1. An Introduction to World Religions 2012-10-022012-10-02

2. Slide 2. Typical Agenda Attendance :15 Announcements / Administrativa :17 Student Presentations: :17 In the Religious Calendar and :22 Religion in the News :27 Discussion of the scripture reading :35 Explaining a concept – for the exam’s paragraph answer section. :50 Video with focus questions and discussion – for the exam’s objective answer section, or review game. :04 Homework for Next Time

3. Slide 3. 2012-10-02 Agenda Attendance Announcements Presentations: Religion in the News Religion in the Calendar Hinduism The Vedic era

4. Slide 4. AnnouncementsAnnouncements THE CATHERINE AND ARCHIE MACPHEE AWARDS and THE REV. BERNARD A. MACDONALD MEMORIAL BURSARIES Criteria: 1.students at St. Francis Xavier University. 2.interested in Catholic Studies, Philosophy, and/or Moral Theology, Conditions: 1.Catholic Studies students are encouraged to apply. 2.consideration given to all who take courses consistent with Cathoic teachings 3.Rev. B.A. MacDonald Memorial Bursaries is to help students become more knowledgeable about the Catholic faith so that they can see where they fit in God’s plan. Several awards between $750 and $1000 Selection Process: university committee consisting of the Coordinating Committee of Catholic Studies and the University Chaplain. Application Procedure: apply by October 31, 2012. indicate whether applying for one or both awards. include student’s name, local address, telephone number, email address, academic transcript or “Student Academic Summary Report” two or three paragraphs, why he or she is a suitable candidate. To: Professor William Sweet, PhD, DPh Coordinator, Catholic Studies Programme St Francis Xavier University 2329 Notre Dame Avenue Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5 Canada e-mail: wsweet@stfx.ca tel: 1-902-867-2341; fax 1-902-867-3243

5. Slide 5. ReligionReligion in the News in theNews Religionin theNews ReligionReligion in the News in theNews Religionin theNews IKEA removed images of women from the Saudi Arabia version of its catalog, a decision that the furniture giant now says clashes with its values.IKEA Saudi Arabia Swedish publication Metro posted a comparison of the Saudi Arabian mailer and the Swedish version, showing that women present in the latter were missing from the former.posted a comparison In the Muslim country, women are not allowed to travel or study without male permission and are expected to avoid driving and to conceal their bodies and hair. The image of a pajama-clad woman -- shown standing at a bathroom sink along with a young boy, a man and another young child nearby -- is erased in the catalog distributed in the Arab state. Some tableaux feature a co-ed mix of models for the Swedish catalog but no models for the Saudi Arabian copy. (LATimes)Some tableaux

6. Slide 6. In the calendar In the calendar In the calendar In the calendar Feast of the Guardian Angels Catholic festival 2 October. Pope Paul V (1608) authorised a feast day in honour of guardian angels. Pope Clement X changed date to 2 October Leo XIII, 1883, upgraded to double major feast. Guardian angels Catholics believe that each soul, including Christians and non-Christians, has an angel assigned to it to give guidance throughout its life on earth. These guardian angels, according to Thomas Aquinas, are from the lowest rank of angels. They help their humans in several ways, including protecting them from demons and encouraging them to do good works. The angel cannot affect its human's free will, but only the senses and imagination, and through these, the intellect. On reaching heaven, each person is united with his or her guardian angel. (BBC) 328 The existence of the spiritual, non- corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition. [...] 336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God. Catechism of the Catholic Church

7. Slide 7. Class Presentation Option Purposes: Connect religious studies with today’s world Practice oral presentation skills What to do: Introduce a news item or a holiday for 5-10 minutes Explain what are the most important things to understand about this event You may use any tools you want, e.g., Powerpoint slides Handouts Visual aids. Props Discussion / brainstorming For a holiday, do some research, e.g., from: Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia of Religion, Oxford Reference OnlineOxford Reference Online Books, e.g., an introduction to that religion or topic Textbook and scriptures Even Wikipedia, if you’re careful (check the footnotes for reliability)

8. Slide 8. Making Sense in Religious Studies You were asked to Read “Writing and Thinking” on Moodle Write down two suggestions you plan to take to improve your writing skills

9. Slide 9. Hinduism “How do the Upanishads compare to the earlier Vedas? What do they teach about what happens when one dies?” (#59-68)59-68 “What is the Bhagavad Gita about? Who is the main character, what does he come to realize, and how does he learn this?” (#69-89)69-89

10. Slide 10. HomeworkHomework For Thursday, 12:15 Read “Writing and Thinking” on MoodleWriting and Thinking Monday is Thanksgiving (no class) For next Tuesday, 1:15 Read Living Religions pages 97-118 Write the quiz on “Hinduism 3” on the Moodle site.3