User:32504Group-5/sandbox

What does the word religion mean to you? "Religion is the belief and worship in a higher or supreme being" - Dana Busby "Religion is a methodical approach to spirituality." - Vincent Aguilar "I look at religion as a set of guidelines, or rules, someone 'should' live by. I also see religion as offering certain beliefs and values" - Tiffany Emard "One could easily Google the word ,'religion' and find a straight forward definition about its meaning. In simple words, religion is the belief in a higher supreme power. I personally believe religion is deeper than those words." - Katrina Caberte "A belief system, passed through generations." - Mariah Parvizi "Religion means more than an excuse not to do something. Religion is structure and foundation for housing my belief system." - Luwana Alvarez "Religion means ones beliefs from a known source about the proper ways to live.... To take on the beliefs on a religions means the person who believes and follows the rules of their scriptures is doing so because they are convinced that it is the right way and in some cases the only way." - Tatiana Steverson

How does your definition of religion compare to the definition of your peer? "My definition is a reflection of most of my peers, and is a general synopsis of what many believe religions means. Although some differ, as religions can mean different to each person." - Tatiana Steverson "I suspect many of my peers today would say they are religious because they believe in God and live by a set of beliefs." - Luwana Alvarez "My definition of religion is not to convey or persuade whoever is reading this that my belief sysem or Christ is the way because each of us have our own beliefs and believe in our own gods - some alike and some complete opposites - and we are each in our own right of way." - Katrina Caberte "I think everything has their own definition." - Mariah Parvizi "Now, my definition may be similar to that of my peers. However, what may differ is my some of my peers may follow a certain religion, with specific beliefs, and there fore, their definition could be less generalized than mine." - Tiffany Emard "My definition is different from some of my peers in that I see religion as being more of a method or set of behaviors, rather than a set of beliefs." - Vincent Aguilar

What are your particular questions about religion? "How are cults formed and how do new types of religion come into popularity?" - Dana Busby "Where did it come from?" - Mariah Parvizi "My questions or curiosity about religion is wanting to know more about other religious groups around the world." - Katrina Caberte "My first question is: what part of religion creates extreme groups in which they impose their views on others in harsh and sometimes unbearable ways? Are some religions naturally created to clash with the views of others or do they all imply the members should be considerate of to others?" - Tatiana Steverson "Why are there so many different religions?" - Luwana Alvarez "Why do humans feel the need to follow ideals or perform certain behaviors in order to achieve spiritual fulfillment? Why can't people accept things at face value instead of having a way to make it right or wrong? Is it a factor of control or fear of the unknown?" - Vincent Aguilar

If you have been raised without any religious belief or practice, do you think you begin to practice some form of religion? Why or Why not? "I might begin to practice some form of religion depending on how strictly I was brought up to not believe in a religion." - Dana Busby "If I had been raised in a family without religion, I think that I may have a stronger desire to find and practice the right religion." - Vincent Aguilar "no probably not, it is a lot harder to sway from how you were raised" - Mariah Parvizi "I was hardly taken to church or taught about religions,.... However I believe I mainly adapted Christianity despite not being raised directly with any religious beliefs or practice." - Tatiana Steverson "At this time in my life, I do not think I will pick up a religious practice. Partly because I feel there obligatory actions, such as going to church, that come with practicing and I don’t see myself making that a habit. Although, I will never say never. With that said, I am open to the possibility of following a religion but am not actively searching for that at this moment." - Tiffany Emard

Would you ever consider changing your religion? Why or Why Not? " I would not consider changing my religion because I was mostly around Christian and Seven Day Adventist views. I have gotten used to the beliefs and practices of people in these groups and would only consider adapting some views of other religions, but not completely changing my religion." Tatiana Steverson "The foundation of my beliefs are what ground me when life goes wrong. It gives me hope when life seems hopeless." - Luwana Alvarez "absolutely! I think it’s important to question your beliefs so they can change and grow." - Mariah Parvisi "There were a few religions that I agreed on their beliefs and ways of life but not enough for me to want to convert. I personally would not convert because of who I believe my god to be and because I have been blessed and continue to be blessed living my life based on my faith system." - Katrina Caberte "I might consider changing my religion if I find one that makes more sense that the one that I previously would practice." - Dana Busby

How do you define spirituality? "Spirituality is the general sense of connection to a higher power or being. My definition of spirituality differs from my definition of spirituality because religion is the belief in a higher being and spirituality is a sense of connection with that higher power." - Dana Busby "I see spirituality as a state of existence that unites the mind, body, and soul, and their direction. It’s the sense that your body and mind are connected to your soul and that they all share a state of completeness, wholeness, meaning, and direction." - Vincent Aguilar "When I think of spirituality, I think of many “Gods” (if you will) I think spirituality offers a more vast explanation for why things happen, and a more, cause and effect, type outlook on our purpose in life." - Tiffany Emard "Defining spirituality is being connected with one's god or higher power. It is more than the connection but it is also the relationship that one maintains with their god or higher power. It is what keeps that person balanced and giving them that faith or push to know that there is better to come." - Katrina Caberte "Right now I think that one can be spiritual or actually that everyone is spiritual, but not necessarily following a set of religious rules. Spirituality is different for everyone alike religion." - Mariah Parvizi "My spirituality can be defined as my relationship with God." - Luwana Alvarez "My definition of spirituality is, as an individuals perceived connectedness to god, angels, and spirits. In other words forces that cannot be seen have a role in one’s life, some believe their spirituality to be stronger than others based on events or strong will. My definition differs greatly from the various definitions of religion" - Tatiana Steverson

What might be encouraging or rewarding about the practice or study of religion? How would you design an introductory course on the study of religion? "The thought that one might be able to go and have a rewarding life after death, or the better understanding of a religion. I would probably have students show the religion they belief in and then choose a different religion and study that and then compare and contrast the two." - Dana Busby "Religion can offer just that, a purpose to life, for people. I believe those who practice a religion receive comfort in what they believe in. I would have more insight on this if I had more experiencing in practicing, or even studying, religions. Because I am a complete novice, I wouldn’t know where to begin in regards to designing an introductory course of the study of religion." - Tiffany Emard "The rewarding part about studying religion is being able to learn and gain an open mind and view. ...Another rewarding aspect of learning about religion is being able to see how different religions influence things we come across in our daily lives - food, architecture, movies, stories, etc. If I were able to design an introductory course on the study of religion, my course would include learning about the different religions around the world and what is their purpose and faith. Next I would take what I learned about each religion and not focus on the differences but focus more on what the similarities are. My whole course would be to see how we relate to each other and are able to agree upon many facets of life's situations with varying views." - Katrina Caberte "The similarities in beliefs and rituals from different religions is inspiring in itself. The history of mankind has followed many paths and led to the development of numerous religions. The fact that these religions share some broad ideas, despite backgrounds that span the globe, is remarkable and thought provoking. If I had to teach an intro to religion class, I would design it around the discovery of these similarities. I would hope to challenge students to develop an understanding for the ways different religions point out common elements of the human experience." - Vincent Aguilar "If I knew how to design an introduction course on the study of religion I probably wouldn’t be taking this class. Exploring the unknown is never a waste of time, that's how I feel about the study of religion." - Mariah Parvizi "What is encouraging about studying or practicing religion is that reading and learning new systems may serve as inspiration to better oneself in their daily life. Implementing some of the practices may even improve happiness and relationships with others in a positive manner. I would design and introductory course by starting with the basics of religion, like the definition, like this course than move on to broader ideas and practices of most known religions." - Tatiana Steverson "When studying religion, the end goal of “why” should be considered. Many have found truth, peace and salvation. Others have found turmoil, death and destruction in the guise of false promises. Studying religion as mentioned in the text is dangerous. An introductory course, as this one, should be given full disclosure of possible outcomes. Also, ask those who are willing to participate to consider the information for the purpose of understanding and knowledge, not to convert or disprove any one religion." - Luwana Alvarez