Article 10

My time at loughborough university has finished!! I imagine this is the last ever faith article…

Article 10

The Balance of Life

Families prosper, societies develop, civilisations grow…

Divorces happen, morality degrades, wars take place…

One might think of diverse complex causes for these phenomena but the fundamental reason is very simple. When things are in their natural balance, happiness prevails; when this balance is disturbed, destruction overcomes.
It is really intriguing to find and attain this balance in our daily lives. For example, balance in the rights of women and that of men. Balance between the pitiable derelict parents in old houses and those doing forced marriages of their daughters. Balance between the total seclusion of women and her vulgar display for fashion’s sake. Balance between luxurious palaces of Queens and Sheikhs and the marquee of an ascetic. Balance between extreme thriftiness and debt mounting consumerism. Balance between obesity causing appetite and the calorie conscious diet. Balance between the virgin lives of priests and the pleasure filled lives of playboys. It is this balance which needs maintaining. The exact location of the middle point, however, is phenomenally difficult. But there is an easy way as well. Follow the code of life given by the one who has created all of us. Follow one God.

Loughborough Student’s Union Islamic Society

Articles 8 and 9

Arcticle 8 – Jewish Society

Give a little, Get back so much more…

Jewish people have always been made fun of for being a little bit stingy with their money, so you may find it ironic that charity (Tzedekah) is a huge part of Jewish life, but not in the conventional way of simply giving to others. The word Tzedekah has two meanings: charity and justice. Although its main idea is to be generous, it is also about being righteous; it is our job as human beings to do the right thing and give to those less fortunate and who are in need. This may be by giving a few pounds, or buy getting involved with opportunities like RAG at university. According to Judaism, it is our chance to say thanks to God, but also to enjoy helping out others.
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The Talmud (Jewish Law) says that Tzedekah is equal to all the commandments combined. It is obvious to us that we should not steal, so it should be just as obvious to us to give the needy.
Judaism suggests that we give up 10% of our income to charity, either finically or with the time we give.
As students it is important for us to give what we can too. There many things you can get involved in, including RAG which gives us the perfect opportunity to make the world a better place, whilst having the time of your life.
Loughborough RAG current total is £295, 972 and with your help it can increase.

Article 9 –Hindu Society

HOLI!

Holi is a religious festival in the Hindu calendar celebrated on the 11th March. It is a day of fun, colours and rituals for young and old alike.

It is celebrated to recognise the depth of devotion by a young boy called Prahlad to Lord Vishnu (God). His father, on the other hand, was a powerful and vicious demon king who thought of himself as an equal to God and thus kept attempting to kill Prahlad due to his devotion for Lord Vishnu. Bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that the young Prahlad had when the demoness Holika, sister to his father, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped without any injuries. An avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, Narsinha (half man, half lion) defeated the king.

Holi is celebrated by throwing coloured powder and water on each other signifying the colours of love, which fill our life with joy and happiness and also breaking the barriers between us to bring social togetherness.

NHSF Loughborough celebrated the festival which was enjoyed by many who had a fantastic time getting themselves coloured!

Articles 6 and 7

It’s been a while I know but my course persists…articles 6 and 7…

Article 6

-God versus the Media-

Gaza’s War, Reflected

A few weeks ago, the whole world got a bit noisy. It was the most
interesting event of the New Year, with firework displays that you would not
want to attend. What keywords pop into your head when you think about Gaza? Israel, Hamas, rockets, Palestinians, Jews, Muslims, jihad, terrorism. A vast majority would relate this war to religion.

Religion causes conflicts? Which religion tells its followers to go against
nonbelievers? You must be a sadist to adhere to a religion if that’s the
case. Do you personally know anyone who is religious but hates everyone
else?

Some interesting points to be put into perspective. Muslims, Christians and
Jews are not enemies – Which holy book said that? The main founder of
Zionism, the foundation for the creation of Israel, was an atheist – A holy
cause? Why would Hamas provoke Israel knowing that they are far inferior in
terms of weapons and numbers? There were more than a million Jews living in
Arab countries for hundreds of years, before the creation of Israel – Is
that even possible if there were such hatred between them? What is this war
actually about?

I’m not giving answers, but merely asking questions. I am asking you to ask
yourself how much have you been indoctrinated by the media. I am asking you
to think, and rethink. You deserve to know the truth and by seeking it, you
will come to grasp of how man turned the greatest gift of God into the greatest joke.

By a member of the Islamic Society

Article 7

What’s all this rubbish about spirituality and Yoga?

Science and spirituality (Dharma) are opposite sides of the same coin. Both science and spirituality aim to explain Truth. However, the approach of science is to use external physical measurements and laboratory experiments, whereas spirituality requires internal experimentation in the laboratory of our own inner being through meditation. Over the last 50 years our ideas about the universe have changed dramatically and the line between science, philosophy and spirituality are appearing to blur and merge.

At Loughborough, sports play a huge part in many students’ lives as well as the studying (not as important sometimes!) Both these things are essential for a healthy body and mind. What is often neglected is exercising the soul. The soul refers to the higher consciousness within everyone. In order to effectively engage the soul a person has to strengthen and regulate the major systems of the body, like the endocrine and nervous systems. Kundalini Yoga provides an amazing opportunity to do this leading to a healthy body, mind and soul.

Regular Kundalini yoga classes run on campus (U008) twice a week. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. To find out more go to www.LboroSikhSoc.co.uk!

By a member of the Sikh Society

Articles 4 and 5

Article 4

Back into a new term at Loughborough, for some only their first second term, others it will be their last but we still all have things in common…yes that’s right…braving the cold, examinations and waiting for that loan to come in

You came back though. For one reason or another you have come back to brave it again, the study, the friends, the struggles and the successes. I wonder why that is?

To graduate, to get further in education or it may be a simple reason that you don’t have anything else to do or think you should or may as well.

However, if you think deep down, perhaps it boils down to you just want to better yourself and ultimately your life. You want to get a better job, get better pay, get more respect, achieve and see what you are capable of, meet people you may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise…

Judaism teaches that God instilled in us the gift of learning; human beings have learned to expand the horizons of science, medicine, art, sport, all to create better, unique and novel ways of living, understanding, treating and inspiring others and ourselves.

I recommend you remember that and aim to be the best you can be, in order to create a better future for you, others around you and finally because you want to, like those who have gone before you.

Article 5

Namaste!

14^th January was a special day in the Hindu calendar. This auspicious day marks the festival, Makar Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti is when the sun enters the Makara otherwise known as Capricorn, from this day onwards the duration of day increases. As some of you know light symbolises knowledge and darkness symbolises ignorance. The Sankranti signifies a positive change in our lives bestowing good qualities and removing the negativity from ourselves.

This festival is celebrated by flying kites of many beautiful designs and preparing some delicious til gul (sesame seed and jaggery). Flying kites is done by thousands of people mainly across Gujarat, the kite is a metaphor to reach god. Also on this day, Bhishma, the great uncle of the Kauravs and Pandavas from the great Mahabharat (one of our Hindu epics) departed from this world on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Makar Sankranti is a joyous occasion for many people and as for us students it’s good to know that the days are getting longer, and with any luck warmer. Lets hope that as we finish up exams and enter into a new semester we can look for a fresh positive start.

Articles 2 and 3

As promised future articles from Label’s (Loughborough Uni’s Student Magazine) Faith column…

Article 2

You probably haven’t realised that two of the biggest events in the World Faiths calendar have slipped you by – ‘Bandi Chor Divas’ and ‘Diwali’. Although both celebrated on the same day, each is celebrated for different reasons by their respective religion. A cha (Indian tea) and Samosa party was held by Sikh Soc to celebrate on Monday.

Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chor Divas to represent freedom. Like all great eastern celebrations, there is always a story to accompany. This one is based on the sixth Guru being released from wrongful imprisonment, alongside 52 Hindu kings, who were political prisoners. Upon release Guru Hargobind Ji went to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where he was welcomed by people who lit candles to celebrate his return.

Similarly, the Hindu festival of Diwali also celebrates the return of an important figure, Lord Rama, who was banished from his home town and forced to battle the demon king Raven. Upon his return deevotees lit the path with small candles to guide the rightful King of Ayodhya back to his throne.

Although both festivals celebrate different triumphs, people of all religions use this day to come together and celebrate with their friends and family.

Article 3

We all know that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ – but why was he born?

The Bible says that ‘God did not send his Son [Jesus] into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him’ (John 3:17). Jesus was on a rescue mission, to give human beings the chance to have their relationship with God repaired. We all know that feeling, that there’s something wrong with the world – this is because of our separation from God. We rebel against God, the relationship with him is broken and as a result we experience the world as it is.

So did Jesus come simply to tell us we were all rubbish compared to him? No way! Jesus was the only person who ever lived a perfect life and yet he died a criminal’s death on a cross. By doing this, Jesus gave us all a way to have our relationship with God restored, simply by trusting that his death was enough for us to be forgiven of all that we’ve done wrong. Amazing! To find out more, come along to the Christian Union! Tuesdays at 7pm in the Chaplaincy (Brockington building).

(This article by the CU wasn’t published in Label for various reasons – more on that when I find out – and a replacement article was written by the editors, which when I read it I will upload)