Within religion there emerged strong concern and emphasis on the process of renewal and Christian reformation. The Christians of the 13th and 14th century saw the need of approaching such kind of renewal and reformation through reassertion of spiritual priorities, which helped in bringing new life and energy to the societies like that of Cistercians.
The religious concerns of the Christians also penetrated the political arena within Europe where clear interpretation of society’s laws, rules and regulations were required. There was dire need for interpretation between spiritual and secular authority since the society demanded to know how to differentiate what belonged to Caesar and that which was God’s (Thompson 1993, 10-84).
Comparison of the texts
The nature of argument presented in these texts could be likened to the design nature of overall societal rules, especially those used in various sectors concerned with issues on justice. Every sector functioned in accordance to the nature of its design and each function within certain limits.
This presented good example to religious leaders who were required to undergo education and learnt the art of spiritual and political application of laws for the purposes of creating harmony within the society. The process could also be learnt from nature which harmoniously combined beauty and composition of form to produce peculiar objects (De Voragine 1998, 12-382).
The law became one of the stumbling blocks to reformation since it acted as one of the instruments of kingship within the Roman Empire. The compilation of the Roman Legal sources known as the Corpus Luris Civilis, restored back full heritage of Roman law within Western Europe, introducing Europeans to a much more legal system than before. The church was placed at a much less subordinate position within the society with its own powers and disciplinary measures exercised over the clergy as well as the laity (Thompson 1993, 10-84).
The Roman-derived materials, which were used in controlling the society had expired, hence could not rhyme with the major changes which had taken place within church structures and needs. At the same time intellectual elites from the modern western world took advantage and hence thrived on controversy and actions they took against authoritative bodies, and this met praises from the majority instead of criticism.
There was indeed no sign of respect to the authority of any kind. This was contrary to the medieval scholars, who had respect for institutions and individuals, they were confident of their own source of power, community heritage, holiness and spiritual inclination. The state of uniformity and authoritative nature of Gratian’s work attracted the attention of the church who demanded reediting of the Decretum for the purposes of dealing with the corruption (Thompson 1993, 10-84).
Due to such experiences people were advised to devote their culture to reading from authors that had written materials in Line with society’s moral inclination. The nature of impression left by both secular and religious writers, through their writings was of prime importance since it contributed towards their general character.
Morals taught through religion should have been taken seriously by all within the society (De Voragine 1998, 12-382). A good example was the lifestyle of St. Francis of Asisi who was a great paradoxical figure. He is depicted as a man who vowed not to defile himself and others despite his lustful desires. He was an artist who gave his life to the love of pleasures of the natural world contrary to the belief of many but at the same time chose lifestyle the most austere poverty.
He stripped himself naked in the public square for the purposes of demonstrating his renunciation of worldly pleasures and goods. Francis tried to bring an end to the Crusades through talking to the Saracens, and at the same time prayed together with the king concerning animals and abandoned pagans. He also generated some inspiration in the field of poetry and art (De Voragine 1998, 12-382).
Medieval Christians analyzed the importance of education and discovered its percentage contribution towards noble character. They discovered that every creature of noble character rules the territory it dwells; this is because nobility out-stands other qualities of life. God created each individual with unique qualities irrespective of the environment one dwells. They believed that nobility therefore provides good foundation for wisdom and riches, alongside justified authority.
Extraordinary character always attract serious rebellion hence requires modest approach, which with the help of acquired knowledge acts as the most outstanding reinforcement against ignoble character influence (Thompson 1993, 10-84). The teaching on contemptuous issues was ignored amongst Christians and other people within the society. This had since led to the emergence of both true and false believers leading to denial of basic human principles, hence widespread denial of equality within human circles.
Conclusion
Within the literatures discussed it was depicted that humanistic behaviors is what led to creation of awareness that human dependence upon God and nature is no longer necessary. The argument has been reinforced by the existence of professionals from various fields which considered human reasoning sovereign to God’s.
However, the society was basically characterized by dominance of what was considered superior over inferior. The culture of dominance brought about inequality, social, spiritual injustice and poverty within every aspect. Despite all these, life was considered amongst the people within the society as intrinsically sacred, meaning that within the web of life where people live, every creation has got its own level of intrinsic beauty and value.
Reference List
De Voragine, Jacobus. 1998. The Golden Legend. 12-382. Great Britain: Penguin Books Publishers
Thompson, Augustine.1993.Treatise on Laws with the Ordinary Gloss.10-84. California: San Franscisco
In the time of the pandemic, religion has become an important pillar of connection and resilience for many. One’s faith, and the church, acts as an agent of connection, providing access to like-minded people, and strategies helping individuals feel safer in their day-to-day lives. In addition, one’s belief in god acts as an additional support for maintaining a belief that the pandemic will end, and that people will be able to return to their normal lives. In this context, it is interesting to consider how different denominations of the faith are able to cope with the pandemic, and how it shapes their rhetoric in the present day. Each faith has its own set of nuances that determine the way they approach the subject. From how the pandemic is framed in the eyes of the believers to the proper methods of religious organization – most aspects of social interaction throughout the pandemic have been redefined and re-created in record time. For the purposes of this work, the Judaism and Christianity framework will be considered in relation to the pandemic.
Christianity
Christianity, as the biggest and most prominent religion not only in the US, but worldwide, has faced considerable difficulty adapting to the pandemic. Depending on the location of one’s congregation, answers to the most pressing questions of the time would vary considerably, leading to a difference of outcome. Some churches struggled to embrace changes brought by the virus, maintaining a strong focus on interpersonal relationship and the need to gather in-person. Others, however, were able to recognize the danger that comes with ignoring precautions (James, 2020). Throughout the duration of the pandemic, however, more people grew to realize the importance of quarantining and discouraging in-person religious gatherings. This has come in large part due to the evolution of science regarding the virus, as well as the first-hand evidence presented to many pastors and their congregations regarding the dangers of the virus.
Alternatively, it is also important to consider what coronavirus represented in the eyes of Christians throughout the pandemic. Much like beliefs about best practices, views on the origin and positioning of the pandemic within society were mixed. Some pastors believed that COVID-19 was a test from God, and chose to spread that belief to the congregation (Schilling et al., 2020). Others chose to blame China, or other prominent moral panics, such as the existence of trans people. All of these perspectives were ultimately unproven and harmful, scapegoating communities and individuals that cannot be held responsible for a global health crisis. In the face of such misinformation, most Christian sources of today seek to encourage resilience, critical thought and togetherness, instead of finding a target to blame.
Judaism
In a way, Judaism has found its second awakening in the pandemic. The Jews have historically faced many hardships and challenges, all of which were conquered through a shared sense of camaraderie and a strong connection to faith, and culture. The pandemic is no exception – as the virus looms over communities, rabbis and their followers continue working on supporting each other and re-discovering their faith in the times of hardship. Unlike Christianity, the transition of Judaism to the digital landscape has proceeded much more smoothly, quickly integrating online video conferencing technology into their church service. This has lead to an explosion in attendance, and helped Judaism maintain its role as a guide for individuals in times of hardship. According to discussion by Jeffrey K. Salkin, the transition to a virtual landscape is not a compromise, but instead a step forward (Salkin, 2020). It is a new phase in the development and growth of Judaism, one that showcases the rich history of the faith and demonstrates their ability to conquer hardship.
In addition, religious Jews have found solidarity in empathisizing with the scapegoats of the pandemic, instead of condemning them. In the wake of Trump’s baseless lambasting of China, rabbis encourage their followers to stand with the Chinese and recognize that they are being baselessly slandered by fearful and ignorant people. Believers of Judaism understand the pain of stigmatization and discrimination more than a lot of other groups, enabling them to stand together with marginalized community in a show of empathy (Asa-el, 2020). Similarly, Judaism rejects the notion of the COVID-19 pandemic as divine punishment or a trial, instead choosing to portray it from a down-to-earth perspective. It is considered unhelpful and baseless to assume that the virus hailed from any particular group of people, the action of humankind, or divine powers. Therefore, Judaism considers the virus as nothing more than a virus, a threat to the health and wellbeing of the population.
Conclusion
In the concluding paragraph, I would like to voice my own perspective on the approaches taken by the two faiths. This will be done in an attempt to determine which solutions are more effective, helpful and non-harmful to society. Personally, I consider Judaism to be more grounded in reality and kind, compared to Christianity. Many Christian pastors chose to incite panic and resentment over “the other” in the time of the pandemic, instead of making it an opportunity to bring their followers together. In addition, they were unable to universally adapt to the changing circumstances. Judaism, on the other hand, managed to stand as a pillar of its communities and offer support to the victims of the pandemic at the same time.
The issue of the origin and spread of Christianity in Europe is controversial. It usually focuses on the relative significance of two different views. Some historians claim that the conventional Christian view emphasizes the role of Jesus and his followers and overlooks the essential historical context in which Christianity arose (Cox and Thompson 44). Others argue that the perspective does not account for the spiritual importance of Jesus and his teachings and undermines faith’s role in spreading the religion throughout the continent (Cox and Thompson 44). Eventually, the discussion surrounding the origin will likely continue for many years as new proof and views emerge.
The first side, supporters of the traditional Christian view, state that Christianity originated in the European continent through the religion’s spread by Jesus Christ and his followers. Based on this view, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, and conducted his ministry in the region of Galilee, which is in present-day Israel. After his death and resurrection, the followers spread the message worldwide, including in Europe. From a historical perspective, Christianity’s origin in Europe is viewed as a more complex and gradual process.
Based on this notion, religion was not introduced to the continent until after the death of Jesus and the apostles (Cox and Thompson 45). Rather, it was spread by missionaries, who traveled throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, converting individuals to the new faith. This took many centuries and was marked by significant cultural and political changes, including the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity in the 4th century CE (Cox and Thompson 46). The above information can be collected by interviewing several people in theology and conducting document analysis.
Reflection
The communicative goal for my data visualization was to inform the audience about historical and geographic patterns of Christian expansion and growth worldwide. This includes information such as the regions where the religion originated and spread from, a timeline of significant events and milestones in Christian history, and the current distribution of Christians worldwide (Olsen 275). The ultimate goal is to educate people on Christianity’s historical and modern spread and offer insights into the factors that have influenced its growth and decline over time.
I selected my topic randomly and used unstructured interviews with five European history teachers and document analysis for the research. When creating the graphic, there are numerous design principles to have in mind to guarantee that the visual is engaging, effective, and easy to comprehend. For instance, the graphic must be easy to read and understand, with a clear hierarchy of information that guides the viewer’s eye. Avoid clutter and unnecessary details that could distract from the main message. In case it is cluttered and hard to read, the audience may quickly lose interest and miss the intended message. By maintaining clarity and simplicity, the visual is more likely to communicate the data it conveys effectively.
The second design principle uses a consistent color scheme and style throughout the visual to establish a cohesive experience and typography. This aids in creating brand identity and reinforcing the message of the graphic. When a visual utilizes a consistent color scheme, typography, and style, it creates a sense of coherence and unity.
The third design principle is a visual hierarchy, which prioritizes information and guides the viewer’s eye through the graphic. This can be accomplished by utilizing size, spacing, color, and font-weight. While there are many essential design principles to have in mind when creating graphics, some may be less relevant or unnecessary, depending on the context. An example is ornamentation, where in some instances, adding decorative elements to a visual can be distracting. Whereas the design can be appealing, it may not always be relevant to the graphic’s message. Another is minimalism, where even though it can be effective for creating simple and uncluttered designs, it may not always be the best strategy for all types of graphics. Sometimes, a more complex or detailed design may be more appropriate.
The first proposal of Spener needed more today is the appeal for the Christian faith to be expressed in authentic practice. Today, the Christian faith has overlooked the perceived need to convert the lost in society. For example, it is easier to assume that most people in the Church today—if not all—are sincere Christians. Naturally, as the Church’s flame grows dim, one begins to show interest in other things. Therefore, Christians, today do not understand the difference between following rules and practicing authentic Christianity.
Discussion
Spener’s appeal for authentic Christian faith practice targeted not only the believers but also those with influence on Church. The Church and the state were so intertwined that the state controlled the Church, and the Church’s ministers became state authorities (Noll, 1997). Still, state influence persists with many rulers as members of the Church only in the ordinary sense, yet they hold rules for church discipline firmly in their grasp. Not surprisingly, state meddling in the affairs of the affair of Church has led to superficial involvement in the Church. Spener’s reform appeal for Christian faith to be expressed in authentic practice is necessary today to curb the growth of nominal Christianity.
The second appeal is the call for a renewal of the spiritual priesthood or priesthood for all. Spener urged all Christians to be active in the work of the Christian ministry based on Luther’s teachings (Noll, 1997, p. 224). Smaller gatherings in the local Church are especially required today to enable the return of the interactive koinonia style. The interactive style enabled the laity to understand the Bible and use it, but the practice has begun to fade away in today’s Church. Without consistent study, it is impossible to have a saving, informative knowledge of the Bible.
In modern church life, the clergy and the laity are strictly segregated, which can be demotivating for the laity. The distinction has been maintained as tightly as ever amidst reemerging class distinctions evident during Spener’s time. Perhaps, the class difference reflects the profoundly ambiguous feelings people of different faith have about wildly wealthy preachers and the “prosperity gospel” (Johnson, 2018). A lack of proper understanding of the Bible and guidance has obscured Spener’s appeal for the priesthood for all.
Conclusion
Notably, the emergence of charismatic preachers in the evangelical tradition, who equate Christian faith with material, and particularly financial success, has been condemned by others. The “prosperity gospel” is currently the theological tradition most open to criticism, indicating that public confidence in the clergy and Christianity is declining.
Noll, M. (1997). The new piety: The conversion of the Wesleys (1738). In M. Noll, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (pp. 223-226). Leicester: Baker Books.
Judaism is generally a way of life of the Jewish people. The Hebrew Bible explains that there is a relationship between God and the children of Israel. It goes in record as the first religion to embrace monotheism, that is, the belief that there is only one God.
The religion has been in existence for thousands of years, with much emphasis of the one God. The religion has simplicity in it as it is made up such beliefs as a long tradition and issues of God, inverse as well as humanity. Torah is the name given to their Bible and studying it is considered as a means of experiencing God.
The temple mount in Jerusalem is located in the center of Jerusalem. Based on the natural rock, the temple faces El Kas. The location also had an Aqueduct; it would be therefore safe to conclude that the temple and the gates were at the southern wall of the eastern wall (Shekerka, 2008). The holy of holies rested on the dome of the rock. The place of worship smelled incense as it was burned during commemoration of various ceremonies.
Judaism has various holidays that it celebrates as part of their tradition. Rosh Hashanah is one of the holidays, which is a celebration of New Year to Jewish people. Yom Kippur is also an important day that is used to bring to an end to the days of repentance. It is also considered the most sacred day.
As a religion, Judaism has shaped my life to such a way that I am now aware that there is need for me to do good since it will define whether I will enjoy eternal happiness or eternal suffering. My morals have in turn been improved to such a level that they are defined by the torah teachings of the Jews. However, it is notable that there are challenges that come with practicing this religion.
For one, the laws that are defined by the scriptures are hard to follow like the Ten Commandments where sinning can be said to occur if someone visualizes some things in mind. Bar mitzvahs, according to Judaism is the age where young children are considered as adults. It occurs usually as a ceremony when the boys are at age 13, while girls are 12 years of age.
The importance of this ceremony is to ensure that both boys and girls respect the traditions and religious believes that Judaism preaches about. In Judaism, Rabbi are considered as spiritual leaders. However, they do not have any special status and according to Judaism, they are obligated to marry and even have children. As Torah describes, they are supposed to “be fruitful and multiply”. It is further notable that Rabbi does not have to vow to celibacy.
As earlier noted, the fact that he has no special spiritual religious status means that regardless of what people may think, he has the freedom to choose whatever he desires (Athans, 2010). The Passover is also another important ceremony celebrated by the Jews. It is a remembrance ceremony of how Moses rescued the Israelites from captivity in Egypt. The Jews worship one God whom they believe in, and who desires them to have a personal relationship with each and every Jew.
Christianity and Judaism relate in so many ways. To start with, these two religions believe in one God; the God who is described by the two religions has similar characteristics. To start with, God is descried to be omnipresent. The meaning of this is that God is everywhere among the dwelling of humans.
At every point to these two regions, God is also brought about as an eternal and infinite God who has reign and will reign for ever and ever. Other characteristic of God given by these two regions are all time loving, Holy, and just. The two religions also share the Old Testament as the guide book towards what God intends them to do in their lives.
To these two religions, the Old Testament is an authoritative script that makes them keep in line with what God intends them to do. It is believed among the two religions that God was involved in the writing of the Old Testament and the intentions of how mankind should live are included here. However, it is also notable that Christianity incorporates the New Testament as an added Guide book to the Old Testament.
Notably, the two religions also have a belief of existence both heaven and hell. The righteous people who follow the teachings of God are deemed to have an eternal life in heaven, while those people who do not live according to what God demands of them are intended to live in hell.
The description of heaven in both religions is similar as it is brought out as a place where there will be no suffering and only happiness will be experienced for the rest of their lives. The hell also has the same description. To both religions, hell is a place for the non righteous people who do not follow God’s commands and they are deemed to suffer for the rest of their lives.
The two religions believe also that being assigned to go to these two places, that is hell or heaven, will come about due to the judgment that God will have on each and every person according to the way people live their lives in the world (Neusner, 2002). The two religions also have the same definition of sin and faith. To them, these two are spiritual in nature. Both sin and faith are said to come from the heart of the person who believes in these two religions.
The similarities also extend when it comes to the relationship between God and man. Unlike the other religions that exist in the world today, these two are the only ones that believe that the faith that one has towards God is like a covenant.
Actually in both of them, such relationship is brought out to be similar to a marriage covenant where failure not to follow what God says is considered as infidelity. The two religions therefore believe that there be faith among the members, and that faith is brought out as the opposite of sin.
In the two religions, there is description of prophets who were sent by God to deliver his message to the people (Hollerich, 2003). The prophets are brought out as very powerful people who the people of God should listen to as they carry important information about God. The prophets are brought out as great beings that could at times perform miracles in helping God’s people.
Though there are so many similarities between these two religions, they also have some differences. It is also notable that most of the differences between the two regions are based from the fact that Christianity incorporates the New Testament as part of the holy scriptures of God. Judaism believes of a wrongdoer being punished according to the act one does. The meaning of this is that when one does a wrong thing, he or she is subject to some punishment that suits the crime one does.
However, when it comes to Christianity there his forgiveness that is brought out where one is expected to forgive others as God extends the same to him or her. Another difference that comes up when it comes to the two religions is the issue of taboo on drinks and food eaten. Judaism believes that consumption of some specific foods or beverages renders one to be unclean in front of God. Consumption of kosher foods for example for Judaism means that they become unclean (Kreeft, 1987).
To Christians, such does not exist as they believe they are no longer bided by the Law of Moses, which states that. However, it is notable that some Christian’s denominations like the Jehovah Witness still adherer to these believes by making sure that they do not get to eat blood products, and even do not allow blood transfusion among their believers.
Abortion is also another difference that exists among the two religions. Judaism believes a lesser punishment for people who kill fetus when they are at a younger age as compared to killing a person when he or she is of age. The reasoning of their argument is backed by the fact that fetus is not fully developed and killing a fetus is not considered murder.
When it comes to Christianity, the case is different as killing a fetus at any age to them is murder. To them a person is formed immediately after conception. It is therefore irreverent to them to consider the age of the fetus to determine whether one has killed or not. When it comes to aborting, Judaism supports the abortion that doctors may think it is necessary, especially if the life of the mother is on the line.
To Judaism believers, abortion would also be done for family planning or convenience so long as the Rabbi and the mother who is carrying the pregnancy agree on it. The same sentiments are however, not shared by Christians. Christians seem to stick to the fact that abortion is murder, which should not be practiced in Christian teachings. Some Christian domination especially the Catholics believe that abortion should not be practiced at whatever reason there may be (Donfried, 1998).
They stand with the policy that human life needs to be protected and respected. On the other hand, the Protestants, another denomination of Christianity usually say that the same is wrong as the Ten Commandments prohibit it. Though both the two religions believe in the existence of one God, Christianity has a description of God existing as a trinity. Christianity believes on God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit.
There is also believe that God existed among us in a human form through Jesus Christ, who was born in Jerusalem. However, it is notable that some Christian sects sometimes question this doctrine of God existing in three forms. On the other hand, such believes are not welcome among the Judaism believers, as they believe that God is one entity.
Believing in sin also differs among the two religions. To Judaism believers, the original sin that was committed by Adam and Eve does not make us sinners. They believe that each and every one of us was born with a free will of doing what one wants, right or wrong and nobody should suffer because of someone else wrongs. They therefore do not believe that they bear the sin that Adam and Eve committed at the Garden of Eden. Christians believe that the sin that Adam committed in the beginning still acts on us as we are all descendants of them.
Due to existence of this sin, Christians therefore believe it is important to repent this sin as we are born as sinners. The need of having salvation for Christians is backed by his revelation. The issue of salvation is also another difference that exists between the two religions. The fact that Christians believe there is need to have salvation in their lives as it is the only way they can live according to the teachings of God (Davidmann, 2006).
To Christians, every one is a sinner and they believe that one needs to believe through God’s mercy and not the good deeds one does in his or her time in God’s world. To Judaism believers, living according to God’s believe is what will take for God to consider them holy. They mostly highlight on the good deeds that one does so that one can be right with God.
The greatest distinction between Judaism and Christianity has to do with the issue of Jesus Christ. To Christians, Jesus Christ is the messiah that the Old Testament talks about who would come to save the world. Christianity believes the messiah was a son of God in a human form.
It is basically a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies of a person who would save the whole world from the sins they committed. Judaism however, do not share the same sentiments as they believe that Jesus Christ was like any other prophet that existed in the world and that there was no way that he could have been God.
The believe about Jesus dying on the cross for humanity sins and resurrection is not also shared by Judaism believers as they tend to believe that there was no necessity of someone dying for their sins. It is also worth noting that the description of the messiah that is given in the Old Testament in a way fit Jesus Christ as even some Jews like Paul changed their beliefs when they met into contact with the vision of this messiah.
Christianity found its basis from Judaism. Christianity and Judaism share many beliefs. However, it is notable that the biggest distinction between these two religions is when the story of messiah is brought into context. Judaism do not believe that Jesus was the messiah that was described in the scriptures as they see Jesus Christ as any other prophet that existed in the world.
The Old Testament is shared by these two regions but Christianity includes the New Testament, which included the life and times of Jesus Christ. Most of the differences that these two religions have are actually due to the presence of the New Testament, which Christians consider it as betterment of the Old Testament. It is therefore evident that most of the Old Testament scriptures are agreed upon by these two religions.
References
Athans, M, C. (2010). Courtesy, Confrontation, Cooperation: Jewish-Christian/Catholic Relations in the United States: New York. Cengage publishers.
Visualizing the chronological aspect of the data on “The Spread of Christianity in Europe” was conducted based on several communicative goals. First, it is supposed to help viewers understand the historical context of the religion’s evolution and spread on the continent over time. Second, it was meant to help in further research on identifying key events and periods, show changes in popularity, map the spread of Christianity, highlight regional differences, and illustrate the impact of historical events. Overall, this type of visualization can help viewers comprehend the complex history of Christianity in Europe and gain a deeper appreciation for how religion has evolved and impacted the continent over time.
Discussion
During this data visualization I intentionally implemented a number of design principles. I was mostly guided by the ideas that focus on clear communication and a simple design to make the data easy to understand while providing context and using color to enhance comprehension. I believe that these strategies used when creating the map were important because they allowed showing the spread of Christianity over Europe in a clear manner. As for the principle of simplicity, I think that it contributed to ensuring accessibility to all viewers. By implementing these design principles, the data visualization for the given project can effectively communicate historical trends and patterns related to the topic.
The design principles analyzed above are also necessary because they help ensure that the intended message is conveyed effectively to the viewer. For instance, if I used a large number of other data visualization techniques, certain risks could arise. These could include an abundance of elements on the slide that make it difficult for the viewer to analyze specific information and gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue in question.
Using color to enhance comprehension of the data is important, as it can help viewers quickly identify trends or patterns and differentiate between different regions or periods. For example, in my project, colors helped to show the borders of different areas and territories on the map. Overall, these design principles help to ensure that the visualization is clear, concise and effectively communicates the intended message about the spread of Christianity in Europe over time.
While all of the design principles discussed can be important for creating an effective data visualization, some may be less relevant or applicable to the specific message of the given topic. For example, the principle of using 3D graphics or animations to add visual interest and engagement may not be particularly relevant in this context, as it may distract from the key information being communicated. Similarly, the use of complex statistical modeling or machine learning algorithms may not be necessary in this case, as the information can be visually represented using simple and clear data visualization types.
Conclusion
Another principle that may be less relevant is the use of data sources and analysis tools. While it is crucial to use accurate and reliable data sources, the specific tools applied to analyze the data may be less relevant for this type of visualization, since it would become more challenging for the viewer to analyze the key information on the issue. Therefore, while all design principles can play an important role, some may be more relevant to the specific message of the spread of Christianity in Europe than others. It is necessary to consider the specific goals and message of the visualization when selecting and applying design principles.
The first missionary who came to convert the Japanese to Christianity was Francis Xavier (1506-1552). He was a major political figure, as well as the founder of the order of the Jesuits. In 1549 Xavier and the Japanese Anjiro arrived in the southern city of Kagoshima. Living at Anjiros, Francis baptized him and his family. The number of converts increased when he visited Yamaguchi and Kyoto. For several decades, members of Christ’s Society converted about 300,000 Japanese to their faith.
The history of Christianity in Japan is full of blood and torment. In 1857 Toyotomi Hideyoshi arrested 26 Catholics. These people were executed. The massacre of Christians continued under Tokugawa Ieyasu, who completed the unification of the country and became famous for the killings of the infidels, who were forced to hide. Those who refused to step on the copper plate with the image of the Mother of God were brutally killed. Christianity was banned in Japan for another 250 years, although secret Christian communities continued to exist in the country. Japan remained closed to foreigners – primarily to missionaries.
Chinese Mission
The first known Catholic missionaries who arrived in China were members of the order of the Conventuals. In 1234 they founded the first Catholic mission in Beijing. The work of missionaries begins to bring results, and by the end of the century, there were about 30 thousand Catholics in China. At the same time, the process of Christianization of the indigenous population is complicated and until the second half of the XVI century, it remains very static.
A new impetus in the development of Catholicism in China is associated with the activities of the Society of Jesus. In 1579, the famous Jesuit Alessandro Valignano founded the mission of order in the country. Soon, the Italian Matteo Ricci came there and became the central figure in the development of Chinese Christianity of that era. In 1784, the activities of the Society of Jesus in China were officially banned, which, however, did not prevent it from working on a semi-legal basis.
At the end of the century, the persecution of Catholics intensified, but the heroism of priests and laity, as well as support from the West, helped the Church in China not only to maintain influence but also to continue developing. The fact that the Christian faith was established in China and persistently existed in Japan for many years proves that the missions were not in vain.
The Question
The rapid spread of the faith and the sharp reaction of the Japanese government contrasts with the long and difficult introduction of Christianity but relatively little resistance in China. Does it have to do with the difference in mentality of both countries at that time, or is the opposite reaction to Christianity due to the specific historical situation? The issue is important from a cultural point of view.
God is a Supreme Being who created and sustains existence of universe eternally. Different religions and belief systems have ascribed God with different attributes and names, but what is consistent is the attribute of creation. Although lesser gods exist, God is the one who formed everything in the universe and has become the source of life and human needs.
Through many generations, people have been praying to God so that they could get assurance of their future and obtain daily needs such as peace, food, and vigorous health among others. Since God has many attributes, believers have identified these attributes as gods.
For instance, diverse regions believe that there is a god of peace, a god of health, god the savior, and god of life amongst others names that define God and his abilities. Hence, this essay seeks to define God according to perceptions of Muslims, Christians, Atheists and Rastafarians.
Definition of God
According to Muslims, Allah is a Supreme Being who rules the universe and is the source of everything. Muslims believes that Allah is the creator and sustainer of life in the universe and thus deserves worship as a form of sacrifice that human beings could offer.
According to Quran, Allah is the only God in the universe who has matchless powers, mercy and compassion. Allah externally exists for he has neither origin of birth nor destiny of death.
Since Allah reigns in the universe, Muslims believe that he communicates to his people through his prophets, and Muhammad is a prominent prophet whose messages streamed from Allah. Magnificent attribute of Allah is holiness for Muslims believe that he will come in the future to reward the holy people and punish sinners.
Christians believe in Yahweh, who is a God of patriarchs like Moses, Jacob, Abraham and Isaac amongst others. Christians hold that Yahweh is eternal God who is the creator and sustainer of life in the universe. Given that Yahweh is the source of life and provider of other human needs, Christians worship him so that they may have peace, abundance of life and protection from evil forces that dominate the world.
Christians believe that Yahweh exists as trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which functions together as one. God the father is the creator and sustainer of the universe, God the Son is the savior of humanity, while God the Holy Spirit is a spirit that guides humanity in the universe. The three attributes of Yahweh have formed the basis of Christian teachings that regard Jesus as having equal divine powers as Yahweh, since he is the son.
Atheists believe that God does not exist in the universe. According to atheists, in the beginning there was no deity to create the universe for universe originated from spontaneous actions of nature, which incidentally created the universe. They believe that the existence of the universe is due to mere chance of physical forces that acted on one another and created universe together with all forms of life.
Thus, atheists have ambivalent views regarding diverse gods that different religions worship. Since atheists do not believe in the existence of any form of a deity, they do not worship any specified god. They believe that nature is the source of everything and is under control of physical forces that no one regulates.
Atheists are particularly skeptical of existence of deities for they want empirical evidence that supports the existence of gods and cause of evil. Atheists argue that since gods are neither willing nor able to prevent the occurrence of evil, then they do not deserve to be gods. To atheists, gods must empirically prevent evil for them to exist.
Rastafarians believe that Jah is the creator and sustainer of life and everything that is in the universe. They believe that, Jah is an omnipotent and omniscience God consistent with Christian teachings, but they believe that Emperor Haile Selassie was a black god sent to emancipate the black people from slavery. Rastafarians hold that Jah exists in trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that Jah is a form of spirit that lives among humanity.
They believe Jah incarnated into the earth as Jesus Christ in the first time and then incarnated in the second time as Emperor Haile Selassie. Emperor Haile Selassie is an incarnate God who became king of Ethiopia and defended Africans from external enemies that sought to enslave them. Therefore, Emperor Haile is Jah who came to emancipate black people from slavery, and is a dominant god of the Jamaicans.
Conclusion
Different cultures and religions perceive God differently depending on their beliefs. Although God has different names, he has common attributes across all cultures and religions. The common attributes are creator, provider, savior and sustainer of life in the universe.
Muslims call him Allah, Christians ascribe him as Yahweh, and Rastafarians attribute him as Jah, while atheists dispute the existence of any deity in the universe. Differing names of God have not significantly altered the meaning of worship among many religions for diverse gods deserve certain form of worship. Thus, attributes of God and forms of worship are common among religions and cultures.
Different religions have different symbols, which denote different meanings that might be peculiar to a given religion. For instance, the Catholic Church has the rosary, which is the centre of their prayers. Most Catholics and orthodox churches have sacraments, which the pastors or the priests confer to the congregation.
Each Christian church has its own form of a sacrament, which depend on how the pioneers of the faith interpreted the bible. Conventionally, the pastor, priest, bishop, or pope (incase of Catholicism and Orthodox) who confers the ceremonies to the congregation. The next discussion analyses the sacrament as the major symbol in the Christian religion highlighting the importance of the ceremonies.
Significantly, the sacrament is a crucial religious practice in Christianity especially Catholicism. Depending on the religion sacrament can be in the form of Eucharist, baptism, repentance, confirmation, matrimony, orders, or extreme unction. All participants have to attend religious training on Christian virtues, the bible, and other moral practices in order to receive the sacraments (Gula Para.10). The sacrament of baptism precedes all the other seven.
Therefore, the sacrament is a symbol of cleanliness or purity in Christianity. Baptism is through water whereby Christians believe that they are free from sins immediately after the ceremony. The sacrament of penance/repentance ensures that Christians promote love, peace, and unity in their relationships. The ceremony of sacrament usually takes place in a large congregation.
In most cases, bread, the symbol of the body of Christ grace, the ceremonies. In the contemporary society, the sacraments promote humanity because staunch Christians strictly follow the religious teachings of the sacraments. Depending on the calendar of the church, most Christians believe that, for any of them to succeed or prosper in life, s/he have to respect/practice the sacraments.
Originally, the world had two common religions; Islam and Catholicism but the emergence of protestant churches has led to diverse doctrines about Christianity and more so the sacraments. Although the rate of participation of the ceremony of the sacrament is high, the participants in the protestant churches are less when compared to the catholic. The disparity lies in the perception that most of the catholic sacramental ceremonies are rituals and not based on Jesus Christ or Christian virtues (Reumann Para.4).
Secondly, the attitudes and satisfaction of leadership and subsequent faith in churches also affects the participation in the sacraments. Sometimes most participants especially the youths do so if they have attended Christian based institutions.
On the other hand, criticisms of some sacraments by people have also affected the participation in the ceremonies. For instance, the sacrament of repentance/penance in the Catholic Church has drawn critical views from people. Catholics repent through their priest by reciting the following words “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned” (Gula Para.1).
However, according to Protestants the death of Jesus enabled all Christians to communicate directly to God/Jesus and not through the priests or human beings. In addition, the variation of participation in the sacraments also depends at, which age a person started practicing his/her religion. For example, infants who are born within the religion may either drop or hold on it while new participants are likely to hold on it forever (Menninger 50).
Commonly, the people who uphold the sacraments are elderly people and consistently participate in the other activities of the church. Finally, the bible scriptures, which led to the establishment of the Sacraments, are the basis of Catholic and Orthodox faith. On the contrary, the protestant churches have specialized in the interpretation of the New Testament, which the worshippers strictly uphold.
The sacraments of Christianity determine the personality and moral behavior of either a community or a person. Believers who practice the same sacramental ceremonies promote similar human and moral virtues.
Through sacraments, Christians not only express their faith, but also practice sanctity (Neal 96). For instance, the sacrament of penance calls for repentance and reconciliation among the believers and communities. Therefore, any person who adheres to the doctrines will undoubtedly promote peace, love, and unity in the society. Secondly, the sacraments also promote a sense of belonging among the Christians.
Each religion has a given symbol like attire, practice, or object, which is unique. Salvation is a crucial belief in Christianity; however, in Catholicism, an individual has to practice or celebrate all the sacraments to acquire salvation. Ideally, salvation not only promotes holiness but also purity, personality virtues like self-esteem, patience, and confidence among others. Therefore, sacrament ceremonies instill the virtues of Christianity in both communities and people who practice them.
In summary, Christianity is one of the commonly practiced religions in the world. Protestant and catholic are the common churches in the world. However, although all the churches allude from the bible, the Catholics and Orthodox churches depend solely on the scriptures and Sacraments. The Protestants mainly elaborate the New Testaments relating their interpretation with the contemporary world. The Christians who depend on the sacraments promote their faith through rituals, but this has led to criticisms from the non-believers. The sacramental rituals shape the personality, behavior, and daily practices of the Christians.
Works Cited
Gula, Richard. Understanding Sin Today. Americancatholic. N.D. Web.
Menninger, Karl. Whatever Became Of Sin? New York: Hawthorn Books, 1973.
Neal, Gregory. Grace upon Grace. Texas: Koinonia Press, 2000.
The Christian story of the world creation and the following banishment of Adam and Eve from Heaven must be one of the most famous myths all over the world. Telling people the way in which the world was created, depicting the divine image of God and explaining why the door to the Heaven is closed for the humankind, the given myth offers a plethora of food for thoughts.
Moreover, since it allows to trace the history of the humankind to the day it was created and clarifies that all peoples actually root from the same source, the given legend brings the entire humankind together, allowing people of different nationalities and sets of mind to find a common language.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the famous Biblical myth about Adam and Eve not only helps to see the way in which the mankind and all living beings together with the rock and water appeared, but also to establish the bonds between various nationalities and help the world to reunite, despite the cultural, political and even religious discrepancies.
Rooted Deep in the Myth: The Kindred Spirits
Indeed, on the one hand, people are most likely to become reunited with the help of the myth about the world creation and the fall of Adam and Eve, the first people. Once realizing that there are certain bonds between people, one will feel related more closely to those who surround him/her, which means that the famous Biblical story does have immense impact on people.
Realizing how closely people are interrelated and how deep the roots of thee relationships are, one is most likely to feel friendlier to his/her neighbors, friends and the rest of the people surrounding him/her, which means that the world will be getting closer.
According to what Bartholomew and Goheen (2004) say, the world genesis presupposes not only integrity, but also individuality and close relation to the superior power: “In Genesis 1 and 2 the teaching about the humankind is rich and manifold, unique among the creatures. Which God creates, humankind is personal. God addresses only the man and woman: they enjoy a uniquely personal relationship with God” (p. 43).
Does the Mythology Hinder the Reconciliation?
However, it is still worth noting that the history of the world origin might also create certain barriers for people to reunite. One of the most notorious ones, the issue of different religions, must be the most complicated ones. Even though the Christian myth concerning the world genesis may help to bring the Christians of different confessions together, the people of different religions will still remain detached from each other, separated by the wall between them – the wall of the religious issues.
Considering the issue closer, one should understand that the variety of ways in which the Biblical genesis of the world can be interpreted with allows to make a number of suppositions. Moreover, the given suppositions may contain the contradictory elements which might further on enhance the misunderstanding and contribute to the separation among the Christians.
As Brown (2007) explains, the two ways in which the Genesis can be interpreted already presuppose a number of complexities to deal with: “Thus, re-translating Genesis, Fenton intuitively understood that there are actually two different Creations of man – one closest to God in the Highest Spiritual Realms and the other of man of earth much further down in the material worlds” (p. 209).
Therefore, it must be admitted that the theory of the world genesis appears to be a double-sided sword that ca both contribute to the world reunion and at the same time threat the integrity of the Christians all over the globe.
Learning Where the Humankind Roots from
Despite the discrepancies in the way the humankind interprets the famous myth of the origin of the world and the first people, it is still obvious that with the help of the given legend, one will be able to unite the people over the world. Moreover, with the help of Genesis story, one can even conceive certain elements of the purpose of life.
Since the first people were banished from Heaven and sent to the Erath for committing the sin, it is obvious that one of the key purposes of a Christian is to live a decent life that will bring some fruitful results and repent to be forgiven and enter the realm of Heaven.
Moreover, according to what Newsom and Ringe (1998) claim, the Biblical story of the Genesis not only offers the explanation of why people live and provides the aim for living, but also established the family values and introduces the social roles of women in the society:
Man and woman are parts of a whole, anticipating the genealogical patterning of Genesis. Men and women will unite and have children, the male children leaving to join wives and form new families. The conjugal couple is the foundation of social ad cultural relationships for the writers of Genesis. (p. 16)
Hence, one must admit that Genesis provides an all-embracing explanation of where people come from. Moreover, the Genesis interpretations allow people to see their own aim of living. To top it all, Genesis offers a detailed description of the Lord’s divinity and helps people see God as the Father of all living creatures.
Conclusion: While the World Is Spinning
Judging from the above-mentioned, one should mark that with the help of the myth about the humankind creation, the world is likely to become integral again. The famous myth about the two children of God who began the story of the whole world is bound to allow people to overcome the controversies and obstacles that hinder them from understanding each other, thus, reconciling and reuniting into a single entity.
Therefore, it must be admitted that the myth has played a great part in the process of reinventing people’s perception of the world. Quite naïve and filled with the references to a deeper, more profound ideas, the legend about world creation is more than merely a story. It is essential that the myth not only narrates the history of the world creation, but also offers certain clues to the truths that are kept well concealed from the humankind.
Perhaps, when understanding what is hidden between the lines of the Biblical myth, people will be able to get closer to understanding the concept of Lord’s divinity. However, it cannot be denied that the mankind has a long way to go – and when brought together, people will cover the distance if not faster, then definitely with more ideas to consider.