The “Discovering Religious Diversity” series:

Learn about the history, development and contemporary practice of the world’s major religions in this introductory series of Term classes. Each Term has a different focus and covers different material. The first Terms focus on the history and development of each of the world’s main faith and belief traditions, while the second set of Terms focus on Selected Topics in the Contemporary Practice of each of the major world religions. In the first half of this series, we explore both Western and Eastern Traditions. In the second half, we look at selected topics in the contemporary practice of religion, focusing on a different topic during each class, and viewing how each religion approaches that particular topic. Structuring discussions in this way allows us to focus on the similarities between the major world religions rather than on any perceived differences. The second half of this series focuses on a comparative examination of the contemporary values and practices of the major world religions, and involves a critical exploration of lifecycle rituals and beliefs, from birth to death, food and clothing preferences, festivals and other activities associated with what religions do.

Any Term class can be taken independently of any other term class. There are no prerequisites for any of the Religious Diversity classes.

This class is currently being taught in Te Awamutu as four class sessions per Term throughout 2020. While 2019 Term 3 focused on the Evolutionary History of Religion and the Rise on Monothesism, and 2019 Term 4 focused on Judaism, 2020 Term 1 focuses on Christianity and 2020 Term 2 will focus on Islam. Subsequent Terms will view Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. In 2021, we'll look at the Contemporary Beliefs and Praactices of each of the worlds main belief traditions.

TE AWAMUTU classes in this series meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays during school Terms from 6:30-9:00pm for a total of 4 sessions per Term.

2020 Term 1 classes are held on 19 February, 4 March, 18 March and 1 April 2020.
Classes are held at St John’s Anglican Church, 162 Arawata Street, Te Awamutu.

For more information on this and our other classes, please visit our website at: www.earthdiverse.org.nz/classes