Chapter 1

Studying

the

World’s Religions

What do you see???

What do you see???

What do you see???

Assignments (suppl.)

• (due Fri., 1/22) (12A)Search newspapers, magazines, web pages, etc. for at least 3 stories that mention religion. Answer this question: How does religion affect peoples’ lives in each example?

Assignments•(due Weds., 9/8)(due Weds., 9/8) Read 11-15; review Read 11-15; review anyany article, blogpost, video, etc. on the Ground Zero article, blogpost, video, etc. on the Ground Zero “mosque” issue, and write 2 pgrph op. ed. piece“mosque” issue, and write 2 pgrph op. ed. piece

•((NOT due NOT due ) Read 11-15; do 12 A) Read 11-15; do 12 A

•((NOT dueNOT due) Reflection assignment on Religious ) Reflection assignment on Religious QuestionsQuestions

•((due Mon., 9/13due Mon., 9/13) Read 15-18; do 18G (focus on ) Read 15-18; do 18G (focus on Loyola campus and how it expresses some of Loyola campus and how it expresses some of our deep beliefs)our deep beliefs)

Assignments•((due Tues., 9/14due Tues., 9/14) Read 15-19; do 18 H) Read 15-19; do 18 H

•((due Thurs., 9/23due Thurs., 9/23) Essay on “What Do You ) Essay on “What Do You Believe?” (2 pg. typed; use any questions from Believe?” (2 pg. typed; use any questions from handout)handout)

•((Weds., 9/22Weds., 9/22) TEST: Chapter 1) TEST: Chapter 1

The Nature of a Religious Tradition

• Religion begins in mystery

• “Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved.” –Gabriel Marcel

• Asking questions:– “problem” questions > solutions– “mystery” questions > wonder, awe,

wisdom, insight… LIFE!

“Letters to a Young Poet”

• Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.

• Letter Four (16 July 1903)

What are “religious” questions?

• What is the human condition? (What does it mean to “be human”?)

What are “religious” questions?

• What is the human condition?

• What is spiritual perfection? – What does it mean to be

spiritually complete or fulfilled?– How should I be? What should I

do or not do? (ethical)– How can I be “saved” from this

incompleteness?

What are “religious” questions?

• What is the human condition?

• What is spiritual perfection?• What is our destiny?

(Where are we ultimately headed, and therefore, where do we want to be headed here…now?)

What are “religious” questions?

• What is the human condition?• What is spiritual perfection?• What is our destiny? • What is the nature of the

world?– Am I in the “real world”?– Reality or illusion?– Material or spiritual?… or both?

What are “religious” questions?

• What is the human condition?

• What is spiritual perfection?

• What is our destiny?

• What is the nature of the world?

• What is ultimate reality, and how is it revealed/shown to us?

For group discussion:

• What photos/images/etc. did you choose?

• What were you able to “pick up” about those religions just from the images, etc.?

7 Dimensions of Religion

1. Experience: • events at the origins of a religion• Faith or mystical experiences of members

of a religion

7 Dimensions of Religion

1. Experience

2. Myth: – Stories re: origins & other sacred truths

7 Dimensions of Religion

1. Experience

2. Myth

3. Doctrine:– More specific

beliefs, teachings, doctrines

7 Dimensions of Religion

1. Experience

2. Myth

3. Doctrine

4. Ethics: – How we are to act

in the world

7 Dimensions of Religion

1. Experience

2. Myth

3. Doctrine

4. Ethics

5. Ritual: – Formal worship/sacred actions

7 Dimensions of Religion1. Experience

2. Myth

3. Doctrine

4. Ethics

5. Ritual

6. Community: – Social identity;

sense of belonging

7 Dimensions of Religion1. Experience

2. Myth

3. Doctrine

4. Ethics

5. Ritual

6. Community

7. Material:• Sacred

objects

Test Ch. 1: What to study?

• P. 19 Review Questions

• P. 19 Glossary

• PowerPoint notes

Test Ch. 1 Format

• Multiple Choice 1-12

• Matching (7 Dimensions) 13-22

• True/False 23-30

• Short Essay

Test Ch. 1

• SHORT ESSAY: On looseleaf paper, respond in writing to each of the following set of directions ( 24 points)

1. In three columns, list, briefly explain and give an example of each of the seven dimensions of Religion (the examples must be different from the ones listed above in the “Matching” section. (14 points; 1 point per explanation/example)

2. In two columns, list and give two examples of the five types of religious questions (question on the left; two examples on the right (10 points; 1 per question, 1 per 2 examples)