1. Welcome to Comparative World Religions Class Rules, Grading Policy, Website Me – Religion – This Class – and Babies Attendance and Survey Survey Results “perhaps to abstain altogether from something so basic as religion is to make oneself less than fully human” –Do you agree that religion is “basic”? –If religion is basic to human experience – isn’t it also essential to governmental experience?

2. Survey AnimismA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all BuddhismA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all ChristianityA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all HinduismA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all JainismA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all JudaismA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all IslamA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all SikhismA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all ShintoA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all ZoarasterismA lot / A decent amount / A little bit / Nothing at all

3. Survey What is the role of religion in the lives of Americans today? What perceptions do Americans have about followers of non-western religious traditions? What role does religion play in US foreign policy? How do followers of non-western religions living in the US today see themselves? What connections exist between religion and violence? Why is religion so often a topic in Science Fiction? How does money influence religion? How do religions influence governments? How do different religions compare on Creation myths? How do different religions compare on the concept of life after death? What is moral relativism and how does it threaten the future of religion? How have recent philosophical movements threatened religious beliefs. How has religious extremism manifested itself in the last 100 years. What is the difference between a religion and a cult?

4. “perhaps to abstain altogether from something so basic as religion is to make oneself less than fully human” Do you agree that religion is “basic”? If religion is basic to human experience – isn’t it also essential to governmental experience?

5. 1 st Assignment What role / how big of a role does religion play in the lives of your friends / family / acquaintances? Interview 4-5 different people and ask them a series of questions that probe the basic question: “How big of an impact does religion have on your life?” –Elicit specific examples from people. (Interviews 5ish minutes each) –Include demographic info on the people that you interview. –Write a short essay that explains what you found out – Can you draw any conclusions from their answers? –Due Friday