I came to the conclusion long ago … that all religions were true and also that all had

some error in them, and whilst I hold by my own, I should hold others as dear as Hinduism. So we can only pray, if we are

Hindus, not that a Christian should become a Hindu … But our innermost prayer should

be a Hindu should be a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, a Christian a

better Christian. - Gandhi on other religions

HRT 3M1World Religions

The Miniature

Earth (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4639vev1Rw&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

World Religion Rules

1. Respect the Faith and Religion of Others

Faith is at the heart of many peoples identity and as a result calls for respect.

2. There is no Neutral Stance We are not neutral observers. Everyone has a particular starting

point (even non-believers); as a result we all have certain prejudices that we need to be aware of.

3. Accept the Truth of Other Religions Members of each religion believe their faith to be true. We must

keep this in mind when engaging with and learning about other faiths.

4. Accept the Importance of Religion Religion is important for human beings; emotionally,

psychologically, politically and physically. As a result, religion plays a significant role in our world, one which you need to respect and understand.

Terms to Remember

Multiculturalism: A policy and law that recognizes and supports the diversity

of a nation or province’s population, allowing multiple cultures to live side by side without compromising or abandoning their traditions and beliefs.

Religious Pluralism: The co-existence of many religions in a society.

Syncretism: Goal of religious education is not SYNCRETICISM

(blending the beliefs and practices of different religions into one system or reconciling them all). Goal is to appreciate and celebrate differences and learn from others.

Why is Religion Practiced?

It appears from archaeological records that one of the aspects of human is a search for the divine

Look at the following pictures…

What can we learn about being human from these pictures?

Prehistoric Cave Paintings

Dante’s Inferno

The Creation of Adam - Michelangelo

The Creation of Adam is a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo circa 1511. It illustrates the biblical story from the Book of Genesis in which God the Father breathes life into Adam, the first man.

Aztec Mythology

Aztec mythology tells of four creator gods, each associated with a direction and a color—Tezcatlipoca, the north and black; Quetzalcoatl, the west and white; Huitzilopochtli, the south and blue; and Xipe Totec, the east and red. This drawing shows Hueheuteotl, the god of fire, surrounded by the four directions.

Science

The Wheel of Life (Buddhism)This wheel illustrates the Buddhist worldview and provides instruction on how to live a good life. The wide circle divided into six units, depicts the six different levels of conditioned existence, while the outermost concentric ring of the Wheel is divided into twelve units, each depicting a phase of the cycle of cause and effect which keeps one trapped in the six realms of cyclic existence mentioned above.

Why Religion?

Humans have always had a desire to understand their world/universe on a level that is not evident in animals

Humans desire a greater meaning beyond ourselves and our everyday lives

This search for meaning comes in 4 areas: The Physical (that which we can see and touch)

The Communal (relationships with others)

The Rational (reason)

Spiritual Experience (religion)

Mystery

Because humans are searching for meaning we often meet with things that we cannot understand – Mystery

Trying to decipher and understand this mystery is what humans desire and can take two forms: Science

Religion

Religion = comes from the Greek “to bind” or “to yoke”. To Bind yourself to the sacred reality. It is the way to the truth, which is related to a goal, employing a set of symbols.

Religious Questions

Religion attempts to answer the mystery of existence through questions such as… Why do we exist?

How did the universe begin?

Is there immortality?

What is the “good life”?

What is right and wrong?

Religion and the Modern World

Religions underwent a radical transformation in modern times (the last 500 years).

Prior to modern times the Catholic Church played a dominant role in ALL areas of peoples existence in Europe. Religion was the sole source of meaning.

This changed due to: The breakup of Western Christianity Exploration and discovery of the New World Capitalism and the push towards Democracy

No official state religion in Canada since 1867 Where do we still see vestiges of Christianity in our society? What are some signs that the influence of Christianity is declining?

Religion and the Modern World

All the areas of life that had been overseen by the Church (politics, economics, science, ethics etc.) began to develop on their own, separate from religion.

Some aspects were now considered separated from religion (SECULAR)

These disciplines looked less and less to the Bible/Church for direction and encourage people to find answers for themselves.

Science not religion began to provide the foundation of truth. Today religion is one of many social systems.

Discuss: Canada Turning its Back on God, Pope Says.

Worldviews

Science and Religion, while similar in that they are attempting to answer the same questions, are two different worldviews

There are 3 main worldviews: Cosmocentric

Theocentric

Secular Humanist

Cosmocentric

Nature itself is seen as an expression of the sacred - the universe is alive and filled with a spiritual presence.

Human lives are seen as dependent on nature’s patterns.

Stories, narratives and symbols all reflect the beginning and continuation of the cosmos.

Many NATIVE or ABORIGINAL cultures see their world in these terms and seek to integrate ways to honour nature’s sacredness into daily life.

Theocentric (God Centered)

This approach looks for deeper understanding of a reality beyond the cosmos.

As Christians we call this REALITY, “God”.

The belief is that God created the universe and is separate from the universe; each person is created in the image of God.

The purpose of life is to discover the path that will lead to (re)UNION with God and to live in accordance with the rules and values that reflect and can achieve this purpose.

Secular Humanism

In the modern era humanity became interested in itself and its own story – this has taken on religious or non-religious forms:

Christian humanism upholds the dignity of the human person, human life and happiness in light of Christian teaching while secular humanism is a “human centered” worldview.

Secular humanists believe that the dignity of the person, human life and happiness are achieved through human reason and effort alone.

Goal of existence is to lead a good and useful life, focused on ‘NOW’, with no concern for eternity/no belief in an afterlife.

Committed to improving life through science, education, art etc. So the main concerns of humans are fulfillment, growth and creativity for individuals and humankind.

Secular Humanism

Holds that there is NO divine presence and NO NEED for one since all nature can be viewed scientifically. Religion is an illusion; a stage to grow out of.

People are viewed as free individuals who are no longer linked to a community.

To be authentic people must be true to themselves not outside rules. Beliefs, traditions, values and ethics based on reason NOT revelation (religion braded irrational).

Secular Humanism is a way of thinking about the world where the ONLY truth worth considering is one based on HUMAN VALUES alone. Religion is pushed out of the picture, and SCIENCE and technology are believed to provide the answers to life’s problems

Science vs. Religion: Different ???

Science Religion

Mystery is yet to be discovered

Mystery is transcendent and partially undiscoverable

Mystery is the unknowable that is knowable (we can and will find a solution eventually)

Mystery is incomprehensible (God always has been and

always will be)

Mystery is a puzzle to solve

Mystery is essence (a puzzle yes, but with missing pieces)

The response of science is to solve the mystery

The response of religion is to celebrate and embrace mystery

through worship

Religion and Ethics

Both religion and ethics are concerned with being good or doing the “right thing.”

Ethics = the search for good judgment about how to act and behave (it is a practical discipline).

Some believe ethics and religion are the same or inseparable…..

others hold that ethics do not necessarily depend on religion or on being religious.

Regardless of which stance you take the challenge of doing good is a significant concern for most people.

Test Your Understanding: Worldviews Worksheet

Views on God

While there are different ways to view the universe that are also different ways to view and understand God

Terms: Theism

Monotheism

Polytheism

Agnosticism

Atheism

Antitheist

Deism

Theism

A theist is anyone who believes in the existence of at least one god.

Other Views of the Sacred

If you do not believe in at least one god – like the forms of THEISM - There are also several ways in which people may view the sacred.

Film Assignment

Contact House

or Expelled: No Intelligence

Allowed

Types of Religious Belief

There are several forms that religious belief can take. These beliefs are not all equal and some may become destructive for the individuals and communities involved.

Religious beliefs can be separated into 4 distinct categories:1. Mainstream Religious

2. Denominations

3. Sects

4. Cults

Mainstream Religions

These are the established religions, those which are generally accepted by society.

For example, the major World Religions covered in this course can be considered Mainstream Religions.

**Think of an Umbrella***

13 Features Common to Mainstream Religions

1. A belief in the supernatural and in a spiritual world beyond our physical material world.

2. A belief in the existence of a soul.3. A collection of sacred writings or scriptures.4. Organized institutions.5. A strong sense of family and community based on rituals and

festivals that represent/celebrate shared beliefs and practices.6. A set of answers to the BIG Questions.7. Rules of conduct to help followers lead an honourable life and

to provide order and purpose to individual and community life.8. A system of ethics that offers a guide to moral behaviour.9. Significant founders or inspired leaders.10. A search for perfection or salvation.11. A life of faith and worship.12. Techniques for focusing or concentrating ones awareness.13. An enriching impact on the lives of its adherents.

Denominations

DENOMINATIONS are subgroups within a religion that operate under a common name, tradition, and identity.

Denominations often form due to geographic, cultural and/or theological differences.

Mainstream Christian denominations in Canada include Roman Catholic, Anglican, United, and Presbyterian.

Sects

Subdivisions within a religion that are different from denominations due to the fact that they are at ODDS with the mainstream religion. A sect will keep the BASIC BELIEFS of the parent

religion it has separated from, but believes that the mainstream tradition has been CORRUPTED the original teachings and purpose of the religion.

The sect believes that by breaking away they will restore the purity and true meaning of the original tradition.

The BIGGEST difference between a denomination and a sect is in their attitude towards the outside world. Sects will do their best to avoid contact with the outside world, for fear of corruption.

Examples ???

Cults

There are 3 basic definitions for the word ‘CULT’:

The Secular: From the Latin, ‘Cultis’, and includes everything involved in worship and ritual.

The Christian: Any group which deviates from orthodox, historical Christianity. i.e. they deny the Deity of Christ; his resurrection etc.

The Universal: Any group with a pyramidal, authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching coming from the person at the top. The group will claim to be the only way to God and will use thought reform techniques to gain control and keep their members.

This is a group even more at odds with the outside world.

It can be difficult to tell whether a radical or off-beat group is a cult but they do have several things in common:

15 Characteristics of Destructive Cults

1. The group is focused on a charismatic leader who is self-appointed and often claims superhuman power (cults often do not survive the death of their leader).

2. This leader demands complete obedience to their will and members often seem to display excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment.

3. A preoccupation with bringing in new members and a preoccupation with making money.

4. Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished (thought reform techniques are often used to prevent this type of thought).

5. Mind-numbing techniques (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues and debilitating work routines) are used to stop normal critical thinking and suppress doubts or criticism of the group.

15 Characteristics of Destructive Cults

6. The leadership dictates how members should think, behave, and feel (for example: members must get permission from leaders to date, change jobs, get married; leaders may prescribe how to discipline children, what to wear, where to live, and so forth).

7. The group is elitist and exclusive claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and members (for example: the leader is considered the Messiah; the group and/or the leader has a special mission to save humanity).

15 Characteristics of Destructive Cults

8. The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which causes conflict with the wider society. Followers are taught to see their way of thinking is ABSOLUTELY correct while the world is CORRUPT.

9. Because the world is viewed as corrupt the group's leader is viewed as above the law and is not accountable to any authorities.

10. The group is pyramidal in structure with a select few people at the top controlling the flow of information to members

15 Characteristics of Destructive Cults

11. The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify means that members would have considered unethical before joining (i.e. the use of deception in recruiting or fundraising).

12. The leadership demands conformity, inducing guilt feelings in members in order to control them. Fear of leaving the group is often instilled and attempts to leave are seen as a betrayal.

13. Members' subservience to the group causes them to cut ties with family and friends, and to give up personal goals and activities that were of interest before joining the group.

15 Characteristics of Destructive Cults

14. Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group.

15. Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members. As a result members are often physically or psychologically isolated from society, promoting dependence on the other members of the group.

Cults appeal to..

Cults want…

All cults want WEALTH and POWER. These are to be supplied to the LEADER by the followers/ members of the cult.

They get Power By… They get Wealth by…

The Simpsons – The Joy of SectW5 – Rigo’s Church or

Deliverance Ministry or Dangerous Devotion

As you watch the film identify and take note of which characteristics of destructive cults are included. Can you

identify ALL aspects of a destructive cult? Or are there some positive elements to the group that the Simpson’s

join?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL2BA1388295A71E77&v=-KItxorTIOw&feature=player_embedded

Cult Case Studies

Fundamentalism

Rejects secular culture and the idea that religion should evolve in response to modern ways and thinking.

Viewed as a return to the traditional form of the religion; their claim is to represent the purest form of their religion.

Sacred texts are accepted as literally true. Fundamentalists generally cannot see the religious

dimension of life in any form but their own – claim that their tradition has a monopoly on the truth and all others are wrong and dangerous.

Film Clip – Jesus Camp Jesus Camp

Fundamentalism

One of two enormous statues of standing Buddha’s. These statues were carved into the side of a cliff in the Bamyan Valley in central Afghanistan in the 6th century. The Buddha’s were destroyed in 2001 by Islamic fundamentalists called the Taliban, after the Taliban declared the statues to be Idols. Idols are prohibited in Islamic Shariah law. The destruction is an example of fundamentalist intolerance of others religions beliefs and practices.

“All we are

breaking are

stones.” – Afghan malitia leader

Civic Religions

Often practices that are rooted in folk tradition (more ancient or traditional religions) exist beside practices of organized religions or religious movements.

Can you think of examples of folk traditions?

No modern religion claims these practices, yet they have a religious tinge to them.

The term ‘Civic Religion’ can also refer to the ritualistic expressions of PATRIOTISM (i.e. poppies). This can include swearing of oaths, a national anthem, holidays and monuments.

Religions and Contemporary Culture

All of the religions studied in this course developed hundreds (if not thousands) of years ago in a specific geographical location and in response to particular socio-economic context.

Thus, its sacred story, ceremonies and milestones had to be expressed in such a way that the religion would be understood.

However, as religions have grown, developed and SPREAD beyond their original context they have had to deal with contemporary values and issues.

There are THREE ways in which a religion may do this:

Culture and Religion Clips

As you watch the following clips try to determine how culture and religion are interacting and or using one another:The Simpsons – Donut Hell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3ZcZ2h4Ths)

Harry Potter and Religion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5mppL73YT8)

Teaser Trailer Angels and Demons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcE8QaKiTGk)

Monty Python - Life of Brian - So is he the messiah or not? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uMJYQ9LKGQ)

Robert Schuller (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2WMLK_q6M)

Synthesis

The religion and its worldview agrees with the culture.

It sees the wider culture as being an EXPRESSION of its sacred values and beliefs. For example, the height

of the Medieval culture was seen as THE expression of Christian culture.

Confrontation

The religion and its worldview are at odds with the culture, and oppose the dominant forms of cultural expression (popular media).

In this case religion sets itself up as an ALTERNATIVE to the values of the culture (in many ways Catholicism is doing this today)

Transformation

The religion and its worldview accept some aspects of culture and rejects others.

It attempts to RENEW and TRANSFORM the values of the culture in a way that is faithful to its own heritage, and yet uses new cultural modes in the expression of its viewpoint i.e. many churches now

use the internet to get their message across

Pope2You

The Sacred Story

Each of the religions that we will study have a worldview that is characterized by the existence of an ultimate or transcendent reality

This “sacred” reality is expressed through a Sacred Story

The sacred story can broken into 5 Elements: Origin

History

Creed

Cult

Code

Origin

Most often the story of the founder (the individual whose experience of the sacred transforms the people and the society around them).

Founder’s often experience a dramatic encounter with the sacred (God) Hierophany – experiencing the sacred

(revealing of the sacred), takes place as a thinking, experiencing, modifying approach

Theophany – A direct revelation from God (booming voice in the sky, etc)

History

The history develops while the founder is still alive and preaching and often continues after their death.

Over the course of its history the religion: will develop its “trappings” i.e. language,

symbols, festivals, events, milestones, etc may evolve to incorporate a larger or a

narrower focus than was original to the founder

How the religion develops through its history is influenced by whether the founder had a Hierophany or a Theophany.

Creed/Beliefs

The basic beliefs or tenants of the faith.

The word Creed comes from the Latin credo which means “I believe” or “What I set my heart upon.”

The creed explains the meanings of the founder’s experience and tells followers what their life’s focus should be.

It explains what it means to be a member of the community.

Cult/What you Do…

Comes from the latin cultus which means “worship.”

Cult refers to the forms of worship used to celebrate the mysteries of the faith (its what followers DO to express their beliefs).

Rituals, festivals, symbols, etc. are all part of what people do as an expression of what they believe.

Code/Morality

This is a system of rules that guides moral activity

The morality determines what actions and relationships are consistent with the beliefs of the community.

Ex. The 10 Commandments.

Review the Terms and Concepts

Religion Theophany Hierophany Cosmocentric Theocentric Anthropocentric Secular Worldview Synthesis Confrontation

Theism Universal Idea of Cult Fundamentalism Agnosticism PolytheismThe importance of

religionVatican’s position on

other faithsHuman desire to

understand reality