Comparative Religions Comparative religions were shaped By a euro-centered culture This formed the basis Of what students know about world religions   Much of this trajectory was lit by missionaries. They came from Europe and traversed the globe. Many were religious as they encountered colonists. Their basic strands became the bedrock Of how they interpreted the various religious faiths - Like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Daoism, Shintoism, and secular humanism   These interpreters ushered their thoughts about religion They revived an emphasis on Greek and Latin That led to the shape of comparative Christianity Becoming prominent in the Protestant Reformation Some European theologians became famous – Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Desiderius Erasmus   But the world of religion was born with the Peace of Westphalia And by the 17 th century there existed a noteworthy guide That included all the known religion...

  Creating Videos Some may want to make videos. What should you do? Do you have friends that could help? Making a video calls for some expertise. A lot of planning has to fall into place.   Whether you’re using a Sony, Canon, or Panasonic camera There are some considerations when doing videos Most of these video cameras have zoom lens So you could shoot Close up. Medium or Wide angle shots Practice zooming in and out to determine your best shot.   Another consideration is the lighting. Not having good lighting could make or break your video A good rule of thought is to have a key light, Side light and a back light You could use a light meter to measure The light falling on your subject to have the best effect   The setting and the costumes are important. Where do you intent to shoot your scene? Is it in a home where there’s a living room? Or, is it outside against a natural background of trees? Wherever you decide make ...

  Mother Earth   Daily God’s creation is under assault but remember our earth has rights.  People are increasingly aware of the harm inflicted on the earth.  Because of these afflictions people suffer and die.  There are storms, pollutants, toxic waste, and ultraviolet rays.  Humans are exposed to thousands of man-made chemicals in the air and our waterways.  These concerns are prevalent in the following ways:             ● The greenhouse effects of gas emissions             ● Global warming             ● More infectious diseases             ● The depletion of the earth’s gaseous shield             ● Ultraviolet radiation        ...

  Intentional Prayer Intentional prayer takes cues from nature. Nature is its God. People have to adjust to nature’s fluctuations. Nature behaves in constant and inconsistent ways. But all in all, it determines our course of life.   People rise in the morning after a night’s sleep. They eat when they are hungry. They sow when the weather conditions are favorable. And they dance when they are feeling happy. What do these actions tell us about humans? There are right conditions for doing what they do.   Prayer therefore should reflect life’s dimensions. It ought to take its cues from circumstances in our life. People should adjust their eating habits according to the circumstances of their life. When they are young, they may eat certain types of foods. When they are older some foods may not agree with them. When they are sick, they have to watch their dietary restrictions. This is the beginnings of intentional prayer that deals with o...

  Life is Suffering Is it all about how you live? Are you going to have problems? Will your journey be rosy? The facts of life are real. People will suffer.   It’s true. Some of us are born healthy. Still during the course of our lives there are health issues. This may be with a bout of depression. An accident may occur when we least expect. Then there may be struggles with the seasonal flu.   Others may be born with problems. They may have a handicap from birth. How can they deal with this? Often loving parents and friends come to their aid. It’s all about helping someone born this way.   Life often brings other problems. There are those elements in society that commit hate crimes. Innocent people of different races may suffer from such attacks. The color of a person’s skin may generate such hatred.   Some people suffer from addiction. It may be from prescribed drugs, alcohol, or sex. They will try to curb t...

  Thoughts About Afterlife When people die what happens? Does the soul exist? Is there hope in this life? These are some questions that boggle the mind.   Is there a loving God? If such an entity exists why do millions of children die of starvation? Why did over 6-million Jews perish in the holocaust? Why are there natural disasters that cause havoc to millions? Could people still say that God loves humanity?   Christian, Muslim, and Jewish believers put their faith in heaven. Eastern faith traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism embrace reincarnation. They hold this faith is based on the teachings of sacred texts. But are these scriptures merely allegorical?   Some scientists have pointed to near death experiences. Thousands of such cases were said to have some things in common. But are these phenomena reflect on minds under duress? Others tell stories about how they were reborn. Regression studies account for these mi...

  A Simple Life People don’t have to be religious to live simple lives. Simplicity comes with commonsense And by living according to life’s affirming values The good life is inspired by love And it takes knowledge to make our goals realities   Spiritual texts speak about people’s future So that’s why many of the religious choose this lifestyle But for ordinary folks living simply calls for wisdom They view earthly excesses as a burden that damage their welfare So they pledge to themselves to live within their means   Simple people are enthusiastic about learning from nature They do what’s right to live in harmony with the natural forces Some go to bed early in the evening after winding down Others rise early in the morning when it’s quiet for prayer   The sun, moon, and stars are planets that are celebrated. The wind, birds, trees, lakes, and mountains teach life’s affirmations As well as the four seasons of spring, summer, fal...