Religions Appreciation Class

Yesterday, I attended the first meeting of my Intro to World Religions class, and so far, I love it. After dispensing some introductory information, the teacher spent a good deal of time explaining what the class is and what it is not. Notably, it is not comparative. We're not comparing the various religions against each other, but rather, we will be learning what we can from each religion. Similarly, this won't be a balanced or comprehensive exploration of each religion we cover, weighing both the pros and the cons of each religion, but rather, we will look at each religion at its best and look for the light and goodness in all of them. The purpose of the course is not to merely learn about the different religions, but to embrace the world and its peoples, to take religion seriously, and to make a sincere effort to communicate and understand.

This struck me as being refreshingly positive. So much of life revolves around conflict and competition, but this class seems to focus on the opposite. Instead of pitting religions against each other, this class seems to call for a cooperation between various religions to achieve the common goal of ennobling the human spirit. Truth and light are found by all those who sincerely seek it, and not all of those people are of our faith. Some of those people are from faiths whose beliefs and practices are very different from ours. Still, wherever light can be found, it should be embraced and appreciated. In that sense, this Intro to World Religions class may appropriately be called a Religions Appreciation Class, and I really like the sound of that.

I look forward to looking for and at the good in each of the religions we discuss, and I look forward to appreciating and embracing the good we find. This is going to be an edifying and uplifting class, and I have a feeling that I am going to love it.