1,720,966 research outputs found
Pummer (Reinhard) The Samaritans
No full textDubois Jean-Daniel. Pummer (Reinhard) The Samaritans. In: Archives de sciences sociales des religions, n°70, 1990. p. 305
Inculturation and ancestor veneration: The case of the Dagaaba Catholics.
No full textThe tension between indigenous African cultures and religions on the one hand, and Christian Churches on the other, is a well known fact that has been addressed by all concerned but still not resolved. From the point of view of the Africans, the history of the Christian missions is filled with misunderstandings and a lack of sensitivity on the part of the Churches. The African Synod of Bishops held in Rome in April 1994, is only the latest example of the problems surrounding the Church's attitude towards African Christians. From a personal experience of the tension between indigenous African cultures and religions, the author analyses the situation of the Dagaaba Catholics as it exists and lays out the tools that can be used to come to a mutually acceptable solution. In the light of the ongoing modifications in the process of evangelization, the thesis explores the interaction between Catholic missionaries and the Dagaaba of Upper West Ghana from the beginning of the Christian mission to today. The area chosen for this study is ancestor veneration as it was and is practised by the Dagaaba. The discussion of the Dagaaba's beliefs and practices related to their ancestors showed, on the other hand, the centrality of the latter in the life of the Dagaaba, and on the other, important similarities with Christian attitudes towards the saints. Both Dagaaba ancestors and Christian saints are community heroes that were "sanctifed" by the group from which they hailed. They are models for the members of the respective communities. The images of the ancestors and saints are meant to establish a lasting memory of the heroes and make them ever-present. Both the Dagaaba sculptures and their ancestors and the statues of Christian saints are placed in locations where they are easily accessible, i.e., either the house or the church. As a result of the analysis the author confidently states that the integration of Dagaaba ancestor veneration with the Christian cult of the saints would be a vital step towards inculturation. If the Church were to allow the ancestors to play the role which in Christianity traditionally is played by the saints, Dagaaba Christians would become fully Christian and at the same time they would not feel that they have to abandon their African roots. The elements that play a vital part here are the naming of children after Dagaaba ancestors rather than European saints to whom the African have no relationship; the saying of prayers that include the ancestors; the celebration of the Eucharist in the consciousness that living and dead form the community of the faithful; and the performing of family rituals that involve past and present members. Together, clergy and lay persons must embark on the road towards inculturation. The process itself must be informed by thorough research into the genuine meaning of the beliefs and practices of Africans in view of the teachings of Christianity
Inculturation and ancestor veneration: The case of the Dagaaba Catholics.
No full textThe tension between indigenous African cultures and religions on the one hand, and Christian Churches on the other, is a well known fact that has been addressed by all concerned but still not resolved. From the point of view of the Africans, the history of the Christian missions is filled with misunderstandings and a lack of sensitivity on the part of the Churches. The African Synod of Bishops held in Rome in April 1994, is only the latest example of the problems surrounding the Church's attitude towards African Christians. From a personal experience of the tension between indigenous African cultures and religions, the author analyses the situation of the Dagaaba Catholics as it exists and lays out the tools that can be used to come to a mutually acceptable solution. In the light of the ongoing modifications in the process of evangelization, the thesis explores the interaction between Catholic missionaries and the Dagaaba of Upper West Ghana from the beginning of the Christian mission to today. The area chosen for this study is ancestor veneration as it was and is practised by the Dagaaba. The discussion of the Dagaaba's beliefs and practices related to their ancestors showed, on the other hand, the centrality of the latter in the life of the Dagaaba, and on the other, important similarities with Christian attitudes towards the saints. Both Dagaaba ancestors and Christian saints are community heroes that were "sanctifed" by the group from which they hailed. They are models for the members of the respective communities. The images of the ancestors and saints are meant to establish a lasting memory of the heroes and make them ever-present. Both the Dagaaba sculptures and their ancestors and the statues of Christian saints are placed in locations where they are easily accessible, i.e., either the house or the church. As a result of the analysis the author confidently states that the integration of Dagaaba ancestor veneration with the Christian cult of the saints would be a vital step towards inculturation. If the Church were to allow the ancestors to play the role which in Christianity traditionally is played by the saints, Dagaaba Christians would become fully Christian and at the same time they would not feel that they have to abandon their African roots. The elements that play a vital part here are the naming of children after Dagaaba ancestors rather than European saints to whom the African have no relationship; the saying of prayers that include the ancestors; the celebration of the Eucharist in the consciousness that living and dead form the community of the faithful; and the performing of family rituals that involve past and present members. Together, clergy and lay persons must embark on the road towards inculturation. The process itself must be informed by thorough research into the genuine meaning of the beliefs and practices of Africans in view of the teachings of Christianity
"Honoured in her time": Queen Shelamzion and the Book of Judith.
No full textThe Book of Judith is a tale about a time in Jewish history when the Jews were threatened with annihilation and saved by a pious widow. It is also an example of the early Hellenistic novel and evinces many hitherto unexplored ties to Hellenistic literature; however, even when these similarities are accounted for, the characterization of Judith, the book's main character, stands out in marked contrast to other Hellenistic female heros. Although the date of composition of the work is still disputed, there is strong evidence that links the work to the Hasmonean period. It was during this period that a woman ruled Judea; this woman was Shelamzion, whom Josephus refers to as Salome Alexandra. Charles Ball, Solomon Zeitlin, and the contemporary feminist scholar Tal Ilan postulate that the Book of Judith was written as a means of promoting the popularity of this Hasmonean queen; however, the idea has not been thoroughly examined by scholars. This dissertation explores the possibility that the Book of Judith was written as political propaganda for the only Hasmonean queen, Shelamzion. The first part of the dissertation explores literary patronage and propaganda in the Hellenistic period. Part Two examines the literary world of Shelamzion, the world which gave birth to the Hellenistic novel. The third part offers a fresh evaluation of Josephus' accounts of Shelamzion's reign; these accounts are found in The Jewish War and Jewish Antiquities . Her reign is examined against the backdrop of the politically powerful female descendants of Ptolemy Soter I, the various Cleopatras of the second and first centuries B.C.E. The final section assesses the Book of Judith as political propaganda for Shelamzion, revisiting anthropological studies of honour and shame and discussing the similarities between Shelamzion and Judith
The propitiation of Pelops: An analysis of the cultic significance of the ancient Greek hero.
No full textAbstract Not Available
Ellen White and Miki Nakayama: A comparative study of mystical experience.
No full textThrough comparison between mystical experiences of Ellen White, one of the originators of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Miki Nakayama, foundress of the Tenrikyo sect, this study intends to (1) describe some of the similarities and differences seen in mystical experiences drawn from different contexts, and (2) analyze and explain the factors responsible for these similarities and differences. Mystical experience has at least three main aspects--natural, cultural, and personal. The first is the element that is very closely linked with human nature; the second refers to the side that is controlled by cultural tradition; the last signifies the totality of the mystic's personality and life history. Broadly speaking, similarities emerge in the natural phase of mystical experience; differences characterize the personal aspect; in the cultural aspect, however, both differences and similarities can be observed. That is to say, the former predominates when the experiences are compared through the prism of different cultures, whereas the latter is, as a rule, found within the same cultural environment. This study will explore the above theses by means of a comparison of the mystical experiences of White and Nakayama
"Honoured in her time": Queen Shelamzion and the Book of Judith.
No full textThe Book of Judith is a tale about a time in Jewish history when the Jews were threatened with annihilation and saved by a pious widow. It is also an example of the early Hellenistic novel and evinces many hitherto unexplored ties to Hellenistic literature; however, even when these similarities are accounted for, the characterization of Judith, the book's main character, stands out in marked contrast to other Hellenistic female heros. Although the date of composition of the work is still disputed, there is strong evidence that links the work to the Hasmonean period. It was during this period that a woman ruled Judea; this woman was Shelamzion, whom Josephus refers to as Salome Alexandra. Charles Ball, Solomon Zeitlin, and the contemporary feminist scholar Tal Ilan postulate that the Book of Judith was written as a means of promoting the popularity of this Hasmonean queen; however, the idea has not been thoroughly examined by scholars. This dissertation explores the possibility that the Book of Judith was written as political propaganda for the only Hasmonean queen, Shelamzion. The first part of the dissertation explores literary patronage and propaganda in the Hellenistic period. Part Two examines the literary world of Shelamzion, the world which gave birth to the Hellenistic novel. The third part offers a fresh evaluation of Josephus' accounts of Shelamzion's reign; these accounts are found in The Jewish War and Jewish Antiquities . Her reign is examined against the backdrop of the politically powerful female descendants of Ptolemy Soter I, the various Cleopatras of the second and first centuries B.C.E. The final section assesses the Book of Judith as political propaganda for Shelamzion, revisiting anthropological studies of honour and shame and discussing the similarities between Shelamzion and Judith
The propitiation of Pelops: An analysis of the cultic significance of the ancient Greek hero.
No full textAbstract Not Available
The silver cross mother: A Canadian martyrology
No full textThis dissertation compares the stories of mothers of martyrs from many different religious traditions with those of Canadian mothers who were willing to send their sons to war during World War One. Over the years in the Jewish, Christian, Islamic and Sikh traditions stories have been written, repeated, dramatized and painted of mothers who were supportive of their children's martyrdom. Between 1914 and 1918 the Canadian mothers of young men found themselves living in a world in which war was increasingly described in the religious language of sacrifice. This is evident from an examination of the newspapers, magazines, novels and poetry of the day as well as words from the politicians and the chaplains. It was within this environment and using these same media, that mothers were often depicted as offering the sacrifice of their sons for the cause of civilization, justice, truth and god. In Canada after the war the image of the proud, but mournful bereaved mother served to commemorate the battle and provide it with purpose and meaning in a world which had its belief systems shaken to the core.
The images of mothers of martyrs and heroes from long ago, from World War One and from present times are all designed to have a lasting and powerful influence over public opinion, drawing supporters to the cause. This historical analysis shows how the poignant mother-child relationship has been used by leaders of states and religious communities in conflict situations as well as the mothers themselves to gain support for war. In all cases the key element in the role of the mother of the sacrificed is her acceptance of the neccessity to offer her child and for this she is compensated in a variety of ways including the receipt of the Memorial Cross, or as it is better known, the Silver Cross medal
Ellen White and Miki Nakayama: A comparative study of mystical experience.
No full textThrough comparison between mystical experiences of Ellen White, one of the originators of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Miki Nakayama, foundress of the Tenrikyo sect, this study intends to (1) describe some of the similarities and differences seen in mystical experiences drawn from different contexts, and (2) analyze and explain the factors responsible for these similarities and differences. Mystical experience has at least three main aspects--natural, cultural, and personal. The first is the element that is very closely linked with human nature; the second refers to the side that is controlled by cultural tradition; the last signifies the totality of the mystic's personality and life history. Broadly speaking, similarities emerge in the natural phase of mystical experience; differences characterize the personal aspect; in the cultural aspect, however, both differences and similarities can be observed. That is to say, the former predominates when the experiences are compared through the prism of different cultures, whereas the latter is, as a rule, found within the same cultural environment. This study will explore the above theses by means of a comparison of the mystical experiences of White and Nakayama
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