Contemporary Considerations (Asynchronous Session)
The Relationship Between Religiosity and Environmentalist Tendencies in Istanbul View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Betül Sarı, Sezai Doruk Soyata
The issue of eco-spirituality has mustered scholarly attention because of the growing ecological problems in the world, and the literature on the subject mostly consists of studies focusing on the relationship between Christianity and ecology, mostly conducted in the West. This study examines the relationship between Islamic religiosity and ecological tendencies in Istanbul, Turkey. The purpose of the study is to examine whether there is a relationship between religiosity and ecological tendencies that manifest themselves in pro-ecological awareness and behavior. Hence, besides the textual analysis of Islam on the environmental issues, environmental acts of Muslims and their relation to Islamic teachings are covered in the study. While some of the previous findings suggest a positive relation among religion, religiosity and ecological tendencies by showing that religion could be a factor in improving pro-ecological behavior or awareness, some of the literature rejects the positive relationship between two variables. Building on these, this research aims to shed light on the case of Islamic religiosity and ecological tendencies in Istanbul while trying to answer the following questions: Is there a relationship between Islamic religiosity and environmentalist tendencies? Does Islamic religiosity have an impact on the ecological behavior? What can be other factors such as gender, age and education that affect the ecological tendencies? In order to answer these questions, a survey will be conducted based on the revised New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Scale and a religiosity scale among the participants who are dwellers of Istanbul and above the age of eighteen.
Ancient Worldview Embodied in Contemporary Women's Garments: The Maya Huipil and the Hutsul Blouse View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Malgorzata Oleszkiewicz Peralba
Both Mayan and Eastern European textiles, and especially women’s garments worn close to the body, contain an elaborated sacred code of symbols that reflect their vision of the universe, with a woman at its center. Both cultural traditions embodied in symbolic diagrams contain remnants of the quadripartite and the tripartite images of the world with the woman’s womb/fertile field and its four corners, as well as the three vertical dimensions of the heavens, the visible sky/earth, and the underworld. On contemporary embroidered Carpathian Hutsul blouses, the most important spatial arrangement is tripartite vertical, but remnants of the rhomboid composition can be observed in the front-central, most important portion of blouse, which is embroidered in the form of a rectangle. Moreover, the sleeves are always divided into three distinct vertical parts, as on the Tripolye-Cucuteni Neolithic ritual vessels. The Mayan huipil is woven in the form of a square, rectangle, or cross with an opening in the middle. It is usually formed by three pieces of cloth arranged vertically, and the horizontal design is tripartite as well. Taking into consideration that in Mesoamerican cosmovision temporal currents begin at the four directional trees, we can understand how not only spatiality, but also temporality is included in this garment’s design. Thus, the huipil is a sacred text that synthetizes the Middle American concept of the earth and the universe with its three levels and four directions, as well as the passage of time, and corresponds to the image of the Middle American cosmos.
It's Normal and Important, and It's Weird and Taboo: Children's Spirituality in Trauma, Grief, and Loss View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Heather Boynton
Spirituality is an integral aspect of resiliency, healing, and posttraumatic growth in trauma, grief, and loss, and it is deemed to be an important aspect of child development, health, and wellbeing. Although spirituality has emerged as an important area in the helping professions, it remains an under addressed area in social work education and research. Studies have demonstrated that social workers encounter client’s with spiritual issues, struggles, and concerns and engage in providing spiritual support, however they lack training and knowledge around spirituality and practice (Kvarfordt, 2010; Kvarfordt & Herba, 2018; Kvarfordt & Sheridan, 2010). This study reviews constructivist grounded theory research that revealed some oppressive experiences for children, parents, and clinicians regarding children’s spirituality, and that participants described spirituality as socially being deemed as “weird and taboo.” Spirituality was also deemed to be normal and important, and a critical area of focus when encountering trauma, grief, and loss. How preadolescent children understand, experience, and rely on their spirituality in times of adversity is illuminated. The fact that clinicians require training, practice frameworks, and strategies to address this important area was further revealed in the data.
An Introduction To Applied Atammayata For Effective Self-Change Actions View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Yanyong Thammatucharee
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, a famous and highly respected Thai monk, introduced an enigmatic mind-control concept of Atammayata which was mentioned in the Buddhism teaching text or Tipaka since 1989 (Buddhadasa & Santikaro, 1989). The concept can be applied in the field of organizational development to enhance the effectiveness of self-change at individual and organizational level. The purpose of this paper is to review studies and teachings of Atammayata and identify the core ideas and the hidden value of the concept. As the Atammayata concept is still new, there are limited resources for diversity of the research. This paper provides comprehensive frameworks of constructs that link the findings to guidance for change practitioners. Future research can be explored on the empirical study of the proposed concept.
The Study of Subtle Vibrations : A Fundamental Aspect of Religious Education and Religious Studies View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Jayant Athavale, Sean Clarke
Religious studies and religious education form the foundation for devotees who are seeking to experience the Divine. However, most studies focus on theoretical knowledge. While theory is important, the spiritual growth of any devotee/seeker is largely related to his spiritual experiences in relation to the Divine. This is something that no book can give by words alone. Fundamentally, all such studies should help to increase the spiritual positivity in people while reducing negativity in their lives. Often, religious studies lack in this aspect. Using energy scanners and the advanced perception of its team members, Maharshi University of Spirituality conducted a number of experiments to demonstrate the importance of being able assess spiritual vibrations to further one’s spiritual journey. Firstly, it was found that objects of devotion such as religious pictures, religious symbols, holy water, etc. can be affected by negative vibrations in the environment. Negative vibrations from such objects can compromise a seeker spiritually. One cannot take for granted that such objects will only emit positive vibrations. It was also found that devotees can be the target of negative energies, which could obstruct their spiritual efforts. Lastly, creating a positive environment for spiritual growth depends upon the life choices that a person makes, which includes the place to stay in, clothes, food, type of drinks, entertainment, etc. Learning to understand such subtle shifts and how they can affect one positively or negatively is of immense importance in a devotee’s spiritual journey.
Biblical Humour in the Books of Tobit and Jonah: Some Notes Based on Early Byzantine Commentaries View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Dmitry Kurdybaylo
The Book of Tobit contains several allusions to the Book of Jonah and is less obviously related to the Book of Job. Tobit is neither a prophetic book, nor a historical writing in a proper sense. Modern scholars distinguish elements of a folktale, an adventure story, and a parody on ‘genuine’ prophetic writings. Both minor details (such as homophonous names of Tobiel, Tobit and Tobias, or grotesque imagery of a fish which tried to devour Tobias but finally was easily caught by him) and major plot patterns (struggle with a fish, journey, prophecy of Nine-veh’s destruction) build strong narrative links with Jonah, making the book of Tobit seem its sequel. Byzantine exegetes of 2nd-6th centuries AD provided several insights into the symbolism of what seems a grotesque or irony in the Jonah. Unfortunately, the Book of Tobit was significantly less commented upon - until now. Extant commentaries on Job and Jonah set up a methodical framework to explain the oddities of Tobit as they appear both to a modern reader or a Medieval exegete.
When the Metaphor Sings: Engaging Sonic Metaphors in Theology View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Elizabeth Ursic
This paper explores the relationship between music and theology and investigates how metaphors of music and sound can advance theological thought. While theological metaphors generally rely on the eyes to visually process written text, the use of sonic metaphors rely on the ears and offer different pathways for cognition. Sonic metaphors are created with pitch, rhythm, and sound and I contend that they have been underutilized in theological contexts. Significantly, sonic metaphors offer potential for exploring theological concepts that are challenging to comprehend through textual means. I include examples from my own musical background and offer suggestions for non-musicians and theologians who want to incorporate sonic metaphors into their own creative theological reflection.
