Rels 2001 Final Exam Study Guide Fall 2019 Your final exam will consist of objective questions covering the material from the units on race, gender, and sexuality. Some comprehensive material will be covered, including major theorists and major concepts in the world religions. It is suggested that along with using this study guide, you review the PowerPoints on iCollege along with your notes and Course reader. Objective questions may be in the form of multiple choice or true/false. Prepare for5 questions that are short answer in which you will be able to write briefly (2-3 sentences) or list and explain items. For instance, know the Arabic names for the 5 Pillars and then be able to explain each one. In addition, be able to write 2-3 sentences that best describe one of the theorists listed below. Terms and Concepts *Note: This list is meant to be a guide for studying, but not intended to be comprehensive of the information covered in class that could appear on the exam. *Terms:● Sojourner Trutho 1797 – 18o Mini Biography▪ Born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree (Rifton, NY)● From PBS site: “As was the case for most slaves in the rural North, Isabella lived isolated from other African Americans, and she suffered from physical and sexual abuse at the hands ofher masters. Inspired by her conversations with God, which sheheld alone in the woods, Isabella walked to freedom in 1826”o “Although tempted to return to Dumont’s farm, she was struck by a vision of Jesus, during which she felt ‘baptized in the Holy Spirit,’ and she gained the strength and confidence to resist her former master. In this experience, Isabella was like countless African Americans who called on the supernatural for the power to survive injustice and oppression.”● Escaped in 1826, freed on July 4, 1827 (NY statewide emancipation)● 5 children● Changed her name in 1843, “The Spirit calls me, and I must go.”● Religious background: Christian – new religious movement (Matthias Kingdom), then to Methodism (Perfectionism/ecstatic worship), then to Millerites (NRM), then to Seventh Day Adventismo Religion and discourse▪ Our text (1851, speaking tour in Ohio)● “Aren’t I a woman” = meaning?● “Where did Christ come from?”● Her response to “The Fall” & Eve● Why are men between a hawk and a buzzard?● Frederick Douglasso 1818 – 18o Mini Biography▪ Born into slavery in Maryland● Native American, African, and European● Learned how to read (illegal for slaves by Maryland law)● Escaped to free states in 1838● Religious background: converts to Christianity as a teenager, preacher in AME churcho Distinguished between Christianity of Christ and Christianity of Americao Religion and discourse▪ Our text (1852)o FYI, “president” mentioned in text is likely president of anti-slavery society, not president of US● Summarizes (quite well) the “American” perspective on the 4th of July (76 years old then) (pp. 197-202)● “…sad sense of disparity between us…” “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine.” (p 203)● Comparison with other countries (p 205)● Religion’s endorsement of slavery & “welcome infidelity! Welcome atheism! Welcome anything…” (208)● Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.o 1929 – 1968o Biography – born in Atlanta, Morehouse graduate, PhD at Boston University▪ Religious background – father Baptist minister, MLK becomes Baptist minister▪ Influenced by Gandhi (non-violent disobedience) and Walter Rauschenbusch (social gospel)o Our text – Mountaintop Sermon, April 3, 1968▪ Memphis Sanitation Strike▪ Last part of sermon, newscast, RK announcement▪ He advocates trust in God and to avoid violence (as did Ezra (avoid military) and Elliott (have faith in God when circumstances are dire))o Discussiono With each of these four people and texts –▪ What is the role of religion in their advocacy?▪ To quote Forrest Gump, is Bishop Elliott simply “stupid or something”?▪ King’s sermon is a century after the other three texts. What is similar over the century? What is different?● James Coneo “Any talk about God that fails to make God’s liberation of the oppressed its starting point is not Christian.”o Compares himself to King (non-violence esp.)o See “Black Liberation Theology” below● Black Liberation Theologyo James Cone: Union Theological Seminaryo Blackness Identity + theology of MLK Christianityo Emphasizes black church, black liberation, and identity politicso How we imagine our gods matterso Cone wants to bring the blackness of his identity into reframing Christian theologyo Black Liberation Theology seems too radical for King● Womanist Theologyo From the article:▪ Hagar▪ Codes and Content▪ Freedom Fighterso Four elements of Womanist Theology▪ See bottomo Fannie Lou Hamer▪ She predates the Womanist movement in title, but illustrates the purpose and power of Womanism▪ Her testimony censored by President Johnson● Delores Williamso “Womanist Theology” – Pages 266-270● Alice Walkero The Color Purple (1982)● Stephen Elliotto 1806 – 1866o Episcopal Bishop of Georgia▪ Harvard student (graduated from South Carolina College), wealthy elite family▪ 1867 memoir from Episcopal diocese (search “slavery”)▪ Eulogy (see pages 14ff for high level of praise)▪ Religious background: converted by Presbyterian evangelist, joins Episcopal church, very evangelical▪ Was college president of women’s college in Montpelier, GA▪ At advent of Civil War, he became Bishop over all Episcopal Church in CSA, known personally as “Fighting Bishop”o Our text: 1863, Civil War, wave of losses for Confederate States▪ Scriptures of service – Deut. 32:26-44; Colossians 3:1-18 (read, note slave/free language and curious choice of final verse)● “Ezra’s Dilemna” – Ezra 8:21-23o Ezra, exile, return, riles against mixed marriages, annuls the marriages/families in order to rebuild Israelo Dilemma is over whether to use military – Ezra chooses not to in order to prove his faith on God▪ Deo Vindice (p 217) Confederacy motto, “under God, our Vindicator”▪ God is on the side of the confederacy (p 218)▪ Appeals to Declaration of Independence (p 219 following) (used by him and Douglas)▪ Curse of Ham (p 222), Biblical context and primary argument in South used to justify racial hierarchy● Lilitho Lilith documentary video▪ Isaiah▪ Alphabet bin Sira▪ Book of Zohar▪