SIDE: Society for Inter-Religous Dialogue and Education
Officers
President: Sasha Geise
geises@cwu.edu (509)859-2443
Vice President: Sonika Vashist vashists@cwu.edu (206)788-7537
Secretary: Katie Jacobson jacobsonka@cwu.edu (425)275-2421
Senator: Jennifer Arledge arledgej@cwu.edu (360)731-9509
Treasurer:
Mission Statement
The Society for Inter-religious Dialogue and Education of Central Washington University has been established to promote understanding of, and communication between, the many religious traditions practiced worldwide. Through discussion of various topics including, but not limited to, literature, artistic expression and celebrations, we look forward to further educating ourselves and others.
We, the members of SIDE, are dedicated to promoting a broad-minded, considerate environment that helps prevent intolerance and breakdown negative religious stereotypes, while encouraging considerate discourse and appreciation of the world's religious traditions. SIDE believes we all have a shared responsibility to be respectful and embrace our diverse beliefs for the betterment of humanity.
Our Amazing Creed:
SIDE does not support the use of derogatory terms, or offensive language, in regards to the various beliefs and practices of others, by any of its members: both during and outside club meetings.
SIDE does not endorse prejudice; does not allow proselytizing by any faith or religious tradition within club meetings or activities.
SIDE does encourage all members to be open-minded and respectful to all who attend club meetings and SIDE sponsored activities.
SIDE does believe that we, as humans, have a shared responsibility for the betterment of humanity.
FIRST MEETING: WEDNESDAY NOV. 4
BLACK HALL 150 6 PM
Topics for Meetings and Events
1. Stereotypes (1st Meeting topic)
a. fact vs. myth
b. the religious and the non-religious
2. Gender roles
3. Creation Myths
4. Afterlife
a. good and evil
b. karma
c. heaven and hell
5. Religious Practices
a. divination
b. astrology
c. feng shui
d. palm reading
6. Similarities (pluralism)
7. Blending of Religions
a. stories
b. traditions
8. The Divine
9. Fertility myths across religions
10. Mythology
a. saints
b. demonology
c. animal symbolism
11. Everyday Religion
12. Symbolism
a. icons
13. Sacred space/time/objects
14. Body adornment as religious expression
15. Folklore/superstition
16. Celebrations
17. Taboos
18. Terminology
a. what is religion?
19. Origins
20. Divisions within a religion
21. Life stages/rites of passage
a. confirmation
b. baptism
22. Modern issues (traditional religious stances)
a. religion and politics
23. Views on blood/blood rituals
24. Role of fear vs. role of freedom
25. believers and scholars
a. as religion changes there are different interpretations of that faith, but do religious people view their religion the same way?
26. Defining beauty across religions
27. Sufism
28. Religious dances (event?)
29. Religious music
30. New age/space age religions
31. Religion: Inside, outside or among us?
32. Religious architecture
33. Religious art in general
34. Idols vs. no idols
35. Emptiness within us
a. is it filled by philosophy, religion, or are we doomed to be melancholy forever with no antidote?
36. Religious ritual
37. The body and respect (especially regarding women)
38. Religious clothing
39. Religion through the eyes of children
40. Zen poetry
41. Poetry and chants
42. Food and religion
43. Literature and religion
44. Comparative study of religious traditions
a. similarities and differences
45. Religious evolution
a. how one religion has changed over time
b. how it has responded within and without itself
c. how it has responded to modernity
46. Common religious symbols
a. e.g. tree of life in different religious traditions
47. Mystical traditions – Western and Eastern
a. compare and contrast
48. Homosexuality and Religion
Updated 10/14/09
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