THE THREAT
Dec 18th, 2011 by amcadams
In this section, we consider the relationship between our conception of Hell and human behavior. Two issues stand out. The first is whether it matters that there continue to be different conceptions of Hell. The second is whether our conception of Hell is related to moral behavior. Both of these issues test our ability to think analytically.
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PRONOUNCEMENTS AND THREATS: “GO TO HELL . . . !”
21. Thursday, March 29.
Discussion: Does Hell Exist? If so, in what form? What do people think today? What do these conceptions tell us about different views of human nature?
- Winfrid Herbst: “Don’t go to Hell!” PRINT AND READ
- Jeffery Sheler: “Hell hath no fury” PRINT AND READ
- John Paul II rejects literal Hell PRINT AND READ
- Pew Foundation Research on Belief in Hell: PRINT AND READ (entire) and PRINT AND READ pp. 11-12 of this document. Then compare with Noelle Knox, “Religion takes a back seat in Western Europe”: PRINT AND READ
- Bishop John Henry Spong, “Hell is an invention of the church” WATCH AND TAKE NOTES
22. Tuesday, April 3
Discussion: What is Human Nature and why should it matter for our understanding of moral behavior?
- An excerpt from Fyodr Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
Ivan Karamazov’s sobering thoughts on “Rebellion”: 236-246 (HAND-OUT)
Note: No self-respecting Notre Dame student should graduate without reading The Brothers Karamazov in its entirety. The book will change the way you look at life.
Your second writing assignment is HERE
23. Thursday, April 5
Film and Discussion: Stanley Milgram, “Obedience”
- On Milgram: READ
- The Milgram “Obedience Song” LISTEN AND GET WITH THE PROGRAM!
Easter Break: April 6-9
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A WORLD WITHOUT HELL: “NO HELL BENEATH US . . .”
24. Tuesday, April 10.
Discussion: What is the connection between Hell and moral behavior? Do we need to believe in Hell to maintain a civilized society?
- Jerry Walls: “Can we be Good without Hell?” PRINT AND READ
- Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: “Fear of Hell might fire up economy” PRINT AND READ
- Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize Speech: PRINT AND READ
- Richard Dawkins, “Religion’s real child abuse” PRINT AND READ
- David Brooks, “The End of Philosophy” PRINT AND READ
- Our Values Survey: An assessment of your findings.
25. Thursday, April 12.
Music from Hell:
- PRINT AND READ: Compare John Lennon‘s lyrics in “Imagine” with Nirvana‘s Kurt Cobain in”Lake of Fire“
- LISTEN: “Imagine” and “Lake of Fire“
- The People’s Choices: Your nominations will be HERE when you post them.
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NOTE: Please leave your technology at home. This includes electronic devices of any kind, such as laptops, i-Pads, cell phones, Kindles, x-Boxes, clouds, video cameras, or other personal digital devices.