Arelys Loriga
Professor
Theology
9 October 2015
Not religiously different after all
In a world with many different countries, ethnicities, and cultures comes a variety of religious groups, such as Hinduism, Santeria, and Scientology. Religion is a sort of belief that people acquire from either a family tradition or personal beliefs. Religion tries to generate an explanation for many things, for example, why the earth was created and what purpose does human life have. Many people argue that their religion is superior, when in fact many religions have some similar concepts.
Hinduism is the third largest followed religion; it originated in India. Unlike other religions, the beginning or origin of Hinduism is not linked to a particular person …show more content…
All important events and decisions in life are handled by this divine power. There are about 1,700 known Orichas. They all represent many things. For example, the Oricha represents the head of human kind, and another divine power known as Orunla is known as the healer of the sick. A very well-known power is Chango, known as the power of fire, passion, lightning and thunder. An Orichas can be either male or female or even both depending on a situation.
A very common ritual in Santeria is an ofrenda also known as an offering. People who believe in Santeria believe that sacrificing an animal and offering the blood to the Oricha will please the divine energy of the earth and will grant the Oricha with more power in favor of the person who offered the ofrenda. Orichas are not gods but a divine power that receive their energy from the earth, this power is increased with an offering. An ofrenda must be done during important times in a follower’s life, for example a marriage, new life, or death.
Just like in Catholic beliefs, people who follow the Santeria religion have priests, better known as Babalawo’s. They are men who can read or predict a person’s destiny. Unlike Catholics people of the Santeria faith do not have a pope or head priest. Every persons home a sacred temple that must be respected by …show more content…
The newcomer may choose to become a Santero after he/she receive their five chains from his/her god parents. It may become very expensive due to the 35-40 animals that must be offered to the divine powers. The process to become a Santero of this faith is a process takes up to a year and the person must be cleansed with various foods and herbs (honey, coconut shavings, egg whites etc.). The new followers must have two god parents who will foresee their transition and guide them over the course of the one year process. They must also wear white for a whole year to symbolize their purity. Santeria is a very mysterious type of faith. (Baro, 2)
The goal for a believers in Santeria is to reach their maximum potential spiritually, being able to understand their destiny and hopes to be able to live in peace with Oldumare.
In recent years, a new religion has surfaced. Scientology was created by L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology does not focus on the body or mind of a human being; but instead it focuses on the spirt itself. The main focus of this religion is that humans are great beings, we are “immortal spiritual” beings capable of great things. Scientology does not require people to believe in one almighty God and depends on faith solely. Followers of Scientology believe that a person’s salvation depends on the actions of that person in accordance to the universe. The main goal of scientology is to find spiritual
Professor
Theology
9 October 2015
Not religiously different after all
In a world with many different countries, ethnicities, and cultures comes a variety of religious groups, such as Hinduism, Santeria, and Scientology. Religion is a sort of belief that people acquire from either a family tradition or personal beliefs. Religion tries to generate an explanation for many things, for example, why the earth was created and what purpose does human life have. Many people argue that their religion is superior, when in fact many religions have some similar concepts.
Hinduism is the third largest followed religion; it originated in India. Unlike other religions, the beginning or origin of Hinduism is not linked to a particular person …show more content…
All important events and decisions in life are handled by this divine power. There are about 1,700 known Orichas. They all represent many things. For example, the Oricha represents the head of human kind, and another divine power known as Orunla is known as the healer of the sick. A very well-known power is Chango, known as the power of fire, passion, lightning and thunder. An Orichas can be either male or female or even both depending on a situation.
A very common ritual in Santeria is an ofrenda also known as an offering. People who believe in Santeria believe that sacrificing an animal and offering the blood to the Oricha will please the divine energy of the earth and will grant the Oricha with more power in favor of the person who offered the ofrenda. Orichas are not gods but a divine power that receive their energy from the earth, this power is increased with an offering. An ofrenda must be done during important times in a follower’s life, for example a marriage, new life, or death.
Just like in Catholic beliefs, people who follow the Santeria religion have priests, better known as Babalawo’s. They are men who can read or predict a person’s destiny. Unlike Catholics people of the Santeria faith do not have a pope or head priest. Every persons home a sacred temple that must be respected by …show more content…
The newcomer may choose to become a Santero after he/she receive their five chains from his/her god parents. It may become very expensive due to the 35-40 animals that must be offered to the divine powers. The process to become a Santero of this faith is a process takes up to a year and the person must be cleansed with various foods and herbs (honey, coconut shavings, egg whites etc.). The new followers must have two god parents who will foresee their transition and guide them over the course of the one year process. They must also wear white for a whole year to symbolize their purity. Santeria is a very mysterious type of faith. (Baro, 2)
The goal for a believers in Santeria is to reach their maximum potential spiritually, being able to understand their destiny and hopes to be able to live in peace with Oldumare.
In recent years, a new religion has surfaced. Scientology was created by L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology does not focus on the body or mind of a human being; but instead it focuses on the spirt itself. The main focus of this religion is that humans are great beings, we are “immortal spiritual” beings capable of great things. Scientology does not require people to believe in one almighty God and depends on faith solely. Followers of Scientology believe that a person’s salvation depends on the actions of that person in accordance to the universe. The main goal of scientology is to find spiritual