Identify and briefly explain some of the ways in which functionalists see religion meeting the needs of society and individuals (9 marks) Functionalists believe that religion has a definite purpose in society. First of all Malinowski says that religion can offer answers to things that are unexplainable or appear to break scientific laws. An example would be if somebody looked at a landscape and had an overwhelming feeling of beauty, they could only ask themselves why they thought it was beautiful. This is also known as a numinous experience. A Christian could just say you know this due to the way God made the earth and humans.
Just like a religious believer who states “god loves us” but can’t explain the contradiction of evil in the world, believers qualify their statements by explaining god’s love is not like humans love he calls this “death by a thousand qualifications”. Therefore religious language is meaningless. However religion has responded to the falsification principle. R.B Braithwaite argued that the falsification principle explains religious language as cognitive when it if in fact non cognitive and therefore cannot be falsified, religious language is therefore still meaningful. Hare also responds to the falsification principle, showing that religious statements are meaningful even though they cannot be falsified because they have a significant impact for the people using the statement.
According to Dr. Hawkins spiritual gifts have a motivational purpose because they enable the believer to participate in ministry that impacts lives which provides an experience of joy in the use of these gifts. True 21. The doctrine of the Trinity teaches about Gods concern for unity and intimacy among his followers. True 22. Understanding the doctrine of Eschatology can help to provide believers with a source of joy when they are enduring struggles, because this doctrine emphasizes that believers have a future secured by God.
In genesis two Humans are made from dust of the earth, making them part of the physical world, making them physical and spiritual beings, different from animals and plants. However in genesis 2 it states that God created man first, from dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Then because God believed that it was not good for man to be alone he would create a ‘helper’. Man found no one suitable so God put him into a deep sleep and removed one of his ribs out of this he created women. Christians therefore question if men are superior to women, as God made him first and Eve was only created for Adam, out of his own body.
The seven stars in his hand represent the angels’ guardian ministry toward one specific church, or the human leaders or pastors of these churches. Angel literally means messenger. Ephesus The church of Ephesus was a church that did many good works and seemed as if it was thriving on the outside. They were no longer motivated or fuel by the love of Christ they were just concerned with looking good. In revelation 2:4 Jesus states that nevertheless I have something against thee because, thou hast left thy first love.
Tetzel also implores his readers to become a part of these indulgences to assure their ascent into heaven. According to the Catholic church, and Tetzel who so strongly believed in these rituals, wished to open the eyes of the mind. Tetzel explains to his readers the constant struggle of life man endures while living on earth. Tetzel describes letters obtained from the vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ, that will liberate man's soul from the hands of the enemy. Tetzel continues to enlighten his readers to the fact, there is no way to count the many sins a human being can commit on a daily basis.
Dogma: Small Group Communication Analysis Introduction: Dogma (1999) is a satire of the Catholic Church and Catholic belief system. The storyline follows Loki and Bartleby, two angels who were expelled from Heaven by God. After receiving a newspaper article from an anonymous sender, they are reminded of a loophole in Catholic Dogma that will allow them to get back into Heaven. However, this creates the paradox that existence is founded on the principle that God is infallible, and if Bartleby and Loki achieve their goal of returning to Heaven, they would prove God wrong, thus negating existence. As the film proceeds, a small group of individuals emerges to prevent Loki and Bartleby from successfully having their sins forgiven and returning to Heaven.
On page 1226, while Beowulf is preparing himself to battle the dragon, it is written that he “watched and controlled his God-sent strength and his outstanding natural powers.” This is an example of a strong Christian belief that is shown in the poem – everything humans have is a gift from God, the one God who has all the power in the universe. This line from the monks is enforcing this belief, showing that Christianity was slowly taking over Paganism in Europe. Beowulf is a perfect example of how although Europe was adopting new, monotheistic ideas, they were not ready to release their polytheistic beliefs just yet. Although it may seem controversial at times, it is a wonderful work of literature that demonstrates the opposing viewpoints that were arising in Europe around the time of its composition. Stuck in between Paganism and Christianity, Europe was now composed of a combination of these two very different belief systems, which led to drastic changes throughout the
Sometimes the character will also bring a resolution to impart harmony among the world or nation. In cinema, Christ figures are noted by their benevolent and selfless actions. Actions of the Christ figure may also reflect the actions of Jesus, walking on water, crucifixion, both literally and symbolically, resurrection or wearing a cross. Christ figures are often very easy to pick up on in movies because the plot will so closely follow the life of Christ (Kozlovic, “Journal of Religion”). From his arrival on Earth Superman assumes the identity of Jesus.
Many people question how it was that Jesus walked on this earth and remained sinless it was because of the help of the Holy Spirit in His life. The Holy Spirit plays a very vital role in the lives of each and every believer; He can strengthen us with a strength that we cannot even begin to muster up in ourselves. He can bring us joy that we cannot even begin to find in the things of this world. He can bring peace to our lives more than anything that we can ever find on this earth. “The Holy Spirit which is primarily an energizing process, is also a revealing, refining, consuming, illuminating process, and one by which we are made to glow with love to God, and love to man, and love to souls.” SIGNS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST As we look into the scriptures of Acts 2:1-11 we see the