An Introduction to World Religions

Slide Agenda ABBA, “I have a dream”I have a dream Attendance Introductions Course Syllabus Moodle Textbooks Schedule Professor Students

Slide 3. Your professor Name: Ken Penner Year: Fifth year at StFX Major: Early Judaism; Minor: Early Christianity Why chose this course: Evokes powerful responses Little-understood topic Many “new religious movements” in first century Judea: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots, Christians, Sicarii, Manicheans Tells us about ourselves: what moves us?

Slide 4. Welcome Ceremony Welcome Ceremony Welcome Ceremony Welcome Ceremony "We the newest members of the St.FX Community, hereby commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in our academic, social and spiritual lives."

Slide 5. Three Excellences Academic Think “critically” = tell the difference between true and false/not-so-true Social Be an asset to others; improvement of humanity’s plight Spiritual Find a path that fits who you are and how you are made

Slide 6. SyllabusSyllabus Presentations Discuss Essay Topics Computer Policy

Slide 7. Typical Agenda Attendance :15 Announcements / Administrativa :17 Student Presentations: :17 In the Religious Calendar and :22 Religion in the News :27 Discussion of the scripture reading :35 Explaining a concept – for the exam’s paragraph answer section. :50 Video with focus questions and discussion – for the exam’s objective answer section, or review game. :04 Homework for Next Time

Slide 8. Using the course online resources Use your WebFX username and password, same as for your StFX . Click on this course Use it for: Writing quizzes Submitting weekly assignments Scheduling appointments Getting the powerpoint slides Checking your grades Keeping track of due dates Following related links to other sites

Slide 9. Studying Religions “Describe what religion is in terms of it necessary and optional characteristics. What distinguishes religion from spirituality, philosophy, and cultural worldview?”

Slide 10. What is “religion”? What components do “religions” have? Which of these are necessary (without them it wouldn’t be a religion)? Which of these are optional (a religion may or may not have them)? What do “religions” have in common? Listen to Boston, “Higher Power”Higher Power

Slide 11. Necessary components Connects humans to a supernatural reality Is organized: Is shared with others has recognized authorities Has rituals

Slide 12. Optional components Teachings: Meaning: what is the purpose of life, the universe, and everything? Salvation: How to escape the basic human predicament Ethics: What is right and wrong? What happens after death? Practices: Rites of passage Expressing devotion: Worship, Prayer, Thanks, Praise, Sacrifice, Appeasement Scriptures Education Service

Slide 13. “Religion” or something else? What is the difference between a “religion” and: Spirituality? Spirituality can be individual; Religion is shared with others. (e.g., New Age spirituality) Philosophy? Philosophy ignores the supernatural, or at least supernatural persons. (Confucianism? Scientology?) Cultural Worldview? May not have recognized authorities or rituals.

Slide 14. Are all religions equal? How might one evaluate a religion? Its truth? Is it consistent with scientific discoveries? Is it internally consistent? Its methods? Does it treat people with respect? Its effects? Does it make better individuals? Better in what ways? Happier (at peace)? Healthier? More free? Does it improve society? Does it make people less selfish? More cooperative? Less violent? Does it contribute to the survival of the species? Protect the environment?

Slide 15. For Next Time For Monday, 11:15 Read Chapter 1: Religious Responses Write the online quiz (for marks) for Chapter 1 on the Moodle site. For Tuesday, 1:15 Read online readings for discussion Freud, Marx, Glynn, Stenmark, & Tillich For Thursday, 12:15 Indigenous Sacred Ways Write the online quiz (for marks) for Chapter 2 on the Moodle site.