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Trevor Engle
Moore PHI 130
May 4th 2011

Question 2: What are the central teachings of Buddhism?

Buddhism is one of the oldest religions on earth. It is a philosophy that follows numerous

traditions and beliefs. These practices are based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, or more

commonly known as the Buddha. He lived in the area of what is now called northeast India around the

5th century. The Buddha is referred to as “the awakened one” and taught his insights to help further

sentient beings achieve nirvana. Buddhists believe in a cycle of suffering and rebirth and by reaching

nirvana is the only way to escape. A key concept of the religion is the view of suffering as a central

condition that we all find ourselves in.

Buddhists believe in many central teachings that they believe will help achieve nirvana. Karma

is the most heard of and is the force that drives the cycle of rebirth and suffering. It stems from good

and bad deeds that bring about result and consequence respectfully. Buddhists also believe in a process

of rebirth whereby beings go through a multitude of lifetimes. They reject concepts of a permanent soul

and believe that beings are always changing. After Buddha reached enlightenment, his first sermons

spoke of the “Four Noble Truths”.

The “Four Noble Truths” are considered to be the essence of Buddhism. The first truth states

that life ultimately is or leads to suffering in one way or another. The second is that suffering is caused

by desire and craving. This is expressed by clinging to things that we consider to cause happiness. The

third truth is that suffering ends when craving is diminished. After this stage, a liberated state is

achieved by following the the Noble Eight-fold Path. The practice of this path describes the way to end
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all suffering.

The Noble Eight-fold Path is a practical guideline to development that begins with right view.

Right view simply means to see and understand things as they actually are. Right intention is the type

of mental thoughts that controls our actions. The ethical principle of right speech states that means to

speak truthfully and kindly only when necessary. The right livelihood refers to occupations and means

that wealth should be gained peacefully and legally. The sixth principle is the right effort and guides

mental energy. Right Mindfulness is the perfection of cognition and the ability to have a clear

conscious. The final principle of the Noble Eight-fold Path is the right concentration and the

development of mental force.

All Buddhist schools practice the original Siddhartha Gautama teachings such as the

four noble truths and the Noble Eight-fold Path. However some schools differ by emphasizing on

specific aspects of the tradition. For example, Zen Buddhism focuses more on the experience of

obtaining Wisdom and more specifically enlightenment. It stays away from theoretical knowledge and

values self-realization and meditation practices. The earliest signs of Buddhism in American took root

in San Francisco during the California Gold Rush in 1849. This event brought oven many Chinese

American's who brought the tradition over with them. During the World Parliament of Religions in

1893, a Japanese Zen monk by the name of Soyen Shaku visited the United States. He helped increase

its profile in the Western world.

After becoming enlightened, Siddhartha Gautama introduced the world to his way of thinking.

He taught lessons of peace and modesty to help end suffering for those that followed. In the
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impermanent Buddhist world, Karma and rebirth help explain the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold

Path. Even though very prominent in Eastern cultures, Buddhism didn't reach the United States until

Japanese Immigrants practiced it during the California Gold Rush. In addition, Soyen Shaku's visit to

Chicago open up the United States eyes to Zen Buddhism. The new awareness of this Eastern tradition

helped diversify American's already prosperous religious landscape.

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Question 5: What was the impact of Vatican II on American Catholicism?

In an increasingly modern world, the Roman Catholic Church needed to address the relations of

the Church to other religions. So in the fall of 1962, the Second Vatican Council, also known as Vatican

II, was held to integrate modern life with core church principles. Many sought to find an accurate

understanding of the early Church Fathers and Jesus Christ. During this time, the world's priests faced

many challenges due to political change. This called for a sudden convention of the Council by the

newly elected Pope. Only four meetings were held before the council was adjourned.

Vatican II wasn't like any other councils because it was not to fight heresies or to explain

awkward questions. The meeting was held to “renew” the church and the multitudes of followers. The

bishops were the only participants who had full voting privileges. Overall, the Council produced

sixteen pope approved documents. Subjects included divine revelations, the churches stance on the

modern world, ecumenism, renewal of religious life, relations to non-Christian, and other topics about

religious freedoms. The Dogmatic Constitution was updated to give more importance to bishops.

Because of new technological advancements, this reform was the most comprehensive reform in the

sixteenth-century. This meant that information and declarations could be sent rapidly.

Before the council convened, the public was showing an anti-Catholic sentiment. There been a

long presence of the faded religious tolerance in America. America needed to unify against the godless

communists. The unity helped John F. Kennedy in the election of 1960. Many Protestant Churches

worried that would implement church teachings on citizens. Kennedy was clear that he was for the

separation of church and state. He also promised that none of his religious faith would not effect the

policies of his administration. The results were close but Kennedy's assertions of his separate faith
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seemed to help his victory.

The Second Vatican Council had a large impact, however it was not extremely different from

other church developments. Many biblical, theological, and social discussions were as a result. It

showed a new concentration of the church. It encouraged a new approach in more radical change.

People of all denominations watched as the bishops continued to proceed with the meetings.

As a result of Vatican II, new perspectives were held among different religious diversities. An

increase in lay participation in parish operations was evident. The use of the vernacular in mass

celebration was also a new addition. However, the Church took a step back when they posted a

traditional ban on artificial contraception. Problems came almost immediately when people started

wondering why the Churches new approach seemed to overwhelm the preaching of the Gospel.

Conservative members of the congregation disliked the changes. To this day, there are still churches

that practice the original Latin Mass with permission from the Vatican.

After the proceedings of Vatican II, the Roman Catholic community received the new

documents well. The modern world was approaching and the Roman Catholic Church needed to

address several issues. Vatican II involved modern life with core church teachings. Only three months

into his position, the Pope declared the Vatican II meetings to much surprise. The meetings were not

the usual heretic convictions. The Church focused on renewing itself, religious life, relations to non-

Christian, and other religious freedoms. That Vatican II was a step in the right direction for relating

with the modern world.

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Question 6: What are the central features of the form of Christianity known as Christian
Fundamentalism? For example, how did this movement get its name? What are the basic ideas
underlying the movement? Which system of thought can this movement be understood as a
response to? What is the role of women in Christian Fundamentalism? What historical event
gave credibility to the Fundamentalist movement?

In modern times, the word “fundamentalist” is regularly used to describe any religious group

who hold radical views. In middle eastern countries, the word is used to identify those with an

extremist perspective who often engage in terrorist acts. Similarly in America, society coined to term

fundamentalist to classify any Christians with an extremely strong belief system . Most Christian

fundamentalists believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible. They consider the book to be a valid

historical source and believe the world is only seven thousand years old. Sexual deviance,

homosexuality are strictly forbidden by this type of Christian. Many hold strong political views and are

strongly against abortion and stem cell research.

Traditionally, the christian perspective on fundamentalists typically referred to any follower of

Christ who believes that the Bible is the Word of God. Fundamental Christians believe in “New Birth”,

which is a experience when faith is redirected toward Jesus Christ. They believe strongly in the basics

of the belief system and are firm believers in the fundamental teachings of Christianity . Many believe

that events are leading up to an ultimate battle of good and evil led by a reincarnated Jesus.

Christian Fundamentalism first began as a movement during the last century . The name is taken

from a series of pamphlets published by a Bible Institute in Los Angeles. Members of different

Protestant congregations reacted against newly emerging evolutionary theories and criticism of the

literal Bible. During a conference in Niagara in 1895, a group of Conservative Protestants released a

statement containing the five main points of Christian fundamentalism. The first point is the belief of
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an inerrant Bible and that The holy scriptures are undoubtedly the will of God. The divinity of Jesus

Christ and his virgin birth are both accepted. Substitution atonement is the Christian model that regards

Jesus as dying for our sins. The last major point Fundamentalists believe in is the undeniable physical

resurrection of the body of Jesus.

After the first half of the 20th century, many Protestant churches in the United States were

divided into Modernist or Fundamentalist groups. Darwinism, comparative religion, and

industrialization all threatened the extreme theology. The Scopes Trial of 1925 helped further the

divide between biblical knowledge and scientific. A division was evident between educated, tolerant

believers, and obscurantist Christians.

A large number of American Christian fundamentalists have rejected feminism and gender

equality. These believers embrace male dominance in society. In such communities, women live with a

enforced submission of male leadership. Typically they reject not only female presence in higher

education, but also the workforce. Females must have a selfless acceptance of their position in the

community and are used mainly to reproduce.

Generally, Christian fundamentalists are people who strongly believe in conservative values and

are unwilling to compromise theological belief. Due to concentrated activism on abortion clinics and

doctors, fundamentalism has been given a negative correlation to the world. The philosophy of this

belief has formed into a powerful force of extremism that is intolerant to other regions. The effects of

this group have stunted the religious diversities in America.