Mine and Mind

The St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, opened in 1993, is housed in a building constructed on the site of the medieval Archbishop’s castle. It reveals and analyzes the importance of religion in people’s lives the world over, since the beginning of civilization. Besides its unique concept, the museum provides an unparalleled view of the Gothic Cathedral and the Necropolis, a nineteenth century graveyard situated on the hill behind.

The museum has four exhibition areas spread over three floors. These include the Gallery of Religious Art, the Gallery of Religious Life, the Scottish Gallery and a temporary exhibition space. The objective of the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art is to inculcate understanding and respect among people of diverse faiths, religions and atheists through its exhibits which include a Zen garden, and a sculpture showing Islamic calligraphy.

The Gallery of Religious Art exudes brightness with its colorful stained glass windows depicting Christian saints and prophets. It also displays a beautiful figure of the Hindu God of Dance, Lord Shiva.

The Gallery of Religious Life delves in detail into the world’s six main religions, namely, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. The novel concept at St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art is being able to listen to people talk about their faith, and witness the Mexican Day of the Dead skeleton, which signifies the victory of life over death.

The Scottish gallery traces the impact of religion on the culture and beliefs of the people of West Scotland from early times to present day civilization. The Sharing of Faiths banner reflects the spirit of the multi-faith city of Glasgow. The Zen Garden is the only permanent one in Britain, depicting simplicity and the peaceful coexistence of man and nature.

Glasgow is among the most historic places in UK and you’ll find many attractions, both historic and modern, to explore. The choice of Glasgow hotels available provides you with an easy way to stay at, discover and enjoy Glasgow at leisure.

The African Traditional Religion is a religion practiced on the African continent. It is the indigenous religion of Africans with its own distinct features and character of the people who practice it just as Islam has the character of the Arabs, Judaism of the Jews, and Hindus of the Indians. Like other religions, it is difficult to tell when this religion originated but we know it is as old as the Africans.

The African Traditional Religion is not totally different from other religions even though it came under sever the criticisms of the early Europeans who came to Africa to propagate Christianity. This religion was handed down to Africans in oral form exactly the same way other religions emanated and is a way of life of the Africans. This may become reflective in the day to day attitude of the African. Thus the tenets and ideas of this religion exist largely in oral forms and are still very much understood by the Africans themselves who practice the religion.

Another interesting feature of this religion is that it has no sacred book which has caused some critics to readily misleadingly conclude that it is not a revealed religion or religion of the book. Some have also labeled the religion, a religion of backward people. The African traditional religion has no imposing and magnificent buildings such as those of the churches, mosques, temple, pagodas where worshippers could troop in and out to worship. This development has portrayed the religion in bad light in the eyes of the early Europeans that came to the continent.

African Traditional Religion can best be understood through oral and non-oral devices. These oral devices are still living with Africans today and are expressed mostly in proverbs, names, songs and others. The non-oral devices consist of artifacts mostly recovered from archeological excavations and some present day art works. Contrary to the beliefs of the early European visitors to the continent, Africans hold the idea that an Almighty God exists, creator of Heaven and Earth.

“Chukwudi” (There is God) is a popular name in Ibo land, South-East of Nigeria best justifies this idea. It is therefore incontrovertible that even before the coming of the Europeans Africans had clear the knowledge of the existence of God. God therefore did not come to the African continent with the Europeans. The Europeans only came with their own version of God. And the African Traditional Religion supports this fact even indisputably.

In fact what these early visitors to Africa did was to attempt to destroy the continued existence of the religion together with its values by labeling it an evil religion from the dark continent, full of savages, a religion which highly glorifies the Devil implicitly suggesting that nothing good can come out of an evil place such as Africa the land of all sorts evils and vices. Interestingly, some Africans bought this idea hook, line and sinker. Africans had always known that a true Supreme God existed.

The Europeans and other visitors to the continent did this in order to achieve their full aim of propagating religions hitherto strange to the people of the continent.

Incidentally, to a very large extent, they succeeded because of the geographical condition of the continent which rendered the understanding of the continent almost impossible, multiplicity of cultures and ethnic –nationalities in the continent also contributed to this development. It was this diverseness in the cultures of Africans that led to generalization.

However, we know today that all religions are exactly the same in terms of beliefs and ideas. All religions hold the existence of a being(s) supreme to man and the African Traditional Religion cannot be an exception

Religions from God

God Almighty, revealed the religion to the entire mankind through his prophets who lived in different ages, in different parts of the world and in different societies, right from the period of creation of the first man Adam who is the first prophet until Muhammad who is the last prophet.

The existing religions such as Hinduism/Vedism, Zoroastrianism/Mazdayasni, Taoism, Judaism, Islam are the ones revealed by and originated from God who is one and only one. Jainism, Budhism and Christianity are not separate religions. When Jainism and Budhism are a part of Hinduism, Christianity is a part of Judaism. This is because Mahaveer, Gautama Buddha or Jesus were not sent by God to institute a new religion separate from the religions that had been revealed long before them and were in practice at their time ie Hinduism and Judaism. But God sent them to preach the morals, impart wisdom to peoples and to dispel man-made traditions that had gone against God-revealed religions.

Similarities Between Godâ??s Religions

As Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Judaism and Islam had originated from one and the same source who is God Almighty, these religions are closely inter-related and have many common beliefs, rituals, worship, rules, laws, morals, and wisdom. The reason for the similarities is that Godâ??s law is universal and as such his religion is universal too. Some people think that the similarities between religions are due to one religion borrowing beliefs and philosophies from other religion(s) and vice versa. But they are mistaken and have failed to notice or hardened their hearts to refuse to believe that the author of these religions is one God and hence the similarities.

One Religion

Worship (Yajna/Yasna/Salat), other rituals, laws, morals, knowledge, wisdom and many other teachings found in Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Judaism, and Islam are fundamentally same and corroborate each other. Hence these religions are like several branches in a tree and these form part of, and constitute basically ONE RELIGION of God Almighty.

The First Word: Welcome, immigrants to Judaism

By Celso Cukierkorn Published: Jun. 15, 2006 in The Jerusalem Post

What do the divisive debates between Americans over immigration policy and within the Jewish world over conversion have in common? As a rabbi who recently became an American, and who is actively involved in counseling potential converts to Judaism, I have noticed that these seemingly disconnected controversies raise similar questions.

If there are jobs that go wanting, should we open the door wider to those who want to fill those jobs? If the family is already established here with children born, should the journey to citizenship involve fewer toll booths?

If intermarriage, low birthrates and secularization yield fewer Jews, should we make it easier for others to adopt our religion? If the husband is a Jew by birth should the wife’s conversion to Judaism be simplified?

If America is truly the melting pot and if becoming a Jew literally means joining the wider family, then what’s the fuss?

While I am a Jew by birth, I’m an American by choice, having become a citizen over a year ago. Maybe more significantly, I have worked to guide dozens of Jews by choice on their journey leading to conversion. I use the Internet as a vehicle to reach out to and attract those who might be consider joining the Jewish people.

MANY WONDER why someone not born Jewish would want to become a Jew, and whether someone who grew up in another tradition can truly embrace a new one. My own experience as an immigrant has helped me understand the possibilities for such profound transitions.

I will always be a Brazilian because I love the hot weather, the warm people, and I have wonderful memories from my childhood. But I chose to become an American for a myriad of reasons influenced by adult rationales and justifications. I encountered America’s history, constitution, Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem through mature, experienced eyes and ears. I am most confident that I will be – maybe already have become – a knowledgeable and active participant in my democracy.

I made sure I knew where the polling place was a full two weeks ahead of the first opportunity I had to vote. And I was one of the first in line on that Tuesday in November. And unlike the folks on the street interviewed by Jay Leno, I know the name and recognize the face of the secretary of defense, and the senators from my state (Mississippi) and the mayor of my town (Hattiesburg).

My experience is hardly unique. I truly believe that those who make the choice and who work toward attaining the goal of citizenship often become among the most involved and informed citizens.

More importantly, those who left other societies and have chosen to work for that goal in America have a more immediate appreciation of the blessings of free speech and assembly and a more personal understanding of the value of our constitutional protections from governmental intrusion.

Likewise, I know from experience that those who choose to become Jewish typically are more knowledgeable about their adopted religion, more appreciative of the similarities and differences between the various faiths, and tend to be more genuine participants in the rituals, obligations and tenets of our tradition.

Whether they were attracted by the philosophy, the history, the ritual practices, or they wanted to further express their love for a spouse, I would be more than pleased to have the pews filled with converts. For the most part, they are adults who have made adult decisions.

IMMIGRANTS TEND to make great Americans; converts tend to make great Jews – and for similar reasons.

Given this, should it be permanently disqualifying if you entered the US without benefit of a visa if you now are willing to pay some kind of sanction (fine or taxes) and go through a rigorous process to introduce the details and mandates of this democracy? Should there be such a rigid bar to being able to call yourself a Jew or to become a member of a congregation of whatever denomination you choose? In modern times, when religious affiliation is not obligatory, should it be so burdensome to join a synagogue?

I was born a Jew; I was not born Orthodox, Conservative or Reform.

Should we really be using Halacha as a weapon against people who want to convert? Shouldn’t we be looking for ways in which Halacha can be used as a bridge for the acceptance of converts? Furthermore, when one approaches a synagogue, why is it that the sincerity of the convert is always questioned, yet we take for granted that the motives of the born Jew are legitimate?

Don’t get me wrong. I am not in favor of an open border or a free pass to citizenship. And I do not wish to see a drive-in conversion window at the neighborhood shul.

There should be realistic standards that help the convert establish the basis for a positive Jewish identity, and there should be serious probing and assessment of the correctness, fluency and sincerity of the answers. But the accident of birth does not make someone different or special and does not and should not provide the title of gatekeeper.

I recoil at the self-styled patriots – those minutemen, or is it minyanmen – who want the day laborers corralled and sent home or who want only purebreds speaking from the bima or participating on the High Holy days.

My adopted country needs and will thrive on the infusion of new immigrants as much as my birth religion needs and will thrive with the addition of those who choose to worship with me. I welcome them as should you.

http://www.convertingtojudaism.com/jerusalempost.htm
About the Author

Rabbi at adat achim synagogue and runs http://www.convertingtojudaism.com/