Benchmark- Symbols not associated with ChristianityCorina Rivera
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Benchmark- Symbols not associated with Christianity.
Corina M. Rivera
COM-263: Elements of Intercultural Communication
Grand Canyon University
Professor Anita Price
November 30, 2023
Benchmark- Symbols not associated with Christianity.
Rituals and symbols serve as the means of communication that establish a connection between religious organizations or entities and their heavenly higher power. Each culture uses these rituals and symbols in unique ways, influenced by their particular cultural beliefs. Understanding the significance of symbols and rituals is crucial for establishing a profound spiritual meaning in the process of collective progress (Moon, 2012). In Christianity, the cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ, and the act of meditating via prayer is widely observed. The
om sign in Hinduism symbolizes various degrees of unity, while the practice of meditation via yoga is a widely accepted cultural tradition. Despite the contrasting views between Christianity and Hinduism, both religions have similarities in their use of symbols and rituals. Acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the symbols and rituals associated with a country's religion, which bear resemblance to the Christian faith, may greatly assist missionaries in successfully communicating the Gospel in a manner that resonates with that specific culture. Facilitating the dissemination of the Gospel will be facilitated as the recipients can readily comprehend it due to its alignment with their existing belief system. This alignment can assist missionaries in guiding and instructing individuals, as it simplifies the comprehension of Biblical concepts by making them culturally relevant. By using the aforementioned symbols and rituals, it is possible to communicate the teachings of the Gospel to those who adhere to Hinduism.
Every religious culture exhibits unique practices that its adherents express via the use of logos, which are symbols, and sacraments, which are rites. The Christian culture is renowned for its prominent use of the cross, which serves as a ubiquitous emblem seen in churches, imagery, and teachings. The cross is a significant Christian symbol since it represents Jesus and the atonement He made for the sins of humanity at His crucifixion. The rites of this religion are
tailored to the process of reconciling with Christ and vary according to individual needs. Spiritual meditation is a customary practice observed in several cultures. In Christianity, prayer is widely used as a means of communicating with God and is considered an integral element of the process of healing (Wilson, 2006). On the other hand, the om symbol holds great significance
in Hindu meditation. It represents the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects, as well as the realm of intelligent spirits and the deep-sleep state that is beyond our conscious awareness (Kumar et al., 2010). Both cultures recognize and give particular importance to opposing symbols or engage
in conflicting rituals, while the fundamental principle remains constant.
To acquaint them with the notions of Heaven and Hell, one can employ the concepts of Swarga and Naraka that they are familiar with. However, it is imperative to clarify that, contrary to their current understanding, the true Heaven and Hell are everlasting realms rather than transient ones. This distinction can be utilized to elucidate the destination of individuals upon their demise. Additionally, the Hindu Trimurti may be used to present the concept of the Trinity. However, it is important to note that unlike the Trimurti, the Christian Godhead is a singular deity consisting of three distinct persons: God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Utilizing the
Trimurti can serve as a means to introduce the individual of Christ and elucidate His role in the redemption of mankind. The Hindu rite of Dvija may serve as a useful analogy to elucidate the concept of being Born-again, as well as an opportunity to provide an invitation for repentance and belief in Christ. Furthermore, if a Hindu embraces Christ as their Redeemer, one may readily
explain the importance of Baptism to them, as they already possess a comprehension of the sanctity of water. By means of Baptism, one can fulfill the great commission by baptizing followers from all countries.
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It is crucial to engage in intercultural communication in order to establish relatability and comprehend an individual's religious convictions while engaging in evangelism. Guiding others to embrace Christianity via the acquisition of knowledge and the application of divine wisdom enables others to get a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. The universal and efficient techniques across all cultures offer a fair and equitable environment for relativity. One important aspect of evangelism is instructing people about the link between spiritual meditation and Christianity, which involves prayer and deep contemplation in the pursuit of a stronger relationship with God. It is important to dispel misconceptions and myths about Christianity while thoroughly clarifying the commandments in order to effectively communicate the gospel and assist someone in surrendering their life to Christ. Successful evangelism ultimately hinges on the act of sharing Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and guided by cultural sensitivity. The outcome beyond this lies solely in the hands of God (Moreau, 2014).
The presence of these parallels might potentially perplex both the missionaries and the prospective converts of a particular religion. Rather than fully embracing Christianity, the converts may amalgamate it with their existing religious beliefs. To prevent these theological misconceptions, the missionary should prioritize the Gospel message of Christianity as the focal point of their evangelistic efforts. They should then use it as the benchmark against which they will assess the symbols and rituals of the culture in question. Missionaries are obligated to consistently convey the Gospel and Christianity as the one verity, emphasizing to converts that their previous beliefs are deficient, and that only the Bible has the whole truth that will fulfill them.
Essentially, each religion or religious group has its own unique symbols and performs certain rituals to honor a higher authority. While they may not be directly linked by a superior
deity, both the source and the connection stem from the same origin since the relationship eventually serves as an expression of admiration or tradition. Intercultural communication has a crucial role in disseminating the teachings of God, using symbols and rituals as essential elements in the transmission of Christianity. Gaining insight into preconceptions about a different
culture and developing empathy towards these misunderstandings is crucial for effectively guiding individuals towards embracing Christianity.
References
Kumar, S., Nagendra, H., Manjunath, N., Naveen, K., & Telles, S. (2010). Meditation on OM: Relevance from ancient texts and contemporary science
. International journal of yoga,3(1), 2-5. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.66771
Moon, W. J. (2012). Rituals and symbols in community development
. Missiology, 40(2), 141-152.
Moreau, S. (2014). Effective Intercultural Communication: A Christians Perspective
(1st ed.). Baker Academic.
Wilson, Tom. (2006). Christian Symbol and Ritual: An Introduction Bernard Cooke Gary Macy
. New Blackfriars, 87(1012), 662-663.
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