RELS110:12 2010-10-04 Agenda Attendance :15 In the Religious Calendar Feast of the Guardian Angels & St. Francis :18 Religion in the News Juila Roberts converted to Hinduism :20 Announcements / Administrativa :22 No Student Presentation; Scripture discussion will take place during lecture :27 Explaining a concept– for the exam’s paragraph answer section. The Religion of the Vedas :45 Video with focus questions and discussion Hinduism From :10- :04 Homework for Next Time Attendance :15 In the Religious Calendar :19 Religion in the News Voodoo making a comeback in Benin :23 Announcements / Administrativa Speaker tomorrow (Tuesday) evening Sign up for your class presentation time slot, using Moodle :25 Student Presentation or discussion of the scripture reading Discussion of Marx & Freud :35 Explaining a concept– for the exam’s paragraph answer section. The evolution of religions :50 Video with focus questions and discussion none :04 Homework for Next Time

In the calendar (from pbs.org & BBC) October 2: Feast of the Guardian Angels (Christianity) A Catholic festival celebrated annually on 2 October in honour of guardian angels. October 4: St. Francis Day (Christianity) This day celebrates St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. Born Giovanni Francesco Bernardone in 1181, he fled a wealthy family to embrace a life of simplicity and poverty. He was known for his love of nature and all creatures. Many Christian churches welcome pets on St. Francis Day to be blessed, and patrons reflect on the importance of all beings in creation.

Religion in the News From Is Religion the new black? (thestar.com Oct. 3) Julia Roberts says she has converted to Hinduism. Roberts, who was raised by a Catholic mother and Baptist father in Bible Belt Georgia, goes with her husband and their three children to a Hindu mandir (temple) to “chant and pray and celebrate,” said the actress on her return from India. “Another confused celebrity trying on the religion flavour of the month,” groused one poster. “Hindu? Does she even know what that means? How can you convert to another religion after making a film? Next thing you know she'll be wearing a Kabbalah bracelet after going to a Madonna concert!”

Announcements Did you want to do Service Learning for this course? Did you miss the deadline to sign up? Not to worry: you can now sign up for a Service Learning placement that begins in January. See Debbie Leuschner in the Service Learning program.

Hinduism “What is the relation of the caste system to the Hindu religion?” Video from 10:00

For Homework For Tuesday, 10:15 For Thursday, 9:15 Read Bhagavad Gita chapters 11-14 Read from the Upanishads (see Moodle) For Thursday, 9:15   Read Bhagavad Gita chapters 14-18 We will discuss the BG. Monday: Thanksgiving holiday. No class. Quiz postponed until Tuesday.