In the context of rightwing student protest on Delhi University campus in 2011 to demand the withdrawal of an essay written by Prof A K Ramanujan, there developed a politico-legal situation in which students deployed both political pressure as well as legal suit to achieve their goal. This incident raised not only questions of political involvement in defining what Hinduism should be and how its sacred texts ought to be read, but the debate also attempted to shape the ‘sacred text’ by car...
In this essay, I look at the contemporary debate on the study of religion as to where it is in the academy. Second, in relation to that I look at the debates on the study of Hinduism. I then examine the issue of “who speaks for Hinduism” and whether Hinduism is a case of exception in the study of religion. In conclusion I suggest that Hinduism is a case in point in learning about our comparative project in the study of religion. My line of argument in this essay is based on the premise th...
In this paper, I attempt to clarify the idea of freedom in the Gītā using two important categories found both in the Gītā as well as in the Sāṃkhya philosophical system—Buddhi and Sattva. Much of the liberation idea that is often spoken of in the context of many modern Hindu movements is drawn from the Bhagavad Gītā. There is so much looseness to their ideas that it is necessary to explore what the Gītā actually means by its notion of freedom. Additionally, Gītā is often presen...
In presenting Hinduism in Africa, the essay limits itself to three important regions—East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania), Southern Africa (South Africa) and West Africa (Ghana). The reason for this limitation is that although there are Hindus throughout Africa presently as India begins to expand its trade with Africa, the three regions mentioned have come to represent the vibrant emergence of Hinduism on the African continent unparalleled with countries elsewhere in Africa. Contact be...
The study of Hinduism is dominated by brahmanical master narrative. In this essay I suggest alternative ways to study Hinduism. Documenting diverse regional narratives and extracting Hindu practices from these narratives is a starting point. In doing so, reliance on fieldwork-based narratives that provide insight into the different orientations by avoiding the temptation to subordinate the local and regional narratives to an overarching master narrative would help us understand the many aspec...
The project looks into how football, a universal language, can serve as a tool for bringing adherents of several religions together peacefully.
A general overview of the Benin Kingdom, the history of the OBA, the coronation of the OBA and its religious implications to the society. TABLE OF CONTENT Title page………………………………………………………….i Declaration………………………………………………………….ii Certification…………………………………………………………iii Dedication…………………………………………………………..iv Acknowledgement.�...
INTRODUCTION Naturally, human beings are moral beings for they make use of their reason and juxtapose it with the faculty of their will and intellect in making decisions. Man’s actions are therefore subjected to moral principles due to the gift of reason and freedom that differentiate him from other animals (Steinbock,1998). In ethical commandment, human actions are judged to be right or wrong based on how much they agree with the moral law. Moral law is the law of nature as it co...
It is often said that events and trends will take a different turn as the end of the world draws nearer. However, sceptics have always considered it to be another opium of the poor – and as such, it need not to be taken seriously. They believe that whatever happens in the world is just a normal phenomenon that goes with the rise and fall in human existence. They lay their claim on the fact that life has it time of growth and decay – both of which are caused by the actions and inactions of...
Abstract Man is homo religious, that is, a religious man. Hence, man as man cannot but worship something. Religious worship, therefore, as an expressive human act of faith links man to God. More so, in religion, the creature pays homage to the creator. Nigeria is a religious country with many religions of which the cardinal ones are African Traditional Religion, Christianity and Islam. These religious practices through different forms of teachings, doctrines and principles are capable of bri...
ABSTRACT Paul the Apostle, a personality known for efficient and exemplary type of life, profusely wrote and taught the acceptable codes and conducts for a leader who is entrusted with the mantle of leadership and all these codes and conducts for acceptable leadership are highlighted in several Pauline epistles in form of individual letters or letters to the Church (Theological books). Paul the Apostle, having identified his prowess through the divine unction from God, continued to enjoin...
A comparative approach between the Tiv and the Christian concept of dearth and life after death.
INTRODUCTION At the very heart of nature and human existence is religion. Not only does it give order to a just society, it also offers explanation to the ultimate meaning of life, and how to live accordingly in relation to other human beings. Thus Nottingham (2004) describes religion as; A cultural tool by means of which man has been able to accommodate himself to his experience in his total environment including his fellow group members, the sacred and the world of nature. CHAPTER ONE I...
THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST The church holds the liturgy in high esteem as the source and summit of its life. Hence, the worthy celebration of the liturgy (Holy Eucharist) is the source of strength and efficacy in the work of evangelization. The church’s teachings are anchored on the event of the Last supper when Christ Jesus entrusted to her (the church) his beloved bride , the memorial of his death and resurrection through his institution of the Eucharistic sacrifice of his body and ...
OverviewThe conflict in the Middle East is specifically between Israeli and Palestinians, there are a number of underlying factors which brought about this crisis, this factors ranges from the Middle East oil, The Israeli invasion of Palestinian territories, the Bomb attacks on the Israeli from the Palestinians etc. This paper focuses on how this crisis has affected the Muslims.TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroduction........................................................................................