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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Aspects of religions (non-Christian) > Religious life & practice
This book is the first comprehensive study of images of rape in
Italian painting at the dawn of the Renaissance. Drawing on a wide
range of primary sources, Peter Bokody examines depictions of
sexual violence in religion, law, medicine, literature, politics,
and history writing produced in kingdoms (Sicily and Naples) and
city-republics (Florence, Siena, Lucca, Bologna and Padua). Whilst
misogynistic endorsement characterized many of these visual
discourses, some urban communities condemned rape in their
propaganda against tyranny. Such representations of rape often link
gender and aggression to war, abduction, sodomy, prostitution,
pregnancy, and suicide. Bokody also traces how the new naturalism
in painting, introduced by Giotto, increased verisimilitude, but
also fostered imagery that coupled eroticism and violation.
Exploring images and texts that have long been overlooked, Bokody's
study provides new insights at the intersection of gender, policy,
and visual culture, with evident relevance to our contemporary
condition.
Can there be rational examples of the compatibility between natural
science and Judaism? This book offers a strikingly novel
perspective on traditional and contemporary Judaic practices. For
those with some Judaic knowledge, there are biological explanations
in these chapters not seen elsewhere. For those well-versed in
evolutionary theory, the authors' perspectives suggest new
approaches to the scientific study of religion. Topics include the
monistic tendency, biblical polygyny, biblical family conflict,
circumcision and proselytes, sacrificial-ritualistic mitzvot
(obligations), periodic conjugal separation, Judaic traditionalism,
male and female reproductive strategies, and the relationship
between costly signaling and prestige.
Take your child on a colorful adventure to share the many ways
Jewish people celebrate Shabbat around the world. Shabbat Shalom
Beginning in an old Jerusalem market Friday morning, shopping for
foods to make Shabbat meals specialSetting a beautiful Sabbath
table in Australia Friday afternoonLighting Shabbat candles with a
family in TurkeySinging zemirot with relatives in RussiaMaking
hamotzi as a congregation in the United StatesParading the Torah
scrolls at Shabbat morning services in a synagogue in
GermanyRelaxing in the peace of Shabbat day in CanadaEnjoying a
special Sabbath afternoon meal in Morocco
From Israel to Thailand, from Ethiopia to Argentina, you and
your children are invited to share the diverse Sabbath traditions
that come alive in Jewish homes and synagogues around the world
each week and to celebrate life with Jewish people everywhere."
Julian of Norwich was a fourteenth-century woman who at the age of
thirty had a series of vivid visions centred around the crucified
Christ. Twenty years later, while living as an anchoress in a
church, she is believed to have set out these visions in a text
called the Showing of Love. Going against the current trend to
place Julian in the category of mystic - a classification which
defines her visions as deeply private, psychological events - this
book sets Julian's thinking in the context of a visionary project
used to instruct the Christian community. Drawing on recent
developments in philosophy that debate the objectivity and
rationality of vision and perception, Kevin J. Magill gives full
attention to the depth and richness of the visual language and
modes of perception in the Showing of Love. In particular, the book
focuses on the ways in which Julian presented her vision to the
Christian society around her, demonstrating the educative potential
of interaction between the 'isolated' anchoress and the wider
community. Challenging Julian's identification as a mystic and
solitary female writer, this book argues that Julian engaged in a
variety of educative methods - oral, visual, conversational,
mnemonic, alliterative - that extend the usefulness of her text.
Can there be rational examples of the compatibility between natural
science and Judaism? This book offers a strikingly novel
perspective on traditional and contemporary Judaic practices. For
those with some Judaic knowledge, there are biological explanations
in these chapters not seen elsewhere. For those well-versed in
evolutionary theory, the authors' perspectives suggest new
approaches to the scientific study of religion. Topics include the
monistic tendency, biblical polygyny, biblical family conflict,
circumcision and proselytes, sacrificial-ritualistic mitzvot
(obligations), periodic conjugal separation, Judaic traditionalism,
male and female reproductive strategies, and the relationship
between costly signaling and prestige.
Sarah Milledge Nelson's bold thesis is that the development of
states in East Asia-China, Japan, Korea-was an outgrowth of the
leadership in smaller communities guided by shamans. Using a
mixture of historical documents, mythology, archaeological data,
and ethnographic studies of contemporary shamans, she builds a case
for shamans being the driving force behind the blossoming of
complex societies. More interesting, shamans in East Asia are
generally women, who used their access to the spirit world to take
leadership roles. This work challenges traditional interpretations
growth of Asian states, which is overlaid with later Confucian
notions of gender roles. Written at a level accessible for
undergraduates, this concise work will be fascinating reading for
those interested in East Asian archaeology, politics, and society;
in gender roles, and in shamanism.
Sarah Milledge Nelson's bold thesis is that the development of
states in East Asia-China, Japan, Korea-was an outgrowth of the
leadership in smaller communities guided by shamans. Using a
mixture of historical documents, mythology, archaeological data,
and ethnographic studies of contemporary shamans, she builds a case
for shamans being the driving force behind the blossoming of
complex societies. More interesting, shamans in East Asia are
generally women, who used their access to the spirit world to take
leadership roles. This work challenges traditional interpretations
growth of Asian states, which is overlaid with later Confucian
notions of gender roles. Written at a level accessible for
undergraduates, this concise work will be fascinating reading for
those interested in East Asian archaeology, politics, and society;
in gender roles, and in shamanism.
What should Christians do with all the laws in the Old Testament?
The Old Testament tells the story of the beginnings of God's
salvation history, and it is part of the authoritative canon of
Scripture affirmed by the church. But what role should the laws of
the old covenant play in the lives of those living under the new
covenant? Can Christians embrace the commandment to "love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your strength" but ignore the laws regarding clean and unclean
food? Some have suggested that Christians remain under the moral
laws of the old covenant, while others have argued that some of the
Old Testament laws-for example, the Ten Commandments-still apply to
Christians. James Todd makes a bold claim by contending that as
followers of Jesus Christ who stand under a new covenant,
Christians are no longer subject to any of the Old Testament laws.
Focusing on the laws of the Pentateuch, he then addresses the
proper role and benefits of the Old Testament laws in the Christian
life. With wit and insight, Todd helps Christians to understand how
the laws given to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai should be
read by those called to live as saints.
Is debate on issues related to faith and reason still possible when
dialogue between believers and non-believers has collapsed? Taking
God Seriously not only proves that it is possible, but also
demonstrates that such dialogue produces fruitful results. Here,
Brian Davies, a Dominican priest and leading scholar of Thomas
Aquinas, and Michael Ruse, a philosopher of science and well-known
non-believer, offer an extended discussion on the nature and
plausibility of belief in God and Christianity. They explore key
topics in the study of religion, notably the nature of faith, the
place of reason in discussions about religion, proofs for the
existence of God, the problem of evil, and the problem of multiple
competing religious systems, as well as the core concepts of
Christian belief including the Trinity and the justification of
morality. Written in a jargon-free manner, avoiding the extremes of
evangelical literalism and New Atheism prejudice, Taking God
Seriously does not compromise integrity or shy from discussing
important or difficult issues.
As human beings, we all share the desire for happiness and meaning in our lives. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the ability to find true fulfillment lies within each of us. In this very special book, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, Nobel Prize winner, and bestselling author helps readers embark upon the path to enlightenment with a stunning illumination of the timeless wisdom and an easy-access reference for daily practice. Divided into a series of distinct steps that will lead spiritual seekers toward enlightenment, How to Practice is a constant companion in the quest to practice morality, meditation, and wisdom. This accessible book will guide you toward opening your heart, refraining from doing harm, and maintiaining mentaltranquility as the Dalai Lama shows you how to overcome everyday obstacles, from feelings of anger and mistrust to jealousy, insecurity, and counterproductive thinking. Imbued with His Holiness' vivacious spirit and sense of playfulness, How to Practice offers sage and practical insight into the human psyche and into the deepest aspirations that bind us all together.
Bringing the body-mind insights of Rinzai Zen from the mountains of
Japan to the Western world, Zen master Julian Daizan Skinner and
Sarah Bladen present simple meditation techniques to help achieve
health, wellbeing and success. Taking the reader through the first
100 days of practice, the book then shows how to adapt the new
learned techniques to the rest of your life. Including case studies
at the end of each chapter to show how people's lives have been
transformed through their meditation journeys, this is an
accessible and practical guide to adapting Eastern meditation into
busy Western lives.
In this pioneering book, in turns poetic and philosophical,
Nagapriya shows how the insights into the existential condition
offered by Shinran can transform our understanding of what Buddhist
practice consists in, and what it means to awaken to our ultimate
concern. Shinran (1173 - 1263) is one of the most important
thinkers of Japanese Buddhist history, and founder of the Jodo
Shinshu Pure Land school. Nagapriya explores Shinran's spirituality
and teachings through close readings, confessional narrative, and
thoughtful interpretation. This book is an invitation to reimagine
Shinran's religious universe, not for the sake of historical
curiosity, but as an exercise that has the potential to remake us
in the light of our ultimate concerns.
Rigorously researched and deeply illuminating, world-leading neurologist Dr Steven Laureys works with celebrated meditators to scientifically prove the positive impact meditation has on our brains.
Dr Steven Laureys has conducted ground-breaking research into human consciousness for more than 20 years.
For this bestselling book, Steven to explores the effect of meditation on the brain. He uses hard science to explain the benefits of a practice that was once thought of as purely spiritual. The result is a highly accessible, scientifically questioning guide to meditation, designed to open the practice to a broader audience.
A mix of fascinating science, inspiring anecdote and practical exercises, this accessible book offers scientific evidence that meditation can have a positive impact on all our lives.
The Dancing God: Staging Hindu Dance in Australia charts the
sensational and historic journey of de-provincialising and
popularising Hindu dance in Australia. In the late nineteenth and
early twentieth centuries, colonialism, orientalism and nationalism
came together in various combinations to make traditional Hindu
temple dance into a global art form. The intricately symbolic Hindu
dance in its vital form was virtually unseen and unknown in
Australia until an Australian impresario, Louise Lightfoot, brought
it onto the stage. Her experimental changes, which modernised
Kathakali dance through her pioneering collaboration with Indian
dancer Ananda Shivaram, moved the Hindu dance from the sphere of
ritualistic practice to formalised stage art. Amit Sarwal argues
that this movement enabled both the authentic Hindu dance and
dancer to gain recognition worldwide and created in his persona a
cultural guru and ambassador on the global stage. Ideal for anyone
with an interest in global dance, The Dancing God is an in-depth
study of how a unique dance form evolved in the meeting of
travellers and cultures.
Is debate on issues related to faith and reason still possible when
dialogue between believers and non-believers has collapsed? Taking
God Seriously not only proves that it is possible, but also
demonstrates that such dialogue produces fruitful results. Here,
Brian Davies, a Dominican priest and leading scholar of Thomas
Aquinas, and Michael Ruse, a philosopher of science and well-known
non-believer, offer an extended discussion on the nature and
plausibility of belief in God and Christianity. They explore key
topics in the study of religion, notably the nature of faith, the
place of reason in discussions about religion, proofs for the
existence of God, the problem of evil, and the problem of multiple
competing religious systems, as well as the core concepts of
Christian belief including the Trinity and the justification of
morality. Written in a jargon-free manner, avoiding the extremes of
evangelical literalism and New Atheism prejudice, Taking God
Seriously does not compromise integrity or shy from discussing
important or difficult issues.
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