Religious Symbols Research Articles

The Legend of Stratonics: political and religious aspects

The issues of family and marriage relations have traditionally been of concern to historians and politicians since ancient times. In this regard, the unusual circumstances of the marriage of the sole heir of the Seleucid empire, Antiochus, and his stepmother Stratonica could not remain without the attention of ancient authors who tried to rationally explain this event. The purpose of this work is to study one incident from the life of the Seleucid queen Stratonica, compare different versions in the sources and clarify the factors that influenced the historical and literary tradition about her. The identification of two aspects within which the plot of the marriage of Antiochus and Stratonica should be considered will allow changing modern ideas about the exclusively political nature of this decision of Seleucus Nicator. The researсh used traditional methods for ancient history: comparative historical, comparative genetic, retrospective. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that the authors examined the legend not only from the point of view of its content, but also the form of presentation of the material in the context of politics and religion of the early Seleucids. This approach allowed us to assert that during their reign, the historical myth of Seleucus and his family began to form, into which the incident with the queen's second marriage organically fit. As a result of the study, the authors conclude that the legend of Antiochus's infatuation with Stratonica was artificially created at the royal court, it strengthened the political image of the dynasty with the help of religious symbols and external similarities with the policy of "merging peoples" of Alexander the Great. At the same time, it was the interrelationship of the political and religious aspects that influenced the form and content of this legend.

Does The Sexual Violence The Fault Of Man Or The Fault Of Woman's Stupidity? When Religious Commodification and Offensive Marketing Go Hand in Hand

Religious commodification, especially Islamic commodification has been rampant in modern times. This phenomenon also emboldens brands with religious symbolism to conduct offensive marketing, namely Rabbani. This research further investigates the integration of religious commodification and offensive marketing conducted by the Rabbani brand. This research utilized a qualitative and descriptive approach through the case study of Rabbani offensive marketing. The findings of this research are Rabbani has benefitted from religious commodification practices. This in turn emboldens Rabbani to engage in offensive marketing by attacking Muslim women who did not wear the veil. This research implies that religious commodification could also bring a negative impact, especially if this practice is coupled with offensive marketing. Thus, consumers need to be more critical and not easily convinced by the offerings of products that rely on religious commodification, especially if these products use unethical marketing practices such as offensive marketing.

Comparing law and religion judgments in the rise of judicial populism. The kirpan case-law in Italy and Canada as a case-study

ABSTRACT: This essay explores the intersection of religious symbols and judicial populism, focusing on the case-law related to the kirpan in Italy and Canada. In an era of rising populism, religious symbols become political tools, creating an “us-versus-them” narrative. The kirpan, a Sikh ritual dagger, can serve as a case-study for judicial populism, examining contrasting approaches in Italian and Canadian case-law. Italian case-law prioritizes public safety over religious freedom, while Canadian case-law adopts a nuanced approach, accommodating the wearing of the kirpan under some conditions. The kirpan’s legal ambiguity highlights the tension between religious freedom and public safety, reflecting the broader challenges of recognizing different identities in a multicultural society. SUMMARY: 1. Religious symbols, populism, and judicial populism - 2. Methodology and research questions - 3. The kirpan as a case-study for judicial populism - 4. Judicial populism in action: the Italian case-law - 5. Precautions against judicial populism: the Canadian case-law - 6. Countering judicial populism.

Exploring Religious Animal Symbolism in Louise Erdrich’s The Plague of Doves

In her 2009 novel The Plague of Doves, Louise Erdrich weaves a complex story that demonstrates the attempted erasure of Native American culture and religion through contrasting religious animal motifs. Serpents, doves, and lambs have inherent associations with biblical and some indigenous religions that, together, build a conflict that is reflected by the tension between the occupants of the reservation and by the white characters. For example, the Biblical interpretation of serpents is that they are evil spirited and essentially the embodiment of Satan; however, some religions view serpents as creatures that cast out demons. These contrasting beliefs, along with other examples in the novel, create the religious and spiritual conflict that occurs in the novel as the Native Americans are bombarded with Catholicism and other pressures to abandon their culture. Associating or assigning these animals with religious symbolism to different characters, both white and indigenous, Erdrich enriches the conversation surrounding the conversion of Native Americans to Catholicism and the separation of indigenous peoples with their families and culture by exposing the entitlement and power imbalances present between Native Americans and Westerners.

Sociology of Totems, Myths, and Tawhid: Exploring the Interplay Between Symbolism and Theology with Critical Analysis of Theological or Mythical Stage of August Comte’s Law of Three Stages

Introduction: Totems and myths, integral components of social, cultural, and religious expression, carry profound symbolic meanings within diverse societies. This paper investigates the interplay between these symbolic elements and Islamic theology, exploring how Islamic communities respond to the presence of symbols and symbolism. The paper presents a critical analysis of theological stage of August Comte’s law of three stages. Objectives: The research objectives of the present paper aim to examine the prevalence of totems and myths in various societies and their negative impact in terms of theology, sociology, and identity formation. It will investigate the theological responses of Islam to the incorporation of totems and myths with a critical analysis of theological stage of August Comte’s law of three stages philosophically known as Positive Philosophy. Explore the implications of the interplay between totems, myths and Islamic theology on religious identity and belief system. Methods: The present work is qualitative in nature and hence uses qualitative methodology. Results and Conclusion: The findings of the paper suggest that Totemic and Mythical thinking must be dealt with a serious and sensitive approach to protect the fabric of Muslim society under the core teachings of Tawhid. Understanding the sociological implications of the symbolic systems, advocated by Islam, provides valuable insights into the intricate diversity of human culture, belief systems, and social organization. As societies continue to evolve, it becomes imperative to navigate the delicate balance between preserving cultural heritage, acknowledging diversity, and upholding the principles of justice and equality. Originality/Value: the research presents a unique and original perspective on the intersection of sociology, symbolism, and theology. In essence, it delves into the intricate relationship between cultural symbols, religious beliefs, and social structures. What sets this paper apart is its innovative approach to studying the role of totems and myths within the framework of Tawhid, the Islamic concept of the oneness of God. By examining how totems and myths function within different cultural contexts and their implications for theological understanding, the paper offers fresh insights into the dynamics of religious symbolism.

“To mask, or not to mask, that is the question”: COVID (Anti)Masking and Comics

ABSTRACT While masks have functioned as important cultural artifacts, religious symbols, costume pieces, and components of social identity throughout history, in the current biopsychosocial context (of the COVID-19 pandemic), they predominantly refer to medical masks. This article, after reviewing the comprehensive and complex history (and evolution) of masks, seeks to investigate the symbolism and attitudes toward masking in the wake of COVID-19 through a detailed analysis of single-paneled images and sequential comics by artists such as Michael Green, Clare McCarthy, and illustrator Isabel Seliger (for NPR), who delineates the experiences of Agnes Boisvert, an ICU nurse. The article relates the issue of masking with the semiotics of identity, anonymity, responses of healthcare professionals, collective responsibility, and anti-masking attitudes, among others. This research further draws attention to the potential of the comics medium in visualizing and expressing sentiments around (anti)masking and concludes by showing how biological, cultural, political, and social forces inform and influence discourses around masking.

Determining the Criteria Related to the Preference of Contemporary Mosques by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method within the Context of User-centered Design

The concept of user-centered design has recently been accepted in contemporary design teachings and has created new perspectives in the design field. This article aims to evaluate the contemporary mosques built in Türkiye from a user-centered perspective. In this context, first of all, the concept of user-centered design was included and the necessity of a pluralistic environment in decision-making processes was emphasized in order to create an ideal publicity phenomenon. In the context of the conceptual framework created, contemporary mosque examples built in the 21st century were selected and presented to the preference of architect and non-architect participant groups. Decision criteria that are thought to affect the choice of participants are aesthetic value, material and workmanship, dimensions of the building, religious symbols in the building, and the brand value of the building. These factors, which may be effective in the choice of contemporary mosques, were evaluated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process method. Accordingly, it was observed that the main criteria constituting the contemporary mosque preferences of the architect group were aesthetics, the brand value of the building, material, and workmanship criteria. On the other hand, the main criterion constituting the contemporary mosque preferences of the non-architect group was the presence of religious symbols. Accordingly, it was observed that architectural profession ideologies affected and differentiated the reasons for preference. As a result, it was concluded that the ideology of the architectural profession is effective in the construction process of the contemporary built environment.

The Influence of Virtual Communities on Discriminatory Attitudes in the Use of Islamic Religious Attributes in Indonesia

Various cases of legal issues attacking religious symbols have become increasingly common in Indonesia recently. These cases range from the smallest forms in the form of hate speech comments on social media, prohibitions on religious attributes, to the most serious, namely discrimination and human rights violations based on justifications for one group's disagreement with another group's understanding of religion. Discrimination in this paper sees that clothing or religious attributes are used as a form of desire to obtain more perfect worship. The aim of conducting research is related to virtual communities as mediators of this problem. The research method used is literature study and analysis sourced from the media. This article discusses how this discrimination phenomenon emerged, transformed, and threatened the harmony of diversity in Indonesia. It is also concluded that the root of the problem of this phenomenon includes three parts, namely; (1) Acts of terrorism that occurred in Indonesia, (2) the rise of the Islamic movement, and (3) the presence of public and government figures who muddied the situation.

The Recent Emergence of Australian Christian Higher Education Institutions: How They Operationalize Their Christian Identity

Historically, Australian higher education has been statist, uniform, and secular. Indeed, up until 1989, even communist Poland had more Christian universities than Australia. Only in the last 3½ decades have eight different Christian universities and colleges emerged. This article first explores the origins of these new institutions and the historical factors that allowed for the emergence of Australian Christian higher education (CHE). It then employs the recently developed Operationalizing Christian Identity Guide (OCIG) to determine the extent to which these new Australian institutions use their Christian identity to guide administrative decisions. The OCIG identifies the number of publicly expressed markers that indicate whether and how Christian identity makes a difference in key administrative decisions regarding the life of the institution. These markers include things such as membership requirements for the board, president, faculty, and students; the institution’s official rhetoric and mission; the number of required Christian courses; and the nature of co-curricular programming. An analysis of these institutions using the OCIG reveals that Australia’s Christian institutions are observably distinct from their secular Australian counterparts in key areas such as mission, hiring practices, curricular requirements, co-curricular opportunities, and student conduct codes. All of these Christian institutions require core courses that extend beyond professional education. Within the Christian sector, significant diversity also exists regarding religious symbols, funding, and governance. A comparison of these Australian institutions to Christian institutions in the United States and Canada, however, finds that Australian institutions operationalize their Christian identities less than institutions in these countries.

Laughing and unlaughing at religion-related fake news in Estonia

Abstract Contemporary contacts and interactions with religion are often mediated by mass and social media. These sources vary in their reliability and some are known for their use of humor as a communicative strategy. In this article we analyze how humorous religion-related news triggers reactions to and discussions about the intertwined issues of humor, religion, history and ethnic identity. First, we look at how people perceive religion as an institution, contextualizing the results against the backdrop of the historical and present-day role of religion in the (ethnically, politically, and culturally) divided Estonian society. Second and more broadly, we analyze the (mis)use of strong religious symbols. We aim to understand why serious reactions to initially humorous fake news come about, and why humorous stimuli are sometimes met with discontent or even disgust. This contributes to understanding the intersection of humor and religion in divided societies. The results point out that the religious controversies triggered by humor are related to societal and political issues rather than ideas about religion and belief. We suggest that fast and broad dissemination via online media might be one of the reasons why the humorous and serious are closely interwoven in discussions on religious issues.

A Formalist Approach to Religious Imagery in <em>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe</em> by C. S. Lewis

One of the most popular novels written for children is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (2005). However, this novel is controversial amongst critics because it contains religious symbols. This research argues that The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe has its way of presenting religious symbols implicitly therefore children can enjoy reading it. Thus, this research aims to examine the effective presentation of religious symbols in the novel. This research uses the Formalism approach. To support the analysis, the researcher uses library research as the method with the religious symbols found in the novel as the primary data and the books and journals written by experts as the secondary data. The result of this research is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe presented religious symbols through the characters of children, role models, central subjects and important events of the story of the novel.

FENOMENA PENGGUNAAN SIMBOL-SIMBOL KEAGAMAAN PENGEMIS JALANAN DI KOTA MEDAN

Beggars are people who beg in public in various ways that beggars do in order to get money and goods that are useful for themselves. Begging is also usually done in crowded places such as houses of worship, red lights, markets, and people's homes. By begging someone obtains material easily and does not require the ability to work. The methodology used in this study uses a qualitative approach such as interviews with eleven beggars in the city of Medan. By processing data such as collecting information and analyzing the findings obtained. The large number of beggars in the city of Medan has a negative impact on society with low human resources, especially for religion which is a symbol of making it easier to carry out begging activities such as using caps, headscarves, koko clothes, and other Islamic clothing. The theoretical approach is carried out using the theory of Symbolic Interactionism which has a placement towards a person's way of solving problems in his life through the process of thinking and placing himself as an object and subject. The existence of cooperation between the community and the government can eliminate the phenomenon of begging which is still widely practiced by beggars, moreover Islam is made a begging religion in public, so that religious symbols may not be used for individual use.

PENGUNAAN GAMELAN BHATARA BAGUS SELONDING DALAM TRADISI MEGERET PANDAN DI DESA TENGANAN PEGRINGSINGAN KECAMATAN MANGGIS KABUPATEN KARANGASEM

Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding is a gamelan which is sacred by the people of Tenganan Pegringsingan Village. Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding has an important role in religious activities in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, especially in the Megeret Pandan tradition. This research was formulated in 3 problems, namely: 1) What is the shape of the Bhatara Bagus Selonding Gamelan instrument in the Megeret Pandan Tradition in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, Manggis District, Karangasem Regency? 2) What is the function of Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding in the Megeret Pandan Tradition in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, Manggis District, Karangasem Regency? 3) What does the meaning of Gamelan Bhtara Bagus Selonding in the Megeret pandan Tradition in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, Manggis District, Karangasem Regency?The problem is examined with three theories namely, the principle of religious principles, aesthetic theory, and symbol theory. The method used in this study is a qualitative method, the process consists of determining the location of research, using qualitative data sourced from informants and relevant written sources, determining research instruments, informants are determined on a representative basis. Data collection through observation, in-depth interviews, literature study and documentation.The results showed that (1) The form of Bhatara Bagus Selonding Gamelan is slonding barungan tools including: 1) Atungguh Paenem, 2) Atungguh patuduh, 3) Atungguh nyongnyong Ageng, 4) Aungguh Nyongnyong Alit, 5) Atungguh Gong Ageng, 6) Atungguh Gong Alit, 7) Atungguh Kempul Ageng, 8) Atungguh Kempul Alit.2) The function of Bhatara Bagus Selonding is as a Superintendent and Pengerahan Megerert pandan. As forming the feeling of courage when playing Gending Kelor curry Gug-curry.3) The meaning contained in the Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding in the Megerert Pandan Tradition is Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding is very purified and made into God (God).

Religious nationalism and home bias

This study explores the impact of religious nationalism on domestic portfolio investment within a country. Examining data from 36 developed and emerging markets spanning the period of 2004-2021, the results suggest that investors from countries with significant religious nationalism sentiment tend to allocate a greater portion of their portfolio to domestic equities, leading to less international diversified portfolios. Religious nationalism promotes cultural uniformity and the preservation of traditional values, prioritizing the protection of religious symbols and customs over embracing innovation. Furthermore, the findings indicate that religious nationalism exacerbates religious discrimination against minority religions, thereby increasing investments in home markets. Moreover, I illustrate that religious nationalism is particularly relevant in emerging markets.

Ma Rainey's Spiritual Blues: Exploring the Intersection of Religion and Musicin Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a theatrical masterpiece that not only captures the essence of the jazz era but also delves into the complexities of the African American experience, including the role of religion. Religion serves as a nuanced backdrop that adds depth to the characters and their experiences. This paper delves into how religion is portrayed in the play, particularly in the context of spirituality and music, and how it influences the characters and their worldviews. By analysing the spiritual power of music, the contrasting perspectives of Levee and Jeremy on religion, and the subtle religious symbolism, this paper sheds light on the intersection of spirituality and artistry in the lives of Black musicians in 1920s Chicago.

A Symbolic Study of the Religious Character in Modern Theatre: A Case Study of "Rosmersholm"

The play Rosmersholm, one of the social plays aimed at the upper class of society, the clergy, simulates the Norwegian reality on a narrow level in conveying the situation surrounding Rosmersholm. The play begins with the loss of one of its pillars, which is the pastor's wife, Rosmer. The play consists of four chapters and is a social epic that conveys a state of salvation, socio-religious liberation and adherence resulting from family legacies that turn a person towards what he does not aspire to. This study aims to research the symbolism of the spiritual personality and its behaviours to present this type of class that remained closed for a long time and cannot be explored by the general public. It also provides an analytical study of free personalities, resulting in knowledge of the extent of the influence of religion and freedom on individuals. At that time, these two types of characters were considered incompatible and did not meet due to the nature of the religious symbol, closed in on itself, and its distance from religiosity and the church. Combining them together leads to one of the following results:

Tradition of Mejaga-Jaga: Ritual Communication and Perceptions in Menyamabraya

The presence of the Mejaga-jaga Tradition serves as a historical representation of the populace's allegiance to their monarch. This tradition encompasses the pacaruan ritual, which aims to counteract the adverse influence of bhutakala and infuse the sanctity of the universe.The research objective underscores the role of ritual communication in shaping the perceptions of menyamabraya as a means to construct the belief system of the BesangKawanTohjiwa Village community. The study employed a qualitative-interpretative approach with the aim of extracting information to elucidate the research locale, grounded in community experiences and subsequently documenting it in scholarly discourse. The data analysis technique uses the Miles and Huberman model, resulting in an illustration that the Mejaga-jaga Tradition ritual uses the main means of a bantengculawhich is paraded in the ngiderprocession around the village, krama lanangcarry berokanmade of jakatree fronds decorated with bludruleaves and the ends are paired with dewatanawasangaweapons. In the ngiderprocession, the bantengcula is paraded around three times as a symbol of cleansing bhuana agung and bhuana alit, namely alambhur, bwah, and swah. The Mejaga-jaga tradition employs the concept of menyamabraya as a means of ritual communication to influence the perception of the BesangKawanTohjiwa community. Ritual communication is directed towards the elaboration of cultural messages, serving as a mode of logical reasoning, consequently overcoming the challenges associated with public comprehension when interpreting religious symbols and rituals.Menyamabrayais a significant concept for the Balinese people when it comes to understanding tradition and culture. Ritual communication has the potential to influence how Menyamabraya is perceived in the social interactions of the BesangKawanTohjiwa community. This perception is deemed ideal depending on the stimuli it encounters, enabling the development of a belief system that preserves cultural identity.

Sites of Memory in Czechoslovak Silesia 1945–1948

Abstract The paper aims to describe and analyze the changes in public sites of memory in the multi-ethnic border region of Czechoslovak Silesia during the period of restoration of Czechoslovak sovereignty, between the fall of Nazism in May 1945 and the communist putsch in Czechoslovakia in February 1948. This research focuses on transformations and (dis)continuity of cults and symbols during that period, and on specifics and differences within the examined region with regard to ethnic and social structure of local population. Research is based primarily on the recorded agendas of state and district administrations, but preserved memorials and photographs or descriptions of vanished sites of memory also serve as important sources. After the expulsion of German population, the western part of the region was repopulated by settlers from various regions of East-Central Europe. Most of local German sites of memory vanished, with the partial exception of religious symbols and a few “apolitical” memorials. New monuments and memorials were dedicated mainly to personalities of Czech history in an effort to inculcate the “official” identity amongst the new-settlers. In the Ostrava coal basin, the new regime invoked the pre-war tradition of working-class identity and showed tolerance towards the sites of memory of the local Polish minority, except memorials related to the former Czech-Polish border conflicts. In the Hlučín region specifically, a strong pro-German narrative survived despite the “Czechization” efforts of state authorities. In general, the state-supported memory policy aimed to create the narrative of a “Slavic” and “socialist” Silesia, suppress the German past of the region, and weaken frictions between Czechs and Poles.

PERSEPSI DAN EKSPEKTASI DOKTER TERHADAP JASA MEDISDI RS PKU MUHAMMADIYAHNANGGULAN

Background: General practitioners / specialist considerations a hospital which are most suitable to be used as a practice. There are several considerations in determining a doctor's office, one of which is the most powerful pull factor is the amount of medical services to be received from the PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan.
 Objectives: in this study is to describe the perceptions and expectations of general practitioners and specialists for medical services in PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan.
 Method: This study used a qualitative research approach. The study was conducted in PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan, KulonProgo, Yogyakarta during the month of July 2011 - February 2015. The subjects in this study were four general practitioners and four specialists in PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan who has had a license to practice. Data analyze used descriptive qualitatively.
 Result: Perception of general practitioners / specialists in PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan vary according to the characteristics of informants that includes needs, age, status, workplace, social conditions, and hope the doctor. General practitioners revealed that remuneration has been timely received, but not yet in accordance with the load of work done. Specialist physicians perceive that the medical services received are in accordance with the assumption that the meaning of work for informants as worship and religious symbols. General practitioners hope that hospitals provide child support and medical benefits. Specialist doctors have hope in order to meet current needs and hope that PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan can improve the quality and infrastructure for specialists, provide health insurance for specialists, and in order to improve reply to specialist medical services in accordance with the development of the hospital. 
 Conclusion: Remuneration received by general practitioners has on time, but not in accordance with the load of work done. Medical services received by specialists are in accordance with the assumption that the meaning of work for informants as worship and religious symbols.

Epilepsy in Art: A Historical Exploration of Representations Across Eras

This narrative review explores the diverse representations of epilepsy in art across different historical periods, examining the intersection of artistic expression with evolving cultural, medical, and societal perceptions. Beginning with ancient and medieval depictions intertwined with religious symbolism, the paper progresses through the Renaissance, and Baroque, and transitions into modern and avant-garde movements. Each period reflects changing attitudes towards epilepsy, from divine interpretations, and religious concerns to anatomical realism and, later, explorations of psychological themes. The contemporary lens focuses on inclusive and empathetic portrayals, utilizing digital media to challenge stigmas and foster understanding.