Founders’ Questionable Ethics

 

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Founders’ Questionable Ethics

Instructions:  First,  in your own words,  provide a  concise but thorough description of each action or teaching listed
below.  Second,  in your own words,  evaluate each action or teaching from a  moral/ethical perspective.  In your moral
evaluation,  you may employ emotive and even disapproving language if it befits the action or teaching under
consideration.  Type your answers in full sentences and employ good grammar.  Single space your answers.  Do your
best. Your professor is aware that you are probably not a religious historian.
[When appropriate,  do your best to take into account the possible gap between literal and figurative language.  Also
consider  the  fact  that  meticulous  historians  (who  seek  to  determine  the  literal  or  figurative  intent  of  exhortations)
examine  the  extent  to  which  the  disciples  of  religious  and  political  leaders  have applied  their  leaders’
exhortations. In other words, if they interpreted the message literally, then many of the fervent followers would literally
obey the message.]
It appears  impossible to ethically  evaluate the founder(s)  of  Hinduism because  Vyasa  Krishna  Dwaipayana was  the
chief compiler and editor of Hinduism’s most important sacred books, but probably not Hinduism’s founder. In the case
of  Yehoshua  (Jesus)  min  Natzaret,  since  there  is  probably  no  reliable  record  of  his  immoral  actions,  we  have  to
examine  his  controversial  words  instead.  If  you  disagree  with  that  claim,  please  feel  free  to  present  your  view  with
buttressing sources.
This assignment is an analytical exercise for adults. This assignment is not meant to weaken anyone’s faith. This is an
exposition of the imperfect nature of perhaps otherwise admirable spiritual pioneers. Perhaps these historical accounts
generally  point to the importance of repentance  followed by spiritual  and moral growth. Please keep in  mind that the
scriptural  and  historical  records  also  meritoriously  emphasize  the  applied  virtues  of  these  historical  people  who
founded  the  Planet  Earth’s  major  religions.  Siddattha  spent  his  life  traveling  and  showing  people  how  to  suffer  less.
Avraham  implored  HaShem  to  spare  the  guilty  people  of  a  city  from  destruction.  Mosheh  confronted a  king and
liberated his people  from slavery.  Yehoshua taught people to love and pray for their enemies,  even to the point of
beseeching HaShem to pardon and save his torturers and executioners.  Muhammad outlawed female infanticide.
Nevertheless,  let  us not  immaturely choose to ignore their recorded shortcomings by blindly pretending that they all
lived their entire lives perfectly.  By the way,  you are permitted to disagree with this perspective.  Your moral
evaluations  do not need  to coincide with the unstated opinions of your professor to earn a  good grade.
Nonetheless, you must complete this report in order to complete this course.

1-Read about what Siddartha Gotama (the Buddha) did to his bride Yasodhara and their newborn son Rahula, according
to Chapter 21 of the Story of the Buddha Illustrated Textbook (Buddha’s Biography Coloring Book on Canvas) or more
formal written sources.
1a-Concisely but thoroughly Describe Siddartha’s actions:
1b-Morally Evaluate Siddartha’s actions:

2-Read about what Avraham (Abraham) started, but did not finish, doing to his son Yitzhak, according to
Genesis 22:1-19 (especially verses 9-12). [Be aware that not all rabbinical interpreters agree on the moral nature
of Avraham’s actions in this passage.]
2a-Concisely but thoroughly Describe Avraham’s actions:
2b-Morally Evaluate Avraham’s actions:

3-Read about what Mosheh (Moses) and the Levite men did to the Israelite idolaters, according to Exodus 32
(especially verses 25-28). [Note that the “revelry” in verse 6 probably refers to a fertility religion orgy.]
3a-Concisely but thoroughly Describe Mosheh’s actions:
3b-Morally Evaluate Mosheh’s actions: 4-Read about what Yehoshua (Jesus) min Nazaret taught his disciples about self-mutilation, according to the Gospel
according to Saint Matthew 18:8-9 and the Gospel according to Saint Mark 9:43-47. [Note that there are no historical
records of Yehoshua’s direct disciples practicing self-mutilation. However, some later Christians have practiced self-
flagellation, and some even self-castration in the hopes of mitigating their overpowering sexual drives.]
4a-Concisely but thoroughly Describe Yehoshua’s message:
4b-Morally Evaluate Yehoshua’s message:

5-Read  about  what  Muhammad  Ibn  Abdullah  ultimately  did  to  the  men,  women,  and  children  of  the  Banu  Qurayza
Jews of Yathrib/Madinah in 627, according to Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah or other sources, and Quran 33:26; Quran
8:49-58; and Quran 9:29, as referenced by Montgomery Watt on page 268 in our Christopher Partridge and Tim Dowley
textbook, A Short Introduction to World Religions. Consult at least 2 reputable sources on the www. Again, just do your
best from these ancient sources.
5a-Concisely but thoroughly Describe Muhammad’s actions:
5b-Morally Evaluate Muhammad’s actions:

6-Provide a Bibliography or Works Consulted List. Include all the sources that I have assigned you above, including the
books of the Bible, the Quran, the Sirat Rasul Allah, the illustrated biography of the Buddha, our Partridge and Dowley
textbook,  as  well as the other sources that you consult.  Perhaps,  you  will consult your  pastor or a  scriptural
commentary;  if so,  then include that interview and/or source in your bibliography.  Type it according to  Chicago- Turabian style, as best you can.