Cambridge Platonists & Colonialism: Origins of Monotheism - Prof. Brad Stoddard, Study notes of World Religions

Download Cambridge Platonists & Colonialism: Origins of Monotheism - Prof. Brad Stoddard and more Study notes World Religions in PDF only on Docsity! 8/31 Cambridge Platonists Philosophers at Cambridge Coined term “religion” 1600’s “religion” referred to Christianity Robert Harris Objected to Cambridge Platonists Jonathan Z. Smith Said religion only existed in the academy We use the term to help categorize activities 9/7 Max Weber Said west is fundamentally different from the rest of the world Pointed out that Europe was extremely influential, despite its relative size 3 main differences: 1) universals: nature of the world; similarities 2) empirical validity: proof for understanding why 3) rational ordering: reasoning Colonialism Europeans violently conquered foreign people & land Implemented cultural views Took weapons 6 stages: 1) Spanish & Portuguese (14/1500s), Americas, some Africa 2) France, Holland, & England more active (16/1700s) 3) Decolonialization (17/1800s) 4) England & France (18/1900s) Africa, India 5) Post WWI- some decolonialization, winners inherited losers’ colonies 6) second wave of decolonialization post WWII Decolonialism Countries gain independence 9/14 Funerary texts Pyramid texts: writings on pyramid walls; help king get to afterlife & after getting there. Coffin texts: writings on coffins; songs and spells, more about royal people apart from pharaohs. New funerary texts: “Book of the Dead” copied on scrolls, sold to people who can afford them. Scrolls & paintings: all 3 eras, wealthier people. Foreign writers: Plutarch Nile/Egypt's geography Allowed for isolation and protection Nile overflowed every year, replenishing soil Able to sustain large culture: allowed for leisure and “religious” life Pharaoh/sacred kingship Pharaoh position appointed at birth or taken by military force Osiris/Isis/Horus Osiris and Seth: twin brothers Isis and Nephthys: twin sisters Osiris marries Isis, Seth marries Nephthys Seth got jealous and killed Osiris Isis brings Osiris back to life and they have Horus Osiris becomes gatekeeper of underworld Isis becomes goddess of motherhood Akhenaten Forbade polytheism Monalatrist Egypt wasn’t ready for the worship of one god Quickly overthrown, left and built the city Amarna for the worship of one god 9/19 Zarathustra Born into family of warriors Trained as priest Left family at 30 to meditate, had visions Created traditions later associated with Zoroastrianism, probably first monotheistic religion Died in battle Ahura Mazda Highest god Creator of heaven and earth Morality important Judge of the afterlife Only one worthy of worship Found in the Kingdom of Truth Aura Mainya Evil Found in Kingdom of the Lie Opposite of Ahura Mazda King Vishtaspa Adopted Zarathustra Made Zoroastrianism official religion of his kingdom Dualism Belief or notion in 2 opposite & opposing forces 2 principles that work in the world Good (Ahura Mazda) vs evil (Aura Mainya) The Avesta “Book of the Law” Most accurate record of Zoroastrianism 9/21 Homer Writer Hero-tendency Gods frequently intervening in human life Either help or completely hinder humans Fire in Rome, suspected and blames Christians Emperor of Rome Literally insane Destroyed temple, ending Second Temple Era Desemated Israel Supposedly the antichrist Iraneous Argued against Gnostics 3 things to be Christian- orders of ministry, canon (1 authority), rule of faith (in Jesus) Constantine Conversion said to be political Chose Catholicism over Gnosticism because Catholics upheld the hierarchy Changed part of Christianity Edict of Milan Marks Roman Empire’s final abandonment of the policies of persecution of Christians Signed by Constantine and Licinius Council of Nicea Issue of Arianism Sponsored by Rome to define Christianity and Catholicism Theodosius Made Christianity official religion of Roman Empire Said Heretics (Gnosticism) was dead 10/5 Gnostics Gnosis: knowledge Group claiming to have “secret knowledge” Met with normal Christians, then met separately Predates Christ/ Christianity Groups embracing Christ most popular groups Believed in God Head made Sophia making other deities with her Sophia made Yahweh, who got jealous and created Earth, telling Earth he was the only god Humans have divine spark that ignites when they realize God Head exists Demiurge Bastard god (without father) Ignorant and imperfect Yahweh (Gnosticism) Nag Hammadi Library Texts found in desert surrounding Nag Hammadi, Egypt Documents written by Gnostics Gospels that didn’t make it into the bible Gospel of Thomas Supposedly first gospel written Didn’t make it into the bible Paul upholds hierarchy (Corinthians) (Proto-Catholics) Paul abolishes hierarchy (Galatians) (Gnostics) Marcion More powerful than Valentinus Inspired Iraneous with Canons Marcionite Gnosticism First to gather Paul’s writings Battled with Iraneous over who gets to claim the term “Christianity” Godhead Real main god gender hierarchy (Roman social hierarchy) Citizens: free, own property, can vote/ participate in politics Men- Penis only Commoners: free, don’t own property, can’t vote Women- Penis or vagina Slaves: not free, no rights at all Women- Penis or vagina Everyone born female Commoners could become citizens, had to earn it Citizens could not have sex with other citizens, but could have sex with commoners (male or female) Gnostics wanted to overthrow the hierarchy 10/10 Transubstantiation Roman Catholic doctrine that bread and wine become body and blood of Jesus Pope Authoritative voice of Catholicism Bishop of Rome- most important Saint Peter “The rock” Supposedly the first Pope Benedict's Rule Discusses daily life in monasteries Confess sins verbally Adopted by Roman Empire and forced onto people Feudalism Economic system that influenced the Catholic Church in the beginning of the 9th century Political and military customs in Europe Structure to organize communities Lords- administrate land, organize military Vassals- granted land by lords Fiefs- land Crusades Holy wars against Muslims Religiously sanctioned military battles with primary goal to recapture Jerusalem Captured Jerusalem in 1099 and 1187 John Wycliffe/Lollards Wycliffe taught consubstantiation Lollards were followers of Wycliffe John Huss Priest and philosopher Questioned consubstantiation Had power because he had a printing press 10/12 Avignon, France Where Pope was exiled to Martin Luther 95 theses on Catholic Church door about issues with church To be saved, you only had to believe in God (justification through faith) No need for Catholic rituals, simpler church Excommunicated by church and emperor Hid, wrote, and became very influential John Calvin Liked Luther’s critiques, but had different theological beliefs Believed in predestination Depravity- through original sin we’re flawed inescapably Broke from Catholic Church 1530 King Henry VIII Couldn’t have a son, blamed his wife Disagreed with pope because pope was against divorce Puritans Negative term- reformers within Catholic Church Embraced over time Led by John Winthrop to Massachusetts, made no separation of church and state “city upon a hill”- thought the world was watching when really, no one cared. 10/17 Qur’an/ Koran “reading” or “recitation” Revealed to Muhammad by archangel Gabriel Verbatim word of God Muhammad Started Islam in 7th century Prophet Trader, how he made his living Born around Mecca Preached monotheism to polytheists Hijra (“emigration”) Muhammad and followers go to Medina People of the Book Dhimmi Protected under Islam law Close to Islam but not quite Muslim Five Pillars of Islam Instructions for every Muslim 1) Profession of faith 2) Ritual prayer 3) Ramadan fast- no eating, drinking, or smoking during the day 4) Almsgiving- give to people in need 5) Pilgrimage to Mecca (sacred center of Islam) Ka’bah