Overview

"Of late, speaking about religion has become a problem. Whether we are in our homes, at worship, on the street, in college classrooms, or anywhere that conversations happen, speaking about religion often can turn into a heated exchange. As our political and religious divisions widen, so does our inability to cross over to meet others halfway with compassionate, convicted, and civil dialogue. Speaking of Religion . . . not only offers ways in which we might open ourselves to hearing and caring about others, but also seeks to help us understand our own convictions more fully. Such dialogue is not often easy, but it is essential if we ever hope to find our way into a future where fear, hatred, and cruelty can be set aside. As Plato is reputed to have said, ""We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when adults are afraid of the light."" Speaking of Religion seeks to look for light in a world that all too readily gets lost in the night of religious ignorance."

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9781666722871

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Reviews

This is a practical manual for teachers of the academic study of religion. I wish I had this when I first taught world religions. It is a lucid guide to how to create a classroom that is a compassionate, convicted, and civil community. Hammerling effectively uses case studies to show how students bringing very different religious or secular perspectives to the classroom can learn to practice empathetic listening while never being asked to give up thoughtfully held convictions. --David B. Myers, Professor of Philosophy, retired, Minnesota State University Moorhead At a time when religious illiteracy flourishes and religiously fueled divisions are making our world less kind, Speaking of Religion . . . is a much-needed intervention! This engaging, accessible introduction to the academic study of religion encourages readers to link critical thinking about religion to a compassionate orientation to each other. With humility and passion, Hammerling demonstrates how developing religious literacy through the academic study of religion enhances personal meaning, convicted civility, and collective wellbeing. --Michelle Lelwica, Professor of Religion, Women and Gender Studies, and Pre-Law, Concordia College Speaking of Religion . . . is a unique and valuable contribution toward introducing the academic study of religion. Both students and teachers will benefit from engaging with Hammerling's deep and insightful reflections on how we can best explore matters of faith and meaning. --Ahmed Afzaal, Associate Professor of Religion and Social Activism, Concordia College

Author Information

Roy Hammerling is Professor Emeritus of Religion, Greek and Roman Studies, and the History of Christian Spirituality at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

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