GE 2102

GE 2102

Encountering World Religions

GE 2102 Encountering World Religions

Source of picture: http://www.iexplore.com/res/hongkong/img/fortune_telling.jpg

Source of image: http://images.china.cn/images1/200707/400808.jpg

Fortune Telling, Hong KongWong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong

Are Religions Basically Like This?

Source of picture: http://imagechan.com/img/images/religion.jpg

Art work by Daniel Marsula at www.post-gazette.com/pg/07240/812574-28.stm

Q: Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism and new religions, etc. What are these?

A: This course enables you to experience and reflect upon their religious teachings and practices.

Source of artwork: http://bp0.blogger.com/_n4Z2aLEHoRg/RjdTlhLNhlI/AAAAAAAAAMs/3zQKtm8KMSg/s1600-h/Religion.jpg

Highlight 1: Globalization of Religions

Pope Urban II preaches the First Crusade, 1095 A.D.

Source of image: www.gwu.edu/.../humanrights/timeline/crusade.jpg

The First Crusade, 1099 A.D.

Source of image: www.ronaldbrucemeyer.com/rants/1127almanac.htm

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Anglican Church of South Africa, 1986-1996

Source of image: www.fourcornersmissions.com/.../tutu.bmp

Source of image: www.zimbio.com/pictures/J3YhtyJk9Yp/President...

Pope Benedict XVI and U.S. President George W. Bush, April 2008 A.D.

Highlight 2: Science Vs Religion?Q: Is Science the enemy

of Religion? A: This course offers

dialogues between Sciences and Religions.

Source of image: http://www.anewgreenitude.info/SvsR.jpg

Source of image: http://www.uncommondescent.com/images/Delta_and_Omega.jpg

Highlight 3: Religions and Conflicts‘The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a survivor of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead asked him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he replied, “No,” they said, “All right, say ‘Shibboleth.’” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce the word correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time.’ – Judges 12:5-6, Holy Bible.

Alice Lakwena, Holy Spirits Movement, Uganda, Africa, 1986-97

Source of image: uganda.blogspirit.com/archive/2007/02/02/lakw...

Imperial Seal of the Taiping Rebellion, China, 1851

Source of image: www.earnshaw.com/.../tales/t-taipin.htm

9/11 Attack, New York, U.S.A., 2001

Source of picture: http://www.infowars.net/pictures/Oct06/231006spet11.jpg

Highlight 4: New Religious Movements

Unification Church, Korea & Beyond

Sources of images: www.cesnur.org , www.asianews.it Source of images: archive.japantoday.com

Aum Sinrikyo, Japan & Beyond

Raelism (Raelian Church), U.S. & Beyond

Source of images: undergrowth.org/the_rael_world_by_rak_razam

Modes of Learning

Talks & Sharing by Religious Speakers

Out-of-classroom Visits, Observation & Participation

Class Presentations & Discussions

Lectures, Movies, Readings & Writings

Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify major anthropological, sociological and integrative approaches to the study of religion.

Evaluate the different kinds of impacts of religions on societies.

Explain how religions hold the allegiance of believers.

GE2102 Encountering World Religions

Upon completing this course, you will be able to answer the following question:

Why do human societies have religions?