Chapter 1

Studying the

World’s Religions

Assignments

• (due Weds., 9/5) Read pp. 11-15, search web pages, newsfeeds, papers, magazines, etc. for at least 3 stories that mention religion. Answer these questions:– Which of the 5 “Religious

Questions” are reflected?– What response to that

question/those questions is given?

Assignments•(due Thurs., 9/6) (due Thurs., 9/6) Prep for Prep for “Newscast”“Newscast”•(due Mon., 9/10(due Mon., 9/10) Read 15-18; do ) Read 15-18; do 18G (focus on Loyola campus and 18G (focus on Loyola campus and how it expresses some of our deep how it expresses some of our deep beliefs)beliefs)•((due Tues., 9/11due Tues., 9/11) Read 18-19; do ) Read 18-19; do 18 H18 H

Assignments•((due Mon., 9/16due Mon., 9/16) Essay on “What ) Essay on “What Do You Believe?” (2 pg. typed; use Do You Believe?” (2 pg. typed; use any questions from handout)any questions from handout)•(due Tues., 9/18)(due Tues., 9/18) Read text Read text Forward, pp. 6-9 & the 2 Church Forward, pp. 6-9 & the 2 Church documents and answer reflection documents and answer reflection questions at end (1 pg. typed)questions at end (1 pg. typed)•(Weds., 9/19(Weds., 9/19) TEST: Chapter 1) TEST: Chapter 1

What do you see???

What do you see???

What do you see???

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. Experience2. Myth:

– Stories re: origins & other sacred truths

7 Dimensions of Religion

1. Experience2. Myth3. Doctrine:

– More specific beliefs, teachings, doctrines

7 Dimensions of Religion

1. Experience2. Myth3. Doctrine4. Ethics:

– How we are to act in the world

7 Dimensions of Religion

1. Experience2. Myth3. Doctrine4. Ethics5. Ritual:

– Formal worship/sacred actions

7 Dimensions of Religion1. Experience

2. Myth3. Doctrine4. Ethics5. Ritual6. Community:

– Social identity; sense of belonging

7 Dimensions of Religion

1. Experience2. Myth3. Doctrine4. Ethics5. Ritual6. Community7. 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)