misconceptions about religion

Topic: Report on Religious Field Research

You are to pick one (1) of the religions studied (with which you are not very familiar) and attend a “virtual religious service” and complete additional research (for a list of services, see below).

Write a 5-7 page paper in which you:
1. Discuss any misconceptions you had about the religion you researched.
2. Analyze how your prior understanding about this religion was altered (if at all) through your encounter.
3. Discuss whether you believe misconceptions about other people’s religion are common and explain why or why not.
4. Recommend at least one (1) step that could be taken to minimize misconceptions people have about religions not their own.

Keep the points to be covered in your paper in mind during your religious field research to help guide your encounter. The purpose of your field research (whether actual or virtual) is to test your own assumptions about this religion.
Pay attention to what is important to people inside the religion, what they do, what they profess, how they act, what they value, what they talk about, and what they tell you about their religion. The easiest way to understand what is important to someone else is let them tell you about their faith, their traditions, and their religious practices. The most important thing to do is to keep an open mind and listen.

Your assignment must:
• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the

Virtual Worship Services
• Atheist: The Atheist Experience — http://www.ustream.tv/channel/The-Atheist-Experience; scroll to bottom of page to see time and date for next live broadcasts, which are usually from 4:30-6:00 p.m. CST on Sundays; live chat generally starts one hour prior to show/service.
• Buddhist: Boundless Light Sangha (live meditation and Dharma message service) — http://www.ustream.tv/channel/boundless-light-sangha; scroll down to bottom of page to see time and date for the next broadcasts, which are usually from 7:00-7:30 a.m. EST; you MUST go to the Website and click the RSVP button a few days prior to the service to let them know that you will be attending).
• Buddhist: Dharma Teaching Service (live with English translator) — http://www.ustream.tv/channel/buddhist-dgarma-teachings; the Website does not yet state specific times and dates, but it seems to be live online fairly regularly.