Speaking of Religion . .: Approaching the Academic Study of Religion with Compassion, Conviction, and Civility
Ebook
Overview
Of late, speaking about religion has become a problem. Whether we are in our homes, at worship, on the street, in college classrooms, or anywhere that conversations happen, speaking about religion often can turn into a heated exchange. As our political and religious divisions widen, so does our inability to cross over to meet others halfway with compassionate, convicted, and civil dialogue. Speaking of Religion . . . not only offers ways in which we might open ourselves to hearing and caring about others, but also seeks to help us understand our own convictions more fully. Such dialogue is not often easy, but it is essential if we ever hope to find our way into a future where fear, hatred, and cruelty can be set aside. As Plato is reputed to have said, “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when adults are afraid of the light.” Speaking of Religion seeks to look for light in a world that all too readily gets lost in the night of religious ignorance.
“This is a practical manual for teachers of the academic study
of religion. I wish I had this when I first taught world religions.
It is a lucid guide to how to create a classroom that is a
compassionate, convicted, and civil community. Hammerling
effectively uses case studies to show how students bringing very
different religious or secular perspectives to the classroom can
learn to practice empathetic listening while never being asked to
give up thoughtfully held convictions.”
—David B. Myers, Professor of Philosophy, retired, Minnesota State
University Moorhead
“At a time when religious illiteracy flourishes and religiously
fueled divisions are making our world less kind, Speaking of
Religion . . . is a much-needed intervention! This
engaging, accessible introduction to the academic study of religion
encourages readers to link critical thinking about religion to a
compassionate orientation to each other. With humility and passion,
Hammerling demonstrates how developing religious literacy through
the academic study of religion enhances personal meaning, convicted
civility, and collective wellbeing.”
—Michelle Lelwica, Professor of Religion, Women and Gender Studies,
and Pre-Law, Concordia College
“Speaking of Religion . . . is a unique
and valuable contribution toward introducing the academic study of
religion. Both students and teachers will benefit from engaging
with Hammerling’s deep and insightful reflections on how we can
best explore matters of faith and meaning.”
—Ahmed Afzaal, Associate Professor of Religion and Social Activism,
Concordia College
- Title: Speaking of Religion . . .: Approaching the Academic Study of Religion with Compassion, Conviction, and Civility
- Author: Roy Hammerling
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2022
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666722888, 9781666730869, 9781666722871, 1666730866, 1666722871, 166672288X
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666722888
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-12-11T01:35:31Z
Roy Hammerling is Professor Emeritus of Religion, Greek and Roman Studies, and the History of Christian Spirituality at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.