This week we will be looking at Religions Around the World, and how they affect culture!
To kick off the week we will be learning about Sikhism from Ravinder Singh Taneja. Before his talk we encourage you to learn a little about Sikhism yourself, and what better way to explore than through art! Check out this beautiful collection of Sikh artwork following Guru Gobind Singh.
https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/guru-gobind-singh/fgLy_LK8FOYeKg
To kick off the week we will be learning about Sikhism from Ravinder Singh Taneja. Before his talk we encourage you to learn a little about Sikhism yourself, and what better way to explore than through art! Check out this beautiful collection of Sikh artwork following Guru Gobind Singh.
https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/guru-gobind-singh/fgLy_LK8FOYeKg
Musical Monday
Music is a big part of many religions and cultures! There is even cultural variation in the types of instruments used and how they are played. Continuing our exploration of Sikhism, this video explores the use of a Tar Shehnai (commonly used in Sikh music) and compares it with playing a violin. |
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Today we had an awesome opportunity to learn about Sikhism from Ravinder Singh Taneja. See a replay of the talk below.
Talk About It Tuesday
Wondering how religion and culture are interconnected? Take a look at this video to view religion from a sociological point of view! While watching this video you might find things that you disagree with, or find challenging. That’s okay! This is “Talk About It Tuesday”! It’s meant to make you think. Talk about it! Post how you feel below, share your thoughts, or find someone to chat about it with: a friend/family member, etc! |
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We have all come to realize that diversity within veterinary medicine is certainly something that should be improved upon, and the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine Diversity and Inclusion Committee is working hard to bridge that gap!
As part of their efforts to improve exposure and understanding of diversity, they have started their very own Book Club!
The first book they are reading is Microaggressions and Modern Racism by Charisse C. Levchak. They will read and discuss the first three chapters on Monday, October 26th, 12:30-2:00pm. The online live Zoom link is here .
So get to reading, get to thinking, and get to talking! Because it matters.
As part of their efforts to improve exposure and understanding of diversity, they have started their very own Book Club!
The first book they are reading is Microaggressions and Modern Racism by Charisse C. Levchak. They will read and discuss the first three chapters on Monday, October 26th, 12:30-2:00pm. The online live Zoom link is here .
So get to reading, get to thinking, and get to talking! Because it matters.
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Can you be a scientist and still have faith? Is there room for both? How do scientists still have faith? How do people carry on without faith? What do you think? This is one person’s opinion… what is yours? Find someone to talk about it with or share your opinions with us! |
Worldwide Wednesday
Different religions are all around us, and intertwined with our cultures; but where did religion start, and how did it spread?
Have a look at this map and timeline, plotting the spread and diversifying of religions around the world! |
Popularity of religions and belief systems varies geographically and over time! Take a look at this video for an interesting review of religion around the world!
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Think About It Thursday
Today we are very excited to hear Professor Shukla-Bhatt speak about Hinduism! She has sent some suggestions of things to look at and think about before her talk today, including this lovely collection of Hindu artwork found in The Met.
When you are having a look through the collection, have a think about what each piece means. What is the tone of the character, and what does its body language tell you? Dig a bit deeper into what you are seeing so you can understand it on a deeper level! https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hind/hd_hind.htm After looking through the collection, watch the replay of Professor Shukla-Bhatt's talk! |
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Dance and music are considered major forms of worship in Hinduism. Can you think of why that may be? This seems to be a consistent theme across many religions: the significance of music within worship. Why is that? And can you think of any instances that this influence has made its way into pop-culture? Please take some time to read the description on the youtube channel to learn more and gain a better understanding of the significance of the dance! |
For this Think About it Thursday, we are pushing ourselves to think about how religion influences culture, and seeking out a deeper understanding of how certain things, like arts or symbols, might be significant to someone around us. Many of you might be familiar with the Hindu art form, Rangoli. Rangoli art uses powdered colors to make intricate designs on the ground that are pleasing to the eye. However, there is much more to it than meets the eye! Check out the video and try it yourself at home! |
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Foodie Friday
Religion and culture can play a strong influence on food: what is eaten, when it is eaten, how it is prepared, etc. Some religions, like Judaism, have strict rules on how food should be prepared and how meat should be slaughtered.
As veterinarians, you can quickly see how religion and culture play a role in treatment and slaughter of animals. Understanding the cultures behind the practice can help you be a more understanding and sensitive veterinarian, and person in general. |
Sometimes the significance behind food isn’t eating it, but going without it! Fasting is a common practice in many religions, but why? It can be difficult to imagine having a month of fasting, but that is the practice during Ramadam.
To better understand people that participate in this holiday, we need to understand the reasons behind the fast! |
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To wrap up our Foodie Friday, it’s time to kick back, relax, and join Mary Berry as she explores the diversity of food in the Christian holiday of Easter.
This clip shows an interesting contrast of how food affects culture, and how culture affects food! Hot Cross Buns now-a-days are made and sold in the UK year round and are a popular staple! But where did they come from, and what do they mean? We often forget the significance of food that we see everyday, but understanding what it means to others gives it deeper meaning and allows us to connect with others. We also see in this video the effects of culture on the food being consumed! All of the food is prepared special for the Christian celebration of Easter, yet all of the food is unique to the cultures that celebrate it! Diversity is not only present because of religion, but also within religion, and that is perfectly demonstrated through food! |