WORLD RELIGIONS: HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, JUDAISM & ISLAM

R1100

INSTRUCTOR: 

Fr Petros Parginos MPhil (St Augustine College) / MTh (University of Balamand) / BA(Hons) (UJ) / BA (Wits)

incl. course materials and refreshments

At a time when our world is becoming increasingly polarised and our perception of our neighbour is shaped by the media and political agendas, it is becoming increasingly significant that we accept and respect the diversity within our society and world at large. This acceptance and respect is, to a large extent, based on understanding what our non-Christian neighbours believe with regard to God, the world and humankind. Acceptance and respect have much to do with knowing what the “others” are celebrating and why. This course offers a general introduction to the world religions (apart from Christianity), namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. It aims at explaining the basic tenets of each of these faiths as well as introducing their founders and the most important observances and festivals. This course is not one of comparative religion. It is an objective course, and will treat each religion on its own merit.

Components of the course will include:

Hinduism

• Hinduism as a phenomenon
• Sacred writings
• Hindu theology and practices
• Modern Hinduism and social challenges

Buddhism

• The life of the Buddha
• The teachings of Buddhism
• Various divisions of Buddhism
• The appeal of Buddhism today

Judaism

• A brief history of the people of Israel
• The Bible and other Scriptures
• Religious concepts, practices and institutions
• Groups within Judaism

Islam

• Prophet Mohammed and the Qur’an
• The teachings and practices of Islam
• Islamic expansion and divisions
• Is Western media fair on Islam?