03 Jan What lessons we

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 1 Discussion

CHOOSE ONE

Using the material in the module, how would you define “religion”? What are the challenges in defining “religion”? What are the prospects for doing so?

Which “theology of religious pluralism” makes most sense to you? Why is that? Why is it better than the other options, in your judgment?

What is the view of religious freedom in Vatican II’s and Dignitatis Humanae? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 2 Discussion

CHOOSE ONE:

In what ways might Vedantic Hinduism’s vision of Brahman and Non-duality help some of the world’s problems today (e.g., crime, conflicts and war, economic issues, environmental problems)?

Consider the ideas of karma and reincarnation. How do they compare with biblical and Judeo-Christian answers to the perennial questions of: “Why is there evil and suffering?” “Why does life seem unfair?” Which answers to these questions make the most sense to you and why?

“Atman is Brahman” and “That One, Thou Art”. What do you think of these Hindu answers to questions about the Self and God? Are they appealing to you or do they repulse you? Why? Do you see any truth in them? Why or why not?

“Only that yogi whose joy is inward, inward his peace, and his vision inward shall come to Brahman and know Nirvana” (Bhagavadg?t? 5:24). What do you think of this “turning inward” to find religious truth and liberation? How does it compare to how the religious tradition you are most familiar with seeks religious truth and salvation?

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 3 Discussion

CHOOSE ONE:

How would the Buddha critique the religion you are most familiar with (perhaps this is Judaism, Christianity, or Islam)? Would you agree with his criticisms? Why or why not?

Which makes more sense to you: Hinduism’s vision of the “True Self”, infinite unchanging being, and permanence? Or Buddhism’s vision of “no self”, “emptiness” and impermanence)? Why? Can you give examples?

Are “mindfulness,” “awareness,” and “equanimity” helpful principles? Why or why not? Could they make a difference in your own life? How about in contemporary society?

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 4 Discussion

CHOOSE ONE:

Do you think people are basically good or bad, naturally? What effects, good or bad, does society have on individuals? Can you give examples to support your answers from your own experience and from your contemporary society? How do your answers align with what Confucius says?

Is Confucianism a “religion” according to our working definition? Does it have the four “C”s: Creed, Code, Cult and Community? Why or why not?

3. Do you think that the way they handle unemployment in Japan is good or bad (e.g., Reid 190, 193)? How do you see it as flowing from East Asian values? Would it be something viable, or even acceptable, in America? Why or why not?

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 5 Discussion

CHOOSE ONE:

Which do you agree with: The Confucian or the Daoist view of human societies in relationship to Nature? Why?

What teaching (Creed) and virtues (Code) of Daoism might we apply in our lives or in our society today? Why do you think they would be beneficial?

What do you think of Lao Tzu’s using this symbols to express his understanding of religious matters? Are words and concepts adequate to capture religious truths? Why or why not? If not, then how can scriptures like the Bible contain religious truth?

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 6 Discussion

CHOOSE ONE:

What are the implications for Christianity of the fact that ancient Israel and the Jewish Scriptures were so influenced by the myths, laws, and rituals of other non-Jewish ancient peoples? Is this problematic? Why or why not?

Compare and contrast Judaism’s doctrine of Creation and its goodness compare with the views of the world in the Eastern religions we have studied. What view of the world makes more sense to you and why?

What are the implications of Judaism’s concepts of Election and Covenant for other religions? Are they good or bad? Why?

Which of the different Jewish responses to modern science and scholarship makes sense to you, and why? Which response do you think the religious tradition you are most familiar should take? Why?

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 7 Discussion

CHOOSE ONE:

Do the beliefs and practices of: (1) Roman Catholicism; (2) Eastern Orthodoxy; or (3) Protestantism (in general, what Protestants have in common) make most sense to you? Why?

Which of the “models” for how Jesus save humanity is most relevant for Christians today? Why?

How do you understand the “Historical Jesus” in relation to the “Christ of Faith”? What implications does your answer have for Christian faith and life?

Does a more Liberal/Progressive or more Fundamentalist/Conservative response of Christians to the modern world make more sense to you? Why?

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 8 Discussion

CHOOSE ONE:

Which makes more sense to you, the Muslim view of the human predicament and its solution, or the Christian view of the human predicament and its solution? Why?

Pick two distinctively Muslim practices and explain ways in which those in other religions today might benefit by them.

Based on the assigned readings, discuss Muslim views of women and of race. What are their strengths and what are their weaknesses? Why?

What to you is the best response to religious pluralism in the modern world? Are all religions equal ways to the same goal? Are some right and some wrong? Are some more right than others? How would you justify your answer?

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 2 Journal Reflection 1

Journal Guidelines and Rubric

Guidelines

The journal is to be an example of the student’s ability to write and analyze the material he or she isreading. An attempt should be made to integrate material from the myriad of books and notes in thiscourse.

Journal entries should be made for each of the seven major world religions considered. Your journalshould contain complete sentences and be grammatically correct. While you are reading, write down whatgoes on in your head in “stream of consciousness” style in the margins of your book, in a notebook, or ina computer file. You will be making a record of images, associations, feelings, thoughts, judgments, etc.

You will probably find that the record contains:

? Questions that you ask yourself about the narrative and events as you read (answer theseyourself when you can).

? Memories from your own experiences provoked by the reading.

? Guesses about how the text might proceed and why.

? Reflections on striking moments and ideas in the book.

? Comparisons between how you behave and how the author describes actions and behavior.

? Thoughts and feelings about content.

? Comments on how the story is being told. For example, write any words and phrases that make

an impression on you, or motifs/themes which you notice the author using.

? Connections to other texts, ideas, and courses.

A journal entry consists of two parts:

1. The first part is a direct quotation of the part you noted from the text, copied word for word,and enclosed in quotation marks. Be sure to include the author’s last name and the page numberof the quotation in parentheses after the quotation. MLA format requires that you use the lastname, a space, and then the number, e.g., (Ludwig 89).

2. The second part of the journal entry is a paragraph that explains why you found the passageto be important or interesting. Sometimes students ask questions about the reading, or theyexplain it, or relate to it in some way. Whatever you do, do not simply summarize the contentsof the passage. Instead, go beyond it somehow, analyze it, offer thoughts about why it seemsimportant to you or to others. In essence, by writing about the importance of the passage, you willgive it meaning.

It is also helpful to explain what is going on in the text at the time of the passage (the context). Somestudents like to write (1) what is happening in the story, (2) what the passage says, and (3) why thepassage is important or interesting. This structure is not necessary, but sometimes it helps you organizeyour responses.

The quality of your thinking and the energy with which you attempt to analyze your reading are the mostimportant aspects of this assignment!

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 3 Journal Reflection 2

Journal Guidelines and Rubric

Guidelines

The journal is to be an example of the student’s ability to write and analyze the material he or she isreading. An attempt should be made to integrate material from the myriad of books and notes in thiscourse.

Journal entries should be made for each of the seven major world religions considered. Your journalshould contain complete sentences and be grammatically correct. While you are reading, write down whatgoes on in your head in “stream of consciousness” style in the margins of your book, in a notebook, or ina computer file. You will be making a record of images, associations, feelings, thoughts, judgments, etc.

You will probably find that the record contains:

? Questions that you ask yourself about the narrative and events as you read (answer theseyourself when you can).

? Memories from your own experiences provoked by the reading.

? Guesses about how the text might proceed and why.

? Reflections on striking moments and ideas in the book.

? Comparisons between how you behave and how the author describes actions and behavior.

? Thoughts and feelings about content.

? Comments on how the story is being told. For example, write any words and phrases that make

an impression on you, or motifs/themes which you notice the author using.

? Connections to other texts, ideas, and courses.

A journal entry consists of two parts:

1. The first part is a direct quotation of the part you noted from the text, copied word for word,and enclosed in quotation marks. Be sure to include the author’s last name and the page numberof the quotation in parentheses after the quotation. MLA format requires that you use the lastname, a space, and then the number, e.g., (Ludwig 89).

2. The second part of the journal entry is a paragraph that explains why you found the passageto be important or interesting. Sometimes students ask questions about the reading, or theyexplain it, or relate to it in some way. Whatever you do, do not simply summarize the contentsof the passage. Instead, go beyond it somehow, analyze it, offer thoughts about why it seemsimportant to you or to others. In essence, by writing about the importance of the passage, you willgive it meaning.

It is also helpful to explain what is going on in the text at the time of the passage (the context). Somestudents like to write (1) what is happening in the story, (2) what the passage says, and (3) why thepassage is important or interesting. This structure is not necessary, but sometimes it helps you organizeyour responses.

The quality of your thinking and the energy with which you attempt to analyze your reading are the mostimportant aspects of this assignment!

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 5 Journal Reflection 3

Journal Guidelines and Rubric

Guidelines

The journal is to be an example of the student’s ability to write and analyze the material he or she isreading. An attempt should be made to integrate material from the myriad of books and notes in thiscourse.

Journal entries should be made for each of the seven major world religions considered. Your journalshould contain complete sentences and be grammatically correct. While you are reading, write down whatgoes on in your head in “stream of consciousness” style in the margins of your book, in a notebook, or ina computer file. You will be making a record of images, associations, feelings, thoughts, judgments, etc.

You will probably find that the record contains:

? Questions that you ask yourself about the narrative and events as you read (answer theseyourself when you can).

? Memories from your own experiences provoked by the reading.

? Guesses about how the text might proceed and why.

? Reflections on striking moments and ideas in the book.

? Comparisons between how you behave and how the author describes actions and behavior.

? Thoughts and feelings about content.

? Comments on how the story is being told. For example, write any words and phrases that make

an impression on you, or motifs/themes which you notice the author using.

? Connections to other texts, ideas, and courses.

A journal entry consists of two parts:

1. The first part is a direct quotation of the part you noted from the text, copied word for word,and enclosed in quotation marks. Be sure to include the author’s last name and the page numberof the quotation in parentheses after the quotation. MLA format requires that you use the lastname, a space, and then the number, e.g., (Ludwig 89).

2. The second part of the journal entry is a paragraph that explains why you found the passageto be important or interesting. Sometimes students ask questions about the reading, or theyexplain it, or relate to it in some way. Whatever you do, do not simply summarize the contentsof the passage. Instead, go beyond it somehow, analyze it, offer thoughts about why it seemsimportant to you or to others. In essence, by writing about the importance of the passage, you willgive it meaning.

It is also helpful to explain what is going on in the text at the time of the passage (the context). Somestudents like to write (1) what is happening in the story, (2) what the passage says, and (3) why thepassage is important or interesting. This structure is not necessary, but sometimes it helps you organizeyour responses.

The quality of your thinking and the energy with which you attempt to analyze your reading are the mostimportant aspects of this assignment!

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 6 Journal Reflection 4

Journal Guidelines and Rubric

Guidelines

The journal is to be an example of the student’s ability to write and analyze the material he or she isreading. An attempt should be made to integrate material from the myriad of books and notes in thiscourse.

Journal entries should be made for each of the seven major world religions considered. Your journalshould contain complete sentences and be grammatically correct. While you are reading, write down whatgoes on in your head in “stream of consciousness” style in the margins of your book, in a notebook, or ina computer file. You will be making a record of images, associations, feelings, thoughts, judgments, etc.

You will probably find that the record contains:

? Questions that you ask yourself about the narrative and events as you read (answer theseyourself when you can).

? Memories from your own experiences provoked by the reading.

? Guesses about how the text might proceed and why.

? Reflections on striking moments and ideas in the book.

? Comparisons between how you behave and how the author describes actions and behavior.

? Thoughts and feelings about content.

? Comments on how the story is being told. For example, write any words and phrases that make

an impression on you, or motifs/themes which you notice the author using.

? Connections to other texts, ideas, and courses.

A journal entry consists of two parts:

1. The first part is a direct quotation of the part you noted from the text, copied word for word,and enclosed in quotation marks. Be sure to include the author’s last name and the page numberof the quotation in parentheses after the quotation. MLA format requires that you use the lastname, a space, and then the number, e.g., (Ludwig 89).

2. The second part of the journal entry is a paragraph that explains why you found the passageto be important or interesting. Sometimes students ask questions about the reading, or theyexplain it, or relate to it in some way. Whatever you do, do not simply summarize the contentsof the passage. Instead, go beyond it somehow, analyze it, offer thoughts about why it seemsimportant to you or to others. In essence, by writing about the importance of the passage, you willgive it meaning.

It is also helpful to explain what is going on in the text at the time of the passage (the context). Somestudents like to write (1) what is happening in the story, (2) what the passage says, and (3) why thepassage is important or interesting. This structure is not necessary, but sometimes it helps you organizeyour responses.

The quality of your thinking and the energy with which you attempt to analyze your reading are the mostimportant aspects of this assignment!

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 7 Journal Reflection 5

Journal Guidelines and Rubric

Guidelines

The journal is to be an example of the student’s ability to write and analyze the material he or she isreading. An attempt should be made to integrate material from the myriad of books and notes in thiscourse.

Journal entries should be made for each of the seven major world religions considered. Your journalshould contain complete sentences and be grammatically correct. While you are reading, write down whatgoes on in your head in “stream of consciousness” style in the margins of your book, in a notebook, or ina computer file. You will be making a record of images, associations, feelings, thoughts, judgments, etc.

You will probably find that the record contains:

? Questions that you ask yourself about the narrative and events as you read (answer theseyourself when you can).

? Memories from your own experiences provoked by the reading.

? Guesses about how the text might proceed and why.

? Reflections on striking moments and ideas in the book.

? Comparisons between how you behave and how the author describes actions and behavior.

? Thoughts and feelings about content.

? Comments on how the story is being told. For example, write any words and phrases that make

an impression on you, or motifs/themes which you notice the author using.

? Connections to other texts, ideas, and courses.

A journal entry consists of two parts:

1. The first part is a direct quotation of the part you noted from the text, copied word for word,and enclosed in quotation marks. Be sure to include the author’s last name and the page numberof the quotation in parentheses after the quotation. MLA format requires that you use the lastname, a space, and then the number, e.g., (Ludwig 89).

2. The second part of the journal entry is a paragraph that explains why you found the passageto be important or interesting. Sometimes students ask questions about the reading, or theyexplain it, or relate to it in some way. Whatever you do, do not simply summarize the contentsof the passage. Instead, go beyond it somehow, analyze it, offer thoughts about why it seemsimportant to you or to others. In essence, by writing about the importance of the passage, you willgive it meaning.

It is also helpful to explain what is going on in the text at the time of the passage (the context). Somestudents like to write (1) what is happening in the story, (2) what the passage says, and (3) why thepassage is important or interesting. This structure is not necessary, but sometimes it helps you organizeyour responses.

The quality of your thinking and the energy with which you attempt to analyze your reading are the mostimportant aspects of this assignment!

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 4 Book Review 1

T.R. Reid, Confucius Lives Next Door: What Living In The East Teaches Us About Living In the West

The first Book Review is based upon required course readings that offer contemporary accounts of the lived experience of Confucianism and Islam. The reviews call for you to consider the contemporary expressions of these faiths and to reflect upon their relevance to your own and our collective societal experience–To consider how central teachings, principals and practices of these faith traditions could be introduced and implemented into your own life, experience and American culture so as to lend to your personal and our collective edification.

In light of the above description from our course syllabus, your review of T.R. Reid’s book, Confucius Lives Next Door: What Living In The East Teaches Us About Living In the West, ought to consider the following:

Reid and his family’s experience of Confucianism/the Confucian ethos during their residency in Japan in the 1990’s—An experience which he describes as East Asia’s Social Miracle.

How Confucianism/the Confucian ethos is expressed in contemporary Japanese culture—Including, when relevant/pertinent, consideration and assessment of central Confucian tenets operative in and experienced by the Reid’s during their residency in contemporary Japan, e.g., evidence of the 5 Confucian Virtues (jen, yi, li, chih and hsin); the 5 Confucian Key Relationships and corresponding 10 Appropriate Attitudes; the Confucian Doctrine of the Mean; Rectification; etc.

What lessons we can take from the Confucian/Japanese experience that might contribute to a better social experience in our culture and to the improvement of ourselves as individuals.

Additionally:

Allow the review to be an occasion by which you reflect upon and consider aspects, anecdotes and aspects of the book and the experience of the Reid’s which particularly struck you in some way—positively and/or negatively—and critically engage and assess why this was the case. This may lead some to gravitate on issues relevant to education or crime or social analysis or economics or cultural rites of passage or interpersonal relationships or…In short, there is freedom for you to pursue points of particular interest to you and/or relevant to your major…

You must write 1100 words minimum!

REL223 World Religions: East and West

Module 8 Book Review 2

Ali Eteraz, Children of the Dust

The Second Book Review is based upon required course readings that proffer contemporary accounts of the lived experience of Confucianism and Islam. The reviews call for you to consider the contemporary expressions of these faiths and to reflect upon their relevance to your own and our collective societal experience–To consider how central teachings, principals and practices of these faith traditions could be introduced and implemented into your own life, experience and American culture so as to lend to your personal and our collective edification.

In light of the above description from our course syllabus, your review of Ali Eteraz’s book, Children of the Dust, ought to consider the following:

How journey is a common motif in spiritual writings—Eteraz’s journey from childhood to adulthood and from Pakistan to the United States and how these journeys, in turn, convey Eteraz’s evolving self-understanding, spiritual maturation, understanding of Islam, etc.

Eteraz’s and his family’s experience of Islam/the Islamic ethos during their residency in Pakistan and America, respectively.

How Islam/the Islamic ethos is expressed in contemporary Pakistani culture—Including, when relevant/pertinent, consideration and assessment of central Islamic tenets operative in and experienced by the Eteraz’s during their residency in contemporary Pakistan.

The Eteraz’s experience of how Islam is perceived by certain segments of the population in the United States via consideration of relevant/pertinent experiences of the Eteraz’s during their residency in contemporary America…and how Ali’s American experiences impacted, informed, shaped and colored his spiritual journey and his understanding of his faith/religion.

What lessons we can take from Eteraz’s experiences that might contribute to a better social experience in our culture and to the improvement of ourselves as individuals as we undergo our own journeys and spiritual maturation, and as our own religious understandings and sensitivities evolve.

Additionally:

Allow the review to be an occasion by which you reflect upon and consider aspects, anecdotes and aspects of the book and the experience of Eteraz which particularly struck you in some way—positively and/or negatively—and critically engage and assess why this was the case. This may lead some to gravitate on issues relevant to social analysis or cultural rites of passage or interpersonal relationships or religious toleration…In short, there is freedom for you to pursue points of particular interest to you and/or relevant to your major…

You must write 1100 words minimum!