Is there truly one simple way to explain a religion? Which opinion is right and which one is wrong? These are the types of questions that you, or anyone else, might ask when trying to describe your religious beliefs. “Jesus Shaves” is a short humorous story by David Sedaris, an American author and comedian. He is characterized for writing stories with a lot of humor and “Jesus Shaves” is no exception, but he also writes these type of stories with a deeper meaning behind the jokes. This story revolves around the students trying to explain their religious or cultural view on a specific holiday, Easter in this case. The narrator is assumed to be an American student which alters the reader’s view of the story, but this does not take from the fact …show more content…
This aspect is carried through the comparison and contrast of the religious beliefs that are seen and explained by each of the students in the class; Polish, Italian, Moroccan, American, French, etc. This aspect is more noticeable when all of the students are faced with a question that has to do with Easter. Throughout the entire essay the idea of religion and culture are held by the concept of trying to explain the holiday to the Moroccan student. These small characters each play a different roll in trying to express how there are different opinions toward the same concept. The decision to include these characters is for the reader to be able to understand that the other cultures do not recognize the same religious traditions, it could be the same tradition, but since it’s a different religion or culture it could be composed of different aspects. For example, if the reader is a Christian then he/she will understand a certain point of view. Easter is, according to Meriam Webster Dictionary: “a Christian church festival that celebrates the return of Jesus Christ to life following his death”. Despite it being an important tradition to all Christians, here is this Moroccan student who hasn’t even heard of it, which proves that no matter how important you can consider a holiday it is essential to you because it is what you were taught and we …show more content…
Sedaris expresses this through the characters also, but he mostly through dialogue. The dialogue taking place is meant to express that the characters are obviously speaking a broken French and are struggling to make an interpretation of Easter. Besides the fact that all the students come from around the globe the majority of them are not fluent in French and have different interpretations toward the same concept that is Easter, which means that it’s not enough that each of them have a personal opinion on what the holiday means, but trying to interpret it using another language is what the author calls “a sad attempt to bestow knowledge on the Moroccan student.” The idea of a holiday doesn’t just depend on your background, it depends more on your personal opinion and how well you are able to understand it and explain it to someone else. This is better seen in the story when the narrator says: “I wondered then if without the language barrier my classmates and I could have done a better job of making sense of Christianity, an idea that seems pretty far-fetched to begin with.” So not only does your background and
In the excerpt from the novel Under The Feet Of Jesus by Helena Maria Viramontes Estrella goes through a character development from a feeling of ambivalence about school and her teachers to an understanding why she must go through the process of a foreign language. The author does this by using figurative language, diction, and tone.
Stephen Prothero’s “God Is Not One” is a survey of world religions, comprising vital information on a vast array of different sets of belief. As someone who has never studied religion before, nor belongs to a particular faith, the variability within these religions is staggering. One might be satisfied to define religion as “how a person goes about believing in God,” but soon finds that even that definition has its holes. Thankfully, “God Is Not One” does an amazing job of cluing its reader into the nuances that are sometimes forgotten about the religions it approaches.
Children may have to attend a school that is associated with their religion. It is always possible that this gives the child a different quality/balance of education. They may struggle to understand other people‘s religion or lifestyle choices. They may become confused or isolated and
The focal purpose of the article ‘Americans get an ‘F’ in religion’ by Cathy Lynn Grossman is to explain how ignorant Americans are when it comes to other religions around the world and their own. Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs; a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons and sects. Being ignorant to something as vital as religion scares the author of this article
Even though Sedaris describes the teacher as a terrifying wild animal he still has a humorous tone around it which makes it reliable for the reader since most people have found themselves in an analogous situation. Towards the end of the essay, we get the feeling that Sedaris' French has improved. The teacher's insults do not seem to bother him that much anymore. By the teacher being so strict to everyone, do the insults not seem to be that serious and maybe not something she means entirely. Suddenly he could understand every word of the teacher's sentence. Even though she had just insulted him he feels like it was a victory for him. He cannot speak the language but it is a step in the right direction.
One of the many things that puzzle people even today; is how Jesus was portrayed and how he became a part of history throughout the centuries. Fortunately, within the book Jesus Through the Centuries, written by Jaroslav Pelikan, readers are able to get a sense of what societies viewed Jesus as and how he was/is important to many aspects of the world such as; the political, social, and cultural impact he had left. As Pelikan discusses this very topic and theme in his book, we see how there’s a connection between his audience in this book and Jesus’s are closely similar. When he got his motivation to write about Jesus through the Centuries, Jaroslav had an open audience, which was intended for anyone of all ages, races, and beliefs to read
Randy Newman’s book, Questioning Evangelism, is a book about on how evangelizing is to ask questions, and therefore, letting people communicate with questions about their own truths about God. Newman writes this book hoping that anyone who reads it will gain a better understanding of what evangelism is. Newman’s book is divided into three parts: why questioning evangelism is needed, considering what questions non-believers are asking, and observing why asking questions and knowing answers doesn’t mean a Christian’s own problem like cold-heartedness or anger. Throughout the book Newman brings readers right back to bible scriptures. Even though he appeals to accounts of people like Paul in Acts preaching on Mars Hill, he also shows how the wisdom literature is applied to our evangelistic attempts.
There is a Mexican man that enters with the rest of his family. They eat beans, rice, flour tortillas and etc. The family does there every day routine, the dad wakes up at six- thirty to go to work in his truck. The children go to school and the mother stays at home. The things a person does in their all has a reason which goes all back to culture. Culture is what makes up everyone different from one another. Texts such as “What is Cultural Identity?”, “Where Worlds Collide” and “Two ways to Belong” supports that depending on one’s culture it effects one perspective on the world and others.
Religion, whether we realize it or not, is a major element of American society (and also worldwide history). For many, religion is a significant part of their cultural identity. Religion plays a part in all levels of politics and is often an aspect of community events and organizations. Everyday, we all interact with people who have different religious backgrounds and personal beliefs. Children born into religious families are very connected with their religions from birth and this affects the way they will see the world for the rest of their lives. Even those who later explore other faiths or convert to other religious ideas will be affected in
Within the past few decades, there has been much controversy and scrutiny surrounding those with great levels of faith in their religions. This has only been escalating in severity as more and more instances of terrorism are associated with radical religious groups. As a result, many tend to share many of the same feelings as those expressed by author Salman Rushdie in his article "Imagine There 's No Heaven." In his article, Rushdie explains to his readers the faults with religion and explains to them how religion itself is holding humankind back from achieving much greater. Authors like Akinfenwa Oluwaseun also share supporting views and provide important evidence that support Rushdie 's argument. In Oluwaseun 's article, "The Role of Religion in Modern Society: Masses Opium or Tool for Development," Oluwaseun examines several case studies involving religion and the development of society in certain areas, including many in Nigeria and its surrounding area. Upon examination, Oluwaseun concludes that Religion is actually harmful to society, and she explains further why. Other authors, like Peter J. Wilkinson and Samuel R. Weber, have different views on the subject. In Weber 's article, "Psychological Distress Among Religion Nonbelievers: A Systematic Review," he explains his findings involving several previously done studies upon the relationship of psychological health and religious belief, and concludes in his analysis of the studies that nonbelievers seem to undergo more
A religious family in the story Why I am a Pagan by Zitkala-sa, talks about how this little girl was taught certain things that her family has always gone by. What she was taught, she now holds close to her life dearly, while also relying on it every moment of the day. Her life shows us a different view on cultural identity, how she was taught something important not only to her, but in everyone else’s as well. By showing her what the kind of men in her life mean the most to her. She says something about her religion, how it reflects her past, present, and future, along with what she stands for. She says, “I was taught long years ago by kind missionaries to read the holy book, these godly men taught me also the folly of our old beliefs.” (Zitkala-sa 2) In her culture, and
When working with students assignments that deals with religion, we as educators have to take various things into considerations. We have to allow students the opportunity to express themselves even when dealing with religious
In our society today, culture is not what it used to be hundreds of years ago. There is no more “pure” culture. Our culture today is enriched with many different traditions and customs that are being shared and adopted. Due to emigration and immigration, a variety of diverse customs, beliefs, and knowledge moved with every exiting and entering human being. Thus, changing and shaping the culture of many. Throughout the world, the beliefs and religious views of culture are dissimilar around the world. By taking the time to read, listen and learn about certain people’s culture, there will be knowledge and understanding that will be gained.
By studying cultures and religions other than my own in Turkey, Morocco, Egypt and Greece it became clear to me that religion plays a huge part in shaping ones cultural identity. Bringing this "cultural identity" viewpoint to its
One of the avenues of influential learning is in school. The place where students spend half of their life. Going to school aids students in acquiring knowledge, establishing rapport and developing skills. When students attend school, they showcase not only their characters traits and attitudes, but they also carry with them their cultural differences and religious practices. (Green & Oldendorf, 2005). Looking at how diverse our society is, the question of teaching religions and their ideologies at a school-level rise. Whilst the state practices neutrality towards religion, there are still issues and challenges when it comes to accommodating religious diversity and its integration in the education system (Berger, 2013, p.104). Therefore, integrating religion in the education system can lead to