CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS

Religious Studies 454

Spring 2005

 

Religion and Violence

 

Professor:  John Simmons

Office hours: Monday, 2:00-3:00pm; Tues. & Thurs., 11:00am-12:15pm, 2:00-3:00pm, and by appointment

Email: j-simmons@wiu.edu

Office: Morgan Hall, Room 412; phone = (309) 298-1284

Department office: Morgan Hall, Room 456; phone = (309) 298-1057

Class meets: Monday, 3:00-5:30pm, in Morgan 230

 

Web site: http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjks

 

SYLLABUS

Course description:

 

Religion, arguably, may be the primary determinant of human behavior.  Throughout history, religious systems have drawn from the human creative spirit the most profound philosophy, the grandest architecture, beautiful art and music, and inspired literature.  Religion has also stirred the demons lurking in the human heart, unleashing death and destruction on an apocalyptic level.  Civilizations rise and fall under the powerful sway of religious transformation and the accompanying social changes.

 

Religion embodies an idyllic vision of how the world should be.  Politics, as power to control social experience, is the natural human inclination to see the ideals expressed in religion realized in the social arena. Religion and politics are never separated in a functioning civilization.  Often times, religious doctrines season this volatile brew with a healthy dose of ultimacy. When “God” declares that human social endeavors must conform to a specific set of behavioral guidelines, be they moral, ethical, or legal, then those who disagree cease to carry a valid existential license.  To disagree with “God’s will” is to be cast out of Being, itself.  Once dehumanized, history tells us that religious dissenters or people who “just don’t fit” into a particular religiopolitical vision are on the slippery slope towards violence and extermination. 

 

This semester in Religious Studies 454, we will be exploring the existential, psychological, theological/doctrinal, social, and even physiological reasons why religious systems that preach peace, love, and wholeness become violent.  Given the unprecedented level of religious violence in the world today, we will explore the causes of this cultural cancer on the global level.  We will also analyze how new religious movements, sects and cults, become violent.  Later in the semester, with the help of Jon Krakauer’s provocative book, Under the Banner of Heaven, we will explore fundamentalist Mormon groups as a case study in the causes of violence in religion.  I would stress that the use of this book is in no way meant to denigrate one of America’s most successful religions, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly referred to as the “Mormon” or LDS Church).  Krakauer’s book simply is the best exploration of religion and violence that I have come across, thus, I am assigning it this semester. 

 

Course texts (required):

 

When Religion Becomes Evil. Charles Kimball (HarperSanFransciso, 2002).

 

Under the Banner of Heaven, Jon Krakauer (NY: Anchor Books, 2004)

 

Recommended:

 

Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence. Mark Juergensmeyer (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001).

 

Course structure:

 

Part 1 = Introduction; the causes of violence in religion; reading = When Religion Becomes Evil (first assignment, obtain a copy of  Kimball’s book and read it); we will explore various sects and cults that have exhibited violence, such as Heaven’s Gate, the Branch Davidians, the People’s Temple, along with religious groups that promote global terrorism..

 

Midterm exam  (approximately the 5-6th week of class)

 

Part 2 = The apocalyptic worldview; ironically, when it comes to popular religious literature, the two most popular forms are: a) books on positive thinking; b) books on the violent end of the world.  Go figure!  In any event, in this section of the course, we will explore the “end of the world” perspective in popular literature and movies.  A key question arises, “Is violence in religion part of the ritual release of existential dread?”

 

Midterm exam  (approximately the 10-11th week of class)

 

Part 3 = Case study: Mormon Fundamentalist groups; read Krakauer’s, Under the Banner of Heaven.  Reading assignment: read the book (you probably won’t be able to put it down!).  As mentioned, this is the best study I have read on religion and violence.  One of Krakauer’s most disturbing observations is that even the most stable, productive, and successful religions have gone through historical periods of violence and may still inspire violent behavior in religious extremists.  

 

Part 4 = Class presentations – we will end the class with short students presentation and, no doubt, some lively discussion!

 

Final exam (during finals week, as scheduled by the registrar)

 

Review sheets:

 

I will pass out hard copy and post review sheets on the web site at least a week before the examinations.  Review sheets will cover the major themes in the relevant section of the course and list any videos/DVD documentaries or movies seen.

 

Course requirements:

Midterm examination #1 ---------------------------------------------------------- 50 points

Midterm examination #2 ---------------------------------------------------------- 50 points

Final examination ------------------------------------------------------------------ 50 points

Class presentation/paper----------------------------------------------------------- 50 points                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                      200 points

Exam Format:

 

Exam Format:  Each exam will consist of 25 multiple choice questions worth one point each; 8 identifications, you choose 5 worth 2 points each; one essay question worth 15 points for an exam total of 50 points.

 

Class Presentation/paper:

 

This semester in REL 454, each student will complete an exploration of a group or situation that illustrates the relationship between religion and violence.  The study will culminate in a short (10-15 minute) class presentation designed to stimulate discussion and a 5-7-page report summarizing your study.  More information will follow, but try to avoid “diatribes” against unpopular groups.  Your report should be neutral and descriptive, reflecting the methodological approach embraced by the field of religious studies.

 

Final Grade Scale:

180 – 200 points = A

160 - 179 points = B

140 – 159 points = C

120 – 139 points = D

   0 -  119 points = F

 

Attendance Policy: 

 

Classes in which students show up sporadically rarely work, because discussions fail and continuity falters.  Attendance is required.  You may have three unexcused absences from class during the semester.  Thereafter, you will lose 5 points from your total earned points for the semester for each class you miss.  Students who miss more than 8 class sessions will receive a grade of F for the course, regardless of points earned.  Starting the second week of class, a sign-in sheet (signature required) will be passed around at the beginning of class. Inclement weather, medical, or other excused absences do not count against the three-absence limit. We only meet once a week.  Please try to be at every class session.

WELCOME ABOARD!