For this last blog, please identify a theme (or a couple of themes) connected to world religions that you would like to explore in greater depth. What would you like to have explored as a topic if there had been a third required paper?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
They say that all good things must end
For this last blog, please identify a theme (or a couple of themes) connected to world religions that you would like to explore in greater depth. What would you like to have explored as a topic if there had been a third required paper?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I know we touched on it, but the role of women in the religions was one which really intrigued me. The absence of women in a higher archaic role and when did that become an accepted idea. A discussion on your prompt, why can't we all just get along, is another great discussion, especially for this class. The class was one with a very diverse background that a question such as that would give everyone something to contribute to and think about.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with Cindy, I'd like the look at the role of women in various religions, but I'd also like the take it a step farther and look at the role of oppressed peoples in general; Women, those of a separate race than the majority, the poor, LGBT persons. I took a class at my full time school about the theologies of the oppressed within Christianity, so I'd like to have looked a little more at the roles and theologies of the oppressed in other world religions.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to explore how different religions spread to the different regions of the world. I would like to learn more about the influence of these religions on the development of various cultures of the world, both historically and in modern time. More information about the roles of minority religions in each culture would help to understand today's world religions.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree that looking at how the different religions, especially when they also control the government, impact the status of people regardless or sex, race, religion, ethic origin, or orientation would be an interesting comparison.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think the more a control or authority a religion has the more totalitarian it becomes. It becomes more and more inflexible and intolerant
Although I'm not sure I'd like a 3rd paper topic :) I would like to see more emphasis on the impact/influence these religions have on the modern world. Especially the religions we talked about in the 2nd half of class (Judaism, Christianity, & Islam).
ReplyDeleteThis was a great class. I see the need for it to be longer. Food is a major factor in our world and I would like to see the class have a small amount of focus on that, if only to have a time for fellowship and cooking for each other. I also think that the music of the various religions plays an enormous part in how they evolved. For a third paper topic, I think I would look at on of those two areas to find commonality or disparity.
ReplyDeleteI loved this class, and agree with other posts that it could have gone on further. This inspires me to take a philosophy of religion class and maybe even a religious studies minor.
ReplyDeleteMoving on! There has always been something that I would like to look more into, especially extended into all the major world religions. We didn't really talk about it in class, but I want to learn more about the interaction between science and religion over the years.
I know that we used to look to religious explanations for science in the beginning of Christianity, but then that great schism between the two happened. Now they are at odds, but I still like to come up with my own blending of science and Genesis to help explain creation.
I would love to know what's happened when Hinduism and Taoism were confronted with science. Did the same thing happen as Christianity? I've always found the whole religion vs science, or a blending of the two to be very intriguing!
I would choose to write my third paper on a personal theory that I'm sure isn't quite original to some people, but I came about it all on my own. That would be my theories on creation, which are fun to speculate on.
GREAT classmates, GREAT teacher, GREAT CLASS!
Thank everyone for the great class as well. Sure got me thinking of a religious studies minor too. The topic that I would explore in greater detail is the topic that was the overall theme of Smith's book. I would have really liked to focus on what makes all 8 major world faiths the same. Focusing on the similarities of theology, and very little on the differences. The contrasting views between books with the collection of religious writings in the middle was a great way to develop the entire class. I might have to spend a week and just read Smith's book straight through. I would like to have went deeper into the theology of any/all of them. But this was a History course, so I guess I'll just have to more.
ReplyDeleteI would like to have seen this class last between 1-3 weeks longer because there was so much information and not enough time to discuss or explore as deep as could be done.
ReplyDeleteFor a 3rd paper it would've been interesting to dive into the Secularism. As I researched my 2nd paper, I found that Secularism is a blanket reference to a vast amount of religious philosophy that is very diverse. Some so-called Secularist philosophies are in that category because they have different views than their "parent" religions of which they were spin-offs. For example: Unitarian Universalist's at one time were considered Christian based but since they have accepted/absorbed a large variety of other religions facets, they are now considered a separate or Secularist religion... very interesting :)
A few things I would like to have looked at more with this class involves religion and politics-
ReplyDeleteIn today's society, Christians are usually recognized/blamed for influencing (or attempting to influence) the laws of the United States. One case is the topic of abortion. A lot of people are pro-life based on their Christian beliefs. I am one of those people, and I am NOT ashamed to admit it. It is primarily because of my Christian convictions that I am pro-life and think abortion should AT LEAST be toned down more than what is legal of it (I would love it to be abolished personally, but I'm stating the obvious).
MARMORSTEIN: (on divorce) I don't care if you're Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, IT'S WRONG!
ME: (on abortion) I don't care if you're Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, or 7th Day Adventist, IT'S WRONG!
Okay, I may have gone off topic almost, but sorry- had to let it out. But that's part of my point-
Now, Christians may be notorious for this, but you don't hear anything about Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists using their values to influence or protest against our laws. A good question to pose- are these faiths content with our laws?
Another topic that would be great to discuss (although controversial) would be this-
ReplyDeleteDo Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God?
As a Trinitarian, I personally say no.