Reply to Question 1, then to anyone 2,3 or 4 and 5. Three in all.
1. Christianity takes many forms. Of them, which one seems to have the greater appeal (if at all)? What of it do you appreciate?
Very often, the New Testament is read as history, plain and simple, and it is often thought that if you believe in the Lord Jesus you will get to go to Heaven. In what way(s) might this differ from the message of Jesus himself (as best we can determine it)?
Christianity came to be doctrine-oriented religion of the Hellenistic world. Is it important to hold to doctrines (in Christianity or any other faith) or is it O.K. to fuzz over doctrines and be a mystic-thus to both experience and extend Divine love to others, regardless of race, creed or color? If churches and doctrines are O.K. to have, for what purpose(s)? Why do we say that in any case there is no such thing as Orthodoxy, in actual fact?
Discuss.
2. what is meant by the old testament as Dialogue. illustrated. why did we say that not reading Hebrew makes it hard for us to read Old testament correctly? Of the various parts and thrusts of the Old Testament, what of it seems to ring true, and what of it (if anything) might be problematic- as you see the history of the Hebrews/Jews.
3. Like all other religions on the plant, Islam has conservatives and liberals and mystics. Some Muslims believe that the men who ran airplanes into the twin towers went to Islamic Heaven; while other Muslims believe the went straight to Hell. What seems to you to be the better features of Islam, and what may be somewhat problematic- from your personal perspective? We seem to be saddled with terrorism (sometimes thought to be justified, among some Muslims). Can this problem be resolved peacefully, or not? If so, how?
Discuss.
Or
4. What are some of the positive features of the native American approach to living well and/or religious life? What might be learned from them? What should the remaining Indians do in the current age: continue to live on reservations or assimilate into what might be called mainstream American? If you were of Indian origins, what would you do? If you would elect to assimilate, would you make any effort all to retain Indian customs? If so, what of it would you seek to retain? Discuss.
4. What was the best lesson of the semester and/ or one that may stay with you for a while? What of it could you just as soon leave alone, if anything? what is the value, if anything, of taking a course in World Religions?
