Part 4

Answer three of the following questions.  Please be sure to use examples from class materials (Texts, handouts, videos) to support your position. 10 pts each

 

66. If, for the past 100 years, American society has supposedly been in the process of becoming more "secular," how would you explain the fact that there is more religious activity than ever before in the day to day activity of Americans as we approach the year 2009?

 

67.   Throughout the course you have encountered individuals in the video who claimed the title "believer." Do you think that it is right to say that one person's belief is more authentic, more genuine then that of another; or that we should rank worldviews according to some imagined hierarchy of religious superiority? In other words, "do witches count?" There is no right or wrong to this question. Simply use specifics from the videos and text in supporting your argument; please give some thought to our Beliefs + Believers = Behavior equation.

 

68. Over the past 100 years, many noted sociologists have predicted that religion would eventually   "Die out" as a viable institutional alternative in modern society. Given our study of the social dimension, do you agree with this prediction? In other words what is the future of religion in a pluralistic society such as the United States?

 

69. Imagine that you are the chairperson of the local school board. It is December, and the controversial issue of holiday celebrations has arisen. One camp claims that the United States is a Christian nation and that American citizens --- regardless of religious persuasion --- should expect to celebrate Christmas in public schools. Another camp takes the position that all religious celebrations and symbolism should be restricted and excluded from public institutions. Using your newly developed worldview skills, try to solve the " December dilemma."   Good Luck!

 

70. Do you think that it is possible to really cherish the integrity  your own religious beliefs and perspective and come to a genuine appreciation for another, perhaps very different worldview? Or are we just fabricating an idealized picture of human social relations? Please use specific examples from our semester -length exploration of worldviews.