Christianity and printing in world religions

Religion

Vocabulary, Christianity: citing your sources:

• Gospel -- pertains to one of the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), or refers more generally to the life and teachings of Jesus (Babylon)

• parable -- a "symbolic story" that teaches a moral or religious lesson (Babylon)

• baptism -- initiation into Christianity via ritual submergence in water (Babylon)

• trinity -- group of three; in Christianity, referring particularly to the theological trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Babylon)

• creed -- belief, usually religious; personal faith (Babylon)

• eucharist or communion -- Christian ceremony commemorating the Last Supper (Babylon)

• ecumenical -- referring to the Church, worldwide or universal nature (Babylon)

• bishop -- "church official who oversees a number of Christian churches," (Babylon)

• heresy -- beliefs that contrast with the established religion (Babylon)

• schism -- faction or division, generally into two "opposing parties," as in the East-West schism of the Church (Babylon)

• Catholicism -- related to the Roman Catholic Church

• Protestantism -- related to various Christian denominations that broke from the Roman Catholic Church based on the teachings of Martin Luther (Babylon)

• Orthodox Christianity -- "a group of independent churches including the Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox and other churches. Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism officially split from each other in 1054," (Religious Tolerance)

• The Reformation -- started by Martin Luther in the 16th century, a formal break from the Roman Catholic Church to challenge its politics and religious ideology (Religious Tolerance)

• liberation theology -- interpretation of religion, especially Christianity, in light of economic and political inequality (Religious Tolerance)

• denomination -- an established religious group (Religious Tolerance)

• sacrament -- religious ceremony or ritual "believed to have been instituted by Jesus and viewed as a symbol of grace," (Babylon)

2. Basic tenets and beliefs of Christianity:

There is only one God, but God is a trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). God is omniscient and omnipotent (Fairchild, n.d.). Jesus was born to a virgin mother, and was His Father's only begotten Son. Jesus is therefore both human and divine (Fairchild, n.d.). Jesus died as a form of spiritual sacrifice for the sins of humanity, that human beings may ultimately be saved, forgiven, and able to achieve eternal life (Fairchild, n.d.).

• Basic practices of the faith:

Although the practices of the faith differ depending on the denomination, they almost always include prayer and reading of scripture. There are several rites, rituals, and religious holidays (holy days) that are integral to Christian worship. Those holidays generally follow and commemorate the life of Jesus Christ.

A reaction to the holy text assigned for the reading

• For Christianity, the Gospel of Luke:

The Gospel of Luke is one of the four main New Testament texts, and refers to the life and teachings of Jesus. The author details the life of Jesus starting with the birth of John the Baptist and the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. Luke also talks about the baptism of Jesus and His temptations; and finally, details the crucifixion and resurrection. There are several parables contained in the text, which are among the most fruitful of the Bible such as the parable of the good Samaritan (NIV).

b. Important religious holidays and details about celebrating them:

Easter: Easter is the holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is not just one day, but is the culmination of a series of holidays known sometimes as the Holy Week. The Holy Week starts with Good Friday, which commemorates the day of the crucifixion. The date of the Easter holiday changes from year to year (BBC Religion). Specific ways of celebrating Easter differ greatly depending on one's denomination.

Christmas: The holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus. It is celebrated on December 25 by most Roman Catholics and Protestants, and on January 7 by Orthodox Christians (BBC Religion). The rituals and methods of celebration differ depending on one's denomination.

Pentacost:

Reformation Sunday: the holiday commemorating the start of the Protestant Reformation. It usually occurs on the last Sunday of October ("Questions and Answers about Reformation Day," n.d).

Good Friday: The Friday before Easter is a "day of mourning" for Christians because it commemorates the "Passion," or crucifixion of Jesus (BBC Religion, n.d.).