In this class, we'll explore the world's seven most important religious traditions, thinking about important issues that, far too often, are shoved into the background. We'll be reading selections from some of the most important works ever written, and you'll have the chance to share your ideas on these works both in class and on this blog.
To get started, here's a test of the History 492 blog system. If you don't already have one, please create for yourself a "Blogger" account by following the instructions at http://www.blogger.com/. Be sure to create a blogger profile which includes your e-mail address. Otherwise, I can't reply directly to your post.
To make sure your e-mail address is accessible to me, please log on to your blogger account. Click "edit profile" (toward the top on the right). Then click the box that says to make your e-mail address accessible.
When you have created your blogger account and your profile, click the "comments" link below, and answer one (1) of the following questions:
- What is religion? Why is it important?
- What religious figure do you find the most interesting and why?
- Which religious text do you find the most interesting and why?
- Why do you think religion is much less studied in school than it used to be?
4. I think that religion is studied less in school now than it used to be because of the people. I can only speak about America, but I believe they took religion out of the schools because there are so many different religions alive in this country and people probably believe it's not fair to everyone to only teach about some. Some people see it as taboo and don't want classes about religion taught in their schools, there also may not be that many people that want to teach it, and when it comes to high school, many parents may not want it taught...
ReplyDelete1.) I think that religion is a giant gguidebook. I think it is used to answer questions about how we should act, where we're going, where we came from, etc. I think religion is also an answer to problems of where evil comes from and why bad things happen. I think religion is important because it brings about fullfillment. Religion makes people feel complete and whole. It makes people feel like they matter and that they are part of something bigger and more important. I believe that is why religion is fullfilling.
ReplyDelete3) I was raised Lutheran but I found the Koran particularly interesting. With the war in Iraq, I was hearing so many different things about the religion as a whole; like them actually getting 77 virgins if you die for making an effort to rid the world of all religions other then muslum. I had to find out for myself so I read the Koran. I discovered that it did have many things about the religion that were different but some of it was the same as I would find in a Bible.
ReplyDeleteI think religion is a system of beliefs and rules established that help to explain the universe we live in, why we are here, and where will will eventually end up (our universe, and our place in it). I think a lot of times, it is important because it provides lawful/ethical guidance, unity, and even emotional fulfillment. A civilization is much better off when they all unified under the same ideals and ethical breakdown isn't threatening to dismantle their order.
ReplyDelete4.) I don't see religion discussed in school as much as I did when I started school in the late 50's. I think the main reason is there is more awareness that not everyone shares the same religious beliefs. I know that I didn't realize that not everyone was a Christian until I was probably in high school, it wasn't something that came up in casual conversations.
ReplyDelete1) I find religion to be a source of ethics/morals that dictate how one lives and is often centered around a diety or prophet or text. I find it important because it provides social stucture; showing us how to live our lives. It also provides a source from which we can draw and expound apon ethics. Theology gives a perspective from which we can understand the world around us and offers an example which we can use to further our discusion of ethics, which continues to grow in this ever changing world.
ReplyDelete2. I was not sure whether this was speaking of the past or the present. Therefore, I have two answers. In the past, the most interesting is Jesus. He captures the imagination not just by what he taught, but also by how he taught. Rather than try to tell the listener everything straight forward he says it in a way that will help them come to his conclusion as well as their own. In the present, among the many people I try to look toward is the current Dalai Lama. He seems to have the way to live a good and decent life down far better than most major television preachers, imams, etc.
ReplyDelete2.What religious figure do you find the most interesting and why?
ReplyDeleteThis might be a part of my upbringing and is also related to knowing more about Christianity (or Christendom) than other faiths in the world-
I find Jesus Christ to be the most interesting figure. A lot of religions are established from a blank template, and are a new copy by a new author. What is interesting about Jesus Christ is that he lived and died a faithful Jew. He strictly adhered to Judaism throughout his life and was without sin in this faith.
Another aspect that makes Jesus interesting is that He is a powerful form of aspects of love and sacrifice. While many founders of respective religions are given power or claim power due to their supernatural associations, Jesus was one who professed His faith for all people. He was full of love that He gave Himself up for mankind. While many religious figures claim "I am powerful, I am in charge, I will provide if you obey, that is it," Jesus gave us a powerful gift. He came down as man and suffered as such for the salvation of those who believe in Him.
Jesus is for others; many religious figures put glory in themselves, or so it seems. If I am wrong, then I have more to learn.
4. "Don't discuss politics or religion."
ReplyDeleteInstead of being instructed to have "the great conversation" many of us were given this phrase to help police our social interaction. I'm guesing it was used to to avoid controversy, after-all the chances of being invited back probably go down if you're a rabble rouser.
This need for political correctness has been infused into the school system. Especailly in this litigous age, no one wants to offend students, so it is easier to just skim over certain subjects(religion being a big one skimmed over).
Plus as mentioned in class today, schools are using more class time to focus on standarized tests, to make AYP. This combined with schools being skiddish to teach the subject will equal less and less religious discussion.
-John Vogel
I know that religion is taught less in schools than ever before but it's not supposed to be that way really. The separation of church and state is one of our oldest laws in America, yet rural SD churches doubled as schools? There was no separation "in the old days" and people didn't care because people didn't want there to be a separation. Until, I would guess, about the great immigration to America in the mid-1800s. Now there are way too many people who don't look like me, don't talk like me, and good lord in heaven they don't worship the way I do. Now, people still want to be PC and herein lay the problem. If you want to be fair to everyone you either give every religion the same amount of time in the education system or none at all. None is easier and requires less effort so.... I would say that religion is almost completely gone from public schools, but religious education is alive and well today. People still have a desire to educate their kids with a religious emphasis. Parochial and home schooling is on the rise and has been for a number of years. Summary: The people being PC killed religion in public schools but religious education still thrives in America.
ReplyDeleteThis is bound to be a very interesting course. I have an unsettled question about religion in general and a coloerful background which feeds my curiosity and doubt. My favorite "life-bumper sticker" is "Question authority."
ReplyDeleteI was being raised Catholic during my childhood in N.Y. when we moved to S.D. my father declared himself a (sort-of?) Athiest, so my formal religious learning became stifled. After a whirlwind life to which many philosophies/religions began to influence me, I declared myself a Christian in 2001. God led me from there moving up the hierachy ladder and eventually serving as a pastor. Politics in the church tore down the life I was becoming accustomed to and again left me to continue my education on my own. Later I'll give an update...
1) Religion is an explanation for everything. A culture's religion promotes the ethics and behavior that the culture values, and they usually focus around an all-powerful being. Working for this unseen leader gives people a sense of purpose and direction. Religion is often a foundation for cultures. It unites people and encourages them to sacrifice their own needs to help the common good. Because humans are often self-centered, societies could not function as efficiently as they can when they are based around a religion.
ReplyDeleteI think religion is the way one chooses to live their life. It is the boundaries which one put on how one should conduct their life. It includes a set of rules which, being human, one tries to abide by. It is a goal which one wants to strive to achieve. It is the way society has used to control the chaos in group.
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ReplyDeleteAt my school and in my position as a Latin and German teacher, I have much more flexibility to mention religion in class and have it in my various public celebrations with my students such as my former German Banquet and at my current Latin Dinner. We always open and close the meal with a prayer in Latin and English from the Roman Catholic tradition. Many times I have pastors of various Christian traditions lead the prayers in English while their children who are in my classes read the Latin. This action is protected in school by a number of court decisions, for I am only teaching “culture” so to speak. In the scheme of things, my subject area of Latin has a 1229 year long pagan tradition (753 BC to c. 476 AD) and a 2018 year Christian tradition from (c. 6 BC to 2012 AD). Those early years are debatable, of course.
When I taught German, the teaching of religious texts was even more called for, for Luther’s translation of the scriptures is what really established the German language and grammar as a real, useable language. Christmas and Advent in both these languages is very important and so those celebrations go on in my classroom as well.
Nevertheless, when talking about religious topics in class, I always say, “If you are a Christian or a Jew this information is important to your understanding of your religion, and if you aren’t, you should know these things to fit into or at least get a sense of the Northern European/Dakota society surrounding you.”
It is true that my other colleagues don’t have this freedom, but over my 42 years of teaching I have noticed that my pupils from home and church do not have the religious background with which they used to come to me and many religious references are not understood by them and need to be explained by me. I think this is a consequence of a generally more secular society even here on the High Plains.
I am really interested in Paul from the Bible because at one time (as Saul) he hated everything Jesus stood for but then became converted on the road to Demascus. If someone like Paul who once persecuted Jesus can be forgiven and accepted by God, then that gives hope to all christians who may feel they aren't worthy of God's love.
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