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Show PAGE9 UNIVERSITY JOURNAL FOCUS OM: RELIGION • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 , 1000 PAGES Healing with Christian Science BY VALERI BUMAN JOURNAL STAFF WRITER prayer the patient's needs are recognized and the divine love of Christ is introduced into the patient's consciousness. The healing comes when ·a transformation or In 1866, Mary Baker Eddy found herself healed of a spiritualization of a patient's thought changes his condition." serious injury after reading about one of Christ's acts of Christian Scientists do not believe in heaven and hell as places of the afterlife but as states of mind in which man healing in the New Testament. This phenomenon brought Eddy to the understanding of traps himself. what she called the · science of Christianity.· They believe, through the teachings of the Bible.man can be saved. They believe this happens through the atonement She continued to study this belief and on many occasions was asked to use her knowledge to of Jesus Christ. heal and teach the Christian Science While Christian Scientists do not practice a baptism through any type of healing method. ,t After curing a woman of pneumonia ceremony, they do participate in baptism i ' using the Science of Christianity, Eddy as a daily purification of thought and was encouraged to write a book to deed . Christian Scientists meet each Sunday share this method with others. In 1875, to study readings from the Bible as well Science and Health with Key to the ~ : ' Scriptures was printed. as from Science and Health with Key tq Eddy's intention for creating this book the Scriptures. . ..-'~ ..I :; . Members are invited to attend a was to guide people to practical testimony meeting every Wednesday, spirituality regardless of their religion or I'. . : i I, culture. where they share experiences of .. spiritual healing and knowledge gained In 1879, Eddy founded the Church of " Chnst, Scientist, also known as through study and prayer. r .-.-1.--:-- ' Chnstian Science. After more than 100 years, the World l, 1 ,:-,-'. Headquarters or Mother Church of the While the teachings of the church are el Pt ,• .. ' . .• ' '~ Church of Christ, Scientist, stands in set forth in Science and Health with Key ,, Boston, Mass., overseeing the growth of to the Scriptures, members rely heavily . on guidance and inspiration from the -- the church. The church is currently made up of Bible. approximately 2,000 branches in more A significant part of the Church of Christ, Scientist, 1s healing through than 60 countries. The Original Mother Church, built in It publishes one of the most respected spiritual means. This comes through 1894, is at the heart of the Christian newspapers in the world, The Christian communion with God. Science Center and remains today as it Science Monitor. It is believed that through scientific was when first built. 3Reltgtons of tbe tuorlb Part one of a two-part f ocus on ,.vorld religions Jll.k1' ~·· ~.r, · l,..: .. r ' f -~ f,, .,;.'·,.: ;--- ·:1~··.~ .Q ,- ·"":' ~ .. . Catllolicism has a rich history Candles lit during the mass ceremony are usually prayed to Mary. The rosary is another way by which members pray to Mary for a remission of their sins. It begins, "pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.· Catholicism is one of the oldest Christian religions, dating back to the life of Jesus Christ. The principles and doctrines Members live according to the Ten Commandments of the taught by Jesus have transcended through the years and still Old Testament, the Gospel message of Jesus Christ and the remain today. laws and moral teachings of the Church and its leaders. Catholics are followers of Jesus. The faith journey with The Catholic Church expects its members to offer Christian Jesus begins at baptism. Baptism is required for membership service within the parish structure as well as within the · and is usually performed on an broader community. Members are expected to be especially responsive infant, although age is not a The Washington National Cathedral located in Wash_ington, 0 . stands as a ref:)resentation of nonto the needs of the poor. restriction of membership later in life. denominational Christianity. The cornerstone was laid by the United States President Theodore The Catholic church r~quires full Catholics believe that when Roosevelt in 1907, and. construction continues. baptized, one becomes · Priests, and active participation in the Prophets and Kings· and as such, eucharistic liturgy on Sundays and holy days. It expects members to are not only called to finish His participate in prayer services, saving on earth, but also to Buddha then gave his discourse to the people participate in His death and celebration of the sacraments, and to BY JASON ERICKSON resurrection. a lesser degree, other parish worship and later died at the age of 80 after eating bad JOURNAL STAFF WRITER Sacraments are a large part of the functions. food. Zen has one single esoteric idea: All humans VVhen Pope John Paul came into Catholic faith. The host and wine are The idea of Zen Buddhism is derived from have a Buddha nature inside them to find. power during the 1970s, he began · partaken as a physical sixth century B.C in what today is known as Zen is basically a means of self-knowledge what Catholics refer to as "Vatican representation of the flesh and blood Nepal. and the way to gain that knowledge is through Two,· a minor modernization of the of Jesus. Born Siddhartha Guatama, Buddha was a more traditional practices. meditation. The church has law&.,goveming the wealthy prince of the Shakya clan. His father One such change has been the The word Zen means meditation, which is the worthy reception of all the kept him from all misery. different method of confession. religious cornerstone of Buddhism. Zen sacraments. Members are expected However, during a few excursions away from Members now receive a forgiveness to try to understand the meaning of the palace he encountered what is known as the believers follow the principles followed by for their sins with a congregational the church's rituals and to develop a four signs: an old man, a sick man, a corpse and Buddha. They try to achieve enlightenment confession rather than the traditional full sacramental life. Classes are through meditation. a monk. Zen believers are usually peaceful people who confessional which was done on an offered to explain the meanings • The first three signs represent humankind's Individual basis. try to live peaceful lives. behind the sacraments. suffering; the fourth represents Siddhartha's All Souls Day is a day on which Followers of the religion make themselves Catholics believe that through destiny. members pray to Saints and loved Jesus, sins are forgiven and Buddha adopted principles he derived from his aware of the things around them. Zen relies on ones who have died. The prayers are strict religious discipline. members enjoy a special relationship signs ana put them into effect. Zen Buddhism Is most popular in Japan where offered to thank them for the work with the Trinity throughout their lives After following the homeless path with the koan takes place. and the life to come. The Trinity Jesus, as God, is co-equal with the creator and they performed on earth and for the teachers and then on his own, he started to eat suffering which they endured. A koan is a question and answer session consists of, God the Father, the Son is a central f,gure of the Roman Catholic faith. under the bodhi tree, vowing to meditate until he between disciple and master which involves Prayers are also offered for the and the Holy Spirit. was convinced he had found a solution to sudden beatings and illogical answers in an souls of the deceased who are bound to purgatory. Only if The virgin Mary is an important figure in Catholicism. Mary suffering. attempt to wake or stimulate the disciple's mind enough prayers are offered in their behalf are they freed to is highly respected and honored as she was the earthly Forty-nine days later it is said he receive~ to make it ready for the finding of the truth heaven. mother of Jesus Christ. She is a spiritual representative of enlightenment as the Buddha and the satori , inside. Jesus and Catholics pray to her requesting she, in tum, pray which is desired by all Zenists. -Additional source: www.catholicism.about.com/religion to Him for them . BY CAMERY LYBBERT OF THE JOURNAL STAFF c.., - Peace through meditation Islam religion: One of the largest and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level The Islam religion is not only one of the largest world . mankind can attain His nearness. religions. it is also one of the least understood by some in Islam's main message is to worship God and to treat all the western civilization. God's creation with kindness and compassion. · The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one's Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are will or losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering clearly stated. Women's rights were one's own pleasure for the pleasure of safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the God. rest of the world was in total darkness The message of Islam was revealed to about emancipation. the Holy Prophet Muhammad 1,400 Islamic teachings encompass every years ago. It was revealed through angel imaginable situation and its rules and Gabriel and was thus preserved in the principles are truly universal and have Holy Quran. stood the test of time. The Holy Quran carries a Divine In Islam, virtue does not connote guarantee of safeguard from forsaking the bounties of nature that are interpolation and it claims that it lawful. On the contrary one is combines the best features of the earlier encouraged to lead a healthy, active life scriptures. with the qualities of kindness, chastity, The prime message of Islam is the honesty, mercy, courage, patience and Unity of God, that the Creator of the politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect world is One and He alone is worthy of and complete code for the guidance of worship and that Muhammad is His individuals and communities alike. Messenger and Servant. As the entire message of Islam is Muslims also believe in: God's angels, derived from the Holy Quran and indeed previously revealed Books of God, all the Sunnah and Hadith it is immutable in the prophets, from Adam to Jesus, the iiiiiiiiiiiiiiililliiilllliilliil• the face of change in time and place. It Day of Judgment and the Decree of ii may appear rigid to the casual eye, in God. Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) actual fact it is most certainly an A Muslim has five primary duties to in Agra, India, was built by a adaptable way of life regardless of human perform, namely; bearing witness to the Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died changes. Unity of God and Muhammad as His 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his Islam teaches that the path to spiritual Messenger. observing the prescribed wife and queen Mumtaz. development is open to all. Any individual prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the who searches the One Creator can seek fasts of Ramadhan and performing the nearness to God through sincere and earnest worship; it is pilgrimage to Mecca. central to establishing a relationship with the Almighty. Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy At present there are 1.5 billion Muslims wo~dwide and Quran tells us that God has given human beings a choice they form the majority in more than 50 countries of the between good and evil and to seek God's pleasure through world. faith, prayer and charity. -All information courtesty of www.islam.com Islam believes that God created mankind in His image Apostles Creed basis of gospe_l Lutherans choose to wear ~ cross to remind them of Jesus Christ and the reason for his death. . Furthermore, Lutherans take Communion, or a Sacrament. Communion is taken during each church For hundreds of years, Christians, including Lutherans, service to remind the congregation of the way Jesus Christ around the world have answered the question, "Who is died and why he died. Jesus?" by repeating one of the churches most ancient It is the consumption of bread, which symbolizes his creeds: the Apostles' Creed. body, and wine or water, which A creed is a passage those of the ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - , symbolizes his blood. Lutheran religion refer to most often. When accepting the Communion. the "The word 'creed' simply means 'I pastor or minister may say "this is my believe,'" said the Rev. Donald R. body/blood shed for all of God's people. Schulz, Pastor of Good Shepherd Do this in the remembrance of me," said Lutheran Church in Richfield, Utah. Robert Tyce, Pastor of St. Matthew's "The Apostles' Creed summarizes, in a Lutheran Church in Taylorsville, Utah. few short statements, what the Bible The Lord's Prayer usually follows. teaches abouf the true God," he added. Nevertheless, before a Lutheran is The Apostles' Creed begins: "I believe able to take Communion, he or she must in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of attend a class the Pastor or Minister heaven and earth.· teaches. According to the Lutheran religion, the The story behind the first Communion, Bible expresses there is only one God, or Last Supper, is taught so students will "the almighty, all-knowing creator of all, understand why he or she will take it. who mercifully provides for the needs of This class is directed mainly to the His creatures,· Schulz said. youth of the church, but allows adults to Along with the Apostles' Creed, Schulz attend also. said Lutheran's also believe the Bible is Children can be first introduced at age the inspired word.of God, He is the 1O; the class is only given once during creator of everything that exists and that their lives. people were originally created by God, Along with Communion, a conformation pure and holy. L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - class is also given. It is reserved for one "They lived according to God's will, -rh :r. · d · t bot night, once a week, for two years. doing what was pleasing to him ," said '. e cruc,,,x ts a pre omman sym L·1ke the Communion class, it is usually the Rev. Richard A. Evans, Minister of of the Lutheran faith. taken by the youth of the congregation. It Grace Lutheran Church in Moab, Utah. enables them to learn of God, Jesus "Adam and Eve, the man and woman Christ and the Bible. that God created, went against God's will and brought sin After the two years, each member is confirmed, making into this world. Since that time, all people have been one an adult in God's eyes and in the church's eyes. conceived and born in sin,· he added. This is also when one becomes a true member of the Besides this, Lutherans also believe God sent his only church. son, Jesus Christ, to die for their sins on the cross. Most BY STACY VENTURA SENIOR STAFF WRITER |