Culture is commonly viewed as the most significant factor that distinguishes one ethic group from another. Writing is primarily defined as the carrier of culture. Religion is generally conceded to be the important way to convey culture, while culture is primly manifested by religion. Shang Dynasty that started up as a very first dynasty boasts of literary inscription, in the same time, it is discovered to be the earliest era of writing system in existence. All that is attributed to the Oracle Bone Inscriptions unearthed. Hence, Oracle Bone Inscriptions is associated with the culture study of Shang Dynasty. Central to the culture of Shang Dynasty is the religion culture in the sense that Oracle Bone Inscriptions articulates a great deal of records related to religion. Oracle Bone Inscriptions, accordingly, manages to provide abundant and genuine documents and evidences for the purpose of studying the culture of Shang Dynasty. The research aims to focus on the Oracle Bone Inscriptions as a main object of analysis, with the combination of the study of Oracle Bone, history of Shang Dynasty together with anthropology, which intends to explore the characteristics of China’s religion and develop a new definition. The Shang Dynasty is regarded as a period of strengthening religious belief and rituals. The degree of China’s religion ceremony represents itself in a statement of full popularity and development in Shang Dynasty which is implicated by the Oracle Bone Inscriptions, and the worship ceremony is embodied in China’s religion. Through the research, it is concluded that the core belief of China’s religion mainly revolves around ancestor worship and its consciousness; particular religious sites, such as ancestor temples; worship ancestor of genetic connection as well as ancestor of social groups; and belief of ethics and morality. Religion is closely concerned in society construction and nation building; moreover, it exerts a significant influence on Chinese cultures in many aspects. / published_or_final_version / Chinese / Master / Master of Philosophy

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

This study examines the similarities and differences between the historical background and the current performance of Hindu and Zulu funerals and associated ceremonies. After presenting an account of the historical development of the Hindu and Zulu communities in South Africa, a chronological account of the performance of each of these funeral ceremonies are presented. This account includes a detailed description of the rituals performed when a person is on his/her death bed, the actual funeral ceremonies and the post death rituals and ceremonies associated with ancestor veneration. The incidence and significance of The Anthropology of Geste and Rhythm in each of these ceremonies are demonstrated according to the theory of Marcel Jousse. The Hindu and Zulu ceremonies are then analysed and interpreted to demonstrate an individuals life crises which Van Gennep called the "Rites of Passage" and distinguishes three phases: separation, transition, and incorporation. The discussion accounts for the transmission of traditions over generations, and which demonstrate the anthropological and psychobiological nature of memory, understanding and expression as evident in the performance of Hindu and Zulu funerals and ceremonies and the manner in which the ancestors are venerated in South Africa. The research was undertaken mainly in Kwa-Zulu Natal. However to fill research gaps in the Hindu investigation a study was undertaken in some parts ofIndia as part of the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Programme. / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 1999. / Abstract. Some parts in Chinese. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 308-312).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 1999. / Abstract. Some parts in Chinese. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 308-312).

Submitted by Suelen Reis (suziy.ellen@gmail.com) on 2013-04-17T18:03:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Dowyvan Gasparseg.pdf: 3128485 bytes, checksum: e0bb166571e4dccacbbd7f1599f3052b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Meirelles(rodrigomei@ufba.br) on 2013-05-24T11:36:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Dowyvan Gasparseg.pdf: 3128485 bytes, checksum: e0bb166571e4dccacbbd7f1599f3052b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-05-24T11:36:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Dowyvan Gasparseg.pdf: 3128485 bytes, checksum: e0bb166571e4dccacbbd7f1599f3052b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Este trabalho visa compreender a presença e métodos de ação da Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus em Maputo, Moçambique. Destaca-se sua história em contexto marcado por uma pluralidade étnico/religiosa, aspectos teológicos e sobretudo a aproximação entre a “Economia e a Religião”, operada pela IURD, sustentada na chamada “Teologia da Prosperidade”. A dissertação procura, de um lado, relacionar o perfil social dos crentes com sua atuação indicando métodos de proselitismo e arrecadação de recursos financeiros, e de outro, a busca de prosperidade financeira ainda nesta vida. / Salvador

This present thesis has been prudently undertaken how to approach practically and theologically the ethical issues for the effective preaching with Confucian filial piety which has challenged Korean churches. Serious conflicts are arising among Korean families because of Confucianism teachings that filial piety is the highest virtue of all ethical teachings and that ancestor worship is the continuation of filial piety to the dead parents. This issue creates a rigorous religious controversy for Korean Christians and places obstacles in the path of evangelism in Korean society. Chapter one reveals the research orientation which gives general information on how to approach and develop this issue. I approach this issue historically, theologically, practically, and/or biblically. I adopt fundamental practical theology as the main research positioning, which was suggested by Don Browning. I also make use of seven movements proposed by J C Müller in order to present the literary research and six fundamental steps proposed by Lewis and Demarest only for the theological foundation in chapter three. Chapter two reveals the effect of Confucian ancestor worship has on Asian countries and Christians, specifically in China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea, which are under the influence of Confucianism, and how Confucian ancestor worship hinders people from receiving and following Jesus Christ and a common barrier to evangelism in these Eastern Asian countries. Chapter three reveals the theological foundations of Confucianism and Christianity. Confucianism has its own specific theologies of worship form, temple, canon, afterlife, and gods like those of Christianity. A comparison with the theological foundations of Confucianism and Christianity is made for a better understanding of Confucian ancestor worship and filial piety. Chapter four reveals the differences between Confucian and biblical teachings on filial piety. Confucian filial piety was taught by Confucius who is a founder of Confucianism, while the origins of biblical filial piety are rooted in the Old and New Testaments. The Bible teaches that filial piety is directed toward living parents, but Confucianism teaches that filial piety is to both living and dead parents; filial piety to the dead parents is ancestor worship. Chapter five reveals the distinctions between Confucian and biblical teachings on ancestor worship. Confucians believe that dead ancestors are able to protect their own families, bring fortunes to their descendants, watch over their own families, and to reward the right and punish the wrong, but the Bible ascribes to ancestor worship as idolatry as taught in the second commandment. Chapter six reveals the ways of practical theological applications of filial piety and ancestor worship. I propose the ways of practical theological applications without compromise in the circumstance of the acceptance of ancestor worship as a custom. Further, I challenge preachers as central to reconciliation how to make an effort to aid the rooting of biblical filial piety into Korean society as a traditional Korean heritage. I hope that this thesis will help non-Christians to understand the Christian perspective of filial piety and ancestor worship and why Christians reject Confucian ancestor worship, and how Christianity emphasizes filial piety. Further, my intent is to help Christians confirm their beliefs, challenge non- Christians by showing what Christians believe, and give wisdom on how to create harmony with non-Christian family members. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

El presente artículo constituye un intento de documentar históricamente los orígenes de La Huaconada, baile ejecutado actualmente en el pueblo de Mito (valle del Mantaro) que, según se infiere a partir de las fuentes archivísticas, tuvo amplia difusión en la costa y sierra central peruana en tiempos coloniales.A partir de la revisión de fuentes etnohistóricas de los siglos XVI y XVII se propone una correspondencia entre los huacones y los ancestros fundadores de las comunidades en las que se realizaba el baile, explicándose al mismo tiempo la recurrente asociación de estos personajes míticos con elementos claramente vinculados al culto de los antepasados en el mundo andino, como cuevas (machay) y huancas. Se establece además el papel que este tipo de ceremonias cumplía en el marco del calendario agrícola de las poblaciones indígenas durante la colonia.Finalmente, recurriendo a la revisión de material arqueológico, se sugiere que ciertas tallas de madera integradas a los fardos funerarios prehispánicos y máscaras elaboradas a partir de restos humanos representarían el antecedente material de la parafernalia empleada en la danza. / This article constitutes an attempt to document the origins of the «Huaconada,» a dance currently performed in the town of Mito (Mantaro Valley) but which, as can be inferred from archival sources, was widespread throughout the coast and central Andes of Peru during colonial times.  The study of ethnohistorical sources from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries reveals a relationship between the «huacones»and the ancestral founders of the communities where the dance was performed.  This explains the repeated association of these mythical characters with elements connected to ancestor cults in the Andes, such as caves (machay) and «huancas». The analysis suggests the role of this type of ceremonies in the agricultural calendar of native indigenous populations during the colonial period.From the review of archaeological evidence, it is suggested that certain pieces of wood carving from prehispanic burial wrappings and masks incorporating human remains represent the materials used for paraphernalia that is employed in the dance.

No description available.

The paper argues that the distinction between religious and secular realms of society is not as clear-cut in modern societies as it appears in theories of functional and institutional differentiation. The data used are mainly from China with a short excursion to the United States. The starting point is ancestor worship, which is a central element of traditional Chinese religion. The significance of ancestor worship in Chinese history and culture is briefly explained to illustrate on the one hand its central importance as a ritual practice and on the other hand the ambiguities of interpretation. On this basis, some theoretical considerations about the existence of ancestors are presented. This is followed by a report on contemporary temple festivals focusing on the worship of Fuxi, a mythic figure considered to be the first ancestor of the Chinese people. The next step is the description of official state rituals devoted to the worship of the very same mythological hero in contemporary China. Against this backdrop, the last part of the paper discusses the theoretical questions of classification and distinguishing between the religious and the secular. / Theoretischer Ausgangspunkt des Beitrages ist die Unterscheidung zwischen Religion und säkularen Bereichen der Gesellschaft. Es wird argumentiert, dass diese Unterscheidung auch in modernen Gesellschaften weniger klar ist, als es Theorien der funktionalen und institutionellen Differenzierung unterstellen. Die empirische Basis der Überlegungen bilden Beobachtungen zu kollektiven Formen von Ahnenkult im heutigen China. Dazu werden zunächst die Bedeutung und verschiedene Interpretationen von Ahnenkult in China historisch erläutert. Daran anschließend folgen einige theoretische Überlegungen zur Existenz von Ahnen. Die nächsten Abschnitte beschreiben die heutige kollektive Verehrung von Fuxi als Ahn des chinesischen Volkes in zwei verschiedenen Formen: im Rahmen eines populären Tempelfestes und im Rahmen eines offiziellen staatlichen Rituals. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird im letzten Abschnitt gezeigt, dass bei der Verehrung von Toten die Grenze zwischen religiösen und säkularen Ritualen verschwimmt.