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Importance of Understanding Religion: Cultural Awareness, Political Impact, and Self-Reflection

Explore the reasons why studying and understanding religion is crucial in today's diverse world. Gain cultural awareness, understand the political influence of religious beliefs, and engage in self-reflection to question core values.

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Importance of Understanding Religion: Cultural Awareness, Political Impact, and Self-Reflection

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  1. WORLD RELIGIONS dwyer

  2. WHY STUDY RELIGION?

  3. PREFACE It is important to try and view other culture’s religion outside of our preconceived notions.

  4. “Religious literacy is essential for an educated citizen in his democracy.” -Steven Protherau, Boston University.

  5. WHY THE LOW SCORES? • Schools worried about teaching religion • Church & State separate • First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

  6. TEACHING ABOUT IS NOT PROMOTING • Supreme Court Ruling: Abington School District v. Shempp (1964) • Prayer in the public schools • “One's education is not complete without a study of comparative religion or the history of religion and its relationship to the advancement of civilization.”

  7. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT?

  8. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 1. You can’t understand the world without understanding religion.

  9. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 1. You can’t understand the world without understanding religion. • Religious beliefs have a profound impact on politics

  10. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 1. You can’t understand the world without understanding religion. • Religious beliefs have a profound impact on politics • 90% of the members of Congress say they consult their religious beliefs before voting in congress

  11. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 1. You can’t understand the world without understanding religion. • The power of religious ideas has produced the most extreme examples of GOOD & EVIL throughout history.

  12. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 1. You can’t understand the world without understanding religion. • The power of religious ideas has produced the most extreme examples of GOOD & EVIL throughout history. • Brainstorm some examples…

  13. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT?

  14. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 2. We’re living in a country of Religious diversity.

  15. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 2. We’re living in a country of Religious diversity. • This diversity has infiltrated modern culture: • Karma • Yoga • Mindfulness training

  16. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 2. We’re living in a country of Religious diversity. • We should be striving for UNDERSTANDING, not TOLERANCE. • Must be INFORMED • Imperative for democracy • “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” -Thomas Jefferson

  17. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT?

  18. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 3. Self-Understanding

  19. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 3. Self-Understanding • Religion explores and struggles over the most important questions of human existence: • What is ultimate reality? • What is the self? • How do we understand death? • What gives life meaning?

  20. WHY IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION IMPORTANT? 3. Self-Understanding • We should strive for an existential encounter with religions • An insider’s view of the religion • Can be uncomfortable • Can lead to questioning some of our core beliefs and values

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