August 2008 Archives

We can use the blog to hold "conversations" about reading in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. We'll certainly talk about some of the readings in class, but this gives you another chance to share your ideas.

Here's how we'll do this. Periodically, I'll post several questions by the time a given chapter or section is "due" to have been read. Each of you will be expected to post a comment before the beginning of the class on the day listed. You may respond to one or more of the questions, and you can also react to comments posted by others. I'll expect a comment of one good paragraph or more. (To me, that means 5-6 sentences at a minimum.) You do not need to worry about perfect grammar, spelling and punctuation, but they should be understandable. Remember that this is a public site, and you are responsible for the content of your postings.

Assume that each comment is worth 5 points. (5 points for solid or better comments, 4 for comments somewhat short of expectations, 3 or fewer for last-minute, little to no effort postings, and no points for those who have not posted.)

So, let's get started... By the end of this first unit, you are supposed to have read the Foreward, Preface and Chapter 1, "Point of Departure." You should post a response of at least one good paragraph to one or more of these questions. (You can also react to other posts.) ALL POSTS SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE CLASS STARTS ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th.  (Of course, you are welcome to do it earlier...)

1. You get a number of clues regarding Smith's personal approach toward religion in these pages. (This is in contrast to his academic approach to the topic.) What do you think of his own outlook and the ways that he has incorporated religion into his own life?

2. Beginning on page 2, Smith describes four things that he says this book "is not." Do you agree or disagree with the author's decision to consciously avoid doing these things? Why or why not?

3. Beginning on page 3, Smith describes three things that he says this book "is." Which of the three do you think is/will be most important to you as a reader of the book over the semester? Why?

Our main focus today will be on the use of symbols and symbolism in religion.  I've got a bunch of examples and a couple of corny activities for us.

The articles for today:

• "Form, Function and Controversy"
• "Dark Meat"
• "Use of Wiccan Symbol on Veteran's Headstones is Approved"
• "Muslim's Seek Nike's Apology"
• "Dispute Over Creche Pulls Down Tree and Menorah, Too"

Symbols and Symbolism in World Religions:
In addition to deriving a working definition of "symbol," we'll take a look at a number of examples and see what we can discern about the role of symbols in religion. I did invite you to think about/ create a symbol that represents "you." If anyone did that and is willing to share, that would be great.


We didn't get to this activity last time, so we'll wrap up today with it...

Religion Scholars: As you would probably imagine, a number of influential thinkers and scholars have studied religion over the years.  You can take entire courses in the philosophy of religion or on theories of religion.  Today, we'll take a very cursory look at the work of a handful of these scholars, both past and present.

You'll get a slip with one of seven names on it, as well as a little bit of information on them.  Use that as a starting point to do a little Internet research on your figure.  3-4 of you will have each one.  We're not asking for a book report or anything here.  Instead, simply tell us who the person was and how they contributed to the study or religion.  

Emile Durkheim

Sigmund Freud

Rudolf Otto 

Mircea Eliade

Wilfred Cantwell Smith

Karen Armstrong

Diana Eck

Homework for Day #4 - Introduction to Religion

Please read the articles from the packet that are assigned for Day #4.  Our focus will be on the roles ritual and ritual behavior play in our lives and in religion in particular.

I've posted a blog entry for the initial chapter in Huston Smith's The World's Religions. They'll always be on separate blog postings, and the specific due date will be listed there.

Welcome back.  We'll continue our look at the broad field of "religion" today, and we'll turn our attention to symbols on Friday.

Welcome to the class.  This is probably my favorite class to teach, and I missed not doing it last year.  (We didn't offer the class since last year's senior class was smaller, and a number of them took the class as juniors.)  16 years ago, I had three sections of a course called "Religion in Human Culture" on my teaching schedule during my first year at Eagan HS.  I was scared to death, mostly because I knew relatively little about Christianity, and even less about any other faith.  The more I prepared, the more interested I got.  Each year, I learn a lot from the students in the class, and there are always additional facets to explore.  I think you'll enjoy it.  

Several things on the agenda for today:

* First, we'll do a couple introductory activities to make sure I remember all of you and to give you an overview of the course and important policies.  The book we'll use in this course is Huston Smith's The World Religions:  Our Great Wisdom Traditions.  We'll make pretty extensive use of it, particularly following our introductory unit.

* Next, we'll do a "pre-test" to see where you are in your knowledge of world religions.  No, it doesn't count.

* Finally, we'll start doing some thinking together about the idea and meaning of religion.

What is religion? We will try and derive a working definition of religion as a group. We'll refer to that most academic of sources, People magazine, for some help here...

What are the functions of religion? - Again, let's derive a list by brainstorming.

Why should we study religion(s)? - One more list to finish things off...

HOMEWORK for Day #2 - Introduction to Religion

Please read the articles from your packet as listed in the unit reading guide.  We'll discuss them at the beginning of our next session.  (You'll also be expected to read the Foreword, Preface and Chapter 1, "Point of Departure," from Smith's The World's Religions during the course of this unit.)

We'll explain the process for making blog entries and other assignments at our next meeting.