Religion in American Life

Transcription

1 Religion in American Life Congfu Xu Zhejiang University, Hangzhou December 2, 2011

2 Welcome to Zhejiang University (Yuquan Campus) Isn t it a great pleasure if there are friends come from far away? by Confucius 2

3 Welcome to Zhejiang University (Zijingang Campus) Truth Seeking is the spirit of Zhejiang University. by Zhu Kezhen 3

4 Outline Background Religion and the U.S. Government Major American Religions Are Americans Religious? Conclusion and Comments Qustions The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. From Proverbs 9:10 NIV 4

5 About Holy Bible Old Testament (OT) About 1500 BC to 400 BC 39 Volumes, written in Hebrew (some in Aramaic) About 31 authors Hebrew history, Psalm, Proverbs, Prophecy etc. New Testament (NT) About 40 AC to 95 AC 27 Volumes, written in Greek About 9 authors Gospel, Acts, Letters, Revelation etc. 5

6 A Variety of English Bible Versions KJV: King James Version NKJV: New King James Version NRSV: New Revised Standard Version ESV: English Standard Version NIV: New International Version 6

7 Golden sentences from Bible 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (from NT) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Psalm 33:12 (from OT) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. 7

8 Important Events (1) An interesting phenomenon Christianity was originated from Jews But even today most of Jews do NOT believe it Preached in gentiles (i.e. Non-Jews) Apostles (Peter, Paul etc) and other disciples Western Asia, Europe, Northern Africa etc. Suffered very terrible persecution from ancient Roman empire and it emperors Roman emperors considered themselves as gods! 8

9 Important Events (2) Official National Religion in Rome Empire Reason: Canstatine the Great trusted in Jesus Rome: the New Center of Christianity Catholic Trinity: Holy Father, Holy Son (Jesus), Holy Spirit Also worship: Saint Mary, Saint Peter, Saint Paul etc. An organization ruled by the Pope and chief priests Pope The pope began to be powerful and luxurious In some sense, he was considered as an anti-christ 9

10 Important Events (3) Gradually the whole Europe believed it Mainland of Europe: France, Germany, etc. England, Scotland, Ireland, etc. Rough routes of Christianity: Jerusalem (Israel) > Palestine > Rome Empire (Italy) > The whole Europe > America > Far Eastern Asia 10

11 Related Historical Events 1517 Martin Luther: 95-Thesis Religion Reform: Protesting Catholic Protestant vs. Catholic 1611 English Authorized Bible King James Version (KJV) Puritans were persecuted in UK 11

12 Martin Luther, first reformer of Christianity 12

13 Related Historical Events 1620 Puritans: Mayflower Ship Harbor: Plymouth, Boston, MA Pilgrims: Religious Freedom 1636 Harvard College was founded Studying Holy Bible Training godly descendants 13

14 Theology College of Harvard University 14

15 Harvard University, Cambridge, Boston, July 19,

16 MIT, Cambridge, Boston, July 19,

17 Related Historical Events 1776 July 4, 1776: Independence Day Declaration of Independence Bible: All Men are created equal. Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Policy: Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Legal guarantees of religious freedom 17

18 Religion & U.S. Government Doctrine: Separation of Church and State Matthew 22:21: Give to Caesar what is Caesar s, and to God what is God s. (by Jesus) Federal/State must be free from religion No official national religion No government assistance to any religious groups No state/federal interference with religious practices In fact, all registered religious groups are legal 18

19 Religion & U.S. Government (Cont. 1) Bible: the Foundation of US Government Deeply influenced by the Bible Federal Court: Moses statue, Hebrew hero, received the Ten Commandments from God, was the author of five volumes of Old Testament. Congress Library: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) 19

20 National Motto & Symbol National motto: In God We Trust. Psalm 33:12 (from Old Testament) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. National bird/symbol: Eagle Isaiah 40: 31: But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. Psalm 103:5: The LORD satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle s 20

21 Attitude to Middle East More friendly to Israel than Palestine Israel only believe in Torah (i.e. Old Testament) Actually Christianity was stemmed from Jewish Jews trust in the same God: JHWH (LORD) What about Palestine & Arab? Also believe in the Only God Islam: created by Mohammedan in about 590s Koran (i.e. Qur an) Admire four great prophets Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammedan 21

22 Israel vs. Arab Both are descendants of Abraham Israel (i.e. Jacob) born by Sarah, the wife of Abraham Ishmael (Arab s forefather) born by Hagar the Egyptian, maidservant of Sarah Both were blessed by the LORD (JHWH) Genesis 21:

23 Israel vs. Palestine Struggling for Jerusalem and Temple Jerusalem: the Saint City Both consider Jerusalem as capital Focus: the Temple Mountain Israel s Temple was destroyed in 70 AC Now Islam s Temple is standing there America s attitude is very important 23

24 Jerusalem, conflict focus of Israel and Palestine 24

25 Answers from the Bible Israel people are regarded as God s people Arabic people are Israel s enemies Psalm 83 (from Old Testament) O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. Come, they say, let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more 25

26 Major American Religions Christian: 85% Protestant: 57% Catholic: 28% Jewish: 2% Orthodox, Conservative, Reform Mormons Founded in 1830, about 3.6 million, Utah Christian Scientists Founded in 1879, about 3,500 churches 26

27 Comparison of multi-sects or religions Names Time Doctrine Sects Number(mill.) Famous People Jewish BC Torah 3 Marx, Einstein Prost. 1517~ Bible Luther Chiritianity Cath. 300 ~ Bible + Roman 53 Pope Orthodox Bible + Mormons Christian Science churh 1879 M. B. Eddy 27

28 Major Protestant Bodies in US Many denominations / sects The United Methodists ( 联合公会 ) Baptists ( 浸信会 ) Lutherans ( 路德会 ) Presbyterians ( 长老会 ) Episcopalians ( 圣公会 ) Why there are so many sects? Slightly different beliefs or understanding 28

29 Greatest Influence on American Life The Protestant Work Ethic Moral value of work: Working hard Self-discipline: Being honesty & thrifty Personal responsibility Avoiding passive aspects Luxury and waste Excessive personal pleasure Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry. from Proverbs 19:15 (NIV) 29

30 Other influence on American Life Moral principles and values 2 Corinthian 6:14: Oppose interfaith marriages Matthew 5:31-32: Prohibit divorce Matthew 5:31-28: Protest premarital sex Psalm 127:3, 128:3: Forbid abortion About Children Psalm 127:3: Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. (NIV) 30

31 Are Americans Religious? Gogdly vs. Ungodly Obey the Bible vs. Disobey the Bible Faith vs. Religion Heart/spirit vs. Formal/outlook True Christian vs. False Christian Religion vs. Science God vs. Men (Self-reliance) Science has become many Americans religion 31

32 Hebrew vs. Greco-Roman Culture Ancient Hebrew Culture Based on the Bible God-oriented: for God s glory Ancient Greco-Roman Culture Based on the ancient Greek philosophy Human-oriented: for Human s glory Science was originated from Both of them 32

33 Hebrew vs. Greco-Roman Culture Attitude of Puritans s The Bible is the only principle Attitude of American Founders 1750s 1776 The Bible: as the fundamental principle Appreciated ancient Greek & Roman cultures Merged Hebrew and Greco-Roman 33

34 Typical Examples Thomas Jefferson Author of Declaration of Independence Based on the principle of the Bible One of the designers of Washington D. C. Based on the Greco-Roman classical style God-oriented + Human-oriented Benjamin Franklin God helps them that help themselves. Trust in God + Self-reliance 34

35 Conclusion & Comments Diversity Almost all religions can be found in USA Religious people and Atheists live peacefully Contradiction Debate between believers and unbelievers never ends! Statesmen/politicians are also Christians, so how to ensure the principle of Separation of Church and State? Will God continually bless USA in the future? 35

36 Questions What is the America s principle of religion management? Do you approve it? Why? When you go to America, if some religious people or groups invite you to attend their parties, what is your attitude? Accept or reject? Why? 36

37 Thank you very much! Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV 37