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Exploring Themes in Religion and Society

May 5, 2025

Highlights for This Unit

The Three Themes

  1. Dis-integration

    • Not a disappearance of religion but its transition from public to private realms.
  2. Church and State

    • The ongoing interaction between organized religion and state structures.
    • Comparison of various nations as explored in the course.
  3. The Other

    • Interaction of dominant religions with culturally, religiously, and ethically different groups.
    • Example: European contact with indigenous peoples in North America.
    • Question: What happens when different religions/ethnicities coexist?

Key Terms

  • Modern
  • Religion
  • Society
  • Religio
  • Spiritus

Course Structure

  • Introduction to themes and their implications on religion and society.
  • Focus on Western Christianity, with brief insights into Eastern Christianity and Judaism.
  • Geographical focus: British Isles, North America, and parts of Europe.

Traditional Religion: A Brief History

  • World of 1500: Predominantly Roman Catholic Europe with emerging monarchies.
  • Rise of Christianity: From a small Jewish sect to the official religion of the Roman Empire.
  • Eastern & Western Developments: Split between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.

Reformation Summarized

  • Initiated by Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517.
  • Shift from a sensory, ritualistic Catholicism to a narrative and logic-based Protestantism.
  • Introduction of the printing press facilitating widespread literacy and reform.
  • New churches emerged from different interpretations of the Bible.

Cast of Characters of the Reformation

  • Martin Luther and his impact on the Protestant Reformation.
  • Other reformers and the role of local rulers in determining the church's direction.

Theology: Calvinism and Arminianism

  • Brief overview of theological differences and their significance during the Reformation.

Introduction to "Themes"

  • Focus on the experiential aspect of religion for believers and practitioners.

Additional Notes

  • Modern Era: Defined from 1450-present, marking significant changes in Western religions.
  • Religion and Society: Explored through the practices and beliefs in the community.
  • Impact of Printing: Movement of ideas and literacy broadened the scope for reforms.
  • Role of the Church: Shifted from a central power to a component of personal spirituality.