The idea of a ‘Blog’ in this class is to make a striking claim to challenge common assumptions about religion. Think creatively along these lines: 1) What is a common assumption your friends have of religion based on the topic; and 2) respond to that common assumption with what you have learned in the course by ‘Bushwhacking’ or clearing the misconceptions about the topic.

There are three blogs required for this course. There are three groups: the first Blog is on Origins of Religion or The Buddha; the second Blog is on Christianity; and the third Blog is on Islam. Blogs must be between 600-1200 words. Each Blog is worth 100 points. All blogs must cite at least one source and offer a works cited for full credit. Blogs should be written in Times New Romans, 12 point font, have justified margins, and be double spaced.

Please upload a pdf, doc, or docx file. Please note that I cannot accept google.docs or .pages.

Group A: Choose 1

1. Based on what you have learned, how did ‘religion’ develop throughout human history? Make sure to navigate through premodern and modern developments of human religiosity and/or theisms. (Common assumption to critique: Religion is originally monotheistic. Basic ideas to inform your response: Primal religions and animism and the development of religion that ends in premodernity with monotheism and culminates in modernity with atheism)
2. We often think of Buddhism as a way of life and of the Buddha as a jolly fat fellow. But in reality, who was Siddhartha Gautama and what are his central teachings? Students should address key aspects of Siddhartha’s life and his teachings of the four noble truths (or his ideas of anicca, anatta, or pratityatsamudpada if you have the interest!).