Our Keystone Presentation

To See, To Be, To Do: Primary Perspectives of World Religions

An introductory lecture that offers an overview of the landscape of the world's religions in an easy to understand framework. Instead of the usual catalogue of dates and names, this lecture provides a map for appreciating diverse religious worldviews by comparing and contrasting how diverse faith traditions understand thirteen underlying principles.

Class Descriptions

Perennial Themes: Commonalities in World Religions[Show|Hide Details]

Are the world religions saying the same thing in different ways or different things in the same way? Is there no common factor, no underlying principle as the basis of the world’s religions? This class looks at “The What,” “The Why” and “The How” of fifteen shared elements among religious traditions.

Baha’i: Truth in Process[Show|Hide Details]

Emerging from Shia Islam barely a 150 years ago, Baha’i has grown to become a significant world religion. How did the vision of an Iranian nobleman’s son develop into a proclamation that appeals to millions of adherents from diverse religious traditions around the world?

Buddhism: All is Mind[Show|Hide Details]

"All that we are arises with our thoughts" are the opening words of one Buddhist scripture. We consider how the Buddha's life and teachings identify the mind as both the cause and cessation of suffering.

Christianity: But I Say Unto You[Show|Hide Details]

Beginning as a Jewish movement, Christianity reinterprets the ancient story from a past record to a future prediction. This session introduces the Christian “Moses,” a new law from a new mountain, and resulting divergent paths of discipleship.

Christian Science: Spirit and Matter[Show|Hide Details]

Based on the concept that matter is unreal and the cause of human suffering, Mary Baker Eddy, one of the few women founders of a religion, revealed a science of spirituality that professes the healing of body, mind and spirit. We will trace her fascinating personal and theological journey of triumph and tragedy that led to her discovery.

Confucianism: A Culture of Order[Show|Hide Details]

Confucianism may be considered as much or more a social system as it is a religion. This class studies the political, social and religious conditions that gave rise to and influenced the development of this unique school of thought.

Daoism: The Way And Its Power[Show|Hide Details]

A tradition of the Far East, Taoism is as distant from Western thought as it is in geography. The class explores this unique tradition that espouses no action, no belief, no ritual and a founder with no public ministry.

Hinduism: Thou Art That[Show|Hide Details]

While not precisely a monotheistic tradition, Hinduism nevertheless speaks of One Ultimate Reality. Of necessity, therefore, all things – including you – are God. How may one realize this ancient Truth and what are its implications?

Iconography: The Shape And Colour of Faith[Show|Hide Details]

This class explains the theological and spiritual significance of highly developed and defined conventions of Orthodox Christian iconography. We will look at how depictions of Jesus, Mary, and other biblical characters and themes convey a mystical meaning.

Islam: And Muhammad Is His Prophet[Show|Hide Details]

The youngest of the Abrahamic traditions is also the fastest growing. We consider Islam’s Five Pillars – one of faith and four of practice – religious and political contributions of Muhammad, and the rise of two major branches – Sunni and Shia.

Jainism: Radical Non-Violence[Show|Hide Details]

Many religions espouse the teaching of peace, but none to the degree of Jainism. We will trace the path of 24 enlightened beings culminating in a figure from the sixth century that gave rise to a religious tradition that seeks spiritual development through reliance on and cultivation of one's own personal wisdom and self-control.

Jehovah’s Witnesses: A Bible People[Show|Hide Details]

Like many other American-generated religions of the 19th century, Jehovah’s Witnesses teaches that the prevailing society is corrupt and soon to be redeemed/destroyed by the end of time. The lecture considers the Witnesses’ distinctive understandings of the nature of God and Jesus, Satan and salvation, death and doctrine.

Judaism: A People Set Apart[Show|Hide Details]

For Judaism, history is the page upon which God’s story is written. The class retraces the narrative through a timeline of significant events and major personalities from earliest beginnings to modern day.

Mennonite: Simple Peace[Show|Hide Details]

This lecture traces the boldness of 16th century Radical Reformers who perilously rejected conventional Christian authority and practice. Some of their dangerous dissension – such as religious freedom and separation of church and state – are considered givens in modern society. The spiritual descendents of these radical heretics are today committed peacemakers – the Mennonites.

Mormonism: The Latter-Day Gospel[Show|Hide Details]

Arising from a distinctively American experience, the Latter-day Saint movement has become one of the fastest growing religions. We will consider the visions and revelations of Joseph Smith, Jr., the establishment of experimental communities, the leadership of Brigham Young, the rise and fall of polygamy, and the function of temples that provide ministry to living and dead alike.

Native Spirituality: Living In Seven Directions[Show|Hide Details]

As a nature-based practice, Native spirituality seeks to maintain balance and harmony among intersecting planes of time, space, spiritual and physical. Through a blend of stories, practices and worldviews, the class introduces the reverence for creation of this ancient and still-living tradition.

Rastafari: Ethiopia Shall Stretch Forth Her Hands[Show|Hide Details]

This class introduces the fascinating story of a religious tradition that includes King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the Apostle Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch of Acts 8, the slave culture of Jamaica and the American south, Haile Selassie, and Bob Marley. Considering themselves true Jews and true Christians, Rastas seek to fulfill their call to restore the world through “One Love.”

Scientology: Becoming Clear[Show|Hide Details]

The Church of Scientology is one of the most well-known of the modern-day religions. What is the draw – particularly of Hollywood celebrities – to this self-help religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1952? We will explore several tenets including auditing that leads one through a progression of mind to a condition of freedom known as Clear.

Shinto: Way of the Kami[Show|Hide Details]

As the indigenous religion of Japan, Shinto’s unique mythology and spiritual practice is inseparable from Japanese culture. The class looks at how this shrine-based religion informs individuals and society through a process of balance, harmony, purification and extraordinary reverence for both living and ancestral figures.

Sikhism: Disciples Of The True Name[Show|Hide Details]

Arising out of India at a time and place of major influence from both Hinduism and Islam, Sikhism contains elements of each but is separate from both. Five physical symbols make Sikhs one of the more visible religious traditions. Stories of ten Gurus in living form and one Guru in book form serve as the centrepiece of the class.

Unitarian Universalism: A Free and Responsible Search[Show|Hide Details]

Beginning as a Christian heresy, Unitarian Universalism re-emerged in Christianity’s Radical Reformation. The class marks how the UU Church’s developing theologically liberal position consistently leads the way in social action. We will also describe a number of worship practices that allow inclusion of diverse spiritual journeys.

Wicca: And Merry Meet Again[Show|Hide Details]

Wicca, popularized in the 1950s and 60s, is one of several Neo-Pagan religions reclaiming a nature-based worship of pre-Christian Europe. By tracing the Wiccan liturgical Wheel of the Year and other practices, the class points out fascinating connections between Neo-Pagan practice and present-day religious observances and cultural celebrations.

Zoroastrianism: Fire And Light[Show|Hide Details]

Scholars often suggest Zoroastrianism is the oldest continuously observed monotheistic religion. The All-Wise, One Lord is symbolized by purifying and life-preserving fire. This session explores ancient backgrounds and contemporary contributions of this little-known tradition that was exceptionally influential on emerging Middle Eastern faiths.