Religious Studies Courses
Goddess Religion: The Dance of a Thousand Veils -- With evidence dating back to 20,000 BCE, the worship of the Mother Goddess is one of the earliest religions practiced by humans. Despite Judaism’s attempt to demonize her, and Protestant Christianity’s attempt to stamp her out, the Mother Goddess is still with us. This course will trace the history and development of the Sacred Feminine. We begin by investigating her roots in prehistory and in the archaic high cultures of Egypt and Mesopotamia. Next we discover how she transformed during the classical civilizations of Ancient Greece and Rome. Then we find out why Western monotheism abused her, and how she was saved by Roman Catholicism’s cult of the Blessed Virgin. We also examine how the Goddess appears in the Eastern religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism, where she is still worshipped on a massive scale. Finally, we explore the neo-pagan worship of the Goddess in Wicca and the practice of witchcraft. If you have ever been fascinated by Isis, Aphrodite or Kuan Yin, this is the course for you. Wherever there is love, mercy and compassion, there is the Goddess. Please join us to peer behind the veil of the Sacred Feminine. Despite her dance of a thousand veils, her message of love is always the same.
Religion Outside the Mainstream -- Although six major religions account for more than eighty percent of the world’s faith, they do not possess a monopoly on the divine. Outside this cartel are smaller, lesser known, but equally legitimate paths to ultimate reality. Discover the wisdom behind such Eastern-tinged faith systems as Bahai, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Japanese Shinto. Explore the character of such Western-tinged faith systems as Unitarian Universalism, Voodoo, Rastafarianism and Mormonism. Study faith systems outside the fault lines such as shamanism, Wicca and New Age. Minor world religions offer a smorgasbord of belief. They await your discriminating palette. If religion interests you, but not necessarily mainstream religion, than join us for this course in religions on the fringe.
Wisdom of the East: Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism -- In the East all persons are understood to be divine. Hence, the key practice in Eastern religions is to wake up to the knowledge that we are divine, and from that awareness achieve enlightenment. Eastern religions emphasize harmony and oneness, and thus have much to offer those with demanding, hectic lives. The objective of this course is to explore the spiritual wisdom of Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism. To do so, we will investigate the historical development of each religion, delve into their most important sacred writings and examine their sacred art. We will also examine each religion’s key spiritual practice, such as Buddhist meditation, Taoist alchemy and Hindu yoga. Through our study of Eastern religious history, philosophy and spiritual practice, we will be able to integrate the Wisdom of the East into our lives.
Wisdom of the West: Judaism, Christianity, Islam -- In the West God is a person. In the East all persons are God. Since Western religions understand God to be a person, the emphasis is on establishing and maintaining a relationship with Him, and from that relationship achieve salvation. The objective of this course is to explore the spiritual wisdom of the great monotheistic religions of the West -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam. To do so, we will investigate the core beliefs, the historical development and the spiritual practices of each faith tradition. We will also delve into their most important sacred writings and examine their sacred art. Through our study of Western religious history, philosophy and spiritual practice, we will be able to integrate the Wisdom of the West into our lives.
World Religions as Personality Types -- This course analyzes world religions according to personality type. The template for understanding is Carl Jung’s Psychological Types (1921). Jung describes eight types of human behavior. This course uses his framework to show that world religions behave in much the same way as people do. Christianity and Islam are extraverted in their behavior. Buddhism and Taoism are introverted paths to the divine. Each religion has a dominant personality trait, as well as a dark side. Integration of the shadow brings balance to a religion. Repression of the shadow causes warped behavior. Dysfunctional religions do not contribute to world peace, only well-integrated ones do. Roman Catholicism, for example, exudes feelings of love and compassion, especially to society’s least fortunate. These extraverted feelings are balanced by a strain of introverted thinking. Roman Catholicism’s shadow shows up in its concern for moral theology, especially hot-button social issues like abortion, contraception and homosexuality. When world religions gain insight into their personality type, and integrate their shadows, they work at optimal levels. This course explains the whole process.
Lifespan Spirituality -- This course examines human lifespan development. From cradle to grave, we trace the physical, cognitive and psychosocial changes every human goes through, and some of the spiritual lessons we learn along the way. Shakespeare speaks of the seven ages of man. Each of these seven ages has different problems, challenges and opportunities for growth. The ultimate reward for growth is being fully alive and fully human. This course emphasizes the spiritual wisdom needed to get through each stage of human life. How can we maximize our human potential at each stage? How can we mere mortals become the quintessence of dust? Take the course and find out.
God Religion: The Evolution of the Sacred Masculine -- If the Sacred Feminine is a profound symbol of life, then the Sacred Masculine symbolizes compassion within life. This course traces the history and development of the Sacred Masculine from its roots in prehistory through classical civilization to its flowering in Christianity. We explore the rise of the Sacred Masculine in the myths of our Stone Age ancestors. We analyze the Iron Age gods in the archaic high cultures of the Mideast, including the great Semitic god Yahweh. We analyze how the Greek gods became archetypes for masculine behavior and personality. We delve into the mystery religions surrounding the Divine Masculine. We examine the epic journey of how Jesus became God. We uncover clues lying behind the future of Christianity. We put patriarchy in its place beside the Divine Feminine. In the end, we achieve a better understanding of the evolution of the Sacred Masculine in our collective human psyche. If you profess to believe in God, then at least discover who he is.
