Subsequent to the announcement of the 2006-08 Phi Theta Kappa Honors Study Topic, the Omega Sigma Chapter has created several projects in hopes of effectively exploring the various facets of Gold, Gods, and Glory and how they relate to Power on the local and global levels. 

The Omega Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Houston Community College invites students of all campuses, family and friends to join them on Saturday, September 22nd , for their 2nd Annual Community Religious Tour.  “The Power of Spiritual Journey” religious tour is intended to supplement and enhance the academic experience of students here at Houston Community College and help explore this year’s Phi Theta Kappa Honors Topic “Gods, Gold, and Glory; the Global Dynamics of Power”.

This free tour, sponsored by the Omega Sigma Chapter and the HCC System College Activity Board, will consist of visiting four religious organizations located in the Houston and Sugar Land areas.  Our VP of Scholarship and her committee members have worked hard to provide an informative tour of the sanctuaries and a brief lecture from their representatives regarding the power of their religion on a individual and collective basis, as well as describe the influence of their religion within our community and around the globe.  After each lecture there will be a question and answer session where participants can explore other religious aspects of interest.

This year’s tour promises to be a most pleasant, fulfilling, and informative experience. Transportation for the tour locations will be provided and participants will meet at the HCC Administration Building, located on 3100 Main Street at 8:00 AM where they will be treated to a continental breakfast and issued free Phi Theta Kappa T-Shirts commemorating the event. 

Departure from the HCC Administration Building will be promptly at 8:30 AM and the tour will begin with a visit to The Bahai Faith of Houston Church, located at 2419 Fanin Street, Houston. The tour will then proceed to The Islamic Society of Greater Houston Center that is located at 3110 Eastside Street.

This stop will be followed by a visit to The Lam Bo Restaurant, 6159 Westheimer Rd, where participants will dine on the most appetizing American, Chinese, and Vietnamese buffet Houston has to offer.

After lunch, the tour will proceed to the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, located at 12627 W Bellfort Avenue, Sugar Land, TX.  The last stop on our tour will be at the beautiful Vietnam Buddhist Center located 10002 Synott Road.  We will return to the HCC Administration Building by 5:00 PM concluding the tour. 

If you are interested in a day of fun and the opportunity to discover the religious influence within our community, please R.S.V.P no later than Saturday, September 15th, so that proper arrangements can be made for you as our special guest.  There are a limited number of seats available, so potential guests are asked to R.S.V.P early to reserve a seat on this exciting and enlightening tour.  To reserve your seat, please contact our VP of Scholarship, Gloria Jadulos at Gloria@omegasigma.org . 

If you would like to become a member of Houston Community College’s Omega Sigma Chapter or learn more about Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for the Two Year College, please visit www.omegasigma.org , www.ptk.org, or email us at info@omegasigma.org.

• The purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of mankind and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization
• All humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race
• Work performed in the spirit of service is a form of worship
• The soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains the presence of God

• Belief in God, the one and only one worthy of all worship.
• Belief in the Angels.
• Belief in the Book (al-Quran / Koran) (sent by God).
• Belief in all the Prophets and Messengers (sent by God).
• Belief in the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah) and in the Resurrection.
• Belief in Fate (Qadar)

• Their belief that the Church, not any one book, is the vessel and deposit of the fullness of the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles.
• The use of images, candles, vestments and music in worship.
• The making of the Sign of the Cross in a variety of contexts.
• Belief that the bread and wine of the Eucharist really are Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity

• Three Jewels/Three Refuges:
• The Buddha
• The Sangha (monastic community)
• The Dharma (truth or teachings)
• Four Noble Truths:
• Dukkha: All of life is marked by suffering
• Samudaya: Suffering is caused by desire and attachment
• Nirodha: Suffering can be eliminated
• Maggo: Suffering is eliminated by following the Noble Eightfold Path

• Daily prayer and communion with God
• High moral principles, including trustworthiness, chastity and honesty
• Independent investigation of truth
• A life dedicated to the service of humanity
• Fellowship with the followers of all religions
• Avoidance of excessive materialism, partisan politics, backbiting, alcohol, drugs and gambling

• The Five Pillars of the Shi'a sect are:
• The Oneness of God (tawhid).
• The Justice of God ('adl).
• Prophethood (nubuwwah).
• The Leadership of Mankind (imamah).
• The Resurrection (me'ad)

• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Eucharist
• Penance and Reconciliation
• Anointing of the Sick
• Holy Orders
• Holy Matrimony

• According to the Buddhist conception, all inanimate objects are aggregates of the following five inherent elements, namely:

(1) The Element of Solidity (Pathavi),
(2) The Element of Fluidity (Apo),
(3) The Element of Heat (Tejo),
(4) The Element of Vibration (Vaya)
(5) The Element of Space (Akasa) .

http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Buddha-Buddhism-Religion-Nirvana.htm

http://www.buddhist-temples.com/buddhism-facts/index.html