|
|
Post by barbara on May 8, 2015 18:16:39 GMT
Week Nine film test 987jdd:
I will humbly attempt to perform a Transcendental Sociological analysis of Buddhism using authenticity and legitimacy ( way over my head). Buddhism has many controversial aspects, some being the belief in karma and reincarnation, or reaching nirvana on earth instead of dying and ascending to heaven. Many linguistics challenge that Buddhism is not a religion but in fact a belief system ad ethically speaking Buddhism is a way of life. It also calls for self-reflection in determining if one is one is on the path to "Right Understanding" and is a very personal journey as only the individual can determine if they are living a just and moral life in society. I find many similarities between Maslow's self-actualization diagram and the way of life Buddhists live and believe that Buddhists are more content with their life as a result of practicing this lifestyle (religion) but once matched to Ken Weber's chart Buddhism does not score highly as a religion. Using the term legitimacy Buddhism does not score highly as it does not force you to compare your belief to the person next to you but rather requires self-reflection and self-awareness to determine your "progress" but that does add to its authenticity score.
12349
Sushil Kumar believes wherever there are two or more your ego brings out fear and drives us to act out in anger and violence and we must view ourselves as a whole with society to get over this. By practicing non-injury and loving kindness to all (hello Pema Chodron) we overcome this tendency and can arise above our natural instincts. By transcending to a higher way of life we can achieve a sense of purpose knowing we are helping our fellows. This sense of inner reflection follows my analysis above and would score highly in authenticity but low on legitimacy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Perrywinkle on May 10, 2015 16:23:45 GMT
987jdd
Christianity as a religion is not one that cannot be questioned, yet has been questioned numerous times. It has split innumerable times, and yet it is a religion that violently reacts to those who do not believe without question. The Spanish Inquisition, the multiple Crusades, the massacre of French Protestants, etc are all examples of the violence created in Christianity. It therefore seems that it is not very authentic. There is only belief without evidence, and evidence is rejected (for example, in the Scientific Revolution, the Church fought against the heliocentric solar system model). However, with billions of believers in the world, the religion is extremely legitimate.
12349
John Rogers Hinkins was the leader of a cult that was definitely not authentic. It was controlled through fear and rejected anything that would challenge it. It would even go so far as to burglarize the homes of its critics and bribe them to cease exposing their fallacies. Belief was absolute, and there is no open-mindedness or skepticism involved. Unfortunately, the cult was rather legitimate. It had many followers, though some would come to question the cult beliefs thanks in part to the efforts of one David Lane.
|
|
|
|
Post by barryallen on May 11, 2015 4:41:08 GMT
Christian Allen
Test 9; 987JDD
Question 1:
If a religion's level of consciousness is measured by its level of rational reactions then wouldn't this all be predicated on the followers of the religion not its teachings or origins? I've only recently found a Christian church (South Hills in Corona) that encourages questions about their faith. Their focus for whom they want to reach are nonbelievers so in a sense it makes sense. All of the questions so far have been practical and reflect many faults Christian believers have as a whole. In his responses, so far the pastor has been very direct in his association for inappropriate behaviors or responses that don't have a basis within the teachings of Christianity.
One simple example of this is in how people respond to others around them experiencing difficulties. Not only do Christian's tell these people "God must have a plan" but in doing so they give God the blame. If you were to do that He would also be responsible for all the good, would He not? Regardless of this, this practice is not taught and has no foundation within the faith system. It is actually a very myth-like response. While my pastor taught against it this week, if he were one of the few that practiced it- would the judging of the religion not reflect those of the multitude? With an example like this, a religion's level or rationale and level of consciousness would be predicated on the practices of the followers, not the teachings or even the beliefs within the religion itself.
|
|
|
|
Post by bambino on May 11, 2015 4:58:06 GMT
Code 987jdd
Christianity is amongst one of the more popular religions around the world, it has nearly 2 billion followers with that number increasing daily. Like most religions, the followers of Christianity believe that it is vital to “infect” others with spreading the word of Jesus Christ. Christians mostly believe in a book that has been interpreted by someone a few thousand years ago, yet people devote their lives to this religion and this God, even thought they have no substantial evidence that God exists or doesn't exist, most Christians are stuck in this magical state, and refuse to open their minds to rationality. I’ve always thought to myself why was it so necessary for them to do that? I mean who really cares about a book that was written a few thousand years ago. Apparently, a lot people do, and I would most likely be condemned to hell for eternity for even thinking so in some mythical magic land, but here back in reality, nothing would happen to me. I believe that it’s quite unfortunate that people can spend so much time focusing on a religion, and I’m not just talking about Christianity, this goes for other religions as well. I’ve always thought that if there was a higher power, like so many seem to believe that he would show himself to me, but I’m the type of person that likes cold hard evidence, which for a lot of religions is something that doesn't exist. I remember at times I’d say “Well if God is real he will show himself to me”, he never did but i was always told that it doesn't work like that, God doesn't just appear , you have to let him into your heart, and I always thought that sounded pretty crazy but, hey, I’m not hatter, I respect the fact that people believe in certain things, I just wish it was a returned respect.
Code 12349
The Hidden Yogini: Tripta Devi an appointed guru by Faquir Chand, practiced her mystical religion very differently than most Christians do, she meditated and often didn't want a big following a few years after Faquir Chands death she disappeared and refused to have new comers. If there was a way to "do" religion I would this this woman had it down, she practiced with herself and wasnt worried about infecting others with her own mystical journey.
|
|
|
|
Post by jlimas2 on May 11, 2015 5:01:44 GMT
Joanna Limas 987jdd The authenticity and/or legitimacy of a religion is the primary focus of Ken Wilber’s “Transcendental Sociology”. Through examining voluntary belief versus forced belief, seen in various cults, and further examining one’s faith are factors in determining the validity of a religion. The video Transcendental Sociology: Ken Wilbur’s Critical Map of Religion discusses, “…there is a fundamental difference between individuals freely choosing their respective spiritual practices without communal consequences and those members of groups like Jonestown who are quite literally forced to drink the Kool Aid”. The Catholic religion has not dramatically changed over time. It’s basis of the religion originates from thousands of years ago. According to transcendental sociology, one must not mistake a symbol for reality. With transcendental sociology in mind, the Catholic religion has remained stagnant over time and the beliefs have remained the same over the years, whereas science has continuously been evolving. The Catholic religion and many of its followers contrast the views of Edward Harrison, “greater knowledge is greater doubt”. It is considered a sin to doubt the beliefs of the Catholic church, thus most do not expand their beliefs through greater knowledge. With that being said, legitimacy of the Catholic religion is debatable because it is not often where the religious leader takes advantage of their followers as cult leaders are percieved. They are commonly there for marriage support, financial support, and volunteer to help the community. However, with Catholicism lacking objectivity or further explanation in its beliefs its legitimacy decreases. 12349 Tripta Devi practices meditation through listening to subtle and subtler sounds. Spirituality is a primary component of her faith. Transcendental sociology would find her authentic in the sense she did not act as a spiritual teacher nor seek to gather a following. However, to be legitimate, scientific criteria remains to factor in as an important influence of legitimacy, which her practice lacks there of. In sum, her practice relating to transcendental sociology can also be debated. sites.google.com/a/student.mtsac.edu/joannalimas/week-9 |
|
henry
New Member
Posts: 9 
|
Post by henry on May 11, 2015 5:31:18 GMT
987jdd
Christianity scares me as I'm sure it scares other people because of how many people blindly follow it and try to turn you into just like them. My neighbors are Christian and they tried converting me by persuading my parents to allow them to take me to church but I never enjoyed it while I always doubted where was God and where was proof of him except in this book called the Bible. I feel that any religion should allow the person to come to them first instead of trying to force it upon them by mixing their views up with mystical and the magical. Even in reality, people would hurt others if their religion was made fun of and maybe even killed because people see religion as their identity even though they don't even see that they are blindly following something that they were just raised with so they don't question it. I'm not religious because I just fail to see how some things that are religious can actually be real. I feel though as if I sway from religion to religion because I'm just confused of what to actually believe at this point.
12349
Jainism explains to us that people's response to anger, fear, or aggression makes the person more violent and we should be supporting each other as a whole to get through bad situations together so no violence occurs. Once people realize that they are stronger together and there is no need to get angry or violent with each other then it would definitely be a better and loving society. This religion also allows people to join by themselves and do not force it upon others and does not want to harm others because they think forcing religion on people is a type of harassment.
|
|
|
|
Post by lxsander on May 13, 2015 20:54:12 GMT
Film Test Week 9
1. I will perform a transcendental sociological analysis on Roman Catholicism only because that is the religion that I am most familiar with and have a good amount of knowledge on. I think in terms of the translative avenue Roman Catholicism ranks high in legitimacy because of its integration and organization. I think the religion holds great stability when it comes to keeping its people united through various ways. An example is the bread and wine of Jesus Christ as mention by professor David Lane. This act is followed by many people thus holding them intact to the religion. People believe it thus creating integration between the people. The more one is held to believing the beliefs that the religion is preaching the more it will draw its followers thus keeping them growing and making the organization itself grow too. Also the order that is kept within the religion as in how the followers attend mass, meetings, confirmations and follow the steps for Roman Catholicism makes it be more organized thus making it more legitimate. On the road of authenticity I think it reaches only certain levels of consciousness. In example a catholic person can reach a level of consciousness through praying and trying to connect to God individually other than the form of the bread and wine. Another form can be through conventions that the religion offers thus allowing you experience something more when you are involved in the acts and performances that it offers. But even then it is not a greater level of consciousness as compared to other religions. I think in the form of authenticity it ranks low or it doesn’t have much authenticity. I would say Roman Catholicism has a low transformative (authenticity) and is high on translative (Legitimacy).
Code: 987jdd
Jainism reaches a high level in authenticity, as it requires the individual to reach a different level of consciousness within one self and with the greater nature. It follows non-violence thus making the individual rid himself of any negative thoughts and feelings and rather think of everyone else for the better of everyone since they see everyone connected much more deeply than what is seen. They do not follow a God but they try to reach absolute deliberation by focusing on one self and transcend to a conscious level. In regards to legitimacy I am not too sure I think it still holds it follower it may not be as big as Roman Catholicism but it still sustains many followers through the act of non-violence and the five vows.
Code: 12349
|
|
|
|
Post by panda243 on May 18, 2015 21:21:40 GMT
Week 9 Test
987jdd
The religion I chose to do a transcendental analysis of is on Catholicism. The purpose of this religion s for Catholics to reach a spiritual connection to their creator God (Jesus). For this to happen their actions are their key to achieving a repentance from their sins, they are united by the body of Christ. This religion is Traditional based on the authenticity and legitimacy map on the video Transcendental Sociology because Catholics believe in a higher power, a God, a spiritual being, a transcendental God, therefore; this is a legitimate religion because it does “unify it’s followers” to believe in an unlimited power. The majority of devoted Catholic believe in a higher power where through being open minded, for example, they can pray and meditate which is a connection to God, their consciousness is unlimited to transcendental occurrences in the past and occurrences in this era and for the future. This religion is not authentic because it would have to be a new religion sort of say that was brought in our times. It is based on flexible systems instead of the bible and its beliefs. It is able to change and develop into new concepts to believe in based on the new developments of science. It is also flexible in the sense that there could be more than one alternative to interpret the bible, which in a legitimate religion, one cannot do so.
|
|
|
|
Post by barryallen on May 24, 2015 1:36:38 GMT
Christian Allen
Test 10; 12349
Question 1:
For Jainism, I think it falls below a rational level of transcendental sociology because of its guidelines. "The three jewels of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct," lead me to believe that the teachers of this belief system assume they have all the knowledge necessary. To them even a rational questions could be easily dismissed as being the wrong question, or inconsequential past the five vows each believer takes. A challenge I would have for the believers is how far do they really go in preserving all life? Their bodies kill millions of bacteria regularly, and these are also living things. In turn, that is killing is for their own survival but if preserving life is a mandate for them then where can they draw a line and say that is far enough?
They also can't kill themselves then to end their killing because just as they avoid harming others for whatever reason, harming themselves would be no less worse than harming anything else. It's like the trolley problem; murder of one person, even yourself, is still murder regardless if it saves another or more people's lives. Killing one to save [the] many may be "humanitarian," but it is still murder.The same for them, they will continuously be responsible for murder. The question is how do you justify where your line is?
On the other hand, I see the same neuro-ethical argument for vegetarianism at work in their religion as well; increasing your circle of compassion. Consciously doing so has a greater effect than staying ignorant of how your actions can hurt other beings.
|
|
|
|
Post by panda243 on May 25, 2015 2:04:29 GMT
Code:12349
Transcendental analysis on Jainism is bordering legitimate. They have a strong devotion in believing in the five vowels and they do it with the practice of complete patience so not to harm others but to be equals. Even though they have no God, they believe in a higher power that doesn’t necessary need to be a God, there open mindedness makes them transcendental to a new level of consciousness; their principals is what attracts many followers, therefore; It is a legitimate.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnnylovesjune on Jun 1, 2015 2:49:49 GMT
|
|
jf
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by jf on Jun 1, 2015 6:39:29 GMT
Juan Flores Week 9 Code:987jdd I am going to try to make a transcendental sociological analysis in Roman Catholicism since I have been Catholic my whole life. In Roman Catholicism, it is believed that in every mass a priest will turn a piece of bread and wine into Jesus Christ's body and blood respectively. Then, we will eat them while praying and thanking God. In Roman Catholicism, we also are forgiven for our sins by a priest who then will give a set of prayers to complete for a certain amount of time. According to Ken Wilber, this religion represents a magical level of consciousness which is defined as pre-rational. In Wilber's model, this reflects a low stage of consciousness and therefore would be on a very low level of the authenticity ladder. This is due that many Christians believe in many things without any prove that support them. Christianity also gets stronger every time it is put in doubt. However, since many people all over the world believe in this religion and all that it contains, it is ranked high in the legitimacy latter. This religion algo gathers millions of people when the Pope goes to a different countries. Test 10 Code:12349 I am going to make a transcendental sociological analysis of the cult formed by John Rogers Hinkins. According to a YouTube video uploaded on the neuralsurfer channel, John Rogers was a well recognized leader who made a cult thanks to his popularity and fame. We could say that this cult was ranked low in the authenticity ladder since it imposed its own beliefs with no proofs. In the video, it is said that once this cult was put on the spotlight for many reasons by a cult specialist, his house was robbed in order to send a direct message. However, this cult might be ranked high in the legitimacy latter, because it had many followers. I do not know a lot about this cult, but I think that John Rogers was able to build this huge cult thanks to his fame in this powerful country. Then, many people taking him as an example, decided to join and follow him. These people were opened their eyes when David Lane spoke the truth about his ex-friend. sites.google.com/site/phil5byjf/tests |
|
|
|
Post by Noah Yoon on Jun 1, 2015 10:03:24 GMT
Week 9
Code: 987jdd
Perform a "transcendental" sociological analysis on a religion of your choice, utilizing the terms authenticity and legitimacy in your analysis.
Roman Catholicism's authenticity is prerational because of their belief in the mystical. They believe that wine and bread turn into the blood and body of Christ. They also believe that the relics of saints contain holy powers from the divination of God. They have a high level of legitimacy because Christianity is the largest religion in the world and about half of all Christians are Catholic. There are many disagreements within the church or any organization that large but they are all unified in the faith of a single god.
Week 10
Code: 12349
Perform a transcendental sociological analysis on one or more of the above mystics.
Sawan Singh's legitimacy is on the rational level of consciousness. He is very receptive and open to multiple viewpoints outside of his beliefs. He never states you will go to Hell or something bad will happen to you if you do not believe in my religion. In addition, he also experiences multiple states of consciousness through his meditative practices of Surat Shabd Yoga. He has a high level of authenticity because he had many followers from outside of his religion, Sikhism. Thousands of people outside of his home, India. Their religions range from Christians to Hindus.
|
|
moe
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by moe on Jun 3, 2015 1:09:13 GMT
Week Nine film test 987jdd:
1) Christianity is one of the more popular religions in the world as far as I know. There are so many christens in this world and the number are growing everyday. I was reading one of my classmate post and he said “If a religion's level of consciousness is measured by its level of rational reactions then wouldn't this all be predicated on the followers of the religion not its teachings or origins?” I agreed with that so much because I to feel the same way. The focus at my church is that we want to reach out to the people who don’t believe God I never try and tell people to walk and talk like me because everyone is different and my relationship with God might not be the same as the next person because we all have different struggles we face.
|
|
|
|
Post by tdheyen on Jun 6, 2015 19:18:52 GMT
Taylor Andruska
Week 9
Code:987jdd
I am going to attempt to analyze the Catholic religion using transcendental sociology. This past week or so I have spent some time at a Catholic church, while I myself am not Catholic, a lot of people around my life are. I have been to Catholic church a few times and I am beginning to notice how strange it all is. First, I notice that during a Catholic mass they like to repeat a lot of stuff. Over and over and over again they repeat whatever the Priest tells them to repeat. To me, that makes them all mindless, because they are not experiencing or relating what they want to say or feel, but are only saying and repeating what the Priest tells them to say. Catholics try to use the Bible as their terms of authenticity and legitimacy, but a lot of their practices come way out of left field. If you've ever actually read the Bible than you would see that a lot of the Catholics practices are not even mentioned in the Bible. To me, Catholicism is a lot of symbolism. Their mass is representative of history and how things were, but makes no real steps forward. Catholicism doesn't keep up with the times but instead lives in the past and what used to be. Catholicism does not promote individual free thinking, but instead is very limiting to what can be said and done. They baptize their children as soon as they are born, rather than letting them become old enough to make the decision to do it for themselves.
|
|
