MOD 1 DISCUSSIONS-ESSAY #1 ASSIGNMENT

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Dec 6, 2023

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REL 223 MOD 1 DISCUSSION #1 Explore the Pew Forum Global Religious Landscape report at http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/ What are the largest religious groups in the world? What percentage of the population of the world is religious? Even though the U.S. is mostly Christian, it is also home to a diverse array of religious minorities. Locate religious demographics for your home state or country. What is the largest minority religion in your home state or country? Do you happen to know any members of the minority group? Share your answers with peers via discussion. The largest religious groups in the world are Christians at 31.5%, Muslims at 23.2%, Unaffiliated religious groups at 16.3%, and Hindus at 15%. Overall, 83.7% of the world is religious. According to the Pew Research Center, the largest minority Christian religion in the state of Virginia is the Mormon religion. Non-Christian religions account for 6 percent of all religious adults in Virginia collectively, but that percentage is comprised of four of the following religions: Jewish-1% Muslim- 1% Buddhist- 1% Hindu and other religions comprise less than 1% Unfortunately, I do not know anyone who is a member of the minority group. References Religious Landscape Study. Adults in Virginia. Pew Research Center. (2021). https://www.pewforum.org What percentage of adults in the United States are Christian? 70.6% What percentage of adults in the U.S. are members of non-Christian faiths? 5.9% What are the largest religious groups in the world? Christians- 31.5% Muslims- 23.2% Unaffiliated-16.3% Hindus-15.0% What percentage of the population of the world is religious? 83.7% What is the largest minority religion in your home state or country? According to the Pew Research Center, the largest minority Christian religion in the state of Virginia is the Mormon religion. Non-Christian religions account for 6 percent of all

religious adults in Virginia collectively, but that percentage is comprised of four of the following religions: Jewish-1% Muslim- 1% Buddhist- 1% Hindu and other religions comprise less than 1% Do you happen to know any members of the minority group? Unfortunately, I do not know anyone who is a member of the minority group. DISCUSSION #2 Evaluate your own religious knowledge by answering the following questions: 1. Do you think religious illiteracy is a problem for you? 2. If you find that your religious knowledge is lacking, why do you think that is? 3. If you find that it is strong, would you say that your knowledge is strong with regard to any one particular tradition? I do not think that religious illiteracy is a problem for me because I do not think that it is necessary for me to have in depth religious literacy in order for me to be respectful of people’s differences. My experiences as a member of the U.S. Navy have afforded me the opportunity to be exposed to diverse people who practice a variety of different religions. As a leader, it was my responsibility to create a cohesive team that could execute the mission. In order to accomplish that task, it was important to ensure all personnel under my charge felt included which encompassed being tolerable of their religious beliefs and customs within the confines of Navy rules and regulations. To that end, I recall a specific situation where I was the supervisor for a Sailor who practiced the Islamic faith. He was required to pray 5 times per day facing Mecca and to wash his feet as part of a purification ritual prior to each prayer. Even though I was illiterate about his faith and its requirements, I was proud to have had the opportunity to work with him to identify a time and a place for him to pray. He appreciated my efforts, and I think he was a more productive member of the team because of it. I think my religious knowledge is a little less than moderate due to a lack of exposure to other religions and cultures. I was raised as a Baptist, but I have not practiced the religion since I left home over 30 years ago. I have a strong understanding of the customs and traditions associated with that religion, but not to any other. In the military, we were taught to practice inclusivity and equal opportunity for all race, creeds, and religions, but we were never taught specific traditions and customs of any specific religion which is unfortunate because I think it would have been beneficial in alleviating some of the religious biases I witnessed while serving in the military. DISCUSSION #3 According to Prothero’s article, is there any value to religious literacy? Why? In your view, how might religious literacy be helpful? In order to reduce hate crimes and to give the average American the knowledge to formulate their own opinions about religious groups, Prothero states that secular and religious Americans need to understand religion. Therefore, I conclude that Prothero believes there is value in religious literacy.

The article references a story about Balbir Singh Sodhi who was killed a few days after 9/11 because a bigot in Arizona thought he was a Muslim instead of a Sikh. Sikh’s wear head dresses and have other customs that are distinctively different from those of Muslims. If his murderer was religiously literate, maybe Mr. Sodhi would be alive today. Additionally, if you have political and religious public figures who stand on opposite ends of the spectrum in reference to religion, it is difficult for the average American to make a decision about who or what is right or wrong if they do not have the basis of religious literacy to form their own opinions. Prothero uses the opinions of President George Bush and evangelist, Franklin Graham as an example. After the 9/11 attacks, President Bush endorsed Islam as a peaceful religion, but Franklin Graham was and still is a sharp critic who touts that people of the Islamic faith are dangerous extremists. In general terms, an American who is an evangelical may be more inclined to believe the opinion of Franklin Graham, and a republican, for instance, may follow the opinion of President George Bush. However, if they are religiously literate and had a basic understanding of the Islamic faith, they could more easily conclude that most religions are peaceful and that there are extremist factions on both ends of the spectrum. In conclusion, religious literacy is helpful because it gives people the knowledge to formulate their own opinions about religion which will promote religious tolerance and reduce fanaticism and hate crimes. References: Prothero, Stephen. “A Nation of Faith and Religious Illiterates.” Los Angeles Times , Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2005, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jan-12-oe- prothero12-story.html. RELIGIOUS MATTERS ESSAY Now that you have reflected on the value of religious literacy, share why the study of the world religions might be beneficial or helpful to you personally and to society. Is there value to religious literacy on the personal and/or political level? For example, how might enhancing Americans' knowledge of the Sikh people impact the lives of Sikh people in the U.S.? What is at stake in our society if citizens are illiterate when it comes to world religions? There is a rubric for this assignment under the Progress drop-down menu under Rubrics . This assignment is due no later than Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT. MOD 2 DISCUSSION #1 After reading the Second Vatican Council's declaration on the Church's relationship with non-Christian religions, entitled Nostra Aetate, please share something that you find insightful, helpful, problematic or puzzling. MY BACKGROUND PAPER This assignment is designed to help you recognize whether you are an insider to a particular tradition or not. For some,

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