If you are reading this text in connection with a course you are expected to submit the assignments below to the instructor by the dates listed in the course calendar and by the means described in the course outline. Revisions are not only permitted but encouraged and assistance is also provided. Consult the course outline for more information. | |||||||||||||||||
Use
any textbooks, reference works and original sources.
Use proper citations, references and quotation procedures. Choose 2 religions from three of
the four groups below and compare and contrast them concerning the following six
topics or issues:
Groups: I. Early Forms: Egypt, Africa, The Americas, Greece, Rome II. India: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism III. Asia: Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Shintoism IV. West ( Middle East): Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam NOTE: You should be describing a total of SIX different religions. You should show some familiarity with the characteristics of at least six different religions. Be extensive in your descriptions. Answer these questions based upon class lecture, handouts, encyclopedia sources and any other texts you choose to use.
3-9 Use the textbook on PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION and any other sources you may choose. In your essays indicate that you are at least familiar with the materials in the texts. Avoid plagiarism! Provide citations for all sources. Cite pages of texts, the url's of web pages, notes from class, etc..
ASSIGNMENT 4: Religious Experiences What is a religious experience? Is it a proof for anything? If so, what? What is a mystical experience? Is it a proof for anything? If so, what? What are the principle critiques of arguments for the existence of a deity based upon such experiences? What sort of proof or verification exists for religious claims such as miracles or for revelation? Support your position. Give full elaboration. What would a miracle need to be in order to prove that there is a god? What problems are there in attempting to verify a claim of a miracle? PE1, PE2, PE3,PE4 What is the "Problem of Evil"? Exactly what is the problem? How is the existence of evil to be explained at the same time that one would hold for the existence of a deity that is benevolent and omnipotent? Can the problem (the incompatibility or inconsistency) be resolved with a traditional theistic view? If so, how? Cite at least one philosopher who attempts to do so. If not, why not? Cite at least one philosopher who is critical of the possibility of reconciling evil with the traditional idea of a one supreme and perfect deity.ASSIGNMENT 7: Spirits, Souls and the Resurrection A. What possible proof is there for the existence of the soul or the immortality of the soul? What problems are there with these proofs? Can these problems be overcome? If so, how?B. What proof or explanation is there for the possibility of the continuation of consciousness and personal identity after the death of the physical body? C. What are the problems with the idea of the resurrection of the body? Can these problems be overcome? If so, how? ASSIGNMENT 8: Reason , Faith, Language and Worldviews
ASSIGNMENT 9: Religion, Morality and Ethics
ASSIGNMENT 10: A Definition: the Essence of Religion
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