The Case for God by Karen Armstrong

I think it is very ironic that this reading touches on the topic of atheism because we discussed it a little bit in class today (well at least the 11:10 class). I found it interesting to learn that in a way atheism has almost evolved over the past centuries to become what it is today. Although in class today I believed that there was no way to classify atheism as a religion, I am more hesitant after reading this article. The fact that Christians and Muslims were both called atheists at one point or another brings forth the question of whether atheism is strictly the belief in the opposite of organized religion? As the definition of organized religion has changed over time, so has the definition of atheism concluding in the way it is portrayed now. I also believe that Christopher Hitchens and other prominent atheists today have only one extreme view of atheism, just like some other religious extremists, they do not represent the mass. But it still challenges the question of can atheism be classified as a religion? And in conjunction with our last reading, does it therefore deserve a place in the world religions course Prothero was pushing for the public schools?

Eli Pariser-Ted Talk_Filter Bubbles

Here is the Ted Talk that I mentioned in the 11:10 class. Even if you weren't in that class, I think you will find this very interesting. I think it relates a lot to our conversation about bias and how to educate ourselves in other opinions and ideas in order to overcome our bias. This talk and how Google functions will also be relevant in your first library session with Tina Plottel.

Prothero

I agree with Prothero's proposal for how to solve the problem that our generation currently has with religious illiteracy with a civic solution and that civic solution being our public schools. I have seen teachers first hand who have squirmed when asked something that dipped into the topic of religion. History and art have so much to do with religion and if teachers cannot talk about it because it goes into the forbidden realm of religion, how can teachers accurately teach us. Teaching students about religion, and not just one religion but all, is not forcing students to convert or accept a certain religion. In order for society to be able to stop the problem of religious illiteracy and solve it, they must start with the public schools because those students will one day be the future generation of America; the melting pot of the world. Of course there will be some controversy, but I think that if they go about planning the courses in a way where they are just teaching the students about the world religions, then there shouldn't be a problem with making it happen.

On Required Religion Classes

I concur entirely with Prothero's vision in promoting world religion education. As an individual growing up in the Bible belt South, I can vouch for the illiterate nature of a large amount of so called religious groups. I found myself asking those same questions that Prothero proposed, such as the historical background of my church adn "why I believe what I believe." I think that the abilty to opt out would cover the tension felt by parents of devout faith who did not want their children exposed to different faiths. While teaching the already required subjects may be stressful enough for teachers, I still find world religion imperative to the future of not only America, but of the world. So that we may better understand each other, and more importantly ourselves. I think Prothero's explanation of the two types of discussion of religion is where most people's issues reside. Speaking in a secular point of view only allows room for more intelligent and nonbiased discussion. Unfortunately, because of the environment that we have individual grown up in, we have emotional ties to certain religions and take to them more passionately and sensitively and often causes conflict. I am also very concerned with the way that religion plays a role in politics as is. As much as our nation encourages seperation of religion and state, the fact of the matter is that religion will always play a role in politics, bacause religion is a part of people. it influences decisions and as long as man holds office, so will religion. Political figures throw around the Bible stories to capture the attention and pathos of the crowd. While I give them credit by employing this tactic, I agree with Prothero's call for them to be able to defend themselves and back their claims. Overall, I definately encourage the internal promotion of religious education and believe that it will assist in furthering the cause of progressiveness.

Religion. Thing of the past?

I think Prothero's idea had good intentions, but it seemed a little far-fetched. There are always going to be people who are opposed to having their children be taught religion. Although I am all for educating Americans on the rest of the world's cultures and religions and trying to abolish certain stereotypes, its just that I think that it is a very tall task. I do think it is a good idea not only so that we can have peaceful relations with other countries but also because America is considered the "melting pot" of the world. We have people and cultures from all over, and I think it would benefit everyone if we increased our knowledge of these cultures, religions, and people. Then we can really be that, "city upon a hill" like our founding fathers had envisioned for us when they built this country.
It was required for a seniors in my "catholic" high school to take a world religions course. I found it very intersting (I was one of few). I think that this generation is less concered with religion. I think this has alot to do with technology and social networking. Kids constantly are being bombarded with advertisements, facebook, twitter, emails, etc. I guess what im saying is that most kids are "living in the moment" and not thinking about whats going to happen to them when they die, instead thinking about what thier next tweet should be. In conclusion, i think Prothero's idea, if accomplished, wouldn't hurt anyone.

Rick Perry... a little too scary

Unfortunately, I was unable to find and read Prothero's writing. I did however love the Washington Post's article on Rick Perry... mostly focusing on the very last line: "Faith and reason are not mutually exclusive, but Perry makes you think they are." It seems so brainwashy to me that one man and his platform can convince 29% of Republicans that two things that dont go together, do. I can see the skepticism in voting for Mitt Romney, being Morman and all. The assumption is based on associations: polygamy, debatable divine intervention stories, and just the fact it has other beliefs from Evangelical Christianity. He, however, has made it clear that politics and religion are very VERY different things (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r/14789305/detail.html). Rick Perry is feeding into the likes of a Republican majority who want three things: jobs, God, and more jobs. Great political tactic but at the same time, completely frightening to all those that don't fall into the 29%.

Religious Literacy

In my opinion whether you are religious or not, there is a fundamental need to be educated on the religion you associate yourself with (if you do), as well as other religions that impact our countries domestic policies and foreign relations. How to solve the problem of religious illiteracy in this country is relatively simple to me; we need to be taught how to learn about religion and subsequently how to speak about it. Prothero states that what we don’t know is how to talk about religion, besides a basic lack of understanding about the message and history behind it. You either hear religion from the perspective of a religious person or an atheist, usually not from a person without bias. So, what we need to do is have a more secular position in order to be able to fully engage in an environment where one can learn and also speak about religion without being tied down to one extreme or another. Prothero poses the very important point that this problem with religious literacy is not in fact a problem for religious people but one for all people. In consequence, a civic disconnect between knowledge, understanding, and usage. We have a political system in which politicians, both Democrat and Republican, manipulate religious texts to create sentiments of justice, rightness, and authority, but half the time their understanding or usage is incorrect. We’ve nearly created a church state without even realizing it: as Prothero says, a place where religion has come to define our political and social identity. Ironically the mostly mistaken use of religion in politics to persuade and reach out to people is the same thing that hinders our ability to connect to foreign peoples, subsequently hurting foreign relations, even causing domestic troubles. Simply put, people desire religion; morality, our own misinterpretations hinder our path to understanding it, and then in turn we’re “illiterate.” So you think, “how to fix this messy situation of understanding, bias, and civil right?” Prothero’s solution is that this civic problem should be addressed in public schools, where a course on the Bible followed by a course on world religions would be mandatory (opt-out provision available). The end goal would be an increased participation in democracy and civic duty of all forms, and a better understanding of religion free from being bound to its practices or implications in popular culture. To debase the point of a separation of church and state argument (backed by the1^st amendment) Prothero plainly states, “There’s a distinction between preaching about religion and teaching about religion.” And that’s where the confusion ultimately lies. What do you think? Does learning about religion still allow freedom from it? And if not, how would you fix the problem of religious illiteracy, or would you?

Rick Perry, the Republicans' Messiah?

Here is a link to a Washington Post article about Texas Governor and presidential candidate Rick Perry. He is, perhaps, a very good test case for Prothero's argument. So please read this article in addition to Prothero's text for class on Wednesday.

The Tree of Life

Since I know that many of you will be looking over this blog before class begins (becuase I have invited you to it), I thought I would post something that I found interesting recently and that relates to our topic. I recently saw this film with Tina Plottel, our class librarian:

and found myself thinking about prayer, nature, creation, evolution, sin, death, life, mystery and God. At the end of the film, I looked at Tina and said, "I think he just took every prayer I have ever prayed and then made a film about it." And by prayer, I don't mean begging God for things. I mean what I once heard described as going out into an open field and "feeling a prayer." Whether you "pray" or not, if you haven't seen it, I strongly recommend it. If you have, feel free to post some of your thoughts in the comments section below about the film or about prayer or about anything in this post that strikes you as interesting...or not; you're technically still on summer vacation :)