As human beings, each of us has distinct needs, yet one of the needs we share with each other is the need for meaning in life. As humans we also share with one another the common quest for answers to questions and problems which we face each day. The answers for and sources of those questions are many and varied. But, among all human cultures there is one unique means of dealing with those features in life which we do not understand and which we cannot control. In the practice of religion people seek to relate to a world of mystery, to a reality which may be part of our experi ence or which may extend beyond it.
Religion involves a search for hope, for belonging, for security, for a better way of life.
The varieties of religious belief are a fascinating testimony to the differences of world view which individu als and cultures alike embrace. RELP 1030 will introduce you to religion as a dynamic element of the human experi ence. You will be led to an examination of your own views on human life issues and to compare and contrast these to beliefs and views that might be quite opposite from your own perspective. This is not a course in comparative religions, although we will consider examples from a variety of religions to illustrate many of the concepts and issues we will study. Demonstrate an appreciation for the role of reli gion in human life.