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World Religion Adult Education Series with Pastor Chris Spruill
Class Description:
During our time together we will explore the major religions of the world. We will study the origin and subsequent development of each religion to gain an understanding of the religion from its historical context. In addition to the history of the religion, we will explore the doctrines, beliefs, rituals, and practices of each
religion to gain knowledge of the content of the religion and the religious experience of its believers. The overarching purpose of our work together is to form an understanding and appreciation of each world religion from the outside (the history of the religion) and from the inside (the practice of the religion).
Readings:
The Class leader will provide, at the end of each class session, an outline of the information we will go over together in our next session together. Class meets every other Wednesday evening at 7PM at Incarnation United Church of Christ.
Expectation:
Respect for divergent points of view. It is expected that each participant will demonstrate respect for all involved by submitting respectful comments and honoring others viewpoints. Disagreement is normal and expected particularly around the subject of religion. The challenge of living
in a religiously diverse society is to respectfully disagree.
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Class |
Date |
Subject |
Additional Comments |
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1 |
5/20/15 |
Introduction to the Study of Religion |
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2 |
6/3/15 |
Pluralism |
Please read, from the Pluralism Project Website (www.pluralism.org) ÒWhat is Pluralism?Ó
and ÒFrom Diversity to PluralismÓ (copies of each will be available for those with limited access to the internet) |
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3 |
6/17/15 |
Pluralism, cont |
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4 |
7/1/15 |
North American Indigenous Religion |
From the Great Spirit to the Ghost Dance |
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5 |
7/15/15 |
African Indigenous Religion |
The Cradle of Civilization |
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6 |
7/29/15 |
European Indigenous Religion |
Vikings, Pagans, Greeks and Romans |
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7 |
8/12/15 |
Australian Indigenous Religion |
The Outback/Aboriginals |
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8 |
8/26/15 |
Hinduism, Part I |
The Stable of Gods |
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9 |
9/9/15 |
Hinduism, Part II |
Hindu worship and sacred stories |
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10 |
9/23/15 |
Buddhism, Part I |
The Life and Times of Siddartha Guatama |
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11 |
10/7/15 |
Buddhism, Part II |
Buddhism Develops Legs |
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12 |
10/21/15 |
Chinese Religion, Part I |
Confucianism |
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13 |
11/4/15 |
Chinese Religion, Part II |
Daoism |
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14 |
11/18/15 |
Chinese Religion, Part III |
Chinese Buddhist Merit System |
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15 |
12/2/15 |
Japanese Religion |
Shinto, State Religion |
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16 |
1/6/16* |
Discussion on Religious-Themed Holidays |
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17 |
1/20/16 |
Discussion on Monotheism |
The importance of Jerusalem |
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18 |
2/3/16# |
Discussion on Fundamentalism |
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19 |
3/30/16 |
Judaism, Part I |
God Speaks to Abraham |
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20 |
4/13/16 |
Judaism, Part II |
Monarchy, Exile and the Return to Jerusalem |
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21 |
4/27/16 |
Christianity, Part I |
From Jewish Cult to Roman State Religion |
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22 |
5/11/16 |
Christianity, Part II |
From the Reformation to Post-Modernism |
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23 |
5/25/16 |
Christianity, Part III |
Scripture/Worship/Beliefs |
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24 |
6/8/16 |
Islam, Part I |
The Life and Preaching of Muhammad |
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25 |
6/22/16 |
Islam, Part II |
The Global Spread |
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26 |
7/6/16 |
Sikhism |
The Gurus |
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27 |
7/20/16 |
New Religious Movements, including a conversation about Paganism |
Class members are asked to research new religious movements and bring in examples for us to discuss |
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28 |
8/3/16 |
New Religious Movements, cont. |
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*Class will break following this session for the Christmas Holiday
#Class will break following this session for the Lenten Season
Class members are encouraged to attend regularly but anyone is welcome to come at any time when a session looks interesting to them.
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