The pledge of allegiance seems like a fading dream now days. 'And justice for all' has become, at best, a desperate plea not the bold proclamation it was designed to be. Yet, despite all of the faults of government, to date the far worst perpetrator of injustice is organized religion. Religions the world over have used and abused their power to instill fear and perpetual dependence in the hearts of their followers. Thus, religions have managed to afford themselves a seemingly permanent position in the cycle of the world's demand. Religions throughout time have left permanent scars on their own people by refusing to take a stand against time-honored traditions. Catholicism is one of the larger, older and more visible ones. Injustices are suffered within the church body itself. The plight of the African-American and Latino-American is one still being sung in dirge today. The dynamics of North-American Catholicism are still being played out even on a global stage. What does the Roman papacy mean for North American's Latino and African descended followers? What challenges do they face? What is the sense of groundedness, comfort, and community that bonds them?
The end of the fifteenth and start of the sixteenth centuries ushered in the introduction of Christian-Trinitarian-monotheism to the Americans. Preachers and friars of Spain evangelized the scriptures and sacraments to the indigenous peoples. Yet, the central theme of Christ and the Trinity, the very foundation upon which Catholicism sits was the largest obstacle to its reception in sixteenth century Mexico and the Americas. The Christians, who were now frontrunners marching in the trampling of America were reassigning her religion and demanding her to defy her culture. The Platonic and Aristotelian philosophies and cultural concepts that aided the European Christians in understanding the idea of Trinitarian-monotheism were unknown to the indigenous peoples. How could God be one yet triune? How did Christ fall into this trinity and how did God remain all-powerful while divided within himself? The burden of enculturation was on those trying to procure a country through a deception that rode on the heels of religion and wore a mask of self-imagined pity. But, the burden was bore and successfully so. The Americas now belonged to Christianity and the Acumen of Catholicism weighed heavily in the mix.
The religious triamuerate of Protestant-Catholic-Jew in North American offers considerable prestige and social importance. Identification with Catholicism generally benefited the Latino Community by lending some of its clout and social visibility. The Parish would even aid in obtaining favors for its parishioners from the political establishment. The role of the Catholic Church in politics was celebrated in the Hispanic community by clerical presence at public parades, dedications and festivals. Furthermore, this meditating function worked to link the local Latino leadership to the Euro-American establishment. This cultural Catholicism bled over into a sort of pan-American pan-Latino feeling during the 1930's and 1940's. Many contemporary Latino scholars have termed this 'cultural citizenship'. This cultural citizenship allowed many Latinos to fall seamlessly into the American tapestry and be Latino without doing Latino things. Now Latinos had a cultural citizenship through their church membership.
The Black African presence in Catholicism dates back to Biblical times. In the 'Song of Solomon' there are references to the Queen of Sheba representing the Universal church [the term 'catholic' ...
There are many types of heroes nowadays. Batman, Superman, Avengers and a lot of heroes a popular in our generations. But for me, is my one and only hero. With Christ, all things are possible. He's someone who provides me what i need, he forgives even me though i already commit a lot of mistakes. Everywhere i go, whatever i do, he's always there...
The word religion comes from the Latin word Regilio. According to the dictionary 'religion is the service and worship of God or the supernatural'. Albert Einstein stated that 'True religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness and righteousness.' Religion is almost always a belief in some form of supernatural happe...
are both major religions of the world. Christianity is emerged from Judaism and developed as a separate religion by the efforts of St.Paul. not only have similarities but they have also many differences concerning their concept of God, teachings and the rituals. The concept of god is quite different in Christianity and Judaism. Judaism was based o...
has been a part and parcel of human life since time immemorial. represents a great system of human thought. is the predominant influence over the conduct of our lives. attempts to search for a deeper meaning to life, to find facts about the universe, about the laws of nature; has been in our flesh and blood since antiquity. Though science has...
A heresy which arose in the fourth century, and denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ. DOCTRINE First among the doctrinal disputes which troubled Christians after Constantine had recognized the Church in A.D. 313, and the parent of many more during some three centuries, occupies a large place in ecclesiastical history. It is not a modern form of un...
Religion seems to find its way into almost every aspect of our lives. In the United States, the political mainstream describes a "separation of church and state," in order to separate this profound force of religion from the public lives of its citizens. Thus, the freedom to worship any religion remains a private and personal issue. However, in t...
For over 2000 years has existed as an organized religion. By religion we mean that it has a concept of the profane, the sacred, and approaches to the sacred. It has been established in India, China, Japan and other eastern cultures for almost 2000 years and has gained a strong foothold in North America and Europe in the past few centuries. Howe...
Even though there are also crucial issues in the study of religion , religions come with a variety of elements and are very influential.Religious traditions describe and encourage many relationships we have amongst society. A relationship with the divine is a perfect balance between human beings and the universe. Religious traditions describe and...
"It is finished!" John 19:30. What Christ is referring to here is the accomplished salvation of the people. What that means is that when we are saved, we do not have to put out burnt saccrifices up to Him. It is no longer needed because Christ died for us, which took away the iniquities of our sin. He did this out of great love for us. This is exem...
Calvary Christian School English 11 Mrs. Krumpleman Essay Written by Zania Caudill October 30, 2011 Most people in today's society are unfamiliar with ic religion unless they are one of the growing populations to practice it. Around the world today, the ic religion is becoming more and more popular by the second. According to the About.com's ic...
Gabriel came to the "Lord" and said, I have to talk to you, I have a problem. I know you made us and we have to love everybody. But our black folk up here in heaven are causing some problems. They are swinging on the pearly gates, my horn is missing, and barbecue sauce is all over their robes. Hamhocks, spare ribs and pigfeet are all over the st...
The tragedy of the world is that so many are unloved. Roses always look beautiful and smell sweet, and hence they are a prize to be possessed. Sweetbriar, however, has fragrant leaves, and they are never so fragrant as when it rains. The common people of the world are like these leaves; they have something fragrant about them, particularly when the...
The 66 books which make up the Holy Bible were originally written in ancient languages; Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek by men who were inspired by God. The Bible itself tells us that all scripture is by inspiration of God. Old Testament The Pentateuch (the Law) Geneses, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Historical Writings Joshua, Judges, Rut...
is a complicated subject. While the norms and values of Japanese culture are very closely linked to religion, few consider themselves religious. This however, does not mean that the Japanese culture is full of deviant behavior. In fact most people conform to those religion related norms and values. There are many different religions that find...