Below are detailed instructions and a truncated example of the Reflection Paper Assignment
It should have three (3) parts (see A, B, C below)
Entree: (ie Your “religion in the media” article, cartoon, etc that reflects the contemporary intersection of religion and the current political climate/campaign…Note that this cannot be an article, etcl that I have already provide in Canvas…..The challenge is for you to find your own entrée)
* Item/Source/: For example : “Evangelicals stand apart on Evolution and Climate Change”
http://www.religionnews.com/culture/science/poll-finds-evangelicals-stand-apart-on-evolution-
climate-change (Note that this can be a journal article, a cartoon, etc.)
Summary of Entree: (100 words)
ie..New polls show where Americans fall on their beliefs on climate change and evolution. Of mainstream Americans, about 57% believe in evolution and about 69% believe in global warming (the reasons not yet determined). As expected, when broken down, more Democrats believe these ideas than Republicans, specifically evangelicals and Tea Partiers. This presents a
potential problem to Republican primary candidates as they have to try and address these topics to appeal to the far right wing while not saying anything that may come back to haunt them later in the presidential election.
*Reflection Essay Example : Note that below is a truncated version of an actual 1000 word reflection essay based on the entree above
“The survey obviously exemplifies the role of religion in elections. Evangelists that interpret the Bible literally probably reject any idea that could potentially conflict with it. Therefore, they would prefer to have elected officials in office who share these convictions. Also, this article also
relates to the current readings of the class. Evolution provided an alternative explanation about the origin of mankind; this idea threatened the goal of evangelism. When evolution became well-known concept, many Christians felt that it would lead people away from God, and thus people
would forsake the morals that Christianity teaches. Since science can provide concrete data to support theories, those in modern societies may be more persuaded by Darwinism rather than…….”
cosmological narratives that are solely based on faith rather than fact. It is interesting that almost half of the scientist surveyed disagree with the theory of evolution, especially since there is much scientific evidence that suggests it. Evidently, religion can, in some instances, be a more
powerful influence that the findings of scientific research. Still, one can believe in evolution and still retain his/her faith in the Gospel. In the 1870s and 1880s, James McCosh supported evolution and was himself a Presbyterian clergyman. He applauded Charles Darwin for being “a
most careful observer… [and] he published many important facts, that there was great truth in the theory, and that there was nothing atheistic in it if properly understood.” To him, evolution wasanother mechanism used by God to create life. Even the previous leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II, considered evolution to be fact. He stated, “We know in effect that
truth cannot contradict truth.” God methods are often described as “mysterious.”… ………. . . …
Any “religion in the news entrée” that you select will be informed historically in some way by the course content…So your reflection essay should be informed by and include specific references to appropriate assigned materials (readings, videos, etc.). This should also include (when appropriate) references to materials contained in Module VII (this is why the Assignment was postponed until the end of the course).
You will not receive credit for this exercise if you fail to explicitly make these links and include specific references (footnotes)
Over the course of this session, we have noted a number of recurring issues, themes, and topics in American Religious History that will probably be important for your Reflection Paper Assignment). These include:
Increasing Religious Diversity: From Native American to Shakers, to Presbyterian, to Mormons, African Methodists, to Irish Catholics, German Catholics, to Reform Jews, to Orthodox Jews, to Cult of the Goddess, to Buddhism, to Islam, to “Black Muslims”, to Mennonites, to Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, to Native American Church, to Episcopalians, to Neo-American Church, to Santeria, to Wicca, to Scientology, etc.…..?
Quest for Religious Freedom: The reality of religious diversity has inspired ongoing efforts by individuals and religious organizations to realize and guarantee religious toleration, freedom, and liberty in the face of often competing political, cultural and religious beliefs/ritual practices, etc.
Impact of Immigration: The influence of waves of new immigrants, ever-increasing the rich diversity of the American religious and cultural landscape….
Impact of Americanization: The influence of the American environment and context; schools, culture, judicial rulings, etc. on religious beliefs and practices… and vice versa …All contributing to an ongoing recontouring of both old and new religions….
Impact of Modernization/ Modernity:The influence that new discoveries, ideas, and developments –industrialization, urbanization, new scientific findings, intellectual developments (ie Darwinism, etc) and new technological developments (Portable type, Automobile, telegraph, radio, TV, Computers, etc.) have had on the American religious community
Regionalism- The diverse and different development and impact of religion in various parts of the nation —East, North, South, West (i.e. New England Religion, Religion in Midwest, Religion in Southwest and the “Bible Belt” as “different”?)
Gender: The varied intersections of religion with gender roles and expectations, and the varied roles played by women, etc. in religious institutions, etc.
Race/Ethnicity: The role of race and ethnicity and their perceptions, etc. in the shaping of American religious history and the American religious landscape….(Monday’s commemoration of the impact of one of the nation’s most influential ministers (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) is an obvious example)
Class: The role that social and economic differences and divisions have played in shaping American religious history
Reform: The role played by “religion” in support of and in opposition to various social/cultural/political reform efforts
Politics: The role played by the intersection of religion and politics, etc.
12 Others: ??? (For example, what role does religion play in shaping legislative policies, art, ethics, sexuality, music, medical responses, etc.?)
