islam is the second largest religion in the world. The most obvious issue is that between Sunni and Shia Islam, which came after the death of Muhammad. The Sunni considered by many to be the orthodox branch of Islam, making up the majority of Islamic practitioners in the world. The Shia is just a handful of nations that include Iraq and Iran. Despite these differences the Shia and Sunni do share main Islamic beliefs in faith. Most Muslims do not claim any particular group they prefer to call themselves simply Muslims. As Muslims expand from the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula into urban societies of the Roman and Persian empires, they are encountering new ethical dilemmas that demand the authority of religious answers. Muslims Americans are living in fear of appearing in public. Since the 9/11 bombings, the Middle East battles and other random acts of violence on innocent people the danger of escalation of violence in the world is disturbing to many people. The Muslim woman is one of the main targets because of her Islamic attire. Many Muslim women around the world are removing the traditional headscarf the hijab when going out in public to avoid the harassments. This has become a major issue of safety and security in local cities, state, and federal agency. The Muslims American women are taking their issues public by creating organization to assist with the problem of violence on innocent people. Traditions in Western Religions Judaism Hanukkah honors the rededication of the Jewish faith to God after years of oppression by the king of Syria and dictator of Palestine. The Jewish holiday celebration last for eight days and nights starting on 25th of the Jewish month called Kislev. In the Orthodox Jewish law, Hanukkah is one of the least important Jewish holidays. In modern practice Hanukkah has become more popular because of its proximity to Christmas. In the Hanukkah tradition every neighborhood has their own unique traditions and in addition has practiced universally traditions. The universal traditions are the lighting of candles, spinning the dreidel a 4-sided toy marked with Hebrew letters and eating fried food. In Judaism the 7th day of the week is a day of rest called the Shabbat. The Shabbat starts Friday at sundown, and ends with appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night. Depending on when sunset occurs, the start time of the Sabbath can vary from week to week. A different set of rules apply in polar areas where there is no sunrise or sunset during certain times of the year. The Shabbat is a festive day and people reflect on their spirituality, and spend time with family. Three festive meals are eaten one on Shabbat eve, at lunch, and an evening meal at the end of Shabbat. Christianity Baptism is a sacrament in Christianity and a way a person is welcomed into the church. Baptism involves immersing in water, a blessing, and the pronouncement of, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Most Christian churches baptize both infants and adults, but some believe that baptism is only appropriate at the age of accountability. Views on baptism vary within various Christian denominations. The common view of baptism is the recognition of salvation, the commemoration of Christ’s death and resurrection and the washing away of sins. Baptism also honors the final segment of Jesus’ command to “go into the world and preach the Gospel to every living creature; he that believes and is baptized shall be saved and he that believed not shall be damned.” Lords Supper/Communion The Lords Supper, also called communion, is the commemoration of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. The term communion in Latin means to share in common and a corresponding Greek term means to fellowship. The Lords Supper is an affirmation of one’s continual dependence upon Christ and a reminder that he is coming back soon. The Lords Supper first started when Jesus had his last meal with the Apostles before his death. Partaking in communion is an integral part of the Christian worship and necessary in maintaining a relationship with God. The bread represents Jesus’ body and the wine represents his blood. Prayer prior to partaking communion is necessary because it is supplication to God petitioning His blessing. Islam Ramadan believed by the Muslims as the month the Qur’an was sent down to the lowest heaven. In the Islamic calendar Ramadan considered one of the most holy’s months for the Muslims. Prophet Muhammad taught his followers that the gates of Heaven opened up for the month and the gates of Hell closed. The month is spent by Muslims fasting from dawn to sunset. Fasting during this month is to burn away sin. Many Muslims look for physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan. Others use the calculated time of the new moon to mark the beginning or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month. Because of the cycle of the new moon Ramadan dates vary in different countries usually by only a day. Eid Al-Adha Eid Al-Adha is a major Islamic festival that takes place at the end of the Hajj. Muslims observe the pilgrimage known as Hajj throughout the world to commemorate the faith of Abraham. The festival celebrates God’s gift of a ram in place of Ishmael whom God had commanded Abraham to sacrifice. Eid Al-Adha starts on the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijja in the Islamic Calendar, and lasts four days. This year on the western calendar, Eid Al-Adha begins on November 16, 2010. Muslims living in North America find it a challenge to maintain Islamic holidays and traditions in a predominantly non-Muslim society. Eid Al-Adha is celebrated but not in the same traditional ways. References Fisher, M. P. (2003). Living Religions (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-193315-9