Episodes
Welcome to the opportunity to consider the beliefs and influences of major world religions on the present and on ourselves. Through fourteen sessions, Dr. Walter Wagner invites us to meet the key beliefs and practices of most of our fellow humans plus reflections on their influences today. Geography, history and politics provide the contexts for each presentation. He decodes key symbols, tells cherished traditional stories and shares his experiences with members of the religious communities being discussed. He does not advocate for the truth or falseness of any of the religions; he invites us understand the devotion and motivations of their believers.
The Opening:
Why study world religions? sets the stage for us to realize that religion needs a careful definition that ranges from beliefs and accounts about God and gods to vital experiences and convictions around which billions of people and ourselves organize our lives and aspirations. Descriptions offered in this session will be useful through the whole course.
Beginning with general themes in several Eastern religions such as inwardness and enlightenment, the presentation moves to Hinduism. Is it a religion or several different approaches? Are there millions of gods or one or none? What does OM mean? What is “caste” and is it still important? Why is re-incarnation also re-dying? What is an avatar? Join Arjuna as he struggles with his duty as a warrior and his aversion to battle in the Song of God (Bhagavad Gita).
Episode 2 : Jainism
Jainism and Buddhism may be regarded movements to reform and reject aspects of Hinduism. The result has been the separation of both from Hinduism and the establishment of their own identities as distinct religions. Although ancient and small in numbers, Jainism is remarkably relevant to today’s environmental concern and care of living beings. Through Jainism’s example of the wisemen trying to describe an elephant, the episode’s focus on Jainism also an example for different religions and ideologies to enter dialogue and mutual understanding.
Episode 3 : Buddhism, Part A
The first of two presentations tells the basic origin story of Buddhism. The miraculous virginal conception of Siddhartha Gautama, the attempts to shield him from the sufferings of human existence, his “going forth” and enlightenment set the context of his teachings, the eight-fold path and several stories drawn from his life.
Episode 4 : Buddhism Part B
The second presentation on Buddhism centers on Buddhism’s adaptability to different cultures as well as major variations in the religion-way of life. Theravada’s adherence to the received teachings contrast with the expansive perspectives of Mahayana and Tantric Buddhisms. The Dalai Lama’s summons to get to core issues and actions to resolve suffering direct all persons to the essential efforts of individuals and their institutions.
Episode 5 : Religions And Politics
We turn Westward to the religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and their historical as well as geographical contexts. After comments on some characteristics of Western religions, the presentation moves to examine the roles and relationships between politics and the religions. What are the functions of governments and how do these intersect with the world religions and with ideologies that that function like religions such as nationalism race. What does the State expect from religions and religions from the state? Dr. Martin Luther King is cited as an example of the mutual tensions and expectations between religion and government.
Episode 6 : Judaism I
A geographical snapshot and overview of the historical background opens the first episode on Judaism. Ancient Palestine-Israel is on the crossroads of commercial highways and invasion routes between the Nile and Mesopotamian river valleys and the expansionist ambitions of Persian, Greek and Roman Empires. The traditional populations sought to maintain their own cultural integrities yet were influenced by the thoughts, faiths and values of trading partners and conquerors. The session cites crucial factors that became essential in Formative and later expressions of Judaism.
Episode 7 : Judaism II
The second session on Judaism surfaces important dimensions shared by major contemporary Jewish communities such as human nature, death, afterlife and ethics. Judaism is presented as affirming life and the healing of the world. Nineteenth century racist ideologies that led to the 20th century Shoah (Holocaust) are considered in themselves as well as contributing to present dilemmas between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. Attempts to work for reconciliation between Jews and Christians lead to Dr. Wagner’s sharing his experience with the renowned Jewish scholar, Abraham Heschel that may serve as precedent for fruitful dialogues in the Middle East
Episode 8 : Judaism III
Nineteenth century racist ideologies that led to the 20th century Shoah (Holocaust) are considered in themselves as well as contributing to present dilemmas between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. Attempts to work for reconciliation between Jews and Christians lead to Dr. Wagner’s sharing his experience with the renowned Jewish scholar, Abraham Heschel that may serve as precedent for fruitful dialogues in the Middle East
Episode 9 : Christianity I
The first episode on Christianity recognizes the widespread use Christian make of symbols such, pictorial representations of Jesus, the cross, lamb, etc. These both unite Christians and deepen their heartfelt devotion as well as divide Christians into the many forms of Christianity. Originating as a minority group in early Judaism, Christianity is seen as a response to death through Jesus’s resurrection for humanity.
Episode 10 : Christianity II
The second session on Christianity recognizes the wide theological spectrum represented in many Christian groups. Traditional positions on major positions such as free will, sin, the role of Jesus, Trinity and salvation as well as the use of the Bible and ecclesial authority are presented.
Episode 11 : Christianity III
The “Protestant Reformation” of the 16th Century resulted in the fragmentation of Western Christianity that characterizes European and American Christianity today. Dr. Wagner’s citing the lives and times of major figures such as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin and Desiderius Erasmus provides us with human dimensions of the conflicts and options still current for us. The “times” include the European contacts and conflicts with the Muslim Ottoman Empire.
Episode 12 : Islam I
The previous episode provides a bridge to our meeting with Islam. The first session on Islam introduces the statistics and ethnic-geographic diversity of Muslims in the world along with the Pillars and Teachings of the faith. These factors form the substance of the following sessions.
Episode 13 : Islam II
“There is nothing worthy of worship but God, and Muhammad is God’s Messenger” is the center and summary of Muslim faith and practice. The session seeks to spell out the key faith positions foreshadowed in the Pillars and Teachings with understanding Islam’s Holy Book, the Qur’ān, and the Traditions (Hadith) of Muhammad. Islam is shown to present God (Allah) as all- merciful, just and compassionate, accepting the Biblical prophets and messengers, including Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
Episode 14 : Islam III
The episode opens by referring candidly to difficult Qur’ānic passages such as those dealing with conflict. Our last episode concludes with encourage participants to continue their meeting world religions through study, taking opportunities to meet believers, and to evaluate media presentations and events analytically and understanding.