Motivations...

In the early 1900's, activist Jane Addams established a settlement house in the slums of inner-city Chicago.  This was originally an idea that was based in England, but Addams Americanized the settlement house idea and established it in an urban setting in a large metropolitan city. This was a place for the poor to go for refuge. This gave great opportunities to those who were less fortunate. "Twenty Years at the Hull House" is a story (almost autobiographical) that shows and demonstrates her philosophy (maybe motivated by religion?) and how it makes a great social change for the better.

From reading "Twenty Years", it was mentioned that she was a Quaker. These religious views could be the foundation for a giving personality and a good heart. These morals or values could have been instilled into her at a young age and then carried out and put into action later in her life as something non-religious. But if she did not have Quakerism in her younger years, she could have been someone else and done something completely different with her life. Her "religious-based philosophy" is the motivation for helping the less fortunate and establishing the Hull House

Her accomplishments could be characterized or categorized as "philosophical", but I feel that her "philosophical" actions have some roots or a foundation provided by Quaker religious views.

Racism in Rastafari

Rastafari is known for its Afrocentrism, being centered on or around the motherland of Africa (or more specifically for Rastas, Ethiopia). This is a social and political aspect in Rastafari religion. This can also be related with racism.

Rastafari "prophet" Marcus Garvey used Afrocentrism in his teachings and publishings. This encouraged black people take pride in their roots and their heritage. This inspired Rastas to embrace all things African. With this, naturally, comes a hatred towards the upperclass and the government (which in the prime of the Rastafarian movement, the upperclass and government were caucasians).

I once saw a caucasian wearing Rastafarian tattoos on his biceps. One was a portrait of Bob Marley (which wasn't the worst because a lot of people hold Marley in high regard as a musician). There was also a country of Jamaica with it's flag within the borders (he could have been from Jamaica and his tattoo could've been a symbol of nationalism). And finally, (this guy had big arms, hence the number of tattoos) he also had an "Irie" tattoo in the colors of Ethiopia (red, yellow and green) which, I'm pretty sure, is from from Rastafari religion itself.

I'm not sure why a caucasian, such as this example would be flaunting such tattoos of a religion that extremely dislikes white people. It's ironic and contradictory. Afrocentrism is natural and inherent in Rastafari. Too often, people go with what is popular instead of doing research and knowing the underlying and historical value of things, i.e. Rastafari.

Documental Rastafari

This documentary segment shows us a Rastafarian community in Saint Andrew/Nine Miles, Jamaica. From what we have watched, we see confirmation of what we learned and discussed in class.

Much of the 'System of Symbols' is present in the video. The colours on the houses/shacks are boldly painted in Ethiopia's colours (red, yellow and green). These houses are built in a small community on a mountain side (which could be symbolic of Ethiopia's colour green for the lush land). I didn't see to many heads with flowing dreadlocks, they were all wrapped up in red turbans. This is their version of a royal crown, this brings them closer to Ethiopia. The interviews show the language used by the Boboshanti Rastafarians. Still like other Jamaicans or other Rasta, their lingo is a broken English, still creating a separation from the rest of society. 

As was stated in class, a person can easily tell if a household is Rastafari by looking around and seeing the various symbols classified with Rasta. This community is all about religion, it dedicates itself to Rastafari. This Boboshanti community is almost like a monastery, constantly praying and going to church, more dedicated that some other communities. Many of the symbols seen in the video and mentioned here show what Rasta is all about. 

Bob Marley: Icon

After taking time to analyze a few of Mr. Marley's songs in class the other day, I realize that Bob Marley is not just a reggae music icon or a marijuana advocate, but a religious figure as well.

When talking about reggae music, it is very difficult to not mention Bob Marley's name. He was the pioneer for bringing reggae to America, and a worldwide audience also. He had a number of greatest hits during (and after) his lifetime. (Album "Legend" went platnum, after his death!)

Most Americans know about Marley's musical career and his marijuana use. For Rastafarians, the marijuana is sacred sacrament (like a Native American peace-pipe), it is a part of their religion. But a lot of people associate Marley with only a recreational usesage (non-spiritual). Many people feel that was all he did, but after class on Friday I realize that he is much more than that.

After going through some of his songs, we can tell there are religious roots in the songs, the album art and the clothes worn at performances. Bob Marley's lyrics tell about the struggle his people had with being oppressed and moving to Ethiopia (example from "Exodus"). He would also use biblical references for activism. Marley and his style of music was a big part of the Rastafarian movement.

Marley isn't just a pot-smoking reggae musician, but a Rastafarian as well. His religious views and motivation for activism show in his songs. His music and lyrics "moved" (emotionally and physically) the people that listened.

Solomon & Sheba (redux)

Mmmkay, I think I got it now...

In Kebra Nagast, the Queen of Sheba learns from a merchant named Tamrin, the wisdom of King Solomon. She travels to Jerusalem to meet him and to basically worship him. They end up meeting and Solomon tricks her into sleeping with him. He gives her a ring to give to the child, to represent the custody or the belonging to Solomon.

The Queen of Sheba is portrayed as a wise, good leader in this text. As stated in class, both characters in this excerpt of Kebra Nagast need to do something morally questionable (two notable people of that time sleeping with one-another), to give Ethiopia value and a status.

Their child, a son Menelik, is born and grows up. Visits his father and receives the Ark of the Covenant and goes home to the Queen after being offered Solomon's throne. This mystery of the location of the Ark also gives Ethiopia some value.

Solomon & Sheba

In a reading from Kebra Nagast, we look through texts about Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and the coming of the Ark of the Covenant to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is being positioned in a positive way, by the actions of Solomon & the Queen. Their behavior represents Ethiopia in a favorable fashion. Their actions can represent the goodness that could be represented by God. 

I think I might have missed the point on this week's question...

system o' symbols

Religious traditions gives us a system of symbols to observe, take this photo for example.

216342260_d4b816f8c1.jpg

Besides the obvious example of Jesus Christ being a religious symbol or religious figure, there are many other examples of religious symbols that could also be thought of in this photo. The color scheme of the photo (black, white and shades of grey), can represent the various interpretations on not just Christianity but religion as a whole: It is not usually "black and white" on different issues within religion, there is always shades of grey representing other interpretations, views and morals. The cracks, crevices and dirt on the statue could represent the "wear and tear" that religion has gone through (dynamics, if you will). Religion has lasted a long time, and the minor deterioration or abrasion on the statue represents the age of religion. Like an old sacred heirloom, being passed down and continued on, it takes on weathering and aging. 

Carmina Burana

Tonight was a performance of Carmina Burana in the Lawrence Chapel, featuring the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, the Lawrence Choirs and other guest choirs and singers. This was a concert of epic proportions, if you will. (Suggested listening: "O Fortuna")

Carmina Burana is a series of ancient manuscripts found in a Bavarian Monastery (228 total), mostly written in Latin, some German and a little bit of Medieval French. The manuscripts are poems split in to six different sections: Songs on religious themes, moral/satirical songs, love songs, drinking songs, religious plays and different versions of earlier songs with textual variations. German composer Carl Orff used 24 of these poems to be put to music. This is what was performed tonight. 

Throughout the night, reading through some of the translation packet handed out, I kept thinking about the accuracy of the translation itself. Augustine would have probably questioned these translations, he would have wanted to analyze the text without sacrificing the clarity of expression.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmina_Burana

P.S. Today was my younger brother's confirmation ceremony at our church, I was his sponsor. Could this be an extra-credit opportunity?

BOOK II - Christian Teaching

When analyzing or interpreting ancient and sacred texts, it is very important to take many aspects into consideration. Many of the previously read psalms have details that can effect the overall message of the psalm.

The place, time and reason are important to think about when interpreting a psalm. Where was this psalm written? When was it written? Was there a reason the author wrote this psalm? Many outside factors (such as monarchy rule, various wars, etc.,) come into play when analyzing.

In Augustine's text, "On Christian Teachings", he carefully advises to take many aspects into consideration when interpreting religious texts. Augustine recommends the cross-examination of translations (i.e.: Greek and Latin versions of manuscripts), so the clarity of the expression of the text shows through. This is helpful and important for interpretation. 

"Know these books, not necessarily understand them but to read them so as to commit them to memory or at least make them not totally unfamiliar".