Assignment: Select a topic from the list provided by your instructor. If the topic that you wish to write about is not on the list, please email me to get it approved. If it is on the list, there is no need to email me. NOTE: You are not allowed to use any essay that you used in any previous course, or that more than 20% of the material was taken from a previous essay submitted to any other course.Note: Please scroll down to page seven of this document to see the guidelines\/format for the essay.
\nPurpose of Assignment:
\n1. To learn more about a specific topic in Religious Studies
\n2. To improve research and writing skills
\n3. To improve critical thinking
\nWhat is Critical Thinking Perhaps you have written your essay on the Peace Churches that believe that Jesus taught pacifism and that it is always wrong to go to war. You have written a lot of information about the Peace Churches and why they believe what they do, based on their interpretations of the Bible and their experiences of wars and religious persecution in Europe. The reader of your essay is thinking: \u201cSo what It\u2019s just a lot of information. Who cares\u201d You have to answer those questions. You do that by evaluating the information. What do the teachings of the Peace Churches and their very existence mean to you, to your community, and
\n2
\nto the world Why is their teaching significant The Peace Churches have affected history. Even
\nif you disagree with the teachings (which you will point out in your conclusion), the teachings
\nare still significant to the churches and to the entire world. That is the process of critical
\nthinking. What do you agree with concerning the pacifism of the Peach Churches What do you
\ndisagree with concerning their teachings Overall, what do you conclude about the value of the
\nteachings of the Peace Churches You are allowed to write in the first person for the closing
\nparagraph only, using \u201cI think that\u2026,\u201d or \u201cfrom my perspective\u2026.\u201d
\nLIST OF TOPICS
\nDaoism \u2013 What is wu wei Why is it central to the teachings of Daoism
\nHow the Architecture of the Cathedrals Reflects Christian Beliefs
\nHow the Architecture of the Mosques Reflects Muslim Beliefs
\nPeace Churches (Mennonite, Quaker, Amish) – These churches believe that Jesus taught
\npacifism. Why do they believe that What scriptures do they cite What other reasons do they
\ngive that are not based on the Bible
\nAdvaita Vedanta\/Monism in Hinduism
\nAnimal Rights: What does religion\/spirituality have to say about animal rights You could list
\nsome famous vegetarians\/vegans (historical and contemporary) and give their
\nreligious\/spiritual reasons for being vegetarian\/vegan. Religious\/spiritual reasons could be
\ncompassion for the animals (all God\u2019s creatures) or a belief that in order to save the planet from
\ndestruction, humans need to switch to a vegetarian\/vegan diet.
\nHow Fundamentalist\/Conservative Christians Differ from Liberal\/Progressive Christians
\nShamanism \u2013 many consider shamanism to be the first religion
\nJust War Theory \u2013 These are the reasons that a religion gives in order to justify going to war.
\nFor example, usually the country has to be attacked first. Just War Theory also includes such
\nthings as how prisoners of war should be treated, and how civilians should be treated. For
\nexample, most Christians (and people of other religions) believe that when the U.S. entered
\nWWII, it was a Just War because the U.S. was attacked first at Pearl Harbor.
\nThe Peace Churches (Amish, Mennonite, Quaker) – These churches believe that there is never a
\njust reason to go to war because they believe that Jesus taught pacifism. What scriptures do
\nthey use as the foundation for that belief What reasons do they present other than scripture
\nfor the belief in pacifism
\nCompare and Contrast any two religions that interest you. Cover the similarities and the
\ndifferences and do not try to prove that one is better than the other.
\n3
\nCompare and Contrast Buddhism and Christianity. Cover the similarities and the differences,
\nand do not try to prove that one is better than the other.
\nDietrich Bonheoffer – Dietrich Bonheoffer was a German Lutheran pastor who came to the
\nconclusion that the Lutheran church (the largest Protestant church in Germany) and most of the
\nother German churches were being more loyal to Hitler than to God during WWII. The
\nLutheran Church had joined an official alliance comprising most of the Protestant Churches in
\nGermany. This alliance was formed specifically to support Hitler. Hitler could not have risen to
\npower without the help of most of the people in Germany \u2013 and most people in Germany at the
\ntime were active churchgoers. Bonheoffer and a few other pastors founded the Confessing
\nChurch to protest the active support of Hitler by this alliance of churches in Germany.
\nBonheoffer was executed in a concentration camp just a few weeks before the end of WWII.
\nWhat is the importance of his life and teachings for Christianity regarding such things as the
\nchurches\u2019 involvement in politics and Separation of Church and State
\nSufism (the mystical branch of Islam)
\nMysticism \u2013 All religions have mystics. What is mysticism
\nThe Arts in Religion (material expression) \u2013 music, visual arts, poetry, sacred dance, etc.
\nThe Candles of Hanukkah: Why is lighting the candles of Hanukkah such an important Jewish
\nritual
\nWomen in Religion: Choose an important female religious. You could choose an example from
\nhistory (not from a sacred text or holy book) or you could choose a contemporary example of a
\nwoman who is having an important impact on the world. Write about their work and how
\ntheir beliefs have influenced the work that they do. How did their religious beliefs motivate
\nthem to change their part of the world Here is a list of women to consider for your essay:
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Shirin Ebadi \u2013 Islam \u2013 She is the first Muslim woman to win the Nobel Peace prize. She is
\na lawyer, and works to improve the rights of women and children.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Sharon Saltzberg \u2013 Buddhist teacher
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Rev. Sally G. Bingham \u2013 Episcopalian church \u2013 Environmental issues
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsu Khandro Rinpoche \u2013 Tibetan Buddhist teacher – She is
\none of the very few fully trained rinpoches (\u201cprecious masters\u201d) in the Tibetan Buddhist
\ntradition.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Anurdha Koirali \u2013 Hinduism \u2013 She works to end human trafficking in Napal, and to help
\nits survivors. She was \u201cCNN\u2019s 2010 Hero of the Year.\u201d
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Bishop Vashti McKenzuie \u2013 African Methodist Episcopal Church \u2013 She is the first woman
\nbishop in that church.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Malala Yousafi \u2013 Islam \u2013 She works for the rights of girls to get an education in
\nAfghanistan.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Bishop Minerva Carcano \u2013 United Methodist Church \u2013 She is the first Hispanic woman
\nbishop in that church. She works on immigration issues.
\n4
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Dr. Sakena Yacoobi \u2013 Islam \u2013 She works for women\u2019s right to an education in
\nAfghanistan.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Anat Hoffman \u2013 Judaism \u2013 \u201cWomen of the Wall\u201d – She works for the equal right of
\nJewish women to read the Torah at the Western Wall of the second Temple in
\nJerusalem. The women also want the right to practice certain Jewish rituals there.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Margot Adler \u2013 Wiccan priestess \u2013 (neo-paganism) \u2013 Paganism is one of the earliest
\nreligions, and shares many similarities with indigenous religions. But the pagan religions
\ndied out or were persecuted out of existence. Today some people are trying to revive
\nthem. One type of the new form of paganism (neo-paganism) is Wicca. \u201cPagan\u201d means
\n\u201ccountry dweller.\u201d Pagans worshipped nature and nature gods. There were thousands
\nof pagan groups in many countries (especially Britain and Europe) and there was a great
\ndiversity of pagan beliefs.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum \u2013 Judaism \u2013 She works for LGBT rights.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers \u2013 They pray, educate,
\nand heal. Page 68 of your textbook describes some of the work that the indigenous
\ngrandmothers do. You can also go to their website to learn about each one of the
\ngrandmothers. They are from Nepal, Mexico, the U.S.A., South America, and Africa. You
\ncould research an individual grandmother, or you could write about the thirteen and the
\nwork that they do together for healing and education around the world. Grandmothers
\nCouncil
\nThe Crusades \u2013 Examine all the causes. There were many reasons for the Crusades. People who
\nembraced the Crusades had different motivations. Include all the motivations, religious and
\nnon-religious. Why do some Jewish historians refer to the Crusades as the \u201cfirst holocaust\u201d
\nWhat are the lasting effects of the Crusades on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
\nThe Ethical Perspective of Confucius
\nThe Five Pillars of Islam
\nThe Importance of the Rise and Spread of Western Monasticism
\nAtheism: Atheism is not a religion, but it is the worldview of many. (You can go online to see
\nthe percentages of atheists in each country. Australia has about 20%. Japan has about 31%.
\n\u8bba\u6587\u5e2e\u52a9\/\u8bba\u6587\u5199\u4f5c\u670d\u52a1\/\u8d1f\u62c5\u5f97\u8d77\u6211\u53ca\u65f6\u63d0\u4ea4\u6211\u6700\u597d\u7684\u8d28\u91cf – China has 49%. Many European countries have a large percentage of atheists. Atheism in the
\nU.S. is growing rapidly. Show that you understand the reasons why people become atheists.
\nSometimes an atheist can be your best friend if you believe in God, because an atheist will
\nchallenge you to examine your beliefs more carefully, instead of just accepting (without really
\nthinking about) what you have been taught by your religious tradition\/family\/culture.
\nThe Jewish View of the Messiah – How is it different from the Christian concept of the
\nMessiah Note: If you are a Christian, you need to be able to present the Jewish view with
\nobjectivity and fairness. A Jewish person must be able to read your essay and think: \u201cYes, she
\nrepresented what I believe accurately.\u201d You do not have to agree with the Jewish view, but you
\n5
\nmust present it with accuracy and fairness. If you cannot do that because of your own strong
\nbeliefs about the subject, it would be better to choose another topic.
\nThe Psychology of Religion: You could use the examples of Sigmund Freud, or Carl Jung, or
\nWilliam James.
\nThe Religious Wars of the 16th and 17th Century in Europe
\nThe Role of State Shinto prior to WWII in Japan and its Influence on WWII
\nThe Spanish Inquisition
\nThe Stolen Generations – This refers to the Indigenous children in Australia and other countries
\nwho were stolen from their parents by government agents, and then placed in boarding
\nschools. (See Chapter Two.) If you would like to research this topic, there is a film called the
\nRabbit-Proof Fence. This 2002 Australian film was based on the book Follow the Rabbit-Proof
\nFence by Doris Pilkington Garimara. It is a true story about three young Aboriginal girls who try
\nto run away from a boarding school by following a fence. One of the girls was taken at the age
\nof three or four in 1931. She did not see her mother again until she was 25. Officials had told
\nher that her mother had given her away, and that indigenous culture was evil. When she finally
\nsaw her mother again, the girl could not speak her native language. You may use the film or the
\nbook as one of your sources. Note: Native American children also were stolen in this country
\nand sometimes the parents who protested were imprisoned. For example, thirty Hopi fathers
\nwere imprisoned in the notorious island prison of Alcatraz for hiding their children and refusing
\nto give them over to the government agents. Since this is a Religious Studies paper, please
\ninclude the effects of the stolen generations on their indigenous religion.
\nTheodor Herzl and the Zionist Movement
\nMartin Luther and the Protestant Reformation – Note: Martin Luther is usually treated as a
\nhero among Protestants because he drew attention to the corruption in the Western Church
\n(led by the Pope), which eventually led to the Protestant Reformation and the Western Church
\nsplitting into two. He is known as the courageous Father of the Protestant Reformation, but he
\nwas also a very flawed human being. An \u201cA\u201d paper will include not only his important
\ntheological insights, but also some aspects of his flawed character and his flawed teachings. For
\nexample, he recommended that rabbis who taught should be executed, that all Jewish
\nsynagogues should be burned to the ground, and that the Jewish people should become slave
\nlabor. Read his booklet: On the Jews and their Lies. (It is available online.) Hitler sold this book
\nat his rallies to convince the Germans that the founder of the Lutheran Church (the largest
\nChurch in Germany) was anti-Semitic and would have approved of Hitler\u2019s policies toward the
\nJews. The Lutheran church in Germany issued an official apology to the Jews after the
\nHolocaust. Overall, what is Luther\u2019s lasting legacy for Christianity
\nZen Buddhism
\n6
\nZen Buddhism and the Arts in Japan \u2013 How has Zen Buddhism influenced art, architecture, and
\neven Japanese cuisine in Japan
\nReligion and Ethics: Ethics are called \u201csocial justice\u201d issues in the Abrahamic religions of
\nJudaism, Christianity, and Islam. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. often quoted the Biblical prophets
\nduring the Civil Rights marches and rallies. If you are not clear about what social justice means,
\nread the Study Guides for Judaism and Christianity. The chapters\/Power Points on Buddhism,
\nDaoism, and Confucianism discuss the religious\/philosophical basis for their activism\/ethics.
\nNote: You must tie these issues to a religious perspective. For example, do not write about
\nanimal rights and PETA. Tell me what religions have to say about animal rights or the treatment
\nof animals.
\nMake sure that you present both points of view. Why do some religions\/churches support
\nequal rights and gay marriage, and why do some religions\/churches reject them After you
\nhave carefully written about both sides of the social justice issue, evaluate the information and
\ngive your perspective in your conclusion.
\nHere is a list of topics that you could write about if you choose the topic of ethics\/social justice.
\nChoose only one of the following:
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Capital Punishment: Present both sides of the issue. What do religions teach about
\ncapital punishment Use one religion or several.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Medical\/Hospital ethics – end of life issues, hospice care, euthanasia, new medical
\ndiscoveries, use of medical marijuana for prevention of pain, etc. These raise ethical
\nissues for nurses, doctors, families, hospitals, and religions. What do religions teach
\nabout medical ethics
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Religion and Environmental Issues
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Religion and Equal Rights\/Gay Marriage for homosexuals, lesbians, bisexual, transgender
\n(LGBT)
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc The Dalai Lama and the Movement to Gain Freedom of Religion for Tibetan Buddhists in
\n\u8bba\u6587\u5e2e\u52a9\/\u8bba\u6587\u5199\u4f5c\u670d\u52a1\/\u8d1f\u62c5\u5f97\u8d77\u6211\u53ca\u65f6\u63d0\u4ea4\u6211\u6700\u597d\u7684\u8d28\u91cf – China
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc The Role of the Hebrew Prophets and Social Justice (See the Study Guides on Judaism
\nand Christianity in order to understand what social justice means.)
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Hindu Ethics Regarding Non-violence (ahimsa)
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc The Growth of Buddhist Activism or \u201cengaged Buddhism\u201d
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc How the Hebrew Prophets influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (and other Christians)
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Religion and Human Rights: What does religion say about human rights
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Separation of Church and State: Make sure that you understand fully what President
\nJefferson and President Madison said about this topic. The PowerPoint on Shinto helps
\nto explain the meaning and purpose of Separation of Church and State.
\nIf you do not see a topic that interests you, please email me to have your topic approved.
\n7
\nGuidelines for the Essay:
\nThe top of the first page should have the following information:
\nYour name:
\nInstructor: Ms. Carol Lawson
\nDate:
\nName of Course: REL 101 \u2013 W0
\nTitle of Your Essay: State Shinto (or whatever topic you have chosen)
\nResearch essay writing service – MLA format (typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, one inch margins)
\nTo Find Instructions for the Research essay writing service – MLA Format: Google Purdue OWL Research essay writing service – MLA Formatting and
\nStyle Guide.
\nMarks will be deducted for not following the Research essay writing service – MLA format for Works Cited and for
\nCitations.
\nLength: 1,300 words – Note: Any essay that is less than 1,300 words will be an automatic
\nfailure (no more than 64%). You may write more than 1,300 words, but please do not write a
\nbook. \u00ef\u0081\u0160
\nEighty percent of the essay must be written in your own words. (Do not use very long
\nquotations.) Check your percentage on \u201cHow to Check for Plagiarism.\u201d If the result says more
\nthan 20%, you need to reduce it to 20% or less.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc NOTE: Please be careful not to preach a sermon. A sermon is not a research essay.
\nSermons will be graded as zero for not following the instructions.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Objectivity: When you write your essay, please pay particular attention to point three of
\nthe objectives for the course in the syllabus. Point three says that you must demonstrate
\nthat you can study religion in an objective manner. That means that you do not start your
\nessay with an agenda to prove that your religion is better than another religion.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Do not use personal anecdotes (information that you have heard of someone\u2019s
\npersonal experience with Buddhist activism or whatever your topic is.) This is a
\nresearch paper. At least ten percent will be deducted.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Quotations: Use no more than two quotations. Five percent will be deducted for more
\nthan two. Ten to forty percent will be deducted, if your quotations are very long.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Plagiarism: Check your essay for plagiarism after you upload it. Read the How to Check
\nfor Plagiarism document that is found under Essays. If you plagiarize your essay, you
\nwill be given a zero and an academic misconduct. If you are not sure what plagiarism is,
\nplease read p. 2 of the syllabus. It is the responsibility of the student to understand
\n8
\nwhat constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarized essays will receive a zero and an Academic
\nMisconduct
\n1. Opening paragraph – 10 %
\n2. Content – 50 %
\n3. Citations – 5% – Citations differ from the Works Cited list. You must have citations at the end
\nof sentences or paragraphs to show where you found the information. If the citations are
\nmissing, that is plagiarism, even if you have put the information into your own words.
\n4. Works Cited \u2013 5% -at least two academic sources – At the end of your essay, there must be a
\nWorks Cited list with a minimum of two solid sources. You may use books, websites, film, and
\nyour textbook. Do not use a general encyclopedia or an on-line CD encyclopedia such as
\nGrolier, Wikipedia, or Encarta. Wikipedia sometimes may lead you to better resources. Do not
\nuse general interest magazines, such as National Geographic. If you need help finding
\nappropriate sources, ask a reference librarian. Google Scholar is also a good resource. There
\nare also many good films in the Trident library. You may use one film in the Trident library as
\none of your two minimum sources. If you want to use a film that is not in the Trident library,
\nyou must get it approved by sending me a D2L email.
\n\u00ef\u0192\u00bc Please note that the Bible, the Koran, the Buddhist scriptures, or any other sacred text
\nis not considered to be a source for academic research. You may quote the Bible or the
\nBuddhist sutras or the Bhagavad Gita of Hinduism or any other sacred texts for up to 10%
\nof your essay; however, holy books\/sacred texts will not count as one of your two
\nacademic sources.
\n5. Closing paragraph \u2013 30 % – your conclusion\/critical thinking
\nHave fun! \u00ef\u0081\u0160<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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