Living Life While Facing Death: Comparing the World Religions
Fall (14 hours or more) | This course is completed
No Class: October 10
There are more than forty identifiable religions in the world today. Some have thousands of adherents and others more than a billion. They share some elements in common and are quite different in other ways. They share the goal of providing ways to make sense of human existence, of providing ways to live life while facing death. This course will examine seven of the most influential world religions, including: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism. We will examine the essentials of each and will compare and contrast them with one another. There will be readings and each class will about 2/3 lecture and 1/3 discussion. Our goal will be to understand each religion and to learn what it has to offer in approaching life and facing death.
- Optional Text: The World’s Religions- Huston Smith (ISBN-13: 978-0061660184)
Philip Tierney
Phil Tierney has been an Episcopal priest for nearly 50 years. He has earned degrees in Philosophy, Biblical Studies, and Theology, Divinity, and Pastoral Psychotherapy. He served eight churches in six states and two other countries. He has served chaplaincies at the Foxcroft and Madeira Schools, Georgetown University, and Virginia Tech. He has written two books and volunteers with churches and non-profit organizations, including management consulting for nonprofits, pro bono, with SOAR in Boston.