Mrs. Lu taught comparative religion for many years. She was the perfect person for the job since she couldn’t say that she believed in any of it, but it was all terribly interesting. She had always had a keen interest in religious philosophy. She had been to many churches, synagogs and temples throughout her years.
She would watch a Christmas Mass at midnight, listen to readings at her Grandmother’s knee on Christian Science, go to services in many Christian denominations. She participated in drumming circles, yoga, meditation, and took a class in college called “The Study of Religious Experience.”
She tried them all. Tribal religions, Paganism, and Goddess worship hold meaning to the human spirit. She has a few kids who are Pagans or Goddess worshippers in her class. Some kids are Christians and go to Bible study every Friday during school hours. She encouraged it.
“What can you do with it?” one recalcitrant intelligent youth inquires.
“Well, for one thing, there are many literary references you may not completely understand unless you have a basic knowledge of The Bible.” The boy never went to Bible school, preferring to read on a bench by himself. But she knew once he hit college, he would have some catching up to do.
A brief story of Comparative Religion:
Judaism has been around a very long time, since about 2085 BC. The Great Man behind Judaism was Abraham. Abraham was the first person to come up with the idea of “One God.” The Old Testament, The Torah and The Talmud are the great books.
God promised to protect the Israelites as long as they promised to follow Him alone. They called it, “The Covenant.” Moses was another great man of Judaism. He was spoken to by God and given the Ten Commandments. The promised land was called Israel.
Historically the Jews have gone though a horrendous trail. To still hold on to God when you are an Egyptian slave, wandering lost in the desert, forced from their homes, put in concentration camps, tortured, and killed on every inhuman and despicable way during WWII is a very strong commitment!
Mrs. Lu had been to Friday night Temple Services, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs and weddings of close friends and family members. She loved the music and liturgy which seemed to be rooted deep inside the human core. It’s been here for over four thousand years!
She interviewed with the Rabbi who told her that she must be refused three times. He gave her a book to read and dismissed her. She liked the idea of studying religion rather than believing.
There many gods of Hinduism. Some people estimate 1,000,00! Individuals choose gods that fit their need. Hindus believe in a Cosmic Force that controls the human existence. Most people worship several gods; Shiva, Krisha,Vishnu Devi, Kali, Durga… People select the deity that will get them closer to the Cosmic Force.
Hindus also believe in reincarnation and that a person can be reincarnated many times depending on their Karma. How well you have lived your life is the determining factor in whether or not you will be reborn in human form or something else.
Hindus have shrines in their homes with images of their favorite deities. They make offerings to these shrines with fruit, flowers, and incense. This is called “Puja” and is usually performed at sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight at the Temples or the individual homes.
The holidays in India are very festive and can based on a specific god. Diwalli is “The Festival of Lights”and celebrates the new year. People set out candles, lights lamps, and fireworks. On Holi everyone goes wild in the streets throwing colored powder at everyone else. Ganesh, the elephant god is honored with huge parades in every town. People put huge statues up and carry them on pallets through the streets.
Buddhism: The teachings of Buddha could be combined with any religion. It has been called “a philosophy” rather than a religion by some people. There are Christians and Jews who practice yoga, meditate, and pray to Jesus and Yahweh. It works for them. According to The Buddha, if you follow these rules you will be happy.
The Four Noble Truths:
1. Life is suffering.
2. Suffering is caused by desire.
3. Extinguish all desire.
4. Walk the narrow Eight Fold Path.
The Eight Fold Path
1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Concentration
8. Right Mindfulness
Confucius influenced the whole Chinese nation.
- Do your work well. If you are a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper!
- Be the best that you can be.
- Morality in government.
- Respect in relationships; parent to child, government to the people, husband to wife.
- Worship your ancestors; shrines for the dead offering fruit, flowers, and incense adorn every living room.
This was so ingrained that when the Cultural Revolution occurred, it was never stomped out. Currently there is a regrowth of interest in the philosophy. Confucius is also credited with the first edition of the Golden Rule.
Christianity introduced the concept of forgiveness. “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” Jesus was truly a rebel. He changed the world. He changed the date. He changed The Bible! The idea that you can really sin and then be forgiven as the way any loving parent would. What an amazing invention!
Catholicism was the first Christian religion. Catholicism is like show business! It has the ceremonies, rituals, the pomp, and those fancy outfits. (Mrs. Lu loves a good Mass!) Although Catholicism is still the most popular, many Christian religions grew out of it. The split began when King Henry VIII wanted a divorce instead of another beheading. This personal problem led to the establishment of a series of break ups: Episcopalians, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational….
This was also the beginning of setting up colonies across the Atlantic. People seeking religious freedom have always come to America. They staked their claims in whatever areas they happened to land. Certain states became known for being Puritan, Catholic, Quaker, Lutheran, etc. Several states tried to ban folks from other religions from settling. This did not work out as evidenced by The Constitution’s First Amendment.
This is the true story according to history:
The Quryash people of Mecca had a very sweet well that was a popular stopping point for travelers. The leaders of the town wanted to encourage trade and welcomed all peoples to put religious objects in the sacred Kaaba for protection, along with the sacred stone that fell from the sky as a gift from the angel, Gabriel, to the Islamic people.
“It was a meteorite!” the smart boy puts in out of turn as usual. Everyone agrees.
Mrs. Lu is a staunch defender of free speech, so she is amused by the class discussion and lets it go on so they can process their own opinions.
When Mohammed took over, he banished all objects except for the Sacred Stone. He broke all the religious artifacts throwing them in the street. Then he went to war to force converts.
He made laws that favored trade only with people of the Muslim faith, which led to more converts. “You can’t do business with us unless you’re Muslim.” All up and down the Middle East and along the north and east coasts of Africa people were still primarily following their tribal religions. With this incentive they converted to Islam for trade benefits.
Although the tenets of Islam are comparable to Judaism and Christianity, the actual practice is sometimes harsh especially to females. Educated women along with enlightened men will have to change that culture gradually.
Mrs. Lu chooses a little bit from each and mixes them up according to what she needs. So many relics, little statues, a Chinese Quan Yin, a Wiccan sign that says, “Be Kind,” a Celtic cross, a crucifix, an African power necklace, a Welsh twirl, a Mezuzah…too many to name. She hung quotes from “The Man” as she liked to call it. The great men in order of their inspirations: Abraham, Brahma, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, Mohammad. There are gods in every corner of her classroom.
She emphasizes the American Way. Worship and believe in what you choose.
#FreedomofReligion
(First published 3/19/14)
