Question

The rise of modern western culture elicited various responses from the religions we have studied. Discuss Jewish, Christian, and Islamic responses to modernity in terms of the Haskalah, Vatican II, and the Iranian Revolution. Describe each one, giving specific details about dates, places, and a representative person for each. How have each of these contributed to the expressions of these faiths today?

Answer 1

The modern responses of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are showcased in the Haskalah, Vatican II, and the Iranian Revolution, each marking significant shifts in their respective religious cultures, shaping how each faith interacts with modern world issues.

Step-by-step explanation:

The response of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to modernity can be understood by examining key historical events that shaped their current expressions: the Haskalah, Vatican II, and the Iranian Revolution, respectively.

Haskalah (Jewish Enlightenment)

The Haskalah was a period of enlightenment for European Jews that started in the late 18th century, aiming to modernize Judaism and promote integration into European society while maintaining Jewish identity. A representative figure of this movement is Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786), who advocated for a balance between adherence to Jewish law and engagement with European culture.

Vatican II (Second Vatican Council)

The Second Vatican Council, commonly known as Vatican II, was a significant ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convened by Pope John XXIII, which met from 1962 to 1965. It aimed at modernizing the Church and renewing its relationship with the modern world through various reforms, including liturgy, ecumenism, and the role of laity.

Iranian Revolution (1979)

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 marked a radical Islamic transformation in Iran, overthrowing the Western-backed Shah and establishing an Islamic Republic. Led by Ayatollah Khomeini, it represented a response to modernity rooted in conservative Islamic principles, significantly shaping the political and religious landscape of the region and Islamic expression today.

These events continue to influence the practices and philosophies of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the modern age, reflecting the complex interplay between tradition, religious identity, and modernity.

Answer 2

Answer: They contributed in various ways explained below

Step-by-step explanation:

Haskalah, also known as the Jewish enlightenment, was an intellectual movement mostly joined in by the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe that took place in Germany in the 17th to 19th Century. It revolved around the project of bringing Jews into modern life. This movement worked for a cultural and moral renewal, especially a revival of Hebrew for secular purposes introducing a phase of writing literature in Jewish and the study of native vernacular. The adoption of modern values was promoted in combination with economic modernization of Judaism. Its main figure was Moses Mendelssohn 1729-1786. The Haskalah has contributed to the expression of Judaism today in that it pushed Jews to enter mainstream of European life while staying faithful to the Jewish identity and blend more with society.

The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly known as Vatican II, was convoked by Pope John XXIII on 11th October 1962 and was closed under Pope Paul VI on 8th December 1965. It was mainly concerned with relations between the Catholic Church and the modern world.

Among the changes the council introduced were the widespread use of vernacular languages in the Mass instead of Latin, the revision of Eucharistic prayers and the abbreviation of the liturgical calendar. It encourage communication with non-catholics and accepted religious freedom as a right.It also addressed issues regarding the celebration of Mass. It discourages the disuse of ornate clerical regalia during the ceremony as well as allowed priests to face their congregations together with a more modern liturgical music and artwork. Vatican II has contributed to the expression of Catholism today in that it wanted to bring Roman Catholic Church up to date.

Iranian Revolution of 1979 Came about after the Shah's attempts to modernize Iran in 1970s.His government was replaced with an Islamic republic under the Ayatollah Khomeini, a leader of one of the factions in the revolt. The shah was backed by the United States but its monarchy succumbed to the attack of movements which were supported by various leftist and Islamist organizations and student movements who opposed separation of mosque and state. The 1979 revolution has contributed to the expression of Islamism today in that it maintained a theocratic state in Iran.