Spiritual Leader Interview
Kelly J. Allman
Grand Canyon University
HLT 324
April 10, 2011
The term “Culture" can have many varying meanings, traditionally, it is thought of as the shared beliefs, traditions, religious practices and values of an ethnic group; or the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular nation or people. Culture can also be defined as people with shared beliefs and practices: or a group of people whose shared beliefs and practices identify the particular place, class, or time (era) to which they belong. It can also be defined as the shared attitudes or particular set of attitudes that can characterize an ethnic or religious group of people. Culture is also art, music, literature, and related intellectual activities, otherwise referred to as "popular culture". Finally it is also referred to as knowledge and sophistication; or enlightenment and sophistication acquired through education and exposure to the arts. This is known as “people of culture”.
People learn culture. That is culture's essential feature. Culture is a body of learned behaviors common to a given human society. It acts as a template, shaping behavior and consciousness within a human society from generation to generation (Grand Canyon University, 2011).
Death is an inevitable and avoidable aspect of life. We deal with death every day, in some aspect. Whether it is a report of another shooting at a school, a story on the evening news about a fatal car accident, or another soldier making the ultimate sacrifice for his country and our freedom. If we are a healthcare professional we deal with death and dying on a frequent basis. And on occasion we have to deal with the death of a family member or friend. Most of us that are Christians in the United States of America have a traditional Christian wake, funeral and burial. These may vary according to our Christian denomination or our family dynamics and personal beliefs. “Let not your
References: ERCHAK, GERALD M. (1998). Kpelle -The Encyclopedia of World Cultures. Retrieved from http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/faculty/fiske/135b/kpelle.htm John 14:1-4. (1972). The Holy Bible (p. 101). New York: Thomas Nelson Inc. Grand Canyon University (2011). Module One Overview- Baseline Definition of Culture. Retrieved from http://angel03.gcu.edu/section/default.asp?id=705677 Personal Interview with Reverend Doctor Mark J. Molldrem, Senior Pastor of First Evangelical Lutheran Church Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. April 2011