Web Exercises
Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.
1. Trends in Demographics of the Major Religions of the World
http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/
This section of the Pew Research Center website is devoted to nonpartisan research about religion in the United States and worldwide. This article, which is cited in Chapter 5, gives the current sizes and locations of the major religions of the world and the changes projected to take place by 2050.
- Summarize two of the demographic trends described in the article that are expected to result in significant changes in relative sizes of the major religions and the unaffiliated (nonreligious) population.
- To what extent do the global trends fit with changes in the relative size of religions and the size of the nonreligious population here in the United States?
- Did any information presented in the article surprise you or seem to contradict impressions or other information that you have? If so, discuss this in class.
* LO 5.6 Apply knowledge of human spirituality to recommend guidelines for social work assessment and intervention.
2. Expanding Knowledge of Religious Diversity
This link is to the section of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) website focused on religion. From scanning the articles, you will notice a greater recognition of religious diversity than is commonly found in U.S. news outlets.
- Find the calendar of religious holidays on the website, and note which religions are included and the information given about the holidays.
- Compare the information given about holidays on the calendar with information provided by online U.S. calendars.
* LO 5.6 Apply knowledge of human spirituality to recommend guidelines for social work assessment and intervention.
3. Interfaith Service Organization for Youth
https://www.ifyc.org/the-interfaith-story
This is the website for the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), a national service organization for college students in the U.S., sometimes known as “Better Together.” It began as an initiative of President Obama through the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
- Check out activities on several of the campuses mentioned on the website.
- Read about a specific service project or a suggested resource for campus groups to use in carrying out a service project.
- What religious institutions and faith-based activities on or near your own college or university campus can you identify?
- What opportunities exist for students to be part of a faith or interfaith community on or near your campus?
- What topics relevant to religion or spirituality receive attention on your campus?
* LO 5.6 Apply knowledge of human spirituality to recommend guidelines for social work assessment and intervention.
4. Understanding the Connection and Distinction Between Religion and Spirituality
This is the website for On Being, Krista Tippett’s award-winning radio series about life’s deepest questions and the search for meaning, including but not limited to ideas about the sacred, divine power, and organized religion. (The previous name for the series was Speaking of Faith.)
- Familiarize yourself with the types of programs that are aired, and choose and listen to one of the podcasts.
- How does the topic of the podcast you chose relate to spirituality and/or religion?
- Discuss your reaction to the series and your ideas about defining spirituality and religion in a small group or with the whole class.
* LO 5.2 Compare and contrast the definitions of spirituality and religion.