Comparative Religion Seminar

I have been thinking for a little bit about returning to school. I haven't been in school for quite some time. So instead of jumping in over my head, I thought I would ease into it.

I found this website that offers college course dvd's that I can listen to while at home that are provided by college professors. There are no tests or assignments and I'm not being marked on anything.

However, there is 12 hours worth of lectures that are now coming my way. I would like to complete this "course" or at least finish the lectures within four months.

If I can do that, and survive, I think I'll be okay to proceed to the next step in my returning to school.

I picked Comparative religion as I have 3 college credits (1 course) on comparing religions already and found it interesting when I was taking it.

I will keep this blog open so that I can detail my progress.

Well, wish me luck.

Thanks for reading

Lynn

August 8th: The course arrived tonight. While I am excited about this challenge, I know this will prove rather interesting. I can already see how this may be a good cure for my insomnia. I'll keep you posted on how I am enjoying this course.

August 17th: I completed my first lecture tonight. I enjoyed it. I think the professor is interesting. He is a former baptist minister who continued to study different religions during his professional career. He also discussed personal biases which he said we should keep in mind. His examples are great and there are visuals of different philosophers who have tried to define religion. I never thought of it, but it is rather hard to define!

August 18th: I completed my second lecture tonight. It is interesting. However, tonight may not have been the best evening to work on it. I fell asleep during the last two minutes of the lecture. It's still interesting the links he makes to judaism, islam and christianity and buddhism and hinduism.

August 21st: I completed two lectures today. I also re-visited the tail end of the second lecture for anything I may have missed while I fell asleep. I fell asleep after my first lecture, but managed to finish it prior to that. I found the second lecture far more interesting. It was a lecture about space and sacred objects. I also learnt that I, a non muslim, will never be able to enter Mecca. The professor also changed clothes for the second lecture and was more intesting to look at. He had been wearing mostly brown clothes prior. However, this time he had a blue shirt and tie on, my favourite colour. Sometimes it's the small things that make you stay alert! PS- Tonight I finished two more lectures. My husband joined me for one of them but fell asleep shortly after settling in. The lectures tonight were about different religious people: saviours, sages, priests and other clergy people. The second lecture ended with a discussion surrounding women in the different religions and how in the last 50 years their roles within religions have expanded in some religions and in others they remain the same. There is also a discussion that Catholic priests and the vow of celibacy has only existed for approximately 1000 years. Very interesting!

August 28th: I just finished lecture 13. It has been a struggle to stay awake, I'll be honest. However, I keep going over what I miss. I am enjoying the lectures and am learning a lot. I am even learning more about Christianity and Luther. I am glad I picked this!

October 13th: It has been far too long since I have picked this up and worked on it. I enjoyed the lectures so much tonight, I stayed awake for two of them. I am now on lecture 16th. The last two seminars touched on the issue of sacrifices. I am looking forward to completing many more of these.

October 18th: I have just finished lecture 18. It is quite interesing. Example the religions Islam and Judaism do not share the Christian belief in Original Sin. I am quite enjoying it this time.

October 22nd: I finally completed this course today. I have enjoyed this and even learned a few things I didn't know before. I have also learnt that a full time academic course is not in the cards for me at this time. However, I would like to take another of these courses. I will look through the catalog and see if there is anything else I would consider taking.