In our second to last class before the final exam, we will discuss Chapters 3 & 4 of Religious Literacy. We will also discuss one of the most controversial subjects both theologically and philosophically, The Dilemma of Evil After giving some parameters from our text,Twelve Theological Dilemmas (notes), I will share two videos. The first is an explanation of evil as an abuse of power. This is present by Philip Zimbardo who does a remarkable job on the Psychology of Evil in his work and website called the Lucifer Effect.
I offer this as yet another explanation of "evil" taken from an address by Simon Baron Cohen based upon his work in The Science of Evil. Evil or why people do "bad things" is a result of varying degrees of empathy. Zero empathy produces the worst in humanity.
PLEASE DO NT FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN FOR THE REMAINING COURSE WORK.
Due 11/14: 1. Responses to the questions related to the Dilemma of Salvation & Human Goodness (Higgins text), Typed. 5 -7 sentences each 2. Chapter 3 of Religious Literacy
Remaining classes and assignments
11/21 - 1. READ THE DILEMMA OF EVIL (TWELVE THEOLOGICAL DILEMMAS) Pages 46 -55 Referring to the questions on page 55, CHOOSE ONE of the questions and write a 1 1/2 to 2 pages Reflection paper. (This is you final reflection paper) 2. Have read Chapter 4 of Religious Literacy IN this class we will be viewing Philip Zimbardo and the Lucifer Effect regarding the "psychology of evil" & Simon Baron-Cohen and his book The Science of Evil (Evil as a result of a lack of empathy) 11/28 - No CLASS - Happy Thanksgiving!! There is work to be completed though since our last class is on December 5th (our final class before exams) 1. Complete Religion in the News #3 (final one), 2. Have Read The Dilemma of Christianity and Other Religions pages 57 - 64. We will discuss questions on page 64. There is NO written assignment connected with reading. We will be discussion the Charter for Compassion (Karen Armstrong et al). 3. Have Read Chapter 5 of Religious Literacy 12/5 - DUE - 1. Religion in the News #3 2. Homework on Religious Literacy (Chapters 1 -5) with cover sheet An exam study guide will be distributed this class. Course Evaluations will be distributed. 12/12 - In-class exam from 4 -6 p.m. in Room 13
As mentioned last week, we will cover Chapters 1 and 2 of Religious Literacy this class along with the Dilemma of the Bible (Higgins starting on p.15). I will also introduce How the Bible Came to Be. Remember for EACH chapter you are: 1. Finding 1 or 2 statements by the author that you AGREE with and WHY. Cite the page. 2. Finding 1 or 2 statements by the author that you DISAGREE with OR find Challenging and WHY. Cite the pages. 3. Create a question that you would ask the author if he were present OR one that you would ask the class. *THIS WORK SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN YOUR COPYBOOK. A WEEK BEFORE EXAM, YOUR WORK WILL SUBMITTED AS A FINAL HOMEWORL GRADE. IT WILL BE TYPED WITH A COVER PAGE.
Chapter One, pages 27 -48 Discussion The Dilemma of the Bible (part 1) IS the Bible to be taken literally or allegorically? From the last GOP debate.
President Ronald Reagan
See http://literarydevices.net/allegory/ for definition and examples of an allegory. Key distinction: The difference between evangelicals and fundamentalists. What do Fundamentalists (Christians) Believe See Chapter 6 pp. 225 -226 Example of Biblical Fundamentalism - Snake Salvation
In the hills of Appalachia, Pentecostal pastors Jamie Coots and Andrew Hamblin struggle to keep an over-100-year-old tradition alive: the practice of handling deadly snakes in church. Jamie and Andrew believe in a bible passage that suggests a poisonous snakebite will not harm them as long as they are anointed by God’s power. If they don’t practice the ritual of snake handling, they believe they are destined for hell. Hunting the surrounding mountains for deadly serpents and maintaining their church’s snake collection is a way of life for both men. The pastors must frequently battle the law, a disapproving society, and even at times their own families to keep their way of life alive.
The Dilemma of the Bible (Part 2) - Historical - Critical Approach
Board Notes
Chapter Two pages 49 - 70 Discussion
HISTORY TALKS: Religion and the Creation of America
Key terms/Ideas: Deism, First Great Awakening, Benjamin Franklin's Creed, George Washington's view on toleration and religion, Thomas Jefferson's view of religion and politics.
First Great Awakening - p. 58 It's importance- A city set on a hill.
Jonathan Edwards
The First Great Awakening was a period of religious revival in history and laid the foundation for our freedoms
This afternoon we will open with discussion (sample) from Mid Terms. Follwoing this will be a prayer reflection based on "The Logical Son" and followed by a selection from St. Agustine's "Late Have I come to Thee" from his Confessions. I hope to demonstrate and summarize the I- Thou relationship, "It" versus, "Though" faith , Transcendence v. Immanence, Faith and Reason and the Conjunctive- Mystical Faith that leads to a Unitive faith using Augustine's text. It is quite powerful! This information will be distributed in class along with notes on the Nature of Religion and Catherine Albanese's the 4Cs. After this we will launch into defining more religious literacy and and its importance. The videos below hopefully will help in this process. The Logical Song (lyrics provided)
The following are clips featuring Mark Burnett, famous producer of such series as Survivor, Shark Tank and The Apprentice on his series The Bible which aired this past Sunday night on the History Channel. The series is to run five consecutive Sunday up until Easter Sunday. Check it out. Check also his comments on biblical literacy (from EW.com posted on CNN Weekly) Both Mark and his wife, Roma, felt "called" to tell the story of the Bible. Their hope is to reach a whole new generation of people"who have never gone to Church."
"The Bible" is a 10-hour live-action miniseries executive produced by "Survivor" and "Celebrity Apprentice" executive producer Mark Burnett along with his wife Roma Downey ("Touched by an Angel"). Burnett has said he made the special effects-filled project to help tackle "Bible illiteracy" among young people. "In school, you have to know a certain amount of Shakespeare, but no Bible," Burnett told the Christian Science Monitor. "So there's got to be a way to look at it from a pure literature point of view. If it wasn't for the Bible, arguably Shakespeare wouldn't have written those stories."
Now whether you agree with Burnett's and Downey's very Christian telling of The Bible as a complete "love story" whose central or main character is God revealed in the person of Jesus ("Jesus is the main character" according to Burnett), the question still remains, Does this series help with biblical literacy? religious literacy?
Joseph Campbell on Religion - The stories of faith Myth and on Being Human
Highlighting the Introduction to Religious Literacy
An updated syllabus for Week 7 -14 was distributed. Please read it carefully paying specific attention to the assignments for each week and the due dates. Please bring with you both the book Religious Literacy and Twelve Theological Dilemmas. Assignments See syllabus. 1. Begin reading the Introduction and Chapter One of Religious Literacy (Chapter One should be completed with notes by October 28th) 2. Go to the below website for God in America and complete the Religious Literacy Quiz. Click on "Test Your Religious Literacy" Follow the directions and submit your results to me: mjsims@manor.edu Website:http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/ WE open with this. Describe these works of art.
From the Da Vinci Code
"Understanding our past determines actively our ability to understand the present."
Stephen Prothero: Religious Literacy not only a Religious issue but also a Civic and Political Issue.
This past Thursday we concluded are look at Faith: Security & Risk. I offered a varied approach that I hoped help disseminate the information related to our course work.
YOUR ASSIGNEMENT for this Thursday: READ ONLY pages 25 -36 of Twelve Theological Dilemmas. Be prepared to discuss the chapter. We will focus on key concepts as transcendence and immanence.
An email with an attachment for you midterm exam has been sent. Your midterm will take place on Thursday, October 17th in Room 13. You will submit the take home paper and will complete a brief objective portion. Since this is a midterm, your presence is mandatory.
Below are segments used in class last Thursday. Notes were distributed.
This video is from the Catholic priest, author, and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation - Richard Rohr. Here is describes the "non - negotiables" of faith. I used this as an example of what individuals at the Conjunctive - Mystical stage of faith refer to as "getting at the core" of what their faith tradition truly teaches.
Mother Theresa of Calcutta, India is an example of someone who truly represents botha Conjunctive and Sacrificial or Unitive Faith (see notes). This short selection speaks of how must address the "poverty of the heart" if we are to be open to both God's love and the love of others.
The is the song composed by the rock band U2 that speaks to the theme (and reality) of sacrificial faith.
I spoke of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador. He like Martin Luther King Jr. is an example of Sacrificial faith. He,too, knew his action might well "get him killed."
Lastly, I shared a video clip from Sunday Morning television show highlighting the sacrifice of those serving in the military and their families. Click on this link not only for the video but for other pertinent information surrounding the reasons for the video.
From "But If Not" Sermon by Martin Luther King Jr.
The "IF" faith v. the "Though" faith (sermon distributed)
Assignment: Homework #2 :Chapters 7 & 8 of Faith: Security & Risk were distributed. For next class you are to have read both chapters and respond to questions 3 & 4 from Chapter 7 AND questions 3 & 4 from Chapter 8. Please type, 12 point font (single or double spaced), 5 sentence minimum for EACH question.This will be a graded assignment.
In class, we discussed the "If" faith and the "though" faith. In small groups, we shared the Religion in the News assignment. The introduction and Chapter on Finding Faith of the documentary, In God's Name, was also shared. For your benefit, here is a list of graded assignments to date
SEE PREVIOUS WEEKS FOR ASSIGNMENTS
Religion in the News #1 Due 9/26 Reflection paper #1 Due 9/19 based on Chapter 4-6 Faith: Security & Risk Homework #1 Due 9/12 based on Chapters 1-3 Faith: Security &Risk
