World Religions and Contemporary Issues
Kyle Johnson, Ph.D.
Anna Minore, Ph.D.
In a world of increasing complexity and global communication, it becomes more important than ever to
understand the belief structure and worldview of those who inhabit the planet with us; we can interact more
effectively (economically, politically, religiously) with those whom we understand. Social responsibility
therefore includes learning about the viewpoints of others. The study of the world’s religions provides a
unique viewpoint into the motivations and cultural expressions of others and is thus important for
fulfillment of that social responsibility. In addition, such knowledge provides us with an opportunity to
enrich and, where necessary, revise our own religious understanding. Lastly, this knowledge helps us deal
with the increasing complexity of the contemporary world.
The course will cover five major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The student will receive a historical overview of each (including sect divisions within each), and then will
learn the major doctrines, worship habits and ethical codes that are common to all sects. The student will
also be exposed to contemporary issues relevant to each faith. For example:
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Do the monotheistic religions worship the same God?
What is the Muslim notion of jihad, and is it sanctioned by the Koran?
Is war justified by any religion?
Who has a right to the holy land? Does the Holocaust make a difference when answering that
question?
How does each religion conceptualize women’s rights?
Should church and state be separate?
What does each religion say about divorce, sexual immorality, abortion, birth control, and
homosexuality?
How do religious regulations on food (e.g., eating Kosher, observing Ramadan, temperance and
sacred cows) affect the modern world?
Does reincarnation lead to discrimination (exploration of the poor)?
Do Buddhists hate life (“isn’t life suffering”)?
What role is meditation playing in the corporate world?
How do political doctrines such as Manifest Destiny draw strength from religion?
How wide-spread is Anti-Semitism?
How has organized religion impacted political processes (e.g., the monk’s protest in Burma)?
The students will thus be exposed to rich cultural and intellectual traditions of the human family, and they
will be more prepared to interact with those around them both in personal and professional settings.
Texts:
Schmidt, Roger (et al.), Patterns of Religion (2nd ed.) Wadsworth Publishing, 2005.
Assignments:
Reading Quizzes: The student will be given daily reading quizzes over the assigned reading.
Summary Papers: For each world religion we cover (5 in total), the student will be responsible for writing a
4 page paper that (a) summarizes either the history or doctrine of the religion and then (b) explores (and
argues regarding) a contemporary issue of that religion (approx 2 pages for each section).
Topic
Reading/Film
Issues
15-Jan
Syllabus
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17-Jan
Hindu History
121-140
Vedic, Classical, Philosophy, Deities, Literature
22-Jan
Hindu Doctrine
141-144
Dharma, Karma, Samsara, Moksha,
24-Jan
Hindu Doctrine
145-150
Cosmology, Avatar, Paths to release
29-Jan
Hindu (Contemporary Issue)
Food (Sacred Cows), Women's Rights
31-Jan
Hindu (Contemporary Issue)
Reincarnation and discrimination
5-Feb
7-Feb
Hindu Film
Hindu Film
Film: Water
Film: Water
12-Feb
14-Feb
Buddhist History
Buddhist Doctrine
175-188
189-196
19-Feb
21-Feb
Buddhist Doctrine
Buddhist (Contemporary Issues)
197-210
26-Feb
Buddhist (Contemporary Issues)
28-Feb
Judaism History
303-327
4-6 Mar
no class
--
11-Mar
13-Mar
Judaism Doctrine
Judaism Doctrine
328-334
335-344
18-Mar
20-Mar
Judaism (Contemporary Issues)
no class
25-Mar
27-Mar
Judaism (Contemporary Issues)
Christianity History
357-376
Eating Kosher, Women's Rights and Sexuality
Jesus, Early Church, Medieval, Reformation, Modern
Christian Doctrine
Christian Doctrine
377-383
384-390
God, sin, grace, evil, afterlife
Worship and Ritual
1-Apr
3-Apr
Buddha, Theravada, Mahayana
4 Noble Truths, No Self, Co-Dependant Arising
Karma/Rebirth, Nirvana, Emptiness
Pacificism, Vegetarianism, “Life is Suffering”
Women's Rights, Meditation in Corporate World
Early History, Scriptures, Christian-Muslim rapports, Modern
G-d, Torah, Israel, Evil
Worship and Ritual
Holy Land and the Holocaust, anti-Semitism
8-Apr
10-Apr
Christian (Contemporary Issues)
Christian (Contemporary Issues)
Separation of Church and State, Manifest Destiny
Sexual Immorality, Abortion, Birth Control, Homosexuality
15-Apr
17-Apr
Islam History
Islam Doctrine
407-419
420-425
Muhammad, Caliphs, Umayyad, Abbasid, Ottoman, Modern
God, Quran, Five Pillars
22-Apr
24-Apr
Islam Doctrine
Islam (Contemporary Issues)
426-438
Worship and Ritual
Jihad, Sexual Immorality
29-Apr
1-May
Islam (Contemporary Issues)
Islam Film
Women's Rights, Keeping Ramadan
Film: Women