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"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
– Nelson Mandela

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Response Paper 1

Response Paper 1

Q 1) Over the course of the semester you will be expected complete three short papers in response to a prompt. These response papers will combine information from class lecture and readings with your own opinions on important or difficult topics. These are not research topics, so no information outside of the material discussed in class lectures and covered in class readings is required, but an excellent paper will thoughtfully integrate both primary and secondary sources in response to the prompts. Arguments should be supported by specific details and should demonstrate that the student has read and engaged with the relevant primary and secondary sources. Successful papers will be clearly organized and structured with a thesis, supporting arguments, and a conclusion. Note that the prompts are a starting point to help you formulate your response. Do not merely provide short, wooden answers to the questions provided, but instead use them to guide your thought process as you prepare these papers. An ideal paper will paper both formulate a thesis as well as critique or evaluate other potential interpretations. Each paper is worth 5% of your grade (50 points each). To appropriately cover these topics each paper should be a minimum of 2 pages. Prompt for Response Paper 1: What is religion? Provide a definition that best fits the role you see religion playing in history and society. On a personal level, what does religion mean to you? What is a meaningful definition in light of your personal beliefs, practices (or lack thereof)?

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There is value provided by religion to make believers realize that some specific set of values must be imbibed to control doing some things and indulge in doing something good for the societal members (Lecture 1: What is Religion). The specific set of values in case of religious believers will always have to be shared values for not denying the special power utilized and claimed by an invisible supernatural deity (Lecture 1: What is Religion). There can be many human beings not having specific meanings of their lives for which they would want to survive. Religion can always provide such human beings with specific purposes of their lives (Lecture 1: What is Religion). There can be better sense of understanding developed by human believers about differentiating between immoral and moral or unethical and ethical actions with the adherence shown to a specific religion (Lecture 1: What is Religion). There can be some human beings not ready to accept the abstractness and mystery of the life after death. Religion can always provide such human beings with security about the aspect that God is waiting to provide a peaceful afterlife for every believer of God (Lecture 1: What is Religion). Social order can be reinforced by the adherence shown by specific groups of individuals to specific religions (Lecture 1: What is Religion). Therefore, there can be oppressed individuals adhering to a specific religion to protest against the oppressors and to gain strength of protesting and feeling more secure.