INTRODUCTION
TO WORLD SPIRITUALITY
Dr. Lewis Keizer
Required Core Course for
M.Div. and D.D. Divinity
Degrees
COURSE
TEMPLATE:
Each of the twelve
Modules requires about 30 pages of reading for objective information in the
text, Religions of the World. The
Modules are arranged into four SECTIONS. The information from
each Module will be interpreted and entered by the student into a COURSE
TEMPLATE that identifies each world religion by geographical and cultural
origin, historical development, founder or founders, doctrines, calendar or
festivals, and other common criteria. The completed COURSE TEMPLATE is e-mailed
to the instructor at the end of the course to verify the credit toward a
Divinity Degree. This fulfills requirements for acquisition and interpretation
of objective information in each Module.
Additionally, the student
reads short, high interest sections from Embarking on the Way. Although
this book is an introduction to Western Taoism, it is pan-denominational and
engages the reader with issues in contemporary spirituality, especially the
problem of adapting ancient religious philosophy to the issues of modern
spirituality. These readings are
supplemented with the excellent classic selections of two to five pages at the
end of each topic in Religions of the World, and augmented by suggested
web sites representing contemporary schools of the religion studied. The student is required to comment on issues
of interest from these readings at the end of each SECTION in the Course
Template.
Course
Description
Religious
beliefs differ from person to person and culture to culture: yet there is often
a commonality among both formal and informal religions that speaks to
humankind's deepest character. This course explores and compares the modern
world's major religions, analyzing how they are intertwined with cultural and
personal diversity, and engaging the student in the process of interpreting
traditional religion to meet modern human spiritual needs.
Course
Goals and Module Objectives:
ACADEMIC GOALS:
1. To develop a general
knowledge of major world religions.
2. To gain an overview of
the teachings and principles of each religion
3. To become familiar with
the founders of major religions.
4. To develop analytic
skills in historical, comparative, and phenomenological approaches to the study
of religions of religions.
5. To identify common
elements and themes in human religious culture.
6. To track the evolution of
human spirituality from ancient to modern times.
CONCEPTUAL GOALS:
7. To better understand
contemporary spirituality through an overview of the history and development of
major religious traditions.
8. To understand the
historical evolution of human spirituality and find those streams which are
relevant for us.
9. To confront the issues
that separate modern spirituality from its medieval and ancient roots, such as
sexuality, asceticism, male-female relations, other-worldly orientation, and patriarchy.
10. To better integrate an
approach to personal spirituality and the religious cultures of the world.
Required
Textbooks (two):
Hopfe, Lewis M. and Mark R. Woodward, Religions of the World,
Towler, Solala, Embarking on the Way: A Guide to Western Taoism,
Suggested
Topical
Historical Development of World
Religions:
Noss, David S., A History of the World’s Religion,
Psychological-Sociological
Interpretation of Myth:
Shamanic Roots of Religious
Experience:
Eliade, Mircea,
Trans. W. R. Trask, Shamanism:
Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy,
Suggested
Videotaped Resources Available from Online Sources:
The Long Search series, available at most
public libraries. This has 52-minute
presentations on each major world religion.
Gandhi, a three-hour
presentation available at most video rental stores.
The Voice of Zarathushtra, a 42-minute
presentation.
The Prisoner of Akka, a Baha’i videotape.
Radiant Life: Meditations
and Visions of Hildegard of Bingen, a medieval woman
Christian mystic who was greatly revered by suppressed European schools.
The Sage of Arunachala, Shri Ramana
Maharishi, whom C.G. Jung called “the purest of
Yakoana: The Voice of Indigenous
Peoples, a
documentary of the world conference held in
Suggested Online Journals on Contemporary Spirituality:
Parabola: Myth, Tradition and the Search for Meaning can be previewed and
ordered at http://www.parabola.org
Sacred Web: A Journal of Tradition and Modernity is available at
Science and Spirit, a contemporary journal linking modern science, medicine, and
spirituality. Http://science-spirit.org
The Empty Vessel: A Journal of Contemporary Taoism can be previewed at http://www.abodetao.com
ONLINE GENERAL RESOURCES
FOR THIS CLASS:
Online Strunk’s Elements of Style Guide
to Style and Grammar:
http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html
INTERNET GENERAL RESEARCH LINKS:
Photos and Graphics for the Study of World Religions:
http://www.odysseyphoto.com/major/wrel.html
Rites of Passage in World Religions (Birth, Marriage, etc.):
http://re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk/re/passage/
Gateway Academic Link and Library Sites for World Religions:
http://www.ukans.edu/history/VL/bibliography/libraries.html
http://www.vlib.org/Religion.html
http://www.mcgill.ca/religion/link-ref.htm#lib
Example:
The Basic Topical Page is
http://www.ualberta.ca/~slis/guides/religion/
From this you can reach excellent link pages for all world
religions, such as:
Judaism:
http://www.ualberta.ca/~slis/guides/religion/judaism.htm
Buddhism:
http://www.ualberta.ca/~slis/guides/religion/buddhism.htm
Etc.
Private Sites with Excellent Links:
Links to World Scriptures:
http://www.onlinegraduateprograms.com/resources/master-of-arts-sociology-guide-to-world-religions/
Links to World Religion Sites:
http://www.bcca.org/~cvoogt/Religion/
SYLLABUS
SECTION
ONE, Modules 1-3
Module 1:
Introduction
to the History, Comparison, and Phenomenology of Religions
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 1:
http://www.psychwww.com/psyrelig/index.htm
http://virtualreligion.net/vri/
Topics:
I.
Theories of the Origin of Religions
A.
Animism
B.
Nature Worship
C.
Original Monotheism
D.
Magic
E.
Psychological Projection
II.
Cultural-Geographical Origination of Religions
A.
Basic Religions
B.
Religions Originating in
C.
Religions Originating in
D.
Religions Originating in the
III.
Basic Religions
A.
Neanderthal Religion
B.
Cro-Magnon Religion
C.
Neolithic Religion and Homo Sapiens
IV.
Common Features of Basic Religions
A.
Animism
B.
Magic
C.
Divination
D.
Taboo
E.
Totems
F.
Sacrifice
G.
Myth
H.
Rituals
I.
Rites of Passage
J.
Ancestor Veneration
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 1-30
SOURCE MATERIAL
http://www.odysseyphoto.com/major/tc.html
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/huichol/huicholindex.html
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY (Embarking on the Way) Introduction through
p.15 (Adapting
the Best of Eastern Taoism to the Spiritual Needs of Modern Westerners)
Module 2:
Shamanism
and Tribal Religions
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 2:
http://www.bloorstreet.com/300block/aborl.htm
Topics:
I.
The Spirit World
II.
Animism
III.
Spirit Contacts
A.
Sacrifice
B.
Taboos
C.
Ceremonies and Rituals
D.
Vision Quest
E.
Religious Leadership
F.
Other Means of Spirit Contact
IV.
Death and Afterlife
V.
Modern Native American Religions
VI.
Native African Religions
A.
The High God
B.
The Lesser Spirits
C.
Ancestors
D.
Sacrifice
E.
Rites of Passage
F.
Religious Leaders
VII.
Non-Native African Religions
A.
Judaism
B.
Christianity
C.
Islam
VIII.
Modern African Religions
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW pp. 31-72
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 49-53
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 16-18
(How and Why Lao-tzu Wrote the Tao Te
Ching)
Module 3:
Religions
originating in
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 3:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/~ucgadkw/indology.html
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/india/indiasbook.html
Topics:
I.
Origins of Hinduism
A.
Pre-Aryan
B.
Aryan
(See http://www.hindunet.org/hindu_history/ancient/aryan/aryan_frawley.html
and
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/ANCINDIA/ARYANS.HTM for opposing arguments about whether the Aryans ever existed.)
C.
Muslim
II.
Hindu Scriptures and Their Major Themes
A.
The Four Vedas
B.
The Brahmanas
C.
The Upanishads
D.
The Law (Code) of Manu
E.
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata Epics
III.
Hindu Sects and Their Sacred Literature
A.
Puranas: Scripture of the Common People
B.
Shaktism
IV.
Devotional Life
A.
Pilgrimage
B.
Holy men
V.
Major Hindu Movements
A.
Brahmo Samaj
B.
Arya Samaj
C.
Ramakrishna
VI.
The Life and Legends of Mahavira
VII.
The Teachings of Jainism
VIII.
Practices of Jainism
A.
Ahimsa: Non-Injury
B.
Truth-Speaking
C.
Honesty
D.
Sexual Asceticism
E.
Renunciation of all Attachments
IX.
Jain Sects
A.
White-Clad Svetambara
B.
Sky-Clad Digambara
C.
Sthanakavasi : Opposed to
X.
Jain Festivals
A.
Paijusana
B.
Divali
XI.
Modern Jainism
Assignments:
Hinduism:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 76-133
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 116-123
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 29-44
(Parables on the Wisdom of Foolishness; The Slippery Art of Wu
Wei)
Jainism:
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 133-135
Module 4:
Buddhism
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 4:
http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/e-CBS.htm
Tibetan Buddhism:
http://www.tibet.com/Buddhism/index.html
Zen Buddhism:
http://www.well.com/www/btanaka/dw.html
Topics:
I.
The Life and Legends of Buddha
A.
The Four Passing Sights
B.
The Six Years of Quest
C.
Temptations of Buddha
D.
The Great Enlightenment
E.
The
F.
Buddha's Death
II.
Buddhist Teachings
A.
Buddha's Answer to Metaphysical Questions
B.
The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight-Fold Path
C.
The Arahatship and Nirvana
D.
Anicca, Dukkha & Bhavana
E.
Rebirth Without a Soul - Substance
III.
Major Schools of Buddhism
A.
Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhism
B.
Mahayana Buddhism
1.
The Rock Edicts of Asoka: Buddhist Missionaries
2.
Pure Land Buddhism
3.
Zen Buddhism
4.
Padmasambhava and Tibetan Vajrayana
IV.
Festivals and Holy Days
A.
New Year
B.
Wesak
C.
Ullambana
D.
Robe Offering
V.
Buddhist Scriptures
A.
Majjhima – Nikaya,
XII
B.
The Eightfold Path
C.
Compassion of the Bodhisattva
D.
Zen Meditation
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 136-160
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 160-166
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 45-50
(Natural Spirituality: Being Simple, and Simply Being)
Module 5:
Sikhism
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 5:
http://photon.bu.edu/~rajwi/sikhism/mansukh1.html
http://photon.bu.edu/~rajwi/sikhism/mansukh6.html
http://www.bharatnet.com/sikhgurus/menu.html
A CD ROM Containing Parts of the Guru Granth
Sahib Scripture Held Inviolate at the Golden Temple has now been Made Available
through the Following Site:
http://www.gurbani.net/cd-rom.htm
Topics:
I.
The Life and Legends of Nanak
II.
The Teachings of Nanak
III.
Historical Development of Sikhism
A.
Angad and the Ten Gurus
B.
Arjan Dev and the Adi Granth
C.
Gobind Singh, Durga, and
Self-Defense
D.
Divisions Within Sikhism
1.
Udasis: The Holy Men
2.
Sahajdharis
3.
Singhs
IV.
Sikh Religious Life
V.
Holy Days
Modern Sikhism
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 167-176
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 176-180
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 50-54 (Water as an Ancient Symbol of Psychic
and Spiritual Energy)
Module 6:
Religions
Originating in
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 6:
http://www.csun.edu/~hbchm009/confucius.html
Analects of Confucius:
http://nothingistic.org/library/confucius/analects/toc.html
Text of Tao Te Ching:
http://www.carleton.ca/~rgray/TaoTeChing/
Virtual I Ching
Topics:
I.
Basic Chinese Religious Concepts
A.
Multiple Gods and Spirits
B.
Yin and Yang
C.
Filial Piety and Ancestor Worship
D.
Divination
E.
Development of Belief in the Shang Ti
F.
Decline of the Feudal System
II.
Taoism
A.
The Life and Legends of Lao-tzu
B.
The Tao Te Ching
C.
Teachings of Early Taoist Philosophers
D.
Schools That Rivaled Taoism
E.
Later Development
III.
Confucianism
A.
The Life and Legends of Confucius
B.
The Teachings of Confucius
1.
Middle Way Between Taoism and Ancient Chinese Religion
2.
Concept of Li and the Five Relationships
3.
Concept of Jen and Inward Spirituality
C.
Development of Confucianism
IV.
Traditional Chinese Holidays
A.
Chinese New Year
B.
Pure and Bright Festival
C.
Dragon Boat Festival
D.
All Soul’s Day
E.
Autumn Harvest Festival
F.
Winter Holidays
V.
Modern Taoism and Confucianism
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 181-210
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 210-217
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 55-76
(Yin-Yang and Modern Sexuality)
SECTION
THREE, Modules 7-9:
Module 7:
Shinto
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 7:
http://www.colby.edu/rel/relnet/stalag23/shinto.htm
Photos of Shinto Shrines:
http://www.kiku.com/electric_samurai/cyber_shrine/
Topics:
A.
History of Traditional Japanese Religion
1.
Shinto Prior to 300 C.E.
2.
Chinese Influence on Shinto
3.
The Revival of Shinto
4.
The Modern Era
B.
Three Forms of Shinto
1.
State Shinto
2.
Sectarian Shinto
3.
Domestic Shinto
C.
Japanese Festivals
1.
Shogatsu: New Year
2.
Buddha’s Birthday
3.
Ullambana: All Soul’s Day
4.
Niiname – sai: The Autumn Festival
D.
Modern Shinto
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 218-233
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 233-236
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 77-87
(The Great Mother: The
Divine Immanence)
Module 8:
Religions
Originating in the
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 8:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~zarathus/tenets33.html
http://www.avesta.org/avesta.html#zlinks
Zend Avesta, Other Sacred Scripture, and
More Links:
Topics:
I.
Religion of Ancient
II.
The Life and Legends of Zoroaster (Zarathustra)
A.
Revelation
B.
Temptation
C.
III.
Historical Development of Zoroastrianism
A.
Achaemenid Period (550-330 B.C.E.)
B.
Seleucid Period (330-247 B.C.E.)
C.
Sassanid Period (227-651 C.E.)
D.
Exile and Survival (651 C.E. to the Present)
IV.
Teachings of Zoroaster
A.
Zoroastrian Scripture
1.
The Gathas
2.
The Avesta
3.
Later Avesta
B.
Nature of God
C.
Problem of Evil
D.
Human Nature and Destiny
E.
Ethics
F.
Worship and Fire Priesthood
1.
Prayer
2.
Naojote
3.
Death
V.
Zoroastrians of the Present Day
A.
Gabars or Iranis
B.
Parsis (Parsees) of
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 237-256
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 255-259
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 88-110
(Introduction to Chinese Medicine)
Module 9:
Judaism
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 9:
http://www.ualberta.ca/~slis/guides/religion/judaism.htm
Contemporary Jewish Links:
http://shamash.org/trb/judaism.html
http://www.webcom.com/startkit/
Ancient Hebrew History Related to the Old Testament (Christian
Source, but Good Information):
http://www.cresourcei.org/othistory.html
Babylonian Captivity:
http://www.babylonjewry.org.il/museum/
Teachings of Chasidim:
http://www.chabad.org/aspects/teaching.002
http://hobbes.jct.ac.il/efi/torah.html
Jewish Communities in
http://servercc.oakton.edu/~friend/chinajews.html
Jewish Calendar:
http://bnaibrith.org/caln.html
Holocaust:
Topics:
I.
The Patriarchs
II.
The Life and Legends of Moses
A.
Moses Receives Revelation
B.
The Exodus and the Ten Commandments
C.
The Tabernacle or
III.
Canaanites & the Conquest of
A.
Baalism: the Religion of the Canaanites
IV.
Philistines & the Early Jewish Kings
A.
The Two Kingdoms
1.
2.
V.
Religion in the Time of the Hebrew Monarchy
A.
The Influence of Other Religious Practices on the Jewish
Priesthood
B.
The Anti-Monarchical Prophetic Movement
C.
The
VI.
Exile and Return
A.
Exile
B.
The Return of the Jews to
C.
Development of the Synagogue
VII.
Hellenistic Judaism
A.
The Maccabaean Revolt and Hanukkah
(Festival of Lights)
B.
The Sadducees, Pharisees, and Other Sects
VIII.
The Roman Period
A.
The Zealots
B.
The Essenes
C.
The Noble Rebellion : Bar Kokhba
IX.
Jewish Scriptures
A.
Ben Zakkai, Akiba,
and the Hebrew Bible
B.
Mishnah, Talmud, and
Midrash
X.
Medieval Judaism
A.
The Kabbalah (Cabala)
B.
Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews
C.
The Ghetto, Stetle,
Pogrom
XI.
Modern Judaism
A.
Zionism and
B.
Reform Judaism
C.
The Holocaust
XII.
Jewish Observances
A.
Wedding
B.
Circumcision
C.
Death
XIII.
Jewish Festivals and Holy Days
A.
Sabbath
B.
Passover
C.
Rosh Hashanah
D.
Yom Kippur
E.
Bar-Mitzvah
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 260-296
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 295-300
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 11-113
(A Taoist Meditation for Balancing the Qi of Bodily
Organs)
SECTION
FOUR, Modules 10-12
Module 10:
Christianity
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 10:
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/resources.html#christian
The Jesus Seminar:
http://www.spiritualchallenge.com/jesus.html
Christian Scripture and Classic Texts Online:
Early Christian Scripture and Literature:
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/christian-history.html
Gospel of Thomas and Gnostic Links:
http://home.epix.net/~miser17/Thomas.html
Biblical Studies; Textual Criticism:
http://rosetta.atla-certr.org/TC/TC.html
Biblical Studies; The Problem of the Synoptic Gospels:
http://religion.rutgers.edu/nt/primer/
Church History and Traditions:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/byzantium/
Contemporary Issues:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/english.html
Topics:
I.
Messianic Judaism in the First Century C.E.
II.
The Life and Legends of Jesus
A.
Early Life
B.
Baptism and Temptation
C.
Ministry
D.
Last Supper
E.
Hearing Before the Sanhedrin
F.
Crucifixion
G.
Resurrection
III.
The Teachings of Jesus
A.
Parables
B.
Eschatology: Apocalyptic
or Realized?
C.
The Fatherhood of God
D.
The
E.
God’s Love for Humanity
IV.
The Early Churches
A.
The
B.
Pentecost
C.
Paul
D.
Christian Literature to the Year 150 C.E.
E.
The Four Gospels
F.
Early Christianity
G.
Persecution and Triumph
V.
Theological Sects and Controversies
A.
The Arian Controversy
B.
The Nicene Creed
C.
The Constantinopolitan Creed
VI.
Byzantine Christianity
A.
Monasticism
VII.
Roman Christianity
A.
Augustine of Hippo
VIII.
The Division of the Church into East and West
A.
Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy
B.
Roman Evangelism of
C.
The Crusades
D.
The Inquisition
IX.
The Protestant Reformation
A.
The Ninety-Five Theses
B.
Authority of Scripture Rather Than Apostolic Tradition
C.
Protestant Worship
D.
Calvin and Zwingli
E.
Political Revolution
F.
Church of England, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Anabaptists,
Calvinists, Puritans, Congregationalists
G.
The Enlightenment
X.
The Emergence of Modern Christianity
A.
Modern Catholicism
1.
Counter-Reformation and Council of
2.
Later Catholic Dogmas
3.
B.
Modern Protestant Movements
1.
Baptists, Quakers, Methodists
2.
Missionary Movements
3.
Ecumenical Movement
C.
Theosophical, New-Age, and New American Christian Forms
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 301-345
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 344-353
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 114-125
(Introduction to Qigong Practice)
Module 11:
Islam
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 11:
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~kbatarfi/islam.html
http://www.ummah.net/history/scholars/
Topics:
I.
Pre-Islamic Arab Religion
II.
The Life and Legends of Muhammad
A.
Prophetic Calls
B.
The Hijrah (Migration)
C.
Establishment of Theocracy in
D.
Warfare with
E.
Mir’aj (Night journey of the Prophet to paradise)
III.
The Qur'an
A.
“There is no God but Allah, and Mohammad is His Messenger”
B.
Predestination
C.
Eschatology and Final Judgment
IV.
Religious Institutions
A.
The Mosque
B.
The Five Pillars
1.
Shahadah : The Creed
2.
Salaht: Prayers Five Times
Daily
3.
Zakaht: Charity
4.
Sawm: The Fast of Ramadan
5.
Hajj: Pilgrimage to
C.
Islam and Women
D.
Islamic Taboos
E.
Jihad
V.
Muhammad’s Successors: The Caliphate
A.
Abu Bakr
B.
Umar (634-644) and Jihad
C.
Uthman
D.
`Ali
E.
Abolishment of the Caliphate
VI.
Islamic Hadith and Sects
A.
Sunnis
B.
Shi'ites
C.
Sufis
VII.
Muslim Calendar and Holy Days
A.
The Id-al-Fitir (Festival of
Fast Breaking)
B.
The Id-al-Azha (Festival of
Sacrifices)
C.
The Id-al-ghadir (Festival of
the
D.
Festivals
1.
New Year
2.
The Mawlid an-Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Mohammad)
VIII.
Modern Islam
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 356-387
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 388-395
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 126-137
(Taoist Meditation)
Module 12:
Bahai and Other Forms of New Spirituality
Specific Internet Research Links for Module 12:
Bahai:
http://www.fragrant.demon.co.uk/bahai.html
http://www.nextfrontier.pair.com/bahai/links.html
Other Forms of New Spirituality:
Mormonism:
http://www.ldsworld.com/links/
Other Forms:
http://www.newageinfo.com/res/pagan.htm
http://www.digiserve.com/mystic/NF_start.htm
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/clic/philosop.html#newage
http://www.nando.net/prof/caribe/voodoo.html
http://www.hometemple.org/THG.htm
Topics:
I.
Islamic Background in Nineteenth-Century Islam
II.
The Founders and Leaders
A.
The Báb (1819-1850)
B.
Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892)
C.
`Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921)
D.
Shoghi Effendi
III.
Some Bahá’í Teachings and Principles
A.
The Nature of God
B.
Oneness of Mankind
C.
Oneness of Religion
D.
Oneness of Prophets
E.
The Two Parts of Religion
F.
Elimination of All Kinds of Prejudice
G.
Universal Auxiliary Language
H.
Equality of Women and Men
I.
Universal Compulsory Education
J.
Harmony of Science and Religion
K.
Elimination of Extremes of Wealth and Poverty
IV.
Bahá’í Laws & observances
A.
The Nineteen-Day Feast
B.
Prayer & Meditation
C.
Fasting
D.
Marriage
E.
Provisions for Divorce
V.
Bahai Calendar and Holy Days
VI.
Modern Bahai
A.
The Persecution of Bahá’ís in
:
Assignments:
TEXTBOOK:
RW (Religions of the World) pp. 396-405
SOURCE MATERIAL
RW pp. 405-407
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY:
WAY pp. 138-151
(A Simple Taoist Meditation and Qigong Practice)
INTERNET RESEARCH:
Explore at least three separate new forms of religion or spirituality
using:
http://rand.pratt.edu/~giannini/newreligions.html