1. SPECIAL TOPICS: WORLD RELIGIONS

2. Religion is important because:
It helps us regulate behavior.
Gives us an identity
Most of the laws that we follow today have their basis in religious teachings.
Religion teaches self sufficiency.
Religion teaches that we should work together and help each other. It helps foster community and culture.

3. But more importantly… Gives us something to believe in.
People need to believe that there is a reason for what they are doing and that there is a reason for life.

4. Ground Rules
Because we will be dealing with many different faith systems, it is important that we:
Know that religion doesn't mean the same thing for two people. Therefore, do not judge a religion on a follower's nature.
Understand that some differences between religions can never be changed.
Exercise tolerance.

5. Questions that all World Religions Hope to Answer:
What is the human condition?
What is spiritual perfection?
What is our destiny?
What is the nature of the World?
What is the ultimate reality and how is it revealed?

6. What is the Human Condition
Are we just physical bodies?
Do we have a soul?
Are human beings good? Evil?
Why do we suffer?

7. What is Spiritual Perfection?
How do we fulfill our spiritual potential?
What does God want us to do?
What is ethical?
How do we transcend the human condition?
Perfection in this life
How do we attain salvation?
Perfection after we die

8. What is our Destiny? Where are we going?
Is there a master plan for us?
Do we have free will?
Are there a limited number of ultimate destinies?
Is there an ultimate destiny?

9. What is the nature of the World?
Cosmology – an understanding of the nature of the universe.
Where did the world come from?
Is the world real?
Is it sacred?
Is the world alive?
Is the world nothing but matter?
Does the world help us or get in our way?
What is the relationship between Religion and Science?

10. What is the Ultimate Reality, and How is it Revealed?
Is there a God?
What is the nature of God?
Monotheism (one god)?
Monolatry (belief in many gods worship of one)?
Polytheism (many gods)?
Pantheism (god > everything)?
Panentheism (god > everything, everything > god)
How do we experience God?
Divine Revelation?

11. How does a religion answer the big questions?
Different elements of religion answer these questions in different ways.
The 8 basic elements of religion are:
Experiential
Mythic
Doctrinal
Ethical
Ritual
Social
Material
The 8 elements are not exclusive of each other.

12. Two Approaches to Studying World Religions
Comparative Methodology
To know one religion is to know none.
Compare the different dimensions of religion.
Look for the common questions all religions are answering.
Approach with Empathy
Empathy – ability to see things from someone else’s perspective.
We must use our imagination.
Don’t judge the belief try to understand it from the believer’s view.

13. Questions to Consider about Studying World Religions
In a monotheistic religion, how can there be more than one true religion/god?
Are all the religious saying essentially the same thing?
Is there a basic agreement about truth?
Is the choice of a religion just personal preference?

14. What’s in it for me?
Knowledge about different responses to the fundamental religious questions.
Wisdom from many different perspectives
Better understanding of your own faith tradition.
Better understanding of people of other faith traditions.

15. Warm Up
Name all 8 elements of religion.

16. Religion 101: The Basics

17. 2 Basic Types of Religion
Prophetic
Christianity, Islam, Judaism
Mystical
Buddhism, Confucianism

18. Prophetic
Religions based upon the worship of a higher power (God, Allah, Yahweh).  These religions believe that a higher power revealed himself/herself to chosen people throughout the world who became PROPHETS (spokesperson for God). 
These religions place high importance on how one worships and participates in their faith

19. Mystical These do not place as much emphasis on a higher power.
Instead they live their lives following a specific code of ethics and/or actions.  These religions place high importance on how one acts in life. 
These religions often have "guides" who help people along on their faith journey.

20. WHERE MOST RELIGIONS ARE SIMILAR
1.  BELIEF IN A HIGHER POWER 2.  HOLY WRITINGS 3.  HOLY PLACES 4.  IMPORTANT PEOPLE 5.  SYMBOLS 6.  PLACES OF WORSHIP 7.  LITURGY 8.  GOLDEN RULE

21. WHERE MOST RELIGIONS ARE DIFFERENT
1.  THEIR IDEA OF SIN AND EVIL 2.  THEIR IDEA OF SALVATION 3.  THEIR IDEA OF THE PRIESTHOOD 4.  THEIR IDEA OF A PERSONAL GOD

22. 5 Common Features
1. CALL – a person or people are called upon by a higher power to spread a message of faith, peace, and brotherhood.  This aids followers in their search to the answers for universal questions.

23. 5 Common Features
2. CREED – an established set of beliefs that encompass the main belief(s) of the religion.

24. 5 Common Features
3. CODE – the rules of the religion that must be followed

25. 5 Common Features
4. CULT – an established set of practices, rituals, festivals, etc that are performed and celebrated at certain times.

26. 5 Common Features
5. CHANGE – over time religions change as a result of conflict and/or the changing needs of society.