
About Religions
General Info on Religions (sites may have pop up ads):
Helpful Sikh Summaries of Different Faiths
On Common Ground: World Religions in America
Pluralism Project
What does it mean to be religiously literate? Where can one learn about the world’s religions, from Afro-Caribbean traditions to Zoroastrianism? How can one explore the religious diversity of cities and towns across the U.S.? And what historical perspectives and contemporary challenges shape our understanding of religious difference in America? Explore On Common Ground: World Religions in America to find out, developed by the Pluralism Project.
Sections include:
Encountering Religious Diversity
Additional resources include current news stories from the Pluralism Project’s newsfeed and case studies on the dilemmas and disputes of our multireligious society.
http://pluralism.org
Behold, the six types of atheists
By Dan Merica
(CNN) – How many ways are there to disbelieve in God? At least six, according to a study.
Two researchers at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga found that atheists and agnostics run the range from vocally anti-religious activists to nonbelievers who still observe some religious traditions.
Read more: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/15/the-six-types-of-atheists/
Questions for Exploring Your Own Religion or Belief System or Another’s
Here are some questions for review and revision which can be used in deepening the understanding of one’s own religion or belief system, or that of another.
- To what does one refer to decide questions of doctrine or practice in the religion/belief system?
- What gives it this authority?
- How does one know it is valid?
- What methods of proof does the religion/belief system accept?
- What criteria are used to decide that this religion/belief system has precedence over another?
- How does the nature of humans as seen in this religion/belief system impact the ability to know what is true?
- How does this religion/belief system define truth?
- What are the primary secular values?
- What is the difference between faith and belief?
- What are the primary values of one’s nation?
- What ethical guidelines in this religion/belief system are common to other systems?
- What relationship with nonbelievers does this religion/belief system call a follower to?
- What would it mean for a nation to live in accord with a religion or belief system’s values? What would it look like? What challenges would it face?
- What does this religion/belief system advise to do when one is unhappy, upset, disappointed, oppressed?
- How is it that one’s normal actions of just living could cause others harm?
- When does this religion/belief system justify revenge?
- What threatens your way of life?
- What accounts for people choosing one religion over another?
- Are there aspects, structures, or texts in this religion/belief system that can be used to motivate violence and injustice towards others because of race, color, sex, religion, national or social origin, property, birth, or status?
- What kind of violence has been done or is still happening in the name of this religion/belief system and against which group of people? If this is your religion/belief system, what is needed to prevent this violence motivated by people of your tradition? What can you contribute to prevent this violence?
- What aspects of this religion/belief system motivate and inspire to end religiously motivated violence and create cultures of peace, justice, and healing for all living things?
Rotating Golden Rule texts in 13 religions (slide series program)
Designed by American Golden Rule scholar, Dr. Harry Gensler S.J., this slide series program is an educational resource for youth and adult audiences and can be used in classrooms, workshops, retreats and prayer/meditation experiences. Ideal for projecting on a wall screen before or during an educational event.
As each of the 13 Golden Rule texts rotates before the eyes of the viewers, the audience is provided with a reflective, informative and meditative experience. Facilitator may wish to choose some music to accompany the slides. The slides rotate by themselves and you can set your own rotation speed (3-15 sec.) using the scale below the slide.
To view the rotating slide program, click here.