February 02, 2016
Would you call yourself a religious person, a person of faith? Do you believe in God? Are you an atheist or an agnostic—and what’s the difference anyway? Were you raised in a religious tradition but have doubts about its significance for you now? Is the whole “religion thing” mystifying to you? Have you ever wondered why and how religions began, and why religious belief continues to exist and play such a dominant role in the lives of so many people around the globe? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or if you are simply interested in exploring the history and power of the world’s great religions—for both good and bad—this ECS is for you. Through readings, guest lectures, and field trips, we investigate the fundamental tenets of some of the world’s most influential religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Above all, we explore the religious impulse itself and its enduring power over the human heart and soul.
