The New Testament and Other Religions

The New Testament and Other Religions Order Description , compare the author's views to the philosophies purveyed by Jesus in the New Testament. The New Testament and Other Religions This week, we will examine Christianity through the lens of other religions, such as the ancient Sumerian religious story The Epic of Gilgamesh, and Chuang Tzu, a prominent Taoist from the 4th c. BC, as well as analyzing the New Testament through the philosophies of the Indian sage Jiddu Krishnamurti. For each of the posted materials, compare the author's views to the philosophies purveyed by Jesus in the New Testament. The Epic of Gilgamesh 1) How is the Epic of Gilgamesh related to religions with which you are familiar? 2) The Epic of Gilgamesh is a narrative, whereas most religious texts are an explicit set of instructions or injunctions. How does this affect the way that wisdom is imparted? How do the narratives we read inform the way we live? In what ways can narratives be religious? What makes a narrative religious? Jiddu Krishnamurti 1) Jiddu Krishnamurti is a deeply religious man. How does this inform his perspectives on love? How are Krishnamurti's ideas on love distinct from other modern philosopher's ideas on love? 2) If he is so religious, why does Krishnamurti argue so passionately against religious forms? What is the difference between the outer form of religion and the inner substance? 3) Alain de Botton is an atheist, but emphasizes the need to return to religious practices, whereas Jiddu Krishnamurti is a religious man, but is intent upon destroying attachments to religion. Why this paradox? Which philosophy is more similar to Jesus'? Chuang Tzu 1) According to Chuang Tzu, what is the relationship between life and death? 2) Are Chuang Tzu's stories applicable to modern life? 3) Do these philosophies help us confront life, or simply cope with life?