This is Robert Fawcett's Web Log,
        or commonly know as a blog.

It was interesting to learn that the word "blog" is a contraction, or the shorting of the word group, "web log." Further, the word blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

In any event, this is part of our website, and it will have regular entries of commentary and/or opinion as to news, correspondence received, excerpts from sources used in my book, either events or happenings concerning religious groups, and will include links to other websites, blogs, and other media as to the topic. It will be my way of helping others learn more about the major religions of the world.

I look forward to your comments, as that is the fuel that makes for a successful blog. Enjoy!

Other Religions: Religion in Southeat Asia.

March 9th, 2010

My wife and I just returned from a cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore .  My, my.  What different societies and cultures we visited…..   Aside from all the places and sights to see and visit, I was really taken by the spiritual life of Southeast Asia.

There is a quote in my book by Emily Large:  “We are created to worship God, and if we don’t worship God, we will worship something else.  Understanding this truth, and knowing that we are so needy, has really helped Alex and me in our ministry to people.”   This was never evident than seeing this first hand in all the places visited: Hong Kong, Macau, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore.  As a matter of interest, there are some 1,300 Temples in Bangkok.

There were throngs of people visiting these Temples and Pagodas each and every day, praying and worshipping.  Yes, lots of visitors, but many more worshippers — complete with incense burning all over the palce, all the time.

Ancestor Worship (the worship of parents/grandparents, and/or ancient leaders/protectors) was new to me, complete with their own Temples. Buddhism is the major religion, with Taoism and Hinduism being important.  We’ll discuss Ancestor Worship, as well as these others, at a later time as we move along.

While one young guide was quick to point out that 60% of Vietnamese were not followers of God, or any god or goddesses, that figure has nearly quadrupled in these economic better times since embracing capitalism — the vastly improved quality of life.  They are, of course, worshiping “something else”, the material things of success — even an up surge in Ancestor Worship.  In reality, the same condition exist in any society; however, bring on disease/plaque, war/rebellion, or economic troubled times, and that number quickly reverses.

As an aside, and as I point out in my book, this agnostic type upswing is a product of the example set by the role model leaders of society.  Because money represents power, authority, and success, it is often difficult for wealthy people to realize their need to recognize and honor God.  It’s not that they seriously doubt His existence — He is just not relevant in their life.  The rich in talent, or intelligence, suffer the same difficulty.

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Hinduism:The concept of God in the Hindu world

January 20th, 2010

The question is “How does the Hindu world view God?” Well, that is a good question.

In my study of Hinduism while writing my book, I ran across something that stuck in my mind, …and it stayed there, …and it was true: “If at the end of your study you think you have a clear understanding of Hindu teachings, you probably do not.”

A common word for God in Sanskrit (a literary language since the 3rd century) is Brahma, or Brahman. But, let’s not forget that Hinduism has literally hundreds, or thousands, or god and goddesses.

As I wrote in my book, “the basic Hindu view of God is impersonal. …utterly beyond all possibility of conception. In Spinoza’s formulation, God’s nature resembles our words about as much as the Dog Star resembles a Dog; the most that can be said for these words is that they are pointers — our minds do better when they move in their direction than in the opposite. God lies on the further side of being as we understand it.”

The Upanisads represent the evolution of thought in Hinduism, the teachings of the sages, and were composed between 800 — 200 BC. The Svetasvatara Upanisad, by way of example, explores these questions: “What is the source of the universe? What is ultimate reality? Where do we come from ? By what power do we live? What is that, which being known, illuminates everything else?” So, through the natural evolution of thought, Brahman began to be viewed as the universal power.

But, Brahman became increasingly abstract and difficult to grasp. Brahman was called the “thread” that strings together all creatures. Brahman is in everything (”ultimate reality” as one text described), and Brahman is spirit.  Because Brahman is spirit, It cannot be perceived, at least not by ordinary means.

While Brahman is ultimate reality, Brahman is unknown and unknowable. So, the many gods and goddesses are, therefore, the many different expressions of the one reality, Brahman. The true meaning of the many god/goddesses in Hinduism, which gets lost in human understanding of images/icons being worshiped as idols, are ways to enrich the understanding of the the divine, while guarding against confusing image and reality.

That’s the reason why these images/icons are made not to be human — they are simultaneously human and nonhuman to remind people that the gods are not like us, cannot be reduced to finite status. Example: multiple arms indicate the great power of a god; many heads suggest a god’s universal knowledge. While hard for Westerners to understand, each of these helps give shape to the unseen, and allow Hindus to glimpse some aspect of the divine.

Hindus do not worship to all gods equally, or even attempt to do so. While they can have more than several gods/goddesses, they usually have a personal deity of choice. It is not uncommon for family members, or a congregation type group, to be devoted to different gods/goddesses.

To the Hindu ways of thinking, as I continue to study, the ultimate reality is “so far beyond our imagining, so complex and so rich in potential, that a single image, or even a mere handful of images, is not sufficient.”

So, one can readily see that the God known as Brahma is neither viewed nor understood in the same manner as the the religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. This subject was, needless to say, one of my curiosities (see link http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/about_book.php ), and the reason why I wrote the special report, The Case For The Existence Of God (see link http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/book_special_reports_major_religions.php).

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Judaism: Religious Allegiance versus Belief and Faith, Study begets Belief which begets Faith

January 12th, 2010

I received this from a friend of mine. This was concerning a piece regarding an explanation of some archaeology and scientific findings about the Red Sea crossing, the Jewish people being led out of Egypt by Moses. This was my response …..
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First, a couple of notes. My experience is that most people (not all, but most) studying biblical history and theology tend to lose sight as to the purpose of the Bible. That is, by far, the # 1 problem. In addition, most do not keep the Scriptures in context; that is to say, the immediate setting in which something is said/written/occurs, how it fits with surrounding verses and chapters, how it relates to the purpose and structure of the book in which it is written, and finally, how it fits with the whole counsel of God’s Word.

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—-Original Message —-
To:Robert Fawcett
Sent: Tuesday 7:09 AM
Subject: Red Sea Crossing
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I thought you might find my brother’s comments of interest. He is studying Jewish Theology.
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Harry
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—- Original Message —-
To: Harry
Sent: Tuesday 6:30AM
Subject: Red Sea Crossing
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The slide show on the Red Sea Crossing is very interesting. However, it’s important to understand that actually the weight of contemporary scholarly opinion is that Genesis and Exodus do not have much historical support, and there was proabaly no single major exodus from Egypt.  It is true that Egypt held sway over the land we call Israel now, and they enslaved Israelites, and brought them to Egypt. They was probably several mini-exoduses from Egypt back to Israel, or alternatively, throwing off Egypt’s hegemony over Israel. Despite the photos — interesting — there is nothing in the Egyptian records supporting the exodus — and one would suppose that such a mass exodus would be reflected somewhere in those records.

More important, communities of faith — including our own — do not necessarily rely on the historicity of the narratives that are at the center of faith — but rather they function as compelling stories — that woven together create symbols which command belief and adherence. To place one’s faith on the presence or absence of an historical record is to make one’s faith community subject to refutation based on history. Real history in the Bible starts with Kings — there we have independent historical confirmation of history. Most of what comes before — myth. But it shouldn’t dissuade you from Jewish allegiance.

Bert
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—- Original Message —-
To: Harry
Sent: Wednesday 6:00 PM
Subject: Red Sea Crossing
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Dear Harry –
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Two quick comments:

First, while I disagree with your brother’s general view of the historical record, the real point is that the vast majority of students studying Jewish history/theology get tangled-up in the shortcomings of history. The real story is that of Abram, or Abraham, and therefore, what God was trying to do.

Second, there is a quote in my book by D. L. Moody that says it all: “The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change lives.”

Why don’t you send him a copy of my book, and have him review the book. Either you or he can order off of the website: www.MajorReligions.com.

You just need to remind him that this is a book written by a lay person for lay people — it is offering some common sense to a very simple subject that most folks tend to complicate.

My best to you,

Robert

P.S. Your Jewish allegiance, by the way, has to give way to Jewish belief, and therefore, faith in the Jewish religion (there’s a definition of “faith” on the website — bottom of page on “Is There A God — Overview“. Go to this link: http://www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/god_is_there_a.php

It isn’t about allegiance — it’s about study and belief and faith.

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Islam, Shiite: This is Ashura

December 30th, 2009

The Day of Ashura (the word means “tenth”) is on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.  This day falls, in 2009, on December 27th on the Gregorian calendar.

The significance of Ashura for the Shiite, or Shi’a, denomination of the Muslim religion is that it is commemorated as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hussein at the Battle of Karbala.  Therefore, this day is of particular significance to Shi’a Muslims, who consider Hussein, the 3rd Imam, and the rightful successor of Muhammad.  To explain: Ali was Muhammad’s grandson, and was the closest living male relative, and therefore, his rightful successor and the leader as the 1st Iman.  Hussein was Ali’s son.

According to the 8th Imam, Ali al-Rida, the day of Ashura must be observed as a day of inactivity, sorrow, and total disregard of worldly cares.  It is a period of intense grief and mourning. Mourners congregate at their local Mosque; however, some mourners make pilgrimages to the Mashhad al-Husayn, the shrine in the city of Karbala (Iraq) that is traditionally held to be Hussein’s tomb.

On this day they are in remembrance, and mourning attire is worn.  This time is spent listening to sermons about the tragedy, and poems about the tragedy, as to how Hussein and his family were martyred.  This is accompanied by an outward expression of grief and sorrow to the tune of beating drums and chants of “Ya Hussein.”  This is intended to connect them with Hussein’s suffering and martyrdom, and the sacrifices he made to keep Islam alive.

So, Hussein’s martyrdom is widely interpreted as a symbol of the struggle against injustice, tyranny, and oppression. They believe the Battle of Karbala was fought to keep the Muslim religion untainted of any corruptions, and it was a battle between the forces of good and evil.  Imam Hussein represented good while Yazid, the other political force, represented evil — it is believed that the path that Yazid was directing Islam was definitely for his own personal greed.

Certain rituals like the traditional flagellation ritual, as a religious discipline, called “zanjeer zani” or “zanjeer matam,” involving the use of a zanjeer (a chain) are also performed.  It needs to be noted that these are not religious customs, but are popularly done to show solidarity with Imam Hussein and his family.  People mourn the fact that they were not present at the battle to fight and save Hussein, and his family.

It is believed that taking part in Ashura is to be absolved of sin.  A popular Shiite saying has it that, “a single tear shed for Hussein washes away a hundred sins.”
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For further information:
www.majorreligionsoftheworld.com/islamic_denominations.php

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Christianity: This is Christmas

December 23rd, 2009

It is just before Christmas, but perhaps you don’t care anymore.  Something has happened, and now you find no joy, or meaning, in your life.  Perhaps the most you look for is some temporary form of escape.

Maybe you can’t give anything.  There’s nothing left to give – or there’s no one left to give to.

Listen.

What’s Christmas all about, anyway?  Wasn’t there a death, an emptiness, a need?  Wasn’t there a Love somewhere – infinite, eternal, unchangeable – a Love that gave His only Son?  That’s what Christmas is all about: God coming to Earth in the person of the Christ Child to do for you, and for me, what we cannot possibly do for ourselves.

Jesus lived among us, and had the same kinds of problems that we do.  You haven’t a problem – and I haven’t a problem – that He doesn’t understand from close personal experience.  He spent His entire life meeting human needs.  He died on the cross to deal, once and for all, with our greatest need – redemption from sin.

This Christmas, God is asking you to come to Him.  Bring your failures, your sins, your problems, your fears.  Bring yourself.

This is Christmas: Redemption’s glorious exchange of gifts!

A selection from Ruth Bell Graham’s writing

Taken from Decision Magazine, December 2009.
BGEA; Charlotte, NC 28201-0001
Website: www.billygraham.org/Decision
Contact Information. E-Mail: Help@BGEA.org
Or, toll-free (877) 247-2426 Seven days per week

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Religion: Hearing with different Ears

December 18th, 2009

This was received from a friend of mine.  Upon purchasing my book, I ask for his thoughts and any comments that he cared to share.

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Hi Robert, I finally got around to reading your very interesting book on Major Religions of the World.

Your book requires more thought in reading, and I compliment you on the research you undertook in writing the book.  The review of the five major religions of the world was good; I have a better understanding of the relationships of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

I found the chapter on Secular Gods interesting.  While my religious faith stems from early Protestant teachings [I was baptized (sprinkled) at a Methodist church], my concept of God is more encompassing as including all religions and all people.  To me, God is as infinite as the universe and as small as sub-atomic particles.  More importantly, I believe that God resides in all of us and that we each have a deep seated kernel of strength which can be called upon in times of special need through meditation and prayer to the God within us.

I have never participated in organized religion and the rituals practiced in churches of organized religions.  Unfortunately, I have never studied the Bible in detail as others have.  However, I believe the Ten Commandments are a good foundation for any religion.  I do believe in spiritual existence and in the eternal life of the soul.  I do not think that this requires the practice of church rituals.

Best wishes for you and your family for the Holidays!

Harold

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Dear Harold –

You have been a friend of mine for a few decades, same fraternity, and therefore, we know each other well.  You being a Medical Doctor, Anesthetist,  certainly supports your intellect, so I certainly appreciate your thoughts as they were a refreshing take on my book, and your spiritual walk.   But Harold, to be quite honest, your comments kinda caught me flat-footed; meaning, the thinking behind your religious faith, your beliefs.

I guess to begin would be your comment “Unfortunately, I have never studied the Bible ….”  I guess that means that it would be fortunate, and you would have some foundation for your beliefs, if you did study the Bible.  Why don’t you read it? Good grief, the entire New Testament, without any notes at the bottom, is only about 250 pages of the entire Bible!   You can knock that out in two or three days, easy.

But first, re-read my Special Report The Case For The Existence Of God.   Then read, at least, the New Testament Bible simply because you were raised Christian.  Read the other religions later.  You need to re-think why you’re even here on Earth, other than taking-up space.  In my book, I make the point that there is a difference between “our obligation on planet Earth” versus “our role, our purpose” – and the role of each religion is pointed-out, also.

Billy Graham tells an amusing story.   After he became a Christian, he attended his church, which he had been attending for the better part of forever, with his Mother and Father.  After the service, he made the comment that the Pastor had really improved – this was a very good sermon.  His Mother said, “No, he’s the same.  You are just hearing with different ears.”

It is taught in the Jewish faith that the Holy Scriptures are meant to be read aloud in order for the heart to hear.  Try it.  So, Harold, I would like to suggest that you need to read with different eyes, and perhaps, you will listen with different ears so that your heart will hear.

Merry Christmas to you, and your family!  And, old friend, let’s not forget why Christmas is celebrated.

Robert

P.S. As I pointed-out in my book, you need to read the NLT (New Living Translation), Life Application Study Bible.   To purchase, either go to any bookstore or go to Bibles At Cost website: www.BiblesAtCost.com, and click onto the “Bibles and Books” tab.

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