Introduction

A.Overview: The influence of religions in society.

B.Purpose and functions of religions.

C.Dimensions of religion: history, stories and myth, beliefs and doctrines; ethical teachings and laws; rituals and ceremonies; society and culture

D. Primal Religions: Myth of origins, sacred time and space, the shaman

            Readings: Molloy, Chapter 2 – Indigenous Religions, p. 31-71; Novak, Chapter 8

WESTERN RELIGIONS

Judaism

A.       God and Torah and the Hebrew Bible

B.Jewish Beliefs and Traditions (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Kabbalah)

C.Prophets and Prayer

D.From the Destruction of the Temple to Diaspora and Rabbinic Judaism 

E.Anti-Semitism, Israel and the Modern World

Readings: Molloy – Chapter 8 - Judaism; Novak, Chapter 5

Christianity

A.Christianity: Life and teachings of Jesus

B.Early Christian Beliefs and History

C.Eastern Orthodox Christianity

D.Roman Catholicism

E.Protestant Reformation

F.Christian Practice: Sacraments and Rituals

G.The Impact of Christianity in Western Culture and Globalization

Readings: Molloy, Chapter 9 - Christianity; Novak, Chapter 6

Islam

A.The Prophet Muhammad

B.Five Pillars of Islam and Islamic Ethics

C.Historical Development: Expansion and Consolidation

D.Shiite, Sunni, and Sufi Islam

E.Influence of Islam in the Middle East and in the World

Readings: Molloy, Chapter 10 - Islam; Novak, Chapter 7

Baha’i Religion

Reading: Molloy, pages

EASTERN RELIGIONS

Hinduism

A.Hindu Gods and Sacred Scriptures

B.Yogas: Paths to God from the Bhagavad Gita

C.Hindu Life: Stages of Life and the Caste System (Varnas); Gurus

D.The Impact of Hinduism to India and Beyond

Readings: Molloy, Chapter 2; Novak, Chapter 1;

Selections from the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishad

Sikhism and Jainism

Readings: Molloy, Chapter 5 – Jainism and Sikhism

Buddhism

A. Life of Gautama Sakyamuni (Buddha)

B.The Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold Path

C.Samsara, Karma, Nirvana, and Other Concepts

D.Historical Development: Theravada, Mahayana

E.The Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism

Readings: Molloy, Buddhism - Chapter 4; Novak, Chapter 2

Chinese Religions

A.Confucianism and Daoism

B.Living According to Confucian Values – Virtues and Five Great Relationships

C.Yin-yang and Dao De Ching

D.Impact of Confucianism and Daoism to Chinese Civilization