Midterm

Question 1

Christianity

What is the source of revelation?

Answer 1

The Bible is God’s inerrant, inspired, preserved Word revealing truth about all existence.

Question 2

Christianity

What do they say about humanity?

Answer 2

Humanity is created in the image of God with free-will.

Question 3

Christianity

What is wrong with existence?

Answer 3

We are fallen and in need of formation for freedom.

Question 4

Christianity

How should we live?

Answer 4

We need to be reconciled to God through union with Christ in the Spirit to live new life.

Question 5

Christianity

How do we understand/relate to other worldviews?

Answer 5

Christianity is the only truth, but all have free-will. Live peaceably with
others because everyone is created with innate value.

Question 6

Islam

What is the source of revelation?

Answer 6

Quran is final revelation. Bible is corrupted, and Christ is only a prophet.

Question 7

Islam

What do they say about humanity?

Answer 7

Reject “born in the image of God” and claim we are the slaves of Allah not sons and daughters.

Question 8

Islam

What is wrong with existence?

Answer 8

Rebellion against Allah.

Question 9

Islam

How should we live?

Answer 9

Battle rebellion and obey the five pillars.

Question 10

Islam

How do we understand/relate to other worldviews?

Answer 10

There’s nothing in the Quran to base individual freedom on. Adherence is a demand. Basic “human rights” are to be violated.

Question 11

Secularism

What is the source of revelation?

Answer 11

Thinkers: Thomas Paine, Charles Darwin, John Dewey, Nietzsche. Documents like the Human Manifesto. The 1973 human manifesto “No deity will save us, we must save ourselves.”

Question 12

Secularism

What do they say about humanity?

Answer 12

Only evolving animals. Mind-Body monism. The eternal is non- existence.

Question 13

Secularism

What is wrong with existence?

Answer 13

Not disenchanted enough with “spiritual things”. Haven’t overcome the irrationality of “belief”. Not been enlightened to the inevitability of “human progress” along secularist lines.

Question 14

Secularism

How should we live?

Answer 14

Deny an absolute moral code. Morality is biological or only natural

Question 15

Secularism

How do we understand/relate to other worldviews?

Answer 15

Any reference to the supernatural is ignorant and dangerous. A secular state will lead to the most freedom.

Question 16

Marxism

What is the source of revelation?

Answer 16

Communist Manifesto, Schools of thought like the Frankfurt school.

Question 17

Marxism

What do they say about humanity?

Answer 17

Materialistic beings growing in “class consciousness” and awareness
of our oppressed state.

Question 18

Marxism

What is wrong with existence?

Answer 18

Seeing the plight of workers to throw off chains and form a worker’s paradise. Religion is a drug to keep the oppressed from liberation through revolution.

Question 19

Marxism

How should we live?

Answer 19

Need to grow in “class consciousness” or awareness of the oppressive
state. Result is a “proletariat morality” which justifies any action to overthrow oppressors. We are marching toward socialism and then communism. Destroy all opposition.

Question 20

Marxism

How do we understand/relate to other worldviews?

Answer 20

Seeking “heaven” instead of liberation now is the most insidious lie. All religions are bad. Liberals are “useful dupe” to use then control. “Personal liberty” is a tool of oppression. Totalitarianism is needed and resulting actions justifiable.

Question 21

New spirituality

What is the source of revelation?

Answer 21

Denies any supreme revelation in any book. Trust the universe. Seek awareness not Scripture. Meditation, channeling, astrology, aura readings, etcetera

Question 22

New spirituality

What do they say about humanity?

Answer 22

Beings that can embrace the consciousness of the “god-likeness within” and will transcend the limitations of physical existence.

Question 23

New spirituality

What is wrong with existence?

Answer 23

Failure to understand the true nature of consciousness.

Question 24

New spirituality

How should we live?

Answer 24

Know that if something is wrong it’s because you will it so. “Aloofness” to the human plight of suffering is the answer.

Question 25

New spirituality

How do we understand/relate to other worldviews?

Answer 25

All religions are alike in what really matters. Embraces radical pluralism, but those who focus on sin and salvation, as well as there being only “one way” are problematic. Irreligious and exclusive religious worldviews are rejected.

Question 26

Postmodernism

What is the source of revelation?

Answer 26

Professors and Philosophers: Foucault, Derrida, Heidegger

Question 27

Postmodernism

What do they say about humanity?

Answer 27

There is no “human nature” only ever-evolving, highly sexual, social animals, with multiple subjective interests crying out for recognition
and acceptance.

Question 28

Postmodernism

What is wrong with existence?

Answer 28

Adherence to meta-narratives which make room for nonhuman

authority.

Question 29

Postmodernism

How should we live?

Answer 29

Abandon the search for objective truth for pragmatism (words are not truths but only tools to get agreement). Dialogue is the means forward to get agreements or at least fruitful disagreements.

Question 30

Postmodernism

How do we understand/relate to other worldviews?

Answer 30

Any religion must be discarded as a power-play with vested interests in its survival. Insistence on any absolute truth leads to violence and oppression. Freedom from truth creates peace and balance. Any meta- narrative religious or irreligious is rejected.