By Stella
You might laugh at church music and Christian rock, but the truth is that most forms of music have their roots in religion. Western music, originating in Europe, developed from hymns and chants that eventually acquired melodies and became polyphonic (containing multiple notes). Early composers, such as Hildegard of Bingen (1098), set lyrics to hymns. Later, composers such as Tomas Tallis and William Byrd would branch away from religious seculars, and music would become a part of ceremonies and other royal events. Many kings and queens had their own composers. As music progressed, it moved beyond vocals and began to include many different musical instruments. During the Baroque Era, beginning in the 1600s,symphonies were written. This was the time of composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and J.S. Bach. Many pieces were still religious, such as masses and choral hymns, and most churches had organs for composers and musicians to use. Over the years, music evolved to include more instruments, composers writing massive symphonies and operas.
In Africa, music also originated from religion. In traditional African religion, music was used for ceremonies and for communication. This music used various percussion instruments, vocals, and wind instruments, and was usually accompanied by dancing. In the 1800s, when slavery was still prevalent, slaves who had been brought from Africa learned to play western music. This fusion of western music with traditional African music led to the birth of ragtime, Dixieland, and eventually jazz. Jazz evolved into rock and roll, and eventually pop.
Even today, music is a large part of religion, and vice versa. Many people still put passages from the Bible into song, or write songs with religious meanings. In most churches, hymns and songs are a very large part of ceremony and tradition. Whether you listen to pop or rock, jazz or classical, know that religion was the origin of the song you’re listening to.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
St. Jude- Tom Belleque interview
by Nate
Out of all the work about Abrahamic religions I wrote on, I never got any opinions of the religions from anyone who has turned the religion into a profession. To gain another perspective, I went to St. Jude to interview my grandmother’s priest Tom Belleque. The questions I asked Tom were mainly about the Abrahamic religions as whole and his personal experiences with Christianity.
Out of all the work about Abrahamic religions I wrote on, I never got any opinions of the religions from anyone who has turned the religion into a profession. To gain another perspective, I went to St. Jude to interview my grandmother’s priest Tom Belleque. The questions I asked Tom were mainly about the Abrahamic religions as whole and his personal experiences with Christianity.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Islamophobia?
by Gloria
You’ve probably heard about the mosque being built at Ground Zero, but you might not know the details surrounding it. The plan was originally to build a 13-story building, complete with a swimming pool, as a cultural center for Muslims. The idea was Feisal Rauf and his wife Daisy Khan’s idea, they are both American Muslims. The plan was approved by the city council, but now due to protests and tension they may overturn their previous decision.
Many of the people opposing the mosque seriously think it will offend the families of those 3000 people that died in the 9/11 attacks, but some are just plain against Islam. They assume that their Muslim neighbors or co-workers are just like the terrorists involved in 9/11, or just like the independent terrorist bombers. This is an unfair and judgmental. Generalizing or stereotyping people is never okay, just like you don’t say “oh just because you’re black you’re a criminal”, you don’t say “oh you’re muslim, you must be a terrorist!”.
On the other hand, some protesters say that building a mosque at Ground Zero is like building a Japanese memorial on Pearl Harbor. It probably is offensive to people who’s loved ones died in the attacks. They say “build it anywhere, just not here”. But recently there have been protests against five different mosques being built, all around the country. This isn’t just about offending families of victims, it’s about people generalizing against Muslims and Islam. Islamophobia. Franklin Graham says Islam is “a religion of hatred. It’s a religion of war.” Protesters hold up signs that say things like “NO MEMORIAL TO TERRORISTS”. Others take passages of the Koran out of context and use them as proof this is true. They argue that Islam is not really a religion, so it should not be granted rights. Everybody’s read about neighbors suddenly becoming suspicious of their Muslim neighbors. All people should be able to express their opinion, just don’t harm others when you do.
Works Cited
Ghosh, Bobby. "Islamophobia." TIME 30 Aug. 2010: 20-26. Print.
Peyser, Andrea. "Mosque Madness at Ground Zero - NYPOST.com." New York News Gossip Sports Entertainment Photos - New York Post. 13 May 2010. Web. 06 Jan. 2011. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/mosque_madness_at_ground_zero_OQ34EB0MWS0lXuAnQau5uL/0
You’ve probably heard about the mosque being built at Ground Zero, but you might not know the details surrounding it. The plan was originally to build a 13-story building, complete with a swimming pool, as a cultural center for Muslims. The idea was Feisal Rauf and his wife Daisy Khan’s idea, they are both American Muslims. The plan was approved by the city council, but now due to protests and tension they may overturn their previous decision.
Many of the people opposing the mosque seriously think it will offend the families of those 3000 people that died in the 9/11 attacks, but some are just plain against Islam. They assume that their Muslim neighbors or co-workers are just like the terrorists involved in 9/11, or just like the independent terrorist bombers. This is an unfair and judgmental. Generalizing or stereotyping people is never okay, just like you don’t say “oh just because you’re black you’re a criminal”, you don’t say “oh you’re muslim, you must be a terrorist!”.
On the other hand, some protesters say that building a mosque at Ground Zero is like building a Japanese memorial on Pearl Harbor. It probably is offensive to people who’s loved ones died in the attacks. They say “build it anywhere, just not here”. But recently there have been protests against five different mosques being built, all around the country. This isn’t just about offending families of victims, it’s about people generalizing against Muslims and Islam. Islamophobia. Franklin Graham says Islam is “a religion of hatred. It’s a religion of war.” Protesters hold up signs that say things like “NO MEMORIAL TO TERRORISTS”. Others take passages of the Koran out of context and use them as proof this is true. They argue that Islam is not really a religion, so it should not be granted rights. Everybody’s read about neighbors suddenly becoming suspicious of their Muslim neighbors. All people should be able to express their opinion, just don’t harm others when you do.
Works Cited
Ghosh, Bobby. "Islamophobia." TIME 30 Aug. 2010: 20-26. Print.
Peyser, Andrea. "Mosque Madness at Ground Zero - NYPOST.com." New York News Gossip Sports Entertainment Photos - New York Post. 13 May 2010. Web. 06 Jan. 2011. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/mosque_madness_at_ground_zero_OQ34EB0MWS0lXuAnQau5uL/0
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Bahá'í Faith
by Stella
Have you ever heard of Bahá’í Faith? Chances are you know somebody who has. With over 5 million adherents in all parts of the world, people from all different religions are becoming Bahá’í.
The Bahá’í Faith started in the second half of the 1800s, with the birth of Baha’u’llah in what is now Iran. He realized he was a Messenger of God when he was thrown in a dungeon for giving up a royal life and following Bábism, the predecessor to Bahá’í Faith. He was exiled to Iraq, where he announced that he was the Messenger predicted by the Báb, the founder of Bábism. He was then exiled a second time from Iraq to Istanbul, and in the following years authored many scriptures describing his teachings. In 1892 Baha’u’llah died, leaving the religion to his son Abdu’l-Baha. Between then and now, Bahá’í Faith has gained many followers and created a local, national, and global democratic governing system.
The main theme of the Bahá’í Faith is unity. This includes unity between different races, classes, nations and any other traditional barrier. Other principles are that Baha’is must take part in daily prayer, refrain from partisan politics, have a profession or craft, and participate in a period of fasting. The Bahá’í faith considers males and females equal, and also prohibits non-medical drugs, gambling, and backbiting. A Baha’i’s lifetime is to be spent striving for all of these principles. Any form of community service or education is considered worship, and many Baha’is tutor, mentor or perform other types of service.
One interesting fact about the Bahá’í Faith is they have their own calendar. It starts on the 21st of March and each of the 19 months has 19 days, with 4 intercalary days (February 26th-March 1st) to make it line up with the solar calendar. On the first of each month there is a feast, and in the last month, (March 2nd –March 20th) all Baha’is aged 15-70 take part in a fast.
I really think this is an interesting religion. Its themes of unity and fairness are a breath of fresh air amidst all of the wars and murders that surround many other religions and their conflicts.
Works Cited
Baha'i Faith United States Official Website. Web. 03 Jan. 2011. http://www.bahai.us/
The Baha'i Faith- The International Website of the Baha'is of the World. Web. 03 Jan. 2011. http://www.bahai.org/
Have you ever heard of Bahá’í Faith? Chances are you know somebody who has. With over 5 million adherents in all parts of the world, people from all different religions are becoming Bahá’í.
The Bahá’í Faith started in the second half of the 1800s, with the birth of Baha’u’llah in what is now Iran. He realized he was a Messenger of God when he was thrown in a dungeon for giving up a royal life and following Bábism, the predecessor to Bahá’í Faith. He was exiled to Iraq, where he announced that he was the Messenger predicted by the Báb, the founder of Bábism. He was then exiled a second time from Iraq to Istanbul, and in the following years authored many scriptures describing his teachings. In 1892 Baha’u’llah died, leaving the religion to his son Abdu’l-Baha. Between then and now, Bahá’í Faith has gained many followers and created a local, national, and global democratic governing system.
The main theme of the Bahá’í Faith is unity. This includes unity between different races, classes, nations and any other traditional barrier. Other principles are that Baha’is must take part in daily prayer, refrain from partisan politics, have a profession or craft, and participate in a period of fasting. The Bahá’í faith considers males and females equal, and also prohibits non-medical drugs, gambling, and backbiting. A Baha’i’s lifetime is to be spent striving for all of these principles. Any form of community service or education is considered worship, and many Baha’is tutor, mentor or perform other types of service.
One interesting fact about the Bahá’í Faith is they have their own calendar. It starts on the 21st of March and each of the 19 months has 19 days, with 4 intercalary days (February 26th-March 1st) to make it line up with the solar calendar. On the first of each month there is a feast, and in the last month, (March 2nd –March 20th) all Baha’is aged 15-70 take part in a fast.
I really think this is an interesting religion. Its themes of unity and fairness are a breath of fresh air amidst all of the wars and murders that surround many other religions and their conflicts.
Works Cited
Baha'i Faith United States Official Website. Web. 03 Jan. 2011. http://www.bahai.us/
The Baha'i Faith- The International Website of the Baha'is of the World. Web. 03 Jan. 2011. http://www.bahai.org/
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