CH 15
Christianity has been around for quite a long time, and it is interesting to read about all the changes it went through, the good and the bad, and just how other beliefs assimilated Christianity into their own to make a new blended version. Not all ideas that were created out of Christianity were accepted by the Roman Catholic Church, in fact many other new beliefs challenged the church.
I myself was born and raised Catholic, but was baptized last year in my non-denomonational Christian church. It is interesting to hear how other Christian denominations came about. Some of Luther's beliefs are valid and are still becoming the reason people are either switching churches, religion or leaving religion all together. This personally resonated with me, since I had my reason for leaving the Catholic church as well. A lot of the issues, such as women roles, are still discussed in church and in society.
Women in ministry is still very much frowned upon, and there is still a gap between men and women just as the chapter later discusses with education. Sure it has gotten better, but there is a lot more to do before we are seen as equal and treated as equal.
It is no surprise that there was a lot of corruption going on in churches back then, and it still happens today-- in other groups as well.
The spread of Christianity was a bit different compared to other religions. Europeans had no toleration for other beliefs, and they wanted to convert as many people as possible. They were against idolizing gods and incorporating local beliefs. There were some who blended their beliefs with Christian beliefs, but they were opposed by the church.
Christianity spread in many areas but did have trouble in China. China already had their own beliefs and were highly independent. A few converted, but it was harder to covert the masses. The europeans back then did pry on the weak, but up against a unified country-- they had no power to do so.
What surprised me with this reading the most was the reading on Islamic views and religion. I must say, I do not know much about Muslims, and all many of us hear about them is that they are quite strict, especially with women. However, when reading a bit of its history, it looks like it was not strict back then. There are different branches and different ideas, but those differences we rarely hear about. I guess that further shows how they want a more universal religion.
The birth of modern science gave people a new religion-- a new way of thinking that didn't rely on a divine power or the Bible. This was more evidence based, which is how many people live today. This challenged the church early on, but soon they realized they needed to accommodate this way of thinking. I am a science major who goes and serves my church every Sunday. Being able to navigate through both and realizing that science and religion do not have to be enemies is powerful.
I myself was born and raised Catholic, but was baptized last year in my non-denomonational Christian church. It is interesting to hear how other Christian denominations came about. Some of Luther's beliefs are valid and are still becoming the reason people are either switching churches, religion or leaving religion all together. This personally resonated with me, since I had my reason for leaving the Catholic church as well. A lot of the issues, such as women roles, are still discussed in church and in society.
Women in ministry is still very much frowned upon, and there is still a gap between men and women just as the chapter later discusses with education. Sure it has gotten better, but there is a lot more to do before we are seen as equal and treated as equal.
It is no surprise that there was a lot of corruption going on in churches back then, and it still happens today-- in other groups as well.
The spread of Christianity was a bit different compared to other religions. Europeans had no toleration for other beliefs, and they wanted to convert as many people as possible. They were against idolizing gods and incorporating local beliefs. There were some who blended their beliefs with Christian beliefs, but they were opposed by the church.
Christianity spread in many areas but did have trouble in China. China already had their own beliefs and were highly independent. A few converted, but it was harder to covert the masses. The europeans back then did pry on the weak, but up against a unified country-- they had no power to do so.
What surprised me with this reading the most was the reading on Islamic views and religion. I must say, I do not know much about Muslims, and all many of us hear about them is that they are quite strict, especially with women. However, when reading a bit of its history, it looks like it was not strict back then. There are different branches and different ideas, but those differences we rarely hear about. I guess that further shows how they want a more universal religion.
The birth of modern science gave people a new religion-- a new way of thinking that didn't rely on a divine power or the Bible. This was more evidence based, which is how many people live today. This challenged the church early on, but soon they realized they needed to accommodate this way of thinking. I am a science major who goes and serves my church every Sunday. Being able to navigate through both and realizing that science and religion do not have to be enemies is powerful.
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