Course Outline History of Christianity/Comparative Religions INTRODUCTION: Fundamental questions common to all humans; cosmology; types of beliefs (monotheism, etc.); dimensions of religion; definition of “religion.” CHRISTIANITY: the historical Jesus; fundamental beliefs of Christians; early church leaders; early church practices, organization and development; canon development; spread of the Church; sects, heresies; Church Fathers; apologists; Constantine’s life and role in the church’s development; monastic movement; Augustine’s life and role in the church’s development; Just War theory; barbarian invasions; Ireland’s role in preserving Christianity; Benedict and Francis; growth of the papacy; schism with Eastern church; Crusades; Luther and the Reformation; Eastern Orthodoxy today; Protestantism today; Roman Catholicism today; Mormonism and Restorationism. JUDAISM: Importance of “covenant”; scriptures and their development; Mishnah, Gemara and Talmud; history of Judaism: Abraham, Egypt, monarchy, post-monarchy, Greeks, Romans, exile, rise of Christianity, middle ages and rise of Islam, sects, Zionism, Holocaust, State of Israel, common branches today; worship, practices, holy days; impact on Western world. ISLAM: Perceptions of Islam; demographics today; Qur’an and Sunna; Muhammad’s life and times; founding of Islam by Muhammad: “Night of Power,” Hijra, conversion of most of Middle East; primary beliefs, doctrine and theology; importance of Shari’a; Five Pillars; jihad; main divisions; Islam in U.S. HINDUISM: “Many rivers to same ocean”; transmigration; monism and polytheism; Brahman/Atman; karma, dharma and samsara; caste system and untouchables; Four Stages of Life; Three Paths to Moksha; Big Three gods; avatars; worship practices; Gandhi and independence; Hinduism today; challenges facing India/Hinduism. BUDDHISM: Life and times of Siddartha Gautama; Four Passing Sights; the Middle Way; Gautama’s enlightenment process; Four Noble Truths; the Three Jewels; dharma (differences from Hinduism); Hinduism/Buddhism shared elements and differences; Three Marks of Existence; Five Ethical Principles; Eightfold Path; importance of compassion; nirvana; sects; Buddhism today.