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do you guys have any lecture notes you can send me? if you do, can you send it to me? my email is carlo.sampang@utoronto.ca thank you lol

Meet before class?

I can do that after 10:30 charles

The earliest I can get to sheridan is 15 mins before class. Carlo...

Hey guys, I have met with Chris yesterday. I understand and respect your decision. Best of luck, Vince

organized religion vs. faith and personal beliefs

write something on the subject before we meet again.

Here's a 19 second video to get you started:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK7ZDSUvB6E From Futurama: Season 4 episode 7, "A Pharoh to remember"


 * What are your thoughts on (organized) religion and personal spiritual beliefs?**
 * is there a difference or are they one and the same? what's society's attitude on the matter? do you agree with it?**

If you're seriously that stuck and have nothing, go watch the South Park episodes "Trapped in the Closet", "Go God Go", and "Are you there God? It's me, Jesus"

Hey guys, I was just researching about our topic and came across several good topics. Do you guys prefer to do a broad research on "religion/faith" or narrow it down to one of these? Let me know what you think. I wanted to ask this because I found it hard to research such broad topic. XOXO, Carlo
 * Brainstorming...**
 * Villification of homosexuality (Christianity does not recognize same-sex marriage, the use of the word "fag" or "gay" in a derogatory way... )
 * Women treated like second class citizens (Islam (?) very anti-feminist attitudes)
 * Celibacy - no sex before marriage (social issues such as teenage pregnancy, high divorce rate, STI's)
 * Holy Wars - killing each other in the name of god
 * Evolution VS Creation (should children learn about two conflicting institutions regarding the beginning of life?)

hey man, very good question My original thought was to focus on **the foundational problem of //"organized"// religion** rather than specific examples of controversy that arise because of it-- like the ones you've listed.

For this week, just write what your thoughts are on organized religion (major religions vs. personal spiritual beliefs) and we can decide on what to focus on when we meet later this week.

I'll elaborate on my thoughts when I get home tonight.

Vince ps. at this point, original thoughts are more valuable than research

Thank for the replies, after reading what you said I just typed up a 500 word of my personal view. It's really rough though as I haven't taken the time to edit them.

good stuff, here's my rough blurb, will add more later:

I am fairly uneducated individual on the subject.

Prophets and other prominent figures in religious doctrines are simply people who reached a pretty good understanding through free-reasoning and tried to pass on their understanding. History has likely made them bigger than they are.

Here's my main beef with it organized religions: //I don’t understand why people put so much emphasis on **other** people’s beliefs. If you are content with your beliefs and have reached an understanding of God, the infinite, or the Almighty, why does it matter what others beliefs are?//

this is the mindset that birthed the phrase and attitude of "Holier than Thou"

to me, all religions / faiths / beliefs lead to the same sort of understanding... just through different 'paths'

on the flip-side, it's understandable why organized religions exist. If someone figured out something really cool, it's natural he or she will want to share it with someone else. Perhaps an over-simplification, but have an organized, like-minded group with you seems like a good way to 'spread the word' or 'preach the gospel'.

how they chose to go about it, on the other hand, is questionable. as evidenced by holy wars and other controversies.

I really didn't have much chance to contact with people from various religions. I have been to a Christian church before, which i find they also like to force others to believe what they believe. I believe all religion tried to lead people to "good and kind" but through different way. I find some believers did not understand what the Bible really means but think believing in something is a way to consolation. One day i was discussing about religion with a guy from church, he told me only believing in Christ is real faith. He said every other religion is fake. and you shouldn't believe in them. I find that most of them don't really know other religion--They have never known and tried to know about other religion, once they believe in one, others are fake to them. Religion sometimes give me a feeling that people who's on the top and in charge is driving this force of religion for their advantages. In other words, I think they can take advantages and make profit from it through the power of believing. However, having a belief is not bad, but forcing other to believe what they believe or saying “other God is not real” is not acceptable for me. People have their own rights of believing, and it could be anything. --Charles

stuff for next week:

- thesis / questions to answer:

what is the nature of religion? today, and in the past,

MONEY, how does money and power relate to faith?

today, from an outsider perspective, the common goal seems to be 'attain more power, attain more followers, and attain more money'

amalgamation of religions

people are

media's interpretation /satire

Cant come to lecture and lab today, I gotta huge paper to finish. Let me know what we have to do for next week. Carlo

hey guys,i have a major assignment that is due today.so please tell me what i have to do for this project, and i will complete it at home:) best regards charles

Charles: 4168585743 zhouyexi@hotmail.com

Ricky's part of A2 part2 – effects of media on religion – media can promote and hinder religions, e.g. advertisement, censorship – media is powerful as a tool for communication – e.g. Internet, worldwide, instantaneous communication – provide interaction, unite audiences with similar interests, e.g. YouTube, Facebook – advertisements, documentaries revolving around Christianity, possibly related to Christianity's popularity (2.1 billion population, 33%) – in order to cause change, Group 14 will manipulate online media to change the world

Carlo's part of A2 part2 – streaming media – provides a place for like minded individuals to gather – communicate to mass audience simultaneously – viewers can give feedback instantaneously – b.s.

Charles's part of A2 part2

l Through advancement of time, society turns to science and technology in attempt to develop and gain knowledge. l Religion have not been adapting to our rapidly changing society with constant technological advances. l Health problems: Stem cells Organ donating Human body research l Albert Einstein says, “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”