World Religion 3106

"The truth was a mirror in the hands of God "The truth was a mirror in the hands of God.  It fell, and broke into pieces.  Everybody took a piece of it, and they looked at it and thought they had the truth.“ Rumi, Persian poet

The purpose of this course is to explore and learn about many different religions. We are not attempting to show or decide which religion/belief is more valid or superior but learn to appreciate and respect beliefs that differ from our own.

Terms to note Agnostic-A person who doubts that humankind can know the existence of a possible god and the possible existence of anything beyond this life. Atheist-One who holds that no god exists Credo-A philosophy or set of beliefs Ethics-A system of morals; rules for human conduct

Terms to Note Pagan-A person holding religious beliefs other than those of any of the other main religions of the world. In the past, this term was sometimes used to describe non-Christian faiths (Satanism, Wicca). Religious Impulse-The universal urge to believe in something beyond ourselves. Religious pluralism-A positive attitude toward the existence of many faiths in one society.

Terms to Note Secular-Concerned with or belonging to the material world. Theology-The study of religion, especially religions with a belief in God.

One of Us Joan Osborne “If God had a name, what would it be? And would you call it to his face, If you were faced with Him in all His glory? What would you ask if you had just one question? What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us? Just a stranger on the bus Trying to make His way home?”

The Big Questions 1.Why does God allow his followers to die? (example the Holocaust) 2.If there is no greater purpose or plan for man’s existence, why were we given the ability to think, question and understand (unlike animals)? To what end? 3.Can the criteria of what makes you a good person be subjective?

The Big Questions 4.How did Jesus’ message of love, charity and forgiveness get so misconstrued? 5.If there is a spiritual world beyond the known reality, where is the proof? 6.There are so many beliefs in the world, how do we know which one to believe in?