Observations About the Instructor Learning Goals and Objectives Religion is important because it contributes significantly to shaping social institutions and our ideas about the world. At the macro level, studying religion is a pathway to understanding the foundations of culture. At the individual level, studying religion can help us gain insights about how religion subtly influences our consciousness and shapes the beliefs and values we substantially take for granted.
Most people know little about religious groups outside their own faith heritage.
One result of this limited knowledge of other faith traditions is a tendency to view the beliefs of other groups as strange and their behavior as curious, even bizarre. One result of this narrow scope is a proclivity to assess any comparative knowledge about religion through the lens of our own experience. Another result is a tendency toward intolerance. Also, hopefully, exposure to other religious traditions will enhance understanding and appreciation of the pluralistic character of our culture, and thereby strengthen tolerance and respect for the faith traditions of others. Balmer, Randall, 1993.