Religion and Theology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Religion and Theology - Essay Example People can independently practice any faith and doctrines that their consciousness allows and without the fear of being opposed by anyone. It is hard to separate religion and liberty in the present days. This is because it has been used by those that are struggling for freedom (Gunn, 15). Religion has played a crucial role in advocacy for human rights and in democracy promotion. How one responds to other religions that exist apart from our own determines how committed one is to observing this freedom of religion. It is evident that this commitment is in some people’s self interest since they have no religious beliefs that they hold on to. Religious freedom needs people to tolerate other religious groups even those that are considered to have followers that are causing trouble. Whether Christians, Buddhists or Muslims they all have the right to practice their religion as well as build their places of worship be it churches, temples or mosques all in accordance with the beliefs which people have. (Gunn, 23). The Chinese religion is the one which is of focus in this case. There are various issues which come into focus in relation to this particular religion. The one which seems to stand out, however, is in relation to the statues and many deities which are associated with the various religions that are prevalent in China. It is also of the essence to note that most of the religions which are in China are rather traditional in nature. This brings to question of whether these religions indeed incorporate the modern beliefs that are associated with religion. It is also seen that these religions may seem to be just favorable to the local inhabitants of the country or rather the local inhabitants. As opposed to some of the religions which may be practiced in other countries, the one in China seems to be unaccomodative of foreign individuals (Gunn, 7). With these revelations one of the things which can be asked is whether the Chinese religion was in existence bef ore the relations which the country had with other nations, particularly those of the West. The main reason for such an inquiry is with the notion that the West seems to be influential of most of the things which happen in the current world. The answer to such a question is a rather simple one. The Chinese religions have been in existence for a significant period now. This is to mean that they are totally autonomous from the influence of the West. There are certain elements which are associated with religions in the West and these elements are not anywhere in the Chinese religions. Some of these elements include the use of religious elements such as the Bible (Yanxia & Xinzhong, 35).. The Chinese religion is also one which is rather conservative. The elements which were in the religion back in the days are still being practiced even in the contemporary society. The ability of these religions to stand the changes which are in existent is majorly based on their deeply rooted beliefs i n traditions, not forgetting their conservative nature. To a greater extent, the happenings that are associated with the Chinese religions may seem rather strange to the ordinary people. However, it is also of the essence to appreciate the diversity which various regions of the world have to offer (Yanxia & Xinzhong, 23).. In the recent past, there have been concerns that this freedom is waning. There are claims that some religious minorities are being discriminated against and being mistreated. This piece of information has not been widespread, but its impact might be felt nationwide in the coming days if nothing is done. There have been wars which are perpetrated by individuals from one religious group to another. In most cases, it is the Muslims and Christians who are affected. There are

Discuss the importance of the manuscript in Medieval art. Explain and Essay

Discuss the importance of the manuscript in Medieval art. Explain and explore issues of authorship, production, patronage, style, and technique - Essay Example echanical means ÃŽ ¿f reproduction.[23] Consistent with a long medieval tradition, contemporary sources praised the opulence ÃŽ ¿f the materials or the technical appropriateness ÃŽ ¿f the finished product in terms ÃŽ ¿f "good" images, something that pleased the eye ÃŽ ¿f the beholder as well as the Creator.[24] In his impressive two-part volume Lilian Randall (1997) describes eighty-four codices and eighty-two unbound items produced in the medieval southern Netherlands, approximately equivalent to modern-day Belgium. It follows her equally impressive coverage ÃŽ ¿f manuscripts from France (vol. I, 1989; vol. II, in 2 parts, 1992); between them they cover about two-thirds ÃŽ ¿f the Western manuscripts at the Walters. The first thing to say to anyone who does not know the previous catalogues is that the descriptions are extremely detailed: for example, the description ÃŽ ¿f the Beaupre Antiphonary (cat. nos 219A-D) fills more than thirty pages. Catalogues ÃŽ ¿f medieval manuscripts might be said to fall into two broad types: on the one hand there are those that aim to provide readers with just enough information to help them decide whether they ought to consult the original in person; and on the other hand, there are those that provide so much information that the reader either does not have to consult the original, or can be confident that it is indeed worth the cost and effort ÃŽ ¿f a visit to examine the original. Randalls catalogues lie squarely in the second camp. Like many collections ÃŽ ¿f manuscripts (as opposed to libraries) formed during the last century or so, the Walters manuscripts were acquired largely for their decoration, and it is therefore appropriate that Randall provides perhaps the most detailed descriptions ÃŽ ¿f decoration to be found in any catalogue. But her descriptions are not aimed only at the art historian: equal care is given to all the features that one would hope to find covered in a catalogue ÃŽ ¿f undecorated manuscripts, such as the identification ÃŽ ¿f