Focused Discussions (Asynchronous Session)
The Debate between Dan Gibson and David King about Petra as the original "Mecca" View Digital Media
Focused Discussion Walter Schumm
Dan Gibson has argued that the first holy city of Islam was Petra. David King has vigorously disputed Gibson's conclusions. Using data from Gibson's website, the two theories are tested and contrasted statistically. While King's theory works well for most mosques and other sites after 900 C.E., Gibson's theory seems to work well for sites prior to 900 C.E. In summary, many early mosques and related structures do appear to face Petra geographically rather than Mecca. However, later structures may be related to today's Mecca in a variety of ways other than simple geographical alignment.
Eighteenth Century Secular Iconoclasm: Novalis, Lessing, and the Means of Religious Education View Digital Media
Focused Discussion Matthew Stoltz
For this focused discussion I intend to explore the status of the image in the respective theological writings of Novalis and Lessing. Whereas Lessing’s theory of religious education tends to prioritize the “inside” of religious experience (spirit, concepts, beliefs,) by developing an evolutionary scheme of "Bildung" that dispenses with the need for sensible forms of mediation like images, Novalis, I argue, attempts to recuperate the significance of material mediation in his theory of (religious) education. To make this argument I compare several works that Lessing’s composed during the fragment controversy and bring them into relation with Novalis’ Heinrich von Ofterdingen as well as his Christenheit oder Europa.
Holistic Care In Regards To Mana: Energy and a Refurbishing of Generational Trauma View Digital Media
Focused Discussion Noah Humphrey
The purpose of this study is to consider and describe energy and the use of holistic care of the mind, body, and spirit healing. Healing comes in many forms and in my research I involve the roles of Hawaiian medicine and terminology. I argue they should be considered as holistic frameworks for treating the mind, body, and soul. This is also relevant for chiropractic work, with massage, and as part of need for holistic care and awareness in later life.
The Bhagavad Gita and the Dhammapada: A Juxtaposition View Digital Media
Focused Discussion Gyan Shrivastava
This essay attempts to compare, from a literary perspective, the principal sacred texts of Hinduism, and Buddhism. For this purpose, it revisits the contradictions, historical uncertainty, and dramatic implausibility inherent in the Bhagavad Gita. It then juxtaposes the historicity, composition, and message of the Dhammapada. It asks questions. It concludes, if devoid of respective temporal and ephemeral aspects, the said two scriptures are not different. Put differently, and all told, the Dhammapada may be considered a minimalist version of the Bhagavad Gita. And both converge to a singular conclusion: there is retribution for inhumanity, and salvation for the right conduct.
A Critical View In Maslow's Theory of Spirituality View Digital Media
Focused Discussion Eleonora Papaleontiou-Louca
Maslow’s theory might be one of the most powerful perspectives of humans’ potential growth. It suggests that people have a strong desire to realize their full potential, reach a level of self-actualization and find meaning in life. Besides, the theory helps people to understand what motivates them and what they can do in order to be happy. In spite its attractive nature, the theory has received much criticism as for example, the fact that it has been culturally influenced and it is more applicable in the western individualistic societies, rather than the collectivist ones. This emphasis on ‘self’ might sometimes contradict to the notion of ‘spirituality’, though Maslow’s later revision of the ‘Theory of Human Needs’ and the addition of the ‘Transcendence’ level seems more compatible to the notion of ‘spirituality’, as people do not seem so self-centered anymore, but overcome ‘self’ to commit themselves to a bigger, higher and ultimate goal.
