strayer rel212 all week discussion 2016 december

What is "religion"? Watch the video with Karen Armstrong in the "Instructor's Insight" section in Week 1, and read the textbook materials on the difficulties of trying to define "religion." In light of those materials, what do you think "religion" is? What makes your description better than the alternatives?

week 2

If different Hindus are asked, "How many Gods does Hinduism believe exist?", ANY of the following might (correctly!) be given as an answer -- and other correct answers might be given, as well: 3,000,000 300,000 30,000 3000 300 30 3 One None Furthermore, a Hindu who gives one of these answers would ALSO say that ALL the other answers are ALSO correct, although that Hindu would emphasize the superiority of his/her own answer. How is that possible? What does that mean? (Make certain your answer includes the 9th option above.) What do you think you can learn about thinking/talking about the Sacred/"God"/Ultimate Reality from Hindus? What kinds of connections can you identify between their views and yours? (A couple hints as you consider your answer: Brahman is not a God. Brahma is a God.)

week 3

Nirvana" and "Sunyata" Nirvana is NOT a Buddhist term for an "afterlife." In fact, in Buddhism, any desire or hope for an afterlife is viewed as an indication that a person is FAR from "enlightenment." Instead, a desire for an afterlife is a sign of egotism and self-centeredness -- the exact opposite of enlightenment. "Sunyata" -- a term that is roughly synonymous with Nirvana -- means "Nothingness." How -- in a Buddhist understanding of Reality -- is "Nothingness" the equivalent of "salvation"?

week 4

"Actionless Action (Daosim) and the Practice of Virtue (Confucianism)" Please respond to the following: •Define wu wei (or actionless action). How is wu wei different from simply being passive and non-decisive? How might wu wei be practical in our daily lives in the West. Provide a rationale for your response. •Name and define at least 3 Confucian virtues. How might we incorporate such virtues into our lives today to create a better society?

week 5

Religion and Nationalism "State Shinto" became a way of encouraging Japanese nationalism, while connecting with some of the key cultural values embodied in Shinto. Some have suggested that "American civil religion" has become a key force in American culture -- in which there are "religion-like" aspects of American political structure and functioning, which are quite separate from "established monotheistic religions" in the U.S., like Christianity or Judaism or Islam -- yet participants in those traditions can all see themselves as participants in the same "religious culture." For example, all U.S. Presidents since George Washington have referred to "God" in very generic terms in their "State of the Union" speeches, and frequently conclude any Presidential address to the American people with words such as, "God bless the United States of America." Such religious comments hardly ever refer to something specifically Christian, but appeal to "God" in very general ways. Patriotic speeches, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, the Super Bowl, the general references to "God" in political speeches, etc., are all ways in which political life and American culture take on a "religious flavor." Use this forum to compare this American approach to "American civil religion" with "State Shinto." Are they doing similar things?

week 6

The 613 Commandments Although Christians frequently talk about the "Ten Commandments," Judaism maintains that Torah contains 613 Commandments -- AND insists that those 613 (including the "Ten Commandments") are NOTsomething non-Jews need to obey. This is just one of many ways in which Jews see religion considerably differently than many others do. In this Discussion Forum, EITHER deal with why Jews don't think non-Jews need to obey the Ten (or the 613) Commandments and why you agree or disagree with that, ORfrom your textbook's chapter on Judaism, select ONE practice or belief that surprised or intrigued you, and indicate why.
 

week 7

Defining "Christian" in a way that doesn't exclude a lot of Christians If you are from Christian background, can you answer the question, "What does it mean to be Christian?", withoutexcluding numerous groups of people who fervently view themselves as "Christian," but who live, practice and believe in ways that may differ significantly from you? They, too, appeal to the same Bible that you do -- often emphasizing things there that you either ignore, minimize or interpret differently. Is this situation any different for Christians than it is for people of any of the other traditions we are studying this quarter? Can people of ANY religious tradition describe their religious tradition without excluding others who view themselves as part of that same tradition, but who live, practice and believe in ways that may differ significantly from others who claim the same tradition?

week 8

Feedback on video, "Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think" After viewing the video, "Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think" (in the Instructor Insights section), please use this discussion thread for your reactions and feedback. Select a point made in the video that intrigued, surprised or bothered you -- and indicate why.
 

week 9

Violence against Sikhs in the U.S. Check out the article in the Instructor's Insights section about violence against Sikhs, since 9/11/2001, and then use this Discussion Forum for your responses to that material.

week 10

Week 10 discussion How Social Trends affect both New and Old Religions Most Interesting NEW Religion

week 11

Week 11 discussion Responses to other "Instructor Insights" resources