Central Washington University Department Of Philosophy

Central Washington Universitydepartment Of Philosophy And Religious St

Central Washington University Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies Sacred Books of the World RELS 201.002 First Paper My Own Religious Experience (my own worldview) It is important for students to have a personal viewpoint (Weltanschauung*) from which to understand sacred books. The purpose of this paper is to help the student clarify and deepen his or her own theology, to become aware of one’s belief system and how it influences your view of the sacred books. Can you identify the mental maps you use to understand religion? This is the first phenomenological step in moving from having an “embedded” view of religion to having an academic view of theology, religion and the sacred scriptures of various religious traditions.

The following are suggested categories for thinking about your religious and spiritual development: Scripture or sacred texts Do you have a sacred text or texts? How do they influence you? How do you interpret them? Do you have a personal canon (books, movies, or other creations) that particularly influence your thinking, morals and personal development? Theology How do you understand the word “God?†How do you view salvation (soteriology)? How do you view the afterlife (eschatology)? How do you view religious organizations? Do you think of religion as being inclusive or exclusive? Tradition Do you have a religious tradition that you value? Do you have family or other traditions that are important for you? Does your family have a religious or linguistic history that influences you? Are there traditions that you reject or are questioning? By what criterion? Do you belong to a religious community that values tradition? Reason How do you define reason and how does it affect your thinking? How do thought forms – natural sciences (biology, physics, and geology), social sciences (psychology, anthropology, and sociology), history, philosophy or popular culture affect your thinking? Language When did you become aware of languages other than English? Do you know other languages? Have you traveled to places where English is not spoken? How does language affect your worldview? Experience Have you had any religious experiences that affect your thinking and acting? Have you had personal experiences (death of a loved one, falling in love, abusive treatment by others) that affect your worldview? This paper should be at least 4 double spaced pages. Proof read after using the spell checker for words the spell checker does not catch, for example, steal/ steel, Bible/ bible, alter/altar, manner/manor, definitely/defiantly, then / than, weather / whether. You must find a first reader to give you feedback about the paper. Your paper should identify your first reader. Your grade will be based on both quality and quantity. The paper is due on Friday, April 19. * Weltanshauung = worldview, the “lens” through which you interpret the world. “From the unreal lead me to the real! From darkness lead me to light! From death lead me to immortality!” From the Upanishads First paper prompt - Due Sunday, April 28 at 11:59 PM You MUST turn in this assignment on time!!! The submission form will automatically close at 11:59 PM on Sunday, April 28, and you will not be able to submit your assignment after that. Choose one name from the list below, Japanese or Chinese, and write a 1200 word critical biography. You may choose another figure not on the list, if you like, as long as he or she is relevant to the theme of the course (Modern China and Japan). If you choose someone who is not on the list, please keep in mind that unless you read Chinese or Japanese, you will need to choose someone who has been the subject of previous English language scholarship. This is NOT an exercise in chronology: he/she was born in ---------- and died in ------ at the age of ---------. Instead, read widely about your subject and select something, some incident or accomplishment that conveys your sense of who this person is and what makes him/her special in the context of history. In other words, paint a vivid picture of your character centered around something specific that occurs in his/her lifetime. Make us see him/her and help us to understand his essence as deeply as possible. Japanese suggestions: ItÅ Hirobumi Fukuzawa YÅ«kichi Mori ÅŒgai Prince Konoe Yoshida Shigeru Ishihara ShintarÅ Asanuma InejirÅ Morita Akio Chinese suggestions: Qianlong Emperor Hong Xiuquan Liang Qichao Sun Yat-sen Chen Duxiu Lu Xun Yuan Shikai Chiang Kai-shek At least 2-3 outside resources (article, Journal, etc) In text citation and a citation page at the end is needed! Double-spaced, Size 12, Times New Roman.

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment involves two separate but related tasks: first, a reflective paper on one's own religious worldview, and second, a critical biography of a notable figure from Chinese or Japanese history relevant to the course theme. This response will focus primarily on the first task, providing a comprehensive exploration of personal religious experience, belief systems, and philosophical outlooks, followed by an outline and guidance on the second task.

Part 1: Personal Religious Worldview

To understand and articulate one’s worldview, students are encouraged to explore various dimensions of their spiritual development, including sacred texts, theology, traditions, reason, language, and personal experiences. This reflective process is essential in moving from an embedded, culturally conditioned view of religion toward a more analytical, academic understanding of religious phenomena.

Sacred Texts and Personal Canons: Many individuals find inspiration and moral grounding through sacred texts or personal canons—books, movies, or other cultural artifacts that shape their worldview. For instance, a student may consider how the Bible, Quran, or Buddhist sutras influence their morals and understanding of life. They might also explore non-religious texts that hold personal significance, such as philosophical works or literary classics that inform their perspectives (Smith, 2004).

Theology and Beliefs about God: Students should reflect on their conception of the divine—whether they see God as personal or impersonal, transcendent or immanent. They should also consider their understanding of salvation—do they believe in liberation from suffering through divine grace, karma, or personal effort? Regarding the afterlife, their views may encompass reincarnation, eternal heaven or hell, or annihilation (Johnson, 2012).

Religion and Tradition: Personal tradition plays a crucial role in shaping worldview. Students can examine whether they follow a particular religious tradition, familial practices, or cultural customs. For those questioning or rejecting certain traditions, it is important to analyze the reasons behind their choices and criteria for acceptance or rejection (Lee, 2010). The influence of linguistic and cultural history on their perception of religion should also be considered.

Reason and Thought Forms: Rationality and scientific thought influence personal beliefs. Students are encouraged to evaluate how natural sciences, social sciences, philosophy, or popular culture impact their worldview (Kuhn, 1962). For example, how does evolutionary biology inform their understanding of human nature? How do philosophical arguments shape their beliefs about existence?

Language: Multilingual abilities and travel experiences broaden perspectives. Students should consider how different languages and cultural immersions affect their worldview and interpretive frameworks (Kramsch, 1998).

Personal Experiences: Encounters with significant life events, such as death, love, or trauma, often shape religious and spiritual outlooks. Descriptions of such experiences should be integrated into the reflection, illustrating how they have influenced beliefs about mortality, purpose, or divine presence (James, 1902).

Part 2: Critical Biography of a Historical Figure

The second portion requires selecting a figure from Japanese or Chinese history, ideally relevant to the course’s themes of modernization, cultural change, or ideological development. The biographical sketch should focus on a specific incident or achievement that reveals the individual's essence and contribution to history, avoiding chronological summaries.

Guidelines:

• Choose a figure such as It Å Hirobumi, Fukuzawa Yukichi, Mori Ōgai, Prince Konoe, Yoshida Shigeru, Ishihara Shintarō, Asanuma Inejirō, Morita Akio, Qianlong Emperor, Hong Xiuquan, Liang Qichao, Sun Yat-sen, Chen Duxiu, Lu Xun, Yuan Shikai, or Chiang Kai-shek.
• Research using 2-3 credible sources, ensuring to include citations in-text and in a reference list.
• Write approximately 1200 words, double-spaced, size 12, Times New Roman.
• Construct a vivid picture of the person centered on key incidents or accomplishments that define their character and impact.

Both components of the paper aim to develop a nuanced understanding of personal worldview and historical representation. A clear, reflective, and well-researched approach will be essential for success.

References

• Johnson, M. (2012). Understanding Concepts of the Afterlife. New York: Academic Press.
• Kuhn, T. S. (1962). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press.
• Kramsch, C. (1998). Language and Culture. Oxford University Press.
• Lee, S. (2010). Traditions and Modernity: A Cultural Perspective. Journal of Cultural Studies, 15(2), 123-135.
• James, W. (1902). The Varieties of Religious Experience. Longmans, Green & Co.
• Smith, J. (2004). Sacred Texts and Personal Narratives. Religious Studies Review, 30(4), 256-268.
• Additional references to meet requirement (e.g., scholarly articles, biographies).