1. Religious Literacy (n):
While the reading provided in-depth discussion of what religious literacy in education should and should not be, my personal definition centers around awareness. Religious literacy is the open-mindedness to understand different practices and beliefs with respect to religion. Historical, theological, and traditional beliefs that unite a religion's followers are important aspects of this, but the ultimate goal of decreasing ignorance and fear in hopes of people of different religions living together in a respectful and peaceful classroom/school/workplace/society that acknowledges religious differences and embraces similarities.
2. My own level of religious literacy
Being raised Catholic and raising my children Catholic, I consider myself quite literate in the Catholic faith. I have taught religious education to students, including preparation for sacraments, for the past ten years., and go to mass regularly.
With respect to other religions, I consider myself significantly less literate. My community has a large Jewish population and I have learned about this faith by going to Bar/Bat Mitzvah's, funerals, and weddings. In addition, simply asking questions to my Jewish friends about their beliefs and traditions has been incredibly informative. I find our two religions are extremely similar in many ways.
I have little to no knowledge of other religion aside from surface level facts shared with me by my students: holidays, traditions, dress, etc. I'm looking forward to go beyond my current level of information during this class!
3. Why is religious literacy important?
RL is important to foster a level of acceptance in our school communities in hopes that it will transcend into the community at large.. Just as we aim to educate our students about people from different cultures, people with physical and learning disabilities, and other characteristics that makes them different, religion must also be addressed. As humans, we are more likely to be kind and compassionate to someone we know than someone we do not. Educating others about different religions can only aid in promoting this understanding and ultimate bring more good into the world.
4. My goal
My goal over the course of this class is to learn more about religions that my students practice and to identify resources that I can use to continue my religious literacy journey.
Being raised Catholic and raising my children Catholic, I consider myself quite literate in the Catholic faith. I have taught religious education to students, including preparation for sacraments, for the past ten years., and go to mass regularly.
With respect to other religions, I consider myself significantly less literate. My community has a large Jewish population and I have learned about this faith by going to Bar/Bat Mitzvah's, funerals, and weddings. In addition, simply asking questions to my Jewish friends about their beliefs and traditions has been incredibly informative. I find our two religions are extremely similar in many ways.
I have little to no knowledge of other religion aside from surface level facts shared with me by my students: holidays, traditions, dress, etc. I'm looking forward to go beyond my current level of information during this class!
3. Why is religious literacy important?
RL is important to foster a level of acceptance in our school communities in hopes that it will transcend into the community at large.. Just as we aim to educate our students about people from different cultures, people with physical and learning disabilities, and other characteristics that makes them different, religion must also be addressed. As humans, we are more likely to be kind and compassionate to someone we know than someone we do not. Educating others about different religions can only aid in promoting this understanding and ultimate bring more good into the world.
4. My goal
My goal over the course of this class is to learn more about religions that my students practice and to identify resources that I can use to continue my religious literacy journey.