Overall I would say that I have learned quite a bit this semester. It was one of my harder classes this semester and sometimes I did not get to finish the reading because I had other classes to read for as well. But this course has helped me learn how to make connections between things. Some courses just are just full of busywork, this class was definitely not one of those classes, everything we read had its purpose and connection to the class. I would definitely take another class from Jessica.

Elvis

I think learning about Elvis pilgrimage was interesting. I would like to maybe go on an Elvis pilgrimage because it would be a cool experience, I am not really a giant Elvis fan, I just think it would be a neat thing to do. I definitely think it is a pilgrimage because it fits the criteria. But saying it is a religion is taking it too far. I may have some of the qualities of religion but it does not have enough to be considered a religion in my opinion.

I feel like we have learned quite a bit this semester. If Jessica de Vega would have walked in the first day and told us to do on project on what we knew about religion, I probably wouldn’t have done a very good job. But I now that we know all these new things I think it will be interesting to see everyones project because it will kind of show how maybe different people have different points of view on certain topics.

I think it was interesting to learn about Paganism. I would definitely say that it is a religion. It has all of the elements of religion. I think that this would be an empowering religion to practice.  I thought that it was interesting that the Goddess gave birth to herself. I also find it interesting that they have no texts. I like how Christianity has the bible, because if you ever are questioning something, the bible is there for you to look at. I really can’t find much to say about Paganism.

Non Western Religions

Learning about these new religions is a little difficult for me. They are kind of are hard wrap my head around. Compared to what I am used to these just seem so…. I don’t know, abstract? You can make your own God and everything is the same thing. I just think it is going to be a little confusing for me.

Today in class I was in the group that talked about myths. I think the most interesting myth I read about was the myth of King Vikramaditya and Prayaga. King Vikramaditya met a man named Prayaga, who had very black skin.  After bathing in Ayodhya’s sacred river, he came out of the water with completely white skin. The King wondered what happened. Prayaga told him that his skin was so black because he had absorbed so many human’s sins. I liked this story; I think I liked it because it reminded me of Christianity and how Jesus died for our sins.

I will definitely have to learn to make better connections this semester in order to understand these religions.

Pilgrimage

I enjoyed going on our little mock pilgrimage today. I think that I remember infromation better when I do hands on activities instead of sitting in a classroom.

I think the most important part of a pilgrimage to Mecca is standing on hill and reflecting about the end of the world and being judged on Judgement Day. Standing there for a whole day would be difficult, I don’t think I could stand still all day. I could deal with the silence  but I would rather walk around and reflect on things not just stand there without moving. I can understand why people come back from a pilgrimage a changed person. All that time to think about life and recreating all the scences from the past would be a pretty intense experience!

Judiasm

I learned a few things about Judaism this week. Number one; it is a monotheistic religion. Second, it is a textual based religion. I also learned that it is a religion of the land.  When we were learning about the stories, we found out that some of the things we have learned are not entirely true, such as the story of Noah and the Ark. I mean, why did they tell us that they only brought two of each animal when apparently they actually brought seven?! I find learning about Judaism pretty interesting though.

 I also learned about some kosher stuff. No pork, no shellfish, and no mixing meat and milk. Strange… I do not think I could go without eating a bacon cheeseburger.

 Today is the Jewish New Year. Awesome! What is your resolution?

Eliade/Turner

I can’t say if I liked Eliade or Turner better. I have danced me whole life, and dancing is very metaphorical as is Eliade’s theory. But at the same time I was raised in a very structural environment so Turner’s theory appeals to me also.

With Eliade’s theory, everything revolves around the axis mundi. Everyone has a sacred space, where they feel comfortable and safe. My safe place would be my room. I always feel safe in my room. It’s where I go to just relax and when I just need to get away from everything.

Turner’s theory is very structured. I like how it is kind of a step by step process. It makes it easy to recognize what stage you or someone else is in. It seems pretty self-explanatory and simple. I think it was easier to relate how Unlikely Disciple to Turner’s model instead of Eliade’s.  Overall I think the Turner model just makes sense.

Separation- When Kevin leaves Brown, his family, and his whole life behind.

Limin- Arriving at Liberty University.

Anti-Structure- The Liberty Way, bible study, church, etc.

Communitas- his room and hall mates.

Metaphorical Death- I think there are quite a few choices it is all up to how you interpreted the situations. Spring break, family visit to D.C., letter to his friend, leaving Liberty.

Return- Back to Brown as a different person.

Liminality

When  I read the liminality assignment, I was definitely a little confused. I truly do not understand why when these authors write these books, they feel like they have to state everything at least five different times in like five different ways. It just makes the reading much more confusing. But after class today I understand the whole concept made much more sense! Watching the movie clips that everyone chose helped so much!

Now that the whole liminality thing makes more sense to me, I definitely say that I agree with Turner guy. A pilgrimage is about the journey and how it changes you. Upon returning to your home after a pilgrimage you are no longer the same person. The whole point of a pilgrimage is to grow from the experience.

I’m so glad that everything makes sense now!!

Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud is psychoanalyst who in my opinion might have been a little off his rocker. He was adamant that every male had a desire to kill his father in order to be able to have sex with his mother.  He also believed that every woman desperately wants a penis. I know that I surely have never, in my entire life wanted a penis. That theory really kind of annoys me, but I can maybe see where he would have gotten this idea. Penises are seen as a symbol of power, but that doesn’t mean EVERY single woman wants a penis. Did he a bunch of women tell him that they wanted penises? If not where else did pull these theories from? Thin air? I think he might have been crazy. There are a lot of things that Freud said that I don’t agree with but there is at least one thing I agree with him on. Incest is completely wrong but that’s kind of an obvious thing so it didn’t really take much brains to figure out.

Another thing that Freud says also annoys me. Religion is the universal neurosis of humanity?! I completely disagree with that. It’s kind of frustrating that he is referring to other people’s beliefs like that. Actually its extremely frustrating.