Karen Armstrong, "Does God Have a Future?" and:
For more assignment ideas involving this essay, please visit the Armstrong
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Armstrong and Krakauer: Spirituality in the 21st Century
At one point in Into the Wild, Krakauer describes McCandless as
a "pilgrim," and elsewhere as somone who "possessed grand--some
would say grandiose--spiritual ambitions." With Karen Armstrong in
mind, would you argue that McCandless is evidence that God has a future
in the 21st century? Or is McCandless proof that the mysticism Armstrong
admires is ultimately destructive? Is anything to be gained by following
the path that McCandless went down?
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Nussbaum and Armstrong: Religion and the Central Human Functional Capabilities
In "Women and Cultural Universals," Nussbaum claims that "a
life that lacks any one" of the ten attributes that she has labled
"Central Human Functional Capabilities," "no matter what
else it has, will fall short of being a good human life." Does Nussbaum's
argument require that one create the kind of relationship to a personal
God that Armstrong describes? Is it necessary or merely optional that
one have a relationship with God or some other spiritual being to live
what Nussbaum calls "the good life"? Does God have a future
in the world that Nussbaum is arguing for?
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The Ideal of Happiness in American Society (Assignment 3)
In the first two papers, we examined the effect of ideals and perceptions on society. In the third paper, we will examine the effect of spiritual belief on American societal health. In “Does God Have a Future?” Karen Armstrong argues that “the prevalence of fundamentalism, apocalypticism and ‘instant’ charismatic forms of religiosity in America” suggests that America is not a “spiritually healthy society” (90).
In what way does religious belief contribute to or detract from America’s societal health?
Drawing on Gertner’s and Greider’s discussions of societal health, write an essay in which you take a position on the value of religious belief to American society. Strengthen your argument by using evidence from Armstrong, Gertner, and Greider to show how they confirm, contradict, or complicate your position.
Jennifer Garrison, Rutgers University, Fall 2005
From The Ideal of Happiness in American Society.
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The Master-Servant Divide and Forecasting Errors in Faith (Assignment 5)
Karen Armstrong, in “Does God Have a Future?”, suggests that having a notion of God serves several important purposes in human lives. It can, however, also lead to a feeling of oppression, and of being controlled by a power outside the self. This leads some to reject God. What kind of religion would be most useful for a group of people that is trying to globalize? What conception of God would be detrimental for those people? Make an argument about the best sort of religion to pursue when a nation is becoming a free-market democracy. How can such a country be self-sufficient, with the greatest well-being possible? Use the lessons given by Armstrong, in her essay, to enhance and complicate your reading of Amy Chua. Which belief systems are best when a nation is becoming a free-market democracy, which philosophies are to be avoided, and why? In this essay, pose a very original, independent argument about what religious thought should be merged with globalization.
Note: For the sake of clarity when connecting, use Armstrong first, and then Chua in paragraphs; logically, it makes sense to present an abstract theory (Armstrong) first, applied to a real-life example (Chua). In some paragraphs, though, it may work better for you to connect in the reverse order.
Important: When quoting Armstrong, determine which theologian or religious school of thought is being discussed. You will need to mention those people by name—in other words, the positions in her texts are not necessarily her own, but instead are ascribed to by others.
Danis Banks, Rutgers University, Fall 2005
From The Master-Servant Divide and Forecasting Errors in Faith.
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The Master-Servant Divide and Forecasting Errors in Faith (Assignment 6)
The happiness researchers in Jon Gertner’s “The Futile Pursuit of Happiness” suggest that “a life without forecasting errors would most likely be a better, happier life” (174). But we continually make the mistake of overestimating happiness, and choosing things that we think will improve our lives, when in fact, they don’t. One researcher, George Loewenstein, says, “’If you had a deep understanding of the impact bias and you acted on it…, you would tend to invest your resources in the things that would make you happy’” (Gertner 174). What exactly are the things we should “invest [our] resources in”? In looking at Karen Armstrong’s “Does God Have a Future?” and Amy Chua’s essay “A World on the Edge,” think about the various “resources” that people devote to being happy. Are there ever instances of “miswanting” (Gertner 165) in how countries strive to achieve free-market democracy? Do religious believers sometimes make “forecasting errors” (Gertner 173) in choosing a particular God and way of practicing a faith? Make an argument about what exactly in life should be pursued to make people happy, and how to avoid miswanting and forecasting errors in people’s quest for contentment.
Aim to be as specific as possible in citing certain examples of things to be cultivated for well-being, and why those particular elements will help bring joy into people’s lives. The more precise you can be in this essay, rather than being general and vague, the better.
Danis Banks, Rutgers University, Fall 2005
From The Master-Servant Divide and Forecasting Errors in Faith.
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Reconciliation (Assignment 6)
Context:
- “Reconciliation” is an important concept in the teachings of many religions. In Roman Catholicism, for example, “reconciliation” is part of its sacramental vocabulary, encompassing confession, penance and forgiveness.
- Likewise “peace,” “justice,” “truth” “tolerance,” and “love” are mentioned frequently in the scriptures and teachings of many faiths.
- Advocates of religion in general or specific religions in particular often claim that religious faith is a force for good in the world.
- Just as often, however, religion has been divisive, antagonistic, and bellicose. Some critics claim religion in general or specific religions in particular are a force for discord in the world.
- Many religious groups were vocal in their support or opposition to the Vietnam conflict of which O’Brien writes, and even more religious groups are vocal in their support or opposition to the current war in Iraq.
Assignment Question: What can Armstrong’s ideas about the reconciling potential of spirituality as well as the divisive potential of fundamentalism offer O’Brien and others embroiled or trapped in bitter conflict?
Questions to Prime the Pump:
- How does Armstrong distinguish among religiosity, religion, faith and spirituality?
- What characterizes “fundamentalism,” “revealed religion,” “spirituality” and “mysticism” according to Armstrong?
- Is there anything “spiritual” about O’Brien’s search for truth in retelling the Vietnam experience? Can you find any hints of (Armstrong’s kind of) “mysticism” in O’Brien or your other author?
- Is there anything analogous to (Armstrong’s understanding of) “revealed truth” or “fundamentalism” that causes conflict in O’Brien or in your other author?
- Can thinking of your authors – and the topic of reconciliation – in these terms lead you to an inkling of an “action horizon” as we have discussed it in class?
Karen Kalteissen, Rutgers University, Fall 2005
From Reconciliation.
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