Why Study Religion?

Film Focus: Dr. Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, discusses why it is important to study the variety of religious faiths that are practiced around the world. He introduces the idea that we can use the commonalities between these different religions to build bridges rather than to divide our world.

Text Focus: Pages 2–6

Discussion Questions:

1. What does Dr. Soni mean when he says that religion is both “relevant” and “revelatory”?
2. Discuss at least one way that religion is “relevant” in your life today.
3. Discuss at least one way that religion has been “revelatory” in your life.
4. Do you agree with Dr. Soni that one major connecting feature of different religions is that “we are our brothers’ keeper”? Why or why not?
5. In your life experience, has religion done more to unite people or divide people? What could you do to help use your faith to unite those around you?

*Permission to link to this video for use in the classroom as part of the accompanying lesson has been granted by the producer.