Comparative Religion

This assignment is due at the end of Week 2 of the course. Scholars conclude that what we ordinarily call religion manifests to some degree the following eight elements: 1) a belief system; 2) community; 3) central myths; 4) rituals; 5) an ethical system; 6) emotional experiences; 7) material expressions of religion; and 8) sacredness.   

Please answer the following two questions and introduce each section with HEADERS (upper-case, centered words, such as EIGHT ELEMENTS IN MY RELIGION & EIGHT ELEMENTS IN "NEW RELIGION":)

QUESTION 1. Examine to what extent your religious beliefs fall into this pattern. Do some elements have more weight than others? If you do not have a belief system, interview someone who does and examine their belief system. Provide enough details to support your answer.

QUESTION 2. Then examine one of the "new religions" or alternative paths  (Scientology, Falun Gong, Cao Dai, Wicca and Druidism, the Yoruba Tradition--Santería, Voodoo, and Candomble--, Rastafarianism, etc. Feel free to choose among one of these alternatives or another approved by your instructor.) that are seen in today's world and apply the same analysis to their beliefs. Do some elements have more weight than others? Are some totally absent? Provide enough details to support your answer.

New Religious Movements: This essay should be 3 pages in length. All papers are expected to follow APA guidelines for documentation. 

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