Religions of the EastReligions of the East

St. Mary’s College of MarylandSt. Mary’s College of Maryland

Content InvestigationsContent Investigations

Fall 2010Fall 2010

~ Buddhism ~ Islam ~ Hinduism ~ ~ Buddhism ~ Islam ~ Hinduism ~

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions What are the foundations of religion and how are What are the foundations of religion and how are

beliefs manifest in society?beliefs manifest in society?

What are the persistent misconceptions about each What are the persistent misconceptions about each religion? religion?

What are the implications imposed by American What are the implications imposed by American society for identifying with a particular religion?society for identifying with a particular religion?

How does a country’s religious identity affect How does a country’s religious identity affect government? government?

Enduring UnderstandingsEnduring Understandings

Fully understanding government and current Fully understanding government and current events requires an understanding of events requires an understanding of

religious motivationsreligious motivations

Religion can be viewed as benevolent or Religion can be viewed as benevolent or malevolentmalevolent

American expressions of freedom can spur American expressions of freedom can spur violence abroadviolence abroad

Nearly every religion has faced periods of Nearly every religion has faced periods of oppression – Islam is in that stage right nowoppression – Islam is in that stage right now

WebsiteWebsite

SitemapSitemap BuddhismBuddhism

BeliefsBeliefs CustomsCustoms RitualsRituals SubdivisionsSubdivisions

Hinduism Hinduism Deities and TextsDeities and Texts Holy DaysHoly Days Seven Core BeliefsSeven Core Beliefs EthicsEthics

IslamIslam CultureCulture Muslim SectsMuslim Sects Religious ParallelsReligious Parallels The Five PillarsThe Five Pillars

https://sites.google.com/site/religionincivics/sites.google.com/site/religionincivics/homehome

Current Events JournalCurrent Events Journal

Ten current events from www.wwrn.org and reflectionsTen current events from www.wwrn.org and reflections

Digital StoryDigital Story Juxtapose a violent religious current event Juxtapose a violent religious current event

with a quote from a religious text or with a quote from a religious text or spiritual leaderspiritual leader

Turkey: religious extremists “trying to create Turkey: religious extremists “trying to create an environment of chaos that would force an environment of chaos that would force the secular military to overthrow the the secular military to overthrow the Islamic-oriented government.” Islamic-oriented government.”

Tajikistan: Radical youth are “a new Tajikistan: Radical youth are “a new generation who sees their government as generation who sees their government as corrupt and morally bankrupt, and Islam as corrupt and morally bankrupt, and Islam as the only real alternative.” the only real alternative.”

Iraq: “Sajjad Kiyayad, 7, said… ‘I will fight the Iraq: “Sajjad Kiyayad, 7, said… ‘I will fight the Americans because they are Jewish and Americans because they are Jewish and unbelievers.’”unbelievers.’” (Imagine 7:29-10:39)

Map of Middle East Religious Map of Middle East Religious Sites and AffiliationsSites and Affiliations

Visual representation of the religious Visual representation of the religious dynamic in the Middle Eastdynamic in the Middle East

Religious sensitivity in the Middle EastReligious sensitivity in the Middle East

National identity linked to religion National identity linked to religion Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria – SunnisEgypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria – Sunnis Iran, Iraq, Lebanon – Shi’itesIran, Iraq, Lebanon – Shi’ites

Favorite ResourceFavorite Resource

WorldWide Religious NewsWorldWide Religious News

- - www.wwrn.orgwww.wwrn.org - -

Non-Profit Organization Non-Profit Organization

Current events from around the worldCurrent events from around the world

Stratified by continent and religion Stratified by continent and religion

Reputable news services: BBC, APReputable news services: BBC, AP

Religion in the ClassroomReligion in the Classroom

Promote tolerancePromote tolerance

Controversial and sensitiveControversial and sensitive

Value American freedomsValue American freedoms

Important to differentiate between religious Important to differentiate between religious foundations and stereotypesfoundations and stereotypes

Ex. Muslims in France are broadly being labeled as Ex. Muslims in France are broadly being labeled as

‘terrorists’ because of recent arrests ‘terrorists’ because of recent arrests

Future ConsiderationsFuture ConsiderationsTeaching Tolerance Teaching Tolerance

Historical Roots of Conflicts Historical Roots of Conflicts

Optimistic Stories Optimistic Stories