Reflection Paper Questions

Directions: Each question can easily be answered academically after reading the text. However, I want you to go beyond the textbook answer and reflect upon your own life and how the question may relate to your own religious journey.

1. What effects do indigenous sacred ways' rituals seem to have, such as storytelling, drumming, initiations, healing, self-sacrifice, and vision quests?

2. How can Hinduism embrace such a wide continuum of contradictory views of the relation of spirit and body-severe sadhu asceticism and elaborate sensuous images of gods and goddesses?

3. What reality do Buddhists refer to as most important? What is it named? How is it different from theism? Is this difference important?

4. What are the reasons for and against Daoism's reluctance to portray gods, exemplified by the saying "The Dao that can be told of is not the Absolute Dao"?

5. In what ways is Confucianism "religious" and in what ways not "religious"?

6. Explain the purpose of purification in Shinto, both personal and collective. Take into account misogi, tsumi, and Mt. Fuji.

7. What is a Jewish covenant? Describe three major covenants.

8. Why were Jesus teachings radical?

9. Why do you think, of all possibilities, "submission" (as distinct from "enlightenment" or "salvation," for example) is the major theme of Islam?

10. What are the most important religious themes and people that are common to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity?

11. Describe the central beliefs of the Sikhs. Discuss God, karma, reincarnation, monotheism, freedom of religions, ritualism, sincerity, purpose of life, infanticide, five conditions for righteous war, various names of God, self-discipline, langar, gurdwara, sangat, baptism, and labor.

12. Can you envision qualities and beliefs that would constitute a positive new religion?