Religious and Ideological Freedom in Spain
Religious and Ideological Freedom in the Spanish Constitution
Although freedoms are differentiated, the Constitution provides for them jointly in Article 16. While religious freedom has a long history in classical constitutionalism, ideological freedom represents an innovation in the Spanish Constitution. Both freedoms may be regarded as a generic manifestation of freedom of thought; expression also has a long historical tradition.
Defining Freedom of Thought, Ideology, and Religion
Freedom of thought
Read MoreSaint Teresa of Ávila, Luther, and Evangelization
Saint Teresa of Ávila
Born in Ávila in 1515 to noble Castilian parents, Teresa was the sixth of twelve siblings. At fifteen, her parents sent her to a convent in Ávila. Rodrigo, one of her brothers, shared a special sensitivity towards soldiers and prayer. She decided to live as a hermit at home. At twenty, against her father’s wishes, she entered a convent. A year later, she made her religious vows. Her prudence, kindness, charity, and charm won her the esteem of all those around her. Teresa
Read MoreReligious Rituals and Ceremonies: Understanding the Sacred
Religious Rituals and Ceremonies
Rituals: In the religious sense, a ritual is the set of rules governing how believers perform ceremonies to honor the gods. It has a symbolic character and sets the way they relate to the sacred. Meeting the rites enables believers to emotionally express their faith, stating that they agree to the dogmatic aspects of their doctrine. Most importantly, the rite reinforces the social cohesion of believers. Every religion creates its own rites, but there are features
Read MoreZoroastrianism, Abrahamic Religions, and Jewish Messiah Expectations
Central Teachings of Zoroastrianism and Their Influence
What are the central teachings of Zoroastrianism? How did these teachings, particularly concerning dualism, likely influence Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?
Zoroastrianism, founded by Zarathustra (Zoroaster) between 1300-1600 BCE, is a monotheistic and dualistic religion centered on the ongoing opposition between the forces of order (good) and chaos (evil). Key teachings include:
- Dualism in human life: Ethical choices allow humans to live in
Christian Era and Military Orders in Nursing History
Christian Era and Nursing
T3. Christian Era.
Christianity brought significant changes to life, behavior, care for the sick, and approaches to disease. The Christian approach, derived from the Gospel of St. Matthew, emphasized charity. Medieval texts focused on charitable acts as a means for individuals to save their souls. Charity translated into traditional works of mercy, prioritizing care for the sick and those in need, providing essentials like bed, food, clothing, and prayer. Thus, charity became
Read MoreUnderstanding Sacraments: Signs of Faith and Grace
Position of Protestants on Sacraments
Generally, Protestants hold that the sacraments are signs of something sacred (grace, faith), but deny that they really cause Divine grace. However, Episcopalians and Anglicans, especially the ritualistic, hold with Catholics that the sacraments are “effectual signs” of grace.
Luther and his early followers rejected this conception of the sacraments. They do not cause grace, but are “mere signs and testimonies of God’s good will towards us” (Augsburg Confession)
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