The Threat of Hell

In this section, we consider the relationship between our conception of Hell and human behavior.   Two issues in particular 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 might be related to moral behavior.  Both of these issues test our ability to think analytically. 
       

Image VII. Pronouncements and Threats: “Go to Hell . . .!”  

21. Tuesday, November 9           

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!”  READ
  • Jeffery Sheler: “Hell hath no fury”: READ
  • John Paul II rejects literal Hell: READ
  • Pew Foundation Research on Belief in Hell: READ (entire) and READ  (pp. 11-12) and compare with Noelle Knox, “Religion takes a back seat in Western Europe”: READ
  • Bishop John Henry Spong, “Hell is an invention of the church”:  LISTEN AND WATCH

   
Your second writing assignment is HERE
     

22. Thursday, November 11           

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).
  • 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.

23. Tuesday, November 16           

Film and Discussion: Stanley Milgram, “Obedience”           

            

Image VIII. A World Without Hell: “No hell beneath us . . .”             

24. Thursday, November 18           

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?”: READ
  • Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: “Fear of Hell might fire up economy”: READ
  • Richard Dawkins, “Religion’s real child abuse”: READ
  • David Brooks, “The End of Philosophy”: READ
  • Our Values Survey: An assessment of your findings.

25. Tuesday, November 23           

Music from Hell:           

26. Thursday, November 25:  NO CLASS AT NOTRE DAME due to Thanksgiving          

  

 THANKSGIVING BREAK   Thursday, November 25 – Sunday, November 29  

           

            

NOTE:  Please leave your technology at home. This includes electronic devices of any kind, such as laptops, i-Pads, cell phones, Kindles, video cameras, or other personal digital devices.