Resources for Confucianism and Taoism on April 22

Our discussion this week is on Confucianism and Taoism from the World's Religions text.  But, if you don't have the book, feel free to review the resources below and come participate!

Discussion Leader: TBD

Date: April 15, 2018

Time: 12:00-1:00pm

Location: UUCT Emerson room (the orange room in Goddard)

Topic: Confucianism and Taoism from the World's Religions by Huston Smith

Additional Resources: the chapters focus on the history of the religion, and the spiritual foundations of it.  I've found a few resources online which cover some of the same material, so if you don't have the book, you can still participate.  (see below)

For up-to-date information and discussions, join us on facebook: World Religions Book Club at UUCT. 

These sources are all freely available online, but you might want to print them to bring to the discussion.

Both

Khan Academy Video:  https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/ancient-medieval/zhou-qin-han-china/v/confucius-and-confucianism

Confucianism

Confucius’ Biography: https://www.biography.com/people/confucius-9254926

Overview: http://www.patheos.com/library/confucianism

Overview: http://www.religionfacts.com/confucianism

Taoism

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-asia/imperial-china/tang-dynasty/a/taoism-in-the-tang-and-song-dynasties

BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/ 

Patheos: http://www.patheos.com/library/taoism 

Overview: http://www.religionfacts.com/taoism  

Resources for Buddhism Discussion April 15

Our discussion this week is on Buddhism from the World's Religions text.  But, if you don't have the book, feel free to review the resources below and come participate!

Discussion Leader: Carolyn Valdez
Date: April 15, 2018
Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Location: UUCT Emerson room (the orange room in Goddard)
Topic: Buddhism from the World's Religions by Huston Smith
Additional Resources: the chapter focuses on the history of the religion, and the spiritual foundations of it.  I've found a few resources online which cover some of the same material, so if you don't have the book, you can still participate.  (see below)
For up-to-date information and discussions, join us on facebook: World Religions Book Club at UUCT

These sources are all freely available online, but you might want to print them to bring to the discussion.

Buddahnet: https://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/intro_bud.htm

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/asian-art-museum/aam-buddhism-topic/buddhism/a/introduction-to-buddhism

Oprah video: https://youtu.be/Lxq-RiLb-6M

PBS: http://www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhism.htm

Belifenet: http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/buddhism/buddhism-at-a-glance.aspx

Discussion Guide Link

Hi all!

Here's a link to the World Religions discussion guide if you want the questions for the discussion in advance!

https://www.uua.org/sites/live-new.uua.org/files/documents/kowalskigary/understanding_religion.pdf

Resources for Hinduism Discussion March 18

Our discussion this week is on Hinduism from the World's Religions text.  But, if you don't have the book, feel free to review the resources below and come participate!

Discussion Leader: TBA --does anyone want to step up?  :)
Date: March 18
Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Location: UUCT Emerson room (the orange room in Goddard)
Topic: Hinduism from the World's Religions by Huston Smith
Additional Resources: the chapter focuses on the history of the religion, and the spiritual foundations of it.  I've found a few resources online which cover some of the same material, so if you don't have the book, you can still participate.  (see below)
For up-to-date information and discussions, join us on facebook: World Religions Book Club at UUCT

These sources are all freely available online, but you might want to print them to bring to the discussion

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-asia/beginners-guide-asian-culture/hindu-art-culture/a/roots-of-hinduism

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism

Video from Oprah: http://www.oprah.com/belief/introduction-to-hinduism

BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/hinduism/

Thought Co: https://www.thoughtco.com/hinduism-for-beginners-1770069

Resources for Christianity Discussion March 4

This week our discussion is over the chapter in The World's Religions on Christianity.  Here are the details:

Discussion Leader: Ginny
Date: March 4
Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Location: UUCT Emerson room (the orange room in Goddard)
Topic: Christianity from the World's Religions by Huston Smith
Additional Resources: the chapter focuses on the history of the religion, and the spiritual foundations of it.  I've found a few resources online which cover some of the same material, so if you don't have the book, you can still participate.  (see below)
For up-to-date information and discussions, join us on facebook: World Religions Book Club at UUCT

These sources are all freely available online, but you might want to print them to bring to the discussion

Frontline on PBS: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/why/legitimization.html

A BBC Religions overview: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/history_1.shtml

A History.com overview: http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-christianity

A good overview from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Christianity

An article from Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/cultures-religions-ap-arthistory/a/christianity-an-introduction

A video from Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/ancient-medieval/christianity/v/jesus-christ-and-christianity

Meeting Confirmation for March 4

Ready to discuss Christianity?!  We are back in the World Religions book by Huston Smith to discuss the nuances of this complex religion.

March 4 from 12:00-1:00pm in Emerson (the orange room in Goddard).

Hope to see you there!

World Religions Maps

Below are two maps of the evolution of religions.

http://000024.org/religions_tree/religions_tree_4.orig.html

https://sploid.gizmodo.com/the-history-of-all-religions-explained-in-one-fascinati-1643222359

Meeting Confirmation for Feb 18

Ready to discuss Zoroastrianism?!  Feb 18 from 12:00-1:00pm we'll discuss this ancient and fascinating religion.  Meet in Emerson (the orange room in Goddard).  The resources for the discussion are linked in a post below.

Hope to see you there!

Resources for Zoroastrianism Feb 18

This week, our religion, Zoroastrianism doesn't have a chapter in The World's Religions, so we will be reading online resources to discuss.  These sources are all freely available online, but you might want to print them to bring to the discussion on Feb 18. 

A good overview from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism

A BBC Religions overview of Zoroastrianism: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/

A video from Khan Academy on ancient Persia and Zoroastrianism: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/ancient-medieval/ancient-persia/e/key-concepts--the-achaemenid-empire 

A New York Times article on current Zoroastrianism: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/06/us/06faith.html 

A BBC article on current Zoroastrianism: http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20170406-this-obscure-religion-shaped-the-west 

Meeting Dates and Times

**Updated on March 12**

Here are some details about our meeting dates and times:

Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Location: UUCT's Emerson room (the orange room in Goddard).
Dates and Topics:

Date	Topic	Discussion Leader
Feb 4	--Judaism	Bo
Feb 18	--Zoroastrianism	Bo
Mar 4	--Christianity	Ginny
Mar 18	--Hinduism	TBD
April 1	--Islam	Eve
April 15	--Buddhism	TBD
April 22	--Confucianism and Taoism	TBD
April 29	ANNUAL MEETING --Book Club cancelled
May 20	--Primal Religions	Ginny

Welcome!

Welcome to the World Religions Study Club at Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson!  We are a casual "book club" reading and discussing The World's Religions by Huston Smith.

Our goals are to understand the basic beliefs and customs of each religion, to understand the function of religion for those who practice it, and to appreciate each religion; not to judge “right or wrong.”  

The discussion will be guided each time by a volunteer from the group.  The discussion leaders: 

·       ARE people who have read the chapter/material –or at least most of it

·       ARE NOT experts on the religion they are leading or experts on every aspect of it.

·       ARE responsible for picking up the discussion box

·       ARE NOT responsible for room requests, photo copies, etc.  Communicate with Jamili about anything you need.

·       ARE going to keep the conversation moving; not allowing one person to dominate the discussion; not getting stuck on one question.  Can enforce a 2 minute time limit.

This is a discussion group (as opposed to a Chalice Circle) and so we operate under a few guidelines: 

·       Each speaker will have a 2 minute time limit

·       Everyone gets a chance to talk

·       Discussion leader should try to draw out quieter people

·       Questions before judgments –ask someone to clarify their position especially if you disagree with them

·       It is OK to say “I don’t know” –even as discussion leader.

·       It is OK to have questions, criticisms, or confusion about a faith system.

·       It is OK to table questions for a different session, more reflection, and/or more research

·       We agree to critique the religion and not the people.