Religiously Literate
By Religiously Literate
Religiously LiterateMar 07, 2022
12. What is Christianity?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as we learn about the last of the Abrahamic faiths, Christianity.
In this episode we give a general overview of Christianity, including the history, beliefs, and practices shared by many Christians regardless of denomination.
SHOW NOTES:
Key Terms:
Apostolic succession: the belief that bishops and priests represent an uninterrupted lineage dating back to the apostles of Jesus
"The Word": This refers to a whole lot of different things that include, but are not always, readings directly from the Bible. Includes scriptural readings, hymns, prayers, and sermons/homilies given by clergy members and primarily serves as a mechanism for teaching about Jesus’ life and Christian beliefs.
Baptism: This is the primary means through which someone becomes incorporated into the “Body of Christ” or Christian community and is meant to be a celebratory public recognition of belief in and commitment to Jesus Christ as the Son of God (can also be baptized in recognition of the whole Trinity).
Communion: The sharing of bread and wine or grape juice among Christians. Meant to be a recognition of Jesus’ sacrifice through his death on the cross and resurrection.
Christmas: Annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Typically celebrated on December 25th, but varies by tradition.
Lent: 40-day period of Christian fasting preceding Easter. Commemorating Jesus' 40-day fast in the desert.
Epiphany: Festival commemorating the arrival of the three Magi (wise men) after the birth of Jesus.
Advent: Roughly month-long period preceding Christmas celebrated as a time of anticipation leading up to the birth of Christ.
Fat (Shrove) Tuesday: Final day commemorating the period between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday.
Palm Sunday: Festival commemorating the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem before his death. Celebrated the Sunday before Easter.
Easter: Holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ash Wednesday: Day of prayer and fasting commemorating the beginning of Lent.
Maundy Thursday: The day during Holy Week commemorating the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.
Good Friday: Holiday commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
Pentecost: Festival that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and followers of Jesus Christ.
Ascension: Holiday commemorating the departure of Christ from earth after his resurrection.
Glossolalia: Speaking in tongues
Trinity Sunday: First Sunday after Pentecost celebrating the Christian belief in the Trinity
Trinity: The Trinity is the belief in God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit
Synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke (meaning they “see each other,” from the Greek synopsis)
Timeline of Jesus' life: https://www.everlastingstrength.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Life-of-Jesus-Timeline-Tabloid-11x17.jpg?x57201
Sources:
McGrath, Alister E. Christianity: an introduction. John Wiley & Sons, 2006.
Vaughn, Lewis. Anthology of World Religions: Sacred Texts and Contemporary Perspectives. (2017) Oxford University Press: New York.
11. What is Shinto?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as we learn about one of Japan's major religious traditions.
In this episode, we discuss Shinto, including an overview of history, general beliefs, practices, and its significance with Japanese nationalism.
SHOW NOTES:
Key terms:
Kami: “divine powers of the cosmos in the form of deities, features of nature, and exceptional humans (emperors and ancestors, for example)”
Kojiki: Record of Ancient Matters, central Shinto text
Nihongi (Nihon shoki): Chronicles of Japan, central Shinto text
Izanami and Izanagi: Male and female kami revered for the creation of the Japanese archipelago
Amaterasu: sun goddess, associated with the imperial family and the Shrine at Ise
Jinja: dwelling places of the kami, otherwise known as shrines
Torri: red, arbor-like structures found at Shinto shrines
Shimenawa: rope often made with rice straw, demarcating sacred spaces
Shide: lightning bolt shaped paper often hung on shimenawa
Shrine Shinto: The most prevalent kind, includes practices at shrines to demonstrate “faith” in kami
Lived/Popular/Folk Shinto: Everyday practices of people that reflect faith/belief in kami; includes a lot of regional variation and overlap with bigger Shinto practices
State Shinto: Started in the nineteenth century, declared Shinto as state religion; gave rise to some nationalistic beliefs; established the emperor as a “living kami” and direct descendent of Amaterasu
Matsuri: Shinto festivals
Shinto by Helen Hardacre
A new history of Shinto by John Breen and Mark Teeuwen.
Shinto, a short history by Inoue Nobutaka (editor), Itō Satoshi, Endō Jun and Mori Mizue ; translated and adapted by Mark Teeuwen and John Breen.
Vaughn, Lewis. Anthology of World Religions: Sacred Texts and Contemporary Perspectives. (2017) Oxford University Press: New York.
Music used in this episode includes “City of Jewels” by Destiny & Time as well as Ishikari Lore by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100192)
10. Religious Locations to Visit in Israel
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as we learn about one of the most influential regions in world history.
In the final to our first season, we'll travel around Israel talking about 10 religious sites important to many traditions that originate in the Middle East, including some we've covered this season and some that will be covered in seasons to come!
Ten Religious Sites to Visit in Israel
1. The Dome of the Rock
2. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
3. The Wailing Wall
4. The Church of the Nativity
5. The Dead Sea
6. Masada
7. Cave of the Patriarchs
8. Bahji
9. Capernaum
10. Jericho
Map of Religious Sites in Jerusalem https://www.planetware.com/i/map/ISR/old-city-jerusalem-map.jpg
Map of Religious Sites in Israel https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/915kkTT7QEL.jpg
9. What is Judaism?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as we learn about one of the most influential religions in world history.
In this episode, we discuss Judaism, including an overview of history, general beliefs, rituals, and holidays.
SHOW NOTES:
Key terms:
Rabbi: Jewish clerical leader
Mohel: Jew trained to carry out circumcision of Jewish boys
Tanakh: Hebrew Bible composed of three parts (Torah, Ketuvim, and Nevi'im)
Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Ketuvim (The Prophets): Joshua, Judges, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Nevi'im (The Writings): Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, I Chronicles, II Chronicles
Mishnah: interpretations and applications of the laws
Talmud: authoritative writings that consist of the Mishnah and the Gemara
Mitzvot: Commandments followed by Jews
Bar/Bat Mitzvah: coming of age ceremony for Jewish boys/girls
Chuppah: wedding canopy
Ketubah: Jewish wedding contract
Shiva: week long mourning period for Jewish first-degree relatives
Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year
Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement
Hanukah: Festival of Lights
Passover: Jewish holiday commemorating the exodus from Egypt
Seder: ritualized meal on Passover that helps explain the Exodus story
Aggadah: text recited with the seder to explain the Exodus story
Kosher: "fit to eat," also refers to Jewish dietary laws
Bar Mitzvah video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsS0K8FjKLA
Temple that may have held he Ark of the Covenant discovered: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7810225/Biblical-home-Ark-Covenant-discovered-Israel.html
Cohn-Sherbok, Lavinia, and Dan Cohn-Sherbok. Judaism: A Short History. Reissued. Oxford: Oneworld, 1999.
Vaughn, Lewis. Anthology of World Religions: Sacred Texts and Contemporary Perspectives. (2017) Oxford University Press: New York.
Music used in this episode includes “City of Jewels” by Destiny & Time as well as from https://filmmusic.io, "Lachaim" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
8. What is the Bahá’í Faith?
SHOW NOTES:
Key terms:
Bahá’í: follower of the Bahá’í faith, a follower of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’u’lláh: founder of the Bahá’í faith
Kitab i Aqdas (The Most Holy Book): scripture written by Bahá’u’lláh
The Tablet of Carmel: scripture written by Bahá’u’lláh
Kitab i ‘Ahd (The Book of the Covenant): Last Will and Testament of Bahá’u’lláh
World Religions and Spirituality Project: The Baha’i Faith https://wrldrels.org/2016/10/08/bahai-faith/
Baha’i history map: https://external-preview.redd.it/QPApxEl2MqTcvbgyPQVuACn4qrKVHyvkGVqdfjCMHvg.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=5bb991d79d027a8a87fd1dd25e32a8cc6eb67ba7
Baha’i Obligatory Prayers: https://www.bahai.org/documents/bahaullah/obligatory-prayers
Baha’i Obligatory prayers: https://www.bahai.org/documents/bahaullah/obligatory-prayers
Baha’i World Centre and Garden video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxesOz6rRlw
Roots of the Baha’i Faith (two parts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmAC7PYiK_k&vl=en
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHrBlTL5tf8
Administrative structure diagram: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/df/Present-bahai-administration.jpg
Calligraphy of the Greatest Name: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Greatest_Name.svg/150px-Greatest_Name.svg.png
Baha’i Ringstone symbol: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Bahai_Ringstone_Symbol.pdf/page1-220px-Bahai_Ringstone_Symbol.pdf.jpg
Keene, James J. "Baha'i World Faith: Redefinition of Religion." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 6, no. 2 (1967): 221-35. doi:10.2307/1384048.
Smith, Peter. An Introduction to the Bahai Faith. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.
Warburg, Margit. Bahaʼi. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books, 2003.
Worthington, Frances. 2012. Bahá'í Basics : A Guide to the Beliefs, Practices, and History of the Bahá'í Faith. Wilmette, IL: Baha'i Publishing.
Music used in this episode includes “City of Jewels” by Destiny & Time
7. What is Buddhism?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as they discuss a topic that some consider a religion and other do not.
In this episode, we discuss Buddhism, including an overview of the Buddha's life, the Buddhist creation story, and beliefs, as well as Buddhism's connections to Hinduism
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReigiousLitPod and Twitter: @ReligiousLitPod
SHOW NOTES:
A Day in a Buddhist Temple vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRdrTOaMP3w
Top Ten Buddhist Temples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mPjLi3zCuY
Goonasekera, Sunil. “Buddhism in South Asia: Practicing Tradition Today.” In South Asian Religions: Tradition and Today, edited by Karen Pechilis and Selva J. Raj, 143–60. London ; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2013.
Keown, Damien. Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Fully updated new edition. Very Short Introductions 3. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013.
Music used in this episode includes “City of Jewels” by Destiny & Time as well as Zen Temple Bell, recorded by Mike Koenig and obtained from http://soundbible.com/1477-Zen-Temple-Bell.html
6. What is Islam?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as they discuss a religious movement started in Arabia
In this episode, we discuss Islam, including an overview of history and basic practices, dispel popular misconceptions, and discuss how Islam sees itself as related to other traditions in the world
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReigiousLitPod and Twitter: @ReligiousLitPod
SHOW NOTES:
Terminology
Shahadah - declaration of faith
Salat - daily prayer
Zakat - alsmgiving
Sawm - fasting
Hajj - pilgrimage to Mecca
jihad - inner struggle of good Muslim to strive to be a better person or to serve the Muslim community*
Quran - Muslim holy scripture revealed to Muhammad*
hadith - reports of the "words, deeds, or silent approval" of Muhammad*
Allah - God
caliph - supreme Muslim leader who has both religious and secular authority who governs the caliphate*
Shi'a - the minority of Muslims who favor hereditary succession of the caliph*
Sunni - the majority of Muslims who favor caliph succession by community consensus*
shari'a - Islamic law
sura - a chapter, or division of the Quran*
*definitions taken from Vaughn, Lewis. Anthology of World Religions: Sacred Texts and Contemporary Perspectives. (2017) Oxford University Press: New York.
Islam (World Religions and Spirituality Project)
Ruthven, Malise. 2012. Islam: a very short introduction. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Music used in this episode includes “City of Jewels” by Destiny & Time as well as a version of the Islamic call to prayer entitled "Adhan Egypt" sourced from praytimes.org
5. What is Rastafarianism?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as they discuss a religious movement started in Jamaica
In this episode, we discuss Rastafarianism, including an overview of history, general beliefs, if there is a black Jesus and Reggae’s connection to the movement.
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReigiousLitPod and Twitter: @ReligiousLitPod
SHOW NOTES:
The Story of Jamaican Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv1Iy26qlLk
Nyabinghi video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYP_hfjrGf8
Edmonds, Ennis Barrington. Rastafari : A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.
Music used in this episode includes “City of Jewels” by Destiny & Time as well as “Palms” by Text Me Records
4. What is Hinduism?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as we discuss the wold's oldest religion, Hinduism.
In this episode, we discuss what Hinduism which is actually an umbrella term for various religious, cultural, and artistic expressions mostly practiced in South Asia. We also discuss yoga, Hindu gods, and a few rituals and celebrations.
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReigiousLitPod and Twitter: @ReligiousLitPod
SHOW NOTES:
Terminology
pancha mahabhuta - five elements in Hinduism (also Ayurvedic medicine); ether/space, air, fire, water, earth
atman - soul or self*
Brahman - the impersonal, all pervading spirit that is the universe yet transcends all space and time*
dharma - religious and moral duty or teaching*
karma - the universal principal that governs the characteristics and quality of each rebirth, or future life*
moksha - ultimate liberation from samsara*
samsara - one's cycle of repeated deaths and rebirths*
Bhagavad Gita - the most highly venerated and influential scriptures in Hinduism*
Vedas - foundational scriptures of Hinduism; Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva
caste system - the idealized social hierarchy of Indian society*
puja - most central, widely-practiced for of Hindu devotion
*definitions taken from Vaughn, Lewis. Anthology of World Religions: Sacred Texts and Contemporary Perspectives. (2017) Oxford University Press: New York.
Types of yoga:
- Bhakti: yoga of devotion (singing, dancing, praises of divine)
- Karma: yoga of service (selfless service, acknowledge divinity in everyone)
- Jnana: yoga of knowledge (meditation on scriptural teachings)
- Raja: yoga of cultivation of the mind (must train the mind before meditation)
Indus River Valley Civilization video
Hinduism (World Religions and Spirituality Project)
Ganges Pilgrimage (Kumbh Mela) video
Story of God: Hindu Creation video
Hindu Auspicious Days Calendar
Music used in this episode is City of Jewels by Destiny & Time as well as from https://filmmusic.io, "Jalandhar" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
3. What is Sikhism?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as Jay shares some of his experiences in India while visiting the holiest site in Sikhism.
In this episode, we discuss Sikhism, including an overview of history, general beliefs, rituals, and Jay's visits to gurdwaras in India and the United States.
SHOW NOTES:
Adi Granth (also known as Guru Granth Sahib) - The most sacred text of Sikh faith. Initially complied by Guru Arjan in 1604.
Five Ks - Markers of Sikh identity that include:
- Kesh - Uncut hair
- Kanga - Wooden comb for top knot
- Kirpan - Sword
- Kara - Iron bracelet
- Kaccha - Underwear
Gurdwara - The Sikh house of worship
Langar - The community kitchen and meal that is served to the community
Singh, Pashaura. “Sikhism: Practicing Tradition Today.” In South Asian Religions: Tradition and Today, edited by Karen Pechilis and Selva J. Raj. London ; New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2013.
The 10 human Gurus with birth and death dates
Guru Nanak (1469-1539)
Guru Angad (1504-1552)
Guru Amar Das (1497-1574)
Guru Ram Das (1534-1581)
Guru Arjan (1563-1606)
Guru Hargobind (1595-1644)
Guru Har Rai (1630-1631)
Guru Harkrishan (1655-1664)
Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675)
Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708)
Sikh drivers are transforming U.S. trucking. Take a ride along the Punjabi American highway LA Times, 2019.
Things Not to Say to Sikh People video
Sikhism (World Religions and Spirituality Project)
Music used in this episode is City of Jewels by Destiny & Time
2. What is Lakota Spirituality?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as Ryan shares what he has learned from working with Lakota communities.
In this episode, we discuss Lakota Spirituality, including an overview of terms, history, the meaning of "all my relations," the White Buffalo Calf Woman story, as well as several key ceremonies.
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReigiousLitPod and Twitter: @ReligiousLitPod
SHOW NOTES:
American Indian: a person whose pre-Columbian ancestors are from what is now the lower 48 states of the US
Native American: a term used to refer to a person whose pre-Columbian ancestors are from the Americas – North, South, and Central
Alaska Native: a person whose pre-Columbian ancestors are from what is now Alaska
Native Hawaiian: a person whose pre-Columbian ancestors are from Hawaii
First Nations: the preferred term for people whose pre-Columbian ancestors are from what is now Canada
Indigenous: a term used to refer to any of the fourth world nations (people previously or currently living under colonialism)
Native: a generic term often used in the US if a tribal name is not known or is not necessary
Indian Nation: the proper term for an American Indian tribe
Očhéthi šakówíŋ Graphic: http://www.sintegleska.edu/lakota-word-of-the-week/oceti-sakowin
Lakota Perspective Map: https://decolonialatlas.wordpress.com/2017/02/02/lakota-territory/
Lakota Lands Over Time: https://decolonialatlas.wordpress.com/2015/04/08/bison-range-and-lakota-territory/
Očhéthi šakówíŋ Reservations Map: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Sioux01.png
Lakota terminology:
Očhéthi šakówíŋ: Seven Council Fires
Mitákuye oyás’iŋ: All of my relations
Íŋyaŋ: stone
Aŋpétuwi: sun
Wakȟáŋ: spiritual power
Makȟa: earth
Mní wičhóni: Water is life
Čȟaŋšáša: Red willow bark, “tobacco”
Albert White Hat Lakota Origin Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-wM3XYIQ4c
Lakota Pipe: https://newjerseyarchaeology.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/ae2010-11-118-ab_1.jpg?w=768
Seven Lakota ceremonies:
Inípi: purification lodge
Haŋbléčheyapi: crying for vision
Wiwáŋyaŋg Wačhípi: Sun Dance
Huŋkalowaŋpi: making of relatives
Išnáthi Awíčhalowaŋpi: female puberty ceremony
Tȟápa Waŋkáyeyapi: throwing of the ball
Wanáǧi yuhápi: Soul keeping
Lakota Emergence Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyb1OkRAVUs&t=1s
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Educational and Cultural Resources: http://sioux.org/images/files/Education_and_Cultural_Resources.pdf
Music used in this episode is City of Jewels by Destiny & Time
1. What is religion? What does it mean to be religiously literate?
With so many religions in the world it can be hard to keep up with what everyone believes. Religiously Literate is here to help! Join Jay and Ryan on this episode as we introduce the podcast and make listeners reflect on their own understandings of "religion."
In this episode, we discuss what led us to start this podcast, some of our favorite definitions of religion, what it means to be "religiously literate," and what we hope listeners will gain from listening.
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReigiousLitPod and Twitter: @ReligiousLitPod
SHOW NOTES:
AIHREA website: www.aihrea.org
Jay’s definition: Human behavior associated with the intentional differentiation between the sacred and the profane.
Bohanon, Jesse, “Rewriting the Written: An Analysis on Religious Studies,” December 14, 2009, 3.
James: ...the feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude.
William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature, ed. Martin E. Marty, The Penguin American Library (Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England ; New York, N.Y: Penguin Books, 1982), 31.
Durkheim: A religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden – beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them." (b) [Religion is] "the self-validation of a society by means of myth and ritual.
Émile Durkheim, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, ed. Mark Sydney Cladis, trans. Carol Cosman, Oxford World’s Classics (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008), 46.
Geertz: (1) a system of symbols which acts to (2) establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by (3) formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and (4) clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that (5) the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.
Clifford Geertz, The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays (New York: Basic Books, 1973), 90.
KU Religious Studies website: http://religiousstudies.ku.edu/
Prothero Talk at KU 2018: https://religiousstudies.ku.edu/2018-friends-department-religious-studies-speaker-stephen-prothero
Prothero website: http://stephenprothero.com/
Prothero, Stephen. Religious Literacy What Every American Needs to Know, and Doesn’t. New York, N.Y: HarperOne, 2008.
Robert Orsi: https://orsi.northwestern.edu/
Harvard RLP: https://rlp.hds.harvard.edu/
Music used in this episode is City of Jewels by Destiny & Time
Religiously Literate Promo Trailer
Join us on a journey through the varieties of religious expression from around the world. Religiously Literate is a podcast to help you learn about these traditions in an accessible and (hopefully!) entertaining way. Welcome!