Religion in the Religion in the 2121stst Century Century

God: the unauthorized God: the unauthorized biographybiography

In the beginningIn the beginning Historically, humans Historically, humans

have always created have always created godsgods

artifacts dating from artifacts dating from Paleolithic times Paleolithic times (35 000 – 10 000 (35 000 – 10 000 BCE) BCE)

A Question of SexA Question of Sex Which came first, Which came first,

god or goddess? god or goddess? VenusesVenuses Shift towards Shift towards

patrilineal influence patrilineal influence (male deities) by (male deities) by semi-nomadic semi-nomadic peoplespeoples

Sacred NatureSacred Nature Mother Nature or Earth MotherMother Nature or Earth Mother Kinship with nature Kinship with nature

Polytheistic versus Monotheistic or nonePolytheistic versus Monotheistic or none Polytheistic= Many deities with distinct identities and roles Polytheistic= Many deities with distinct identities and roles

(Hinduism, Greek mythology)(Hinduism, Greek mythology) Monotheistic = one God derived from patriarchs Abraham, Monotheistic = one God derived from patriarchs Abraham,

Isaac, Jacob, Moses (Christianity, Judaism, Islam)Isaac, Jacob, Moses (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) No god = Buddha taught state of enlightenment (nirvana) No god = Buddha taught state of enlightenment (nirvana)

achieved through human means like enlightenment, not by achieved through human means like enlightenment, not by any supreme deity (s)any supreme deity (s)

Keep the FaithKeep the Faith

According to Dr. Dale A. Matthews (MD and associate According to Dr. Dale A. Matthews (MD and associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University School of professor of medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington DC and author of Medicine in Washington DC and author of The Faith Factor: The Faith Factor: Proof of the Healing Power of PrayerProof of the Healing Power of Prayer : :

1) The 1) The bodybody responds positively to faith. responds positively to faith. “Blood pressure and pulse rate tend to be lower, oxygen consumption “Blood pressure and pulse rate tend to be lower, oxygen consumption better, brain wave patterns slower, and immune function enhanced if you better, brain wave patterns slower, and immune function enhanced if you have religious commitment; that is practice your faith regularly”have religious commitment; that is practice your faith regularly”

2) Your 2) Your mindmind is at peace. is at peace. “Having faith also gives you a sense of peace and ability to help you look “Having faith also gives you a sense of peace and ability to help you look beyond your present problems with hope, which can reduce stress and beyond your present problems with hope, which can reduce stress and lower your risk of anxiety and depression”.lower your risk of anxiety and depression”.

3) You take better care of 3) You take better care of yourself.yourself.“Religiously committed people are less likely to drink and smoke, and “Religiously committed people are less likely to drink and smoke, and the are more likely to take their medicine and wear seat belts than non the are more likely to take their medicine and wear seat belts than non religious people”.religious people”.

4) You are part of a healing 4) You are part of a healing communitycommunity“Numerous studies have shown the healing power of social ties. For “Numerous studies have shown the healing power of social ties. For many people, the church, the temple or mosque is “family” a place many people, the church, the temple or mosque is “family” a place where they feel “a sense of connection, meaning and purpose. They’re where they feel “a sense of connection, meaning and purpose. They’re surrounded by people who share the same beliefs they do, people who surrounded by people who share the same beliefs they do, people who call them when they don’t attend worship, visit them when they’re in the call them when they don’t attend worship, visit them when they’re in the hospital, and even bake them cookies and casseroles when they return hospital, and even bake them cookies and casseroles when they return home”home”

You don’t have to flock to church to gain these physical, social andYou don’t have to flock to church to gain these physical, social and

psychological benefits. Meditating, exercising, having a positive attitude,psychological benefits. Meditating, exercising, having a positive attitude,

taking care of yourself and having friends can be your secular version oftaking care of yourself and having friends can be your secular version of

faith. faith.

Source: “How to Unleash the Miracle Healer Within” Prevention Magazine (Rodale In., 2000)Source: “How to Unleash the Miracle Healer Within” Prevention Magazine (Rodale In., 2000)

Religion in the Religion in the World TodayWorld Today

Religion and ControversyReligion and Controversy

Violence or Peace?Violence or Peace?

The Divinci CodeThe Divinci Code Plot OutlinePlot Outline:: A murder inside the Louvre A murder inside the Louvre

and clues in Da Vinci paintings lead to theand clues in Da Vinci paintings lead to thediscovery of a religious mystery protected by discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years –whicha secret society for two thousand years –whichcould shake the foundations of Christianity could shake the foundations of Christianity

Key Questions:Key Questions: Did Jesus have a secret marriage with Mary Magdalene? Did Jesus have a secret marriage with Mary Magdalene? Did Mary bear a child with Mary Magdalene?Did Mary bear a child with Mary Magdalene? Was Jesus' divinity invented by ConstantineWas Jesus' divinity invented by Constantine

and the church? and the church? Were the original records of Jesus destroyed? Were the original records of Jesus destroyed? Is there a real bloodline of Christ today? Is there a real bloodline of Christ today?

“THE LAST SUPPER”~by Leonardo Divinci

• it is Mary Magdalene, not the apostle John at the right hand of Jesus

•Mary was in fact the wife of Jesus Christ and pregnant with his child at the crucifixion

• the absence of chalice (cup) in the painting shows that Divinci (a member of the Priory of Sion) was depicting Mary Magdalene as actual “Holy Grail” (the bearer of Jesus' blood)

•letter "V" that is created with the bodily positions of Jesus and Mary, as "V" is the symbol for the sacred feminine.

•color scheme of their garments are exactly inverted, symbolizing two bonded halves of marriage.•the Old French expression for Holy Grail, ‘San greal’ or ‘San real’ literally means “royal blood” in Old French

“THE DIVINCICODE” CLAIMS THAT:

Muhammad CartoonsMuhammad Cartoons 12 editorial cartoons, most of which 12 editorial cartoons, most of which

depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad, depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were published in the Danish newspaper were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on September 30, 2005 on September 30, 2005

Freedom of speech vs. Religious right?Freedom of speech vs. Religious right?

Controversy in the Controversy in the Historical Dating SystemHistorical Dating System

How should dates be identified in historyHow should dates be identified in history ? ?

BCBC = Before Christ = Before Christ ADAD = Anno Domini (Latin “in the Year of the Lord”) = Anno Domini (Latin “in the Year of the Lord”) BCEBCE = Before Common Era = Before Common Era CECE = Common Era = Common Era

CE and AD have the same and value: 2004 CE = AD 2004 CE and AD have the same and value: 2004 CE = AD 2004 BCE and CE is expected to eventually replace BC and ADBCE and CE is expected to eventually replace BC and AD

Some feel that AD and BC have been in use for Some feel that AD and BC have been in use for centuries and that this tradition should be respectedcenturies and that this tradition should be respected

Others see the switch to CE and BCE as just one more Others see the switch to CE and BCE as just one more example of secularism and non-Christian religions example of secularism and non-Christian religions being given precedence over Christianity.being given precedence over Christianity.

More Questions…More Questions… If we are going to switch to BCE and CE, should we not be If we are going to switch to BCE and CE, should we not be

consistent and remove references to Pagan Gods and consistent and remove references to Pagan Gods and astronomical bodies from the names of the day of the week (astronomical bodies from the names of the day of the week (Moon Moon day, Tiw's day, Woden's day, Thor's day, Frig's Day, Saturn's day, day, Tiw's day, Woden's day, Thor's day, Frig's Day, Saturn's day, Sun daySun day)?)?

It would also be consistent to modify the names of the months, It would also be consistent to modify the names of the months, many of which are based on ancient Roman Paganism: many of which are based on ancient Roman Paganism:

--JanusJanus, a two-headed Roman God, a two-headed Roman God--FebruaFebrua, a Roman Pagan festival , a Roman Pagan festival --MarsMars a Roman God of war and fertility a Roman God of war and fertility --AprilisAprilis, the Roman Goddess of love , the Roman Goddess of love --MaiaMaia, the Roman Goddess of the springtime , the Roman Goddess of the springtime --JunoJuno, the Roman Great Mother Goddess , the Roman Great Mother Goddess --Julius CaesarJulius Caesar, a Roman dictator , a Roman dictator --Augustus CaesarAugustus Caesar, a Roman emperor, a Roman emperor--SeptemberSeptember to to DecemberDecember are based on the Roman numbers seven to are based on the Roman numbers seven to ten.ten.

Swastika: A Symbol of Swastika: A Symbol of Good or Evil?Good or Evil?

•In 1920, Adolf Hitler decided that the Nazi Party needed its own insignia and flag and chose the swastika to represent the mission of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man•Because of the Nazis' flag, the swastika soon became a symbol of hate, anti-Semitism, violence, death, and murder.

• the swastika is an ancient Indian symbol (Sanskrit) that is over 3,000 years old meaning well being, life and good luck, prosperity• the swastika is sacred religious symbol for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists •Common symbol in ancient civilizations (Mesopotamia, India, China, Central and South America (Maya)

“…I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have…”

~Michelangelo's last spoken words

Religion and Pop CultureReligion and Pop Culture

Grape JuiceGrape Juice

I prefer white wine to redI prefer white wine to redBecause the red goes to my head;Because the red goes to my head;I know others who prefer whiteI know others who prefer whiteBecause it brings them much delight,Because it brings them much delight,Yet some would care more for redYet some would care more for redDrinking alone or with bread.Drinking alone or with bread.Bouquet or taste, one may inspireBouquet or taste, one may inspireColour and strength, sets one afire;Colour and strength, sets one afire;Each person cares for one kind of wineEach person cares for one kind of wineYours may be red, and white mine,Yours may be red, and white mine,Yet every wine is just grape juiceYet every wine is just grape juiceFermented, aged, wine shall produce.Fermented, aged, wine shall produce.

Each person, like their taste in wineEach person, like their taste in wineWill bow to their own god divine;Will bow to their own god divine;Father and Son, the Holy GhostFather and Son, the Holy GhostSome consider divine utmost,Some consider divine utmost,Jehovah, Allah, even ShivaJehovah, Allah, even ShivaLord Krishna, Ahura Mazda.Lord Krishna, Ahura Mazda.

No matter which prophet we professNo matter which prophet we professMohammed, Moses, or Christ JesusMohammed, Moses, or Christ Jesus

Abraham, Isaac, Adam, NoahAbraham, Isaac, Adam, NoahZarathushtra or Gautama Buddha;Zarathushtra or Gautama Buddha;

Which holy books, Bible or GitaWhich holy books, Bible or GitaKoran, Torah, Veda, Avesta,Koran, Torah, Veda, Avesta,

They preach the same, same is their sourceThey preach the same, same is their sourceThough we may like a single courseThough we may like a single course

We may call God by any nameWe may call God by any nameSame power of same divine fame.Same power of same divine fame.All of them aspects of the divineAll of them aspects of the divine

No-one can say yours better than mineNo-one can say yours better than mineFor we all know that down the lineFor we all know that down the line

Same grape juice produces many a wine.Same grape juice produces many a wine. © Shahriar Shahriari© Shahriar Shahriari

Vancouver, CanadaVancouver, CanadaJune 17, 1997June 17, 1997

John Lennon’s: “Imagine”John Lennon’s: “Imagine”

Imagine there's no Heaven Imagine there's no Heaven It's easy if you try It's easy if you try No hell below us No hell below us

Above us only sky Above us only sky Imagine all the people Imagine all the people

Living for today Living for today

Imagine there's no countries Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too And no religion too

Imagine all the people Imagine all the people Living life in peace Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one And the world will be as one

U2: “And I Still Haven’t Found What I am Looking For”U2: “And I Still Haven’t Found What I am Looking For”

…I have spoke with you tongue of angels…I have spoke with you tongue of angelsI have held the hand of a devilI have held the hand of a devil

It was warm in the nightIt was warm in the nightI was cold as stone…I was cold as stone…

I believe in the kingdom comeI believe in the kingdom comeThen all the colours will bleed into oneThen all the colours will bleed into one

Bleed into oneBleed into oneWell, yes I’m still runningWell, yes I’m still running

You broke the bondsYou broke the bondsLoosed the chainsLoosed the chainsCarried the crossCarried the cross

Of my shameOf my shameOf my shameOf my shame

You know I believed itYou know I believed it

But I still haven’t found what I’m looking forBut I still haven’t found what I’m looking forBut I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…

Religious “Ads”Religious “Ads”

Has your opinion Has your opinion changed?changed? Terrorism / Martyrdom / Terrorism / Martyrdom /

Suicide BombersSuicide Bombers Holy WarsHoly Wars Religious wars / conflictsReligious wars / conflicts Israel and Palestine: Holy Israel and Palestine: Holy

LandLand Religious Rights vs. Religious Rights vs.

Freedom of Speech / Freedom of Speech / ExpressionExpression

Separate School BoardsSeparate School Boards Religious SchoolsReligious Schools Anti Semitism todayAnti Semitism today

Class ActivityClass Activity Read Ben Stein’s “Commentary”Read Ben Stein’s “Commentary”

BibliographyBibliography

Armstrong, Karen, John Bowker, and Armstrong, Karen, John Bowker, and David Boulton. "In the Name of God: The David Boulton. "In the Name of God: The Uses and Abuses of Religion." Uses and Abuses of Religion." New New InternationalistInternationalist Aug. 2004. Rpt. in . Vol. Aug. 2004. Rpt. in . Vol. 370.; p: 18-27. 370.; p: 18-27.

Interesting Links:Interesting Links: http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~jporter/pop-cultu

re.html