RELI Test IAcademic Study of Religion- Devotional: approach used by religious institutions. More emotional, goal to become more in touch with your religion- Academic: approach used in this department. More objective (no bias), goal to be well-informed- Method we use in class: academic- Moses as author of the first 5 books, many scholars find this assertion problematic because1. Moses dies in last book (Deuteronomy) wrote his own death?2. Says Moses was the most humble man that ever lived.. what?3. Stories of Moses are written in third person, wouldn’t he be writing in first?4. There are anachronisms indicating that this story was recorded at a much later date5. The bible itself does not say that Moses wrote the first 5 books- Anachronism: things that are out of sync with time- 4 virtues of religious studies1. Epoche/Bracketing: our first reaction will always be emotional, must look past and try tounderstand the reasoning. Warren Jeffs (FLDS) beliefs on the proper role of women and how he feels about non-white people2. Informed Empathy: to have some compassion, try to understand why they believe something and empathy for how this person must feel. Prophet Yaweh believes god sends UFOs3. Historical Imperative: study the context in order to unravel the true story. The Good Samaritan- avoid generalities4. Symbolic Sensitivity: making sure you understand the symbols in order to understand the religious traditions. The swastika is a Hindu symbol meaning peace while also used by the Nazis Dumbed Down Article- 90% of congress consults their religious beliefs before voting on legislation- Ninan Smart Dimensions of Religion (know 5 of 7)1. Mythic (stories that provide meaning)2. Ritual3. Experiential4. Philosophical5. Ethical6. Social7. MaterialIntro to Judaism- The word bible comes from the Greek word ‘biblia’ meaning books- What is the TaNaKh? Torah (first five books ), Nevi’im (the prophets), Ketuvim (the writings). Often referred to this by the Jews- Christians call this text the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament- Abraham: the great patriarch of Judaism, Christianity, Islam. He enters into covenant with YHWH- Sarah: Abraham’s wife barren for many years, but later has child Isaac. (Christians and Jews see themselves as spiritual descendents of Isaac)- Hagar: Abraham’s other wife when Sarah is barren. Together they have Ishmael (Muslims see themselves as spiritual descendents of Ishamel)- Mark of the Covenant: circumcision- The Hebrew God promises Abram land and descendents if he follows Him- Ancient history writing is not like modern journalism (not a police report, but contextual biography). For something to be deemed ‘ancient history writing’ must have1. History of ancient Israel not accidental accumulation- a specific form of tradition2. Reason for recalling the past- not primarily to give an accurate report of the past3. Examines moral causes in the past as connected to present day conditions4. National and corporate in nature5. Literary: an important part of people’s identity Enuma Elish and Hymn to Aton- Enuma Elish: Before heaven and earth were formed there were two vast bodies of water. The male freshwater ocean (Apsu) and the female saltwater ocean (Tiamat). Through the fusion of their waters successive generations of gods came into being. These younger, noisy gods annoyed Apsu, so Apsu devised a plan to kill them. The wisest younger god, Ea, found out about the plan and killed Apsu. To avenge her husband Tiamat decided to do away with the younger gods with the help of her boyfriend Kingu. Younger gods found out and got Marduk to help. Marduk killed Tiamat and made the heavens out of her body. They were tired of laboring to meet their daily needs, so he created humanity out of the blood of Kingu to be the servants of the gods.o From Babylonian culture, 2000 BCEo Humans created to be servants of the godso Relationship between humans and deity: servant (human) deity (master)- Hymn to Aton: Aton is the son god described with the word beauty a lot, sounds both male and female ‘nursing even in the womb’, peaceful depiction of life, single creator who gives nourishment and care to humans. King Akenhenaten: attempted to make polytheistic culture into monotheistic cultureo From Egyptian culture, 1300s BCEo Relationship between humans and deity: positive connection between humans + deityBiblical Judaism is mostly ritual/temple (focused on religion with a priesthood based primarily on sacrifice) focused but Rabbinic Judaism is more focused on Judaism developed by rabbis (learned teachers of the law) could be practiced all over the world (synagogue or home)United Monarchy of Israel- Samuel appoints Saul as king. A king who lost the support of his prophets and priest was in trouble and that’s what happened to Saul. - After Saul dies kingdom is split into north (Ishbaal Saul’s son) and south (Judah, David). Ishbaal is assassinated and David becomes king over north and south- David established a reigning line of kings that descended from him. David had many wives and children: oldest son Adonijah and Solomon (favorite wife Bathsheba) and chose Solomon- First king: Saul- Most beloved king: David- Built first temple in Jerusalem: SolomonCreation: 1-2:3 Creation: 1-2:3 Creation 2:4-3:24Nature of God Omnipotent (all powerful), distant figureMore like a parent, more personal interactionHow God Creates Speaks things into being Creates with His hands, molding breathLiterary Structures Patterned and repetitive More like an allegory, ritual creationOrder of Creation It says man was created on the 6thday1. Specific man 2.animals 3. womenThe Documentary Hypothesis: JEDP first 5 books of the bible a composite of 4 sources- J source: Yahwist- refers to the Hebrew God as Yahweh (YHWH) Southern source (Judah)- E source: Eolhist- refers to the Hebrew God as Elohim, Northern source - J + E = Ancient Hebrew Epic, created Garden of Eden story- P source: priestly source, created first story- Deuteronomy: most of the book of DeuteronomyGenesis 4-22- Enoch: walked with God and was sent up to heaven, no one really knows what happened to him- Ham was cursed because Noah was drinking and naked and Ham walked in and saw him. Even though he asked his brothers to find a cloth to clothe him, he was cursed by Noah- Sarah is Abraham’s wife who is barren therefore she gives Hagar to Abraham so they can have a child- After leaving the ark, Noah builds and altar and worships God- Lot and his