Christian Sogaard

May 5, 2007

Final Paper

Worldviews change; or should I say, worldviews develop. People develop, so this

seems quite appropriate. I think it’s safe to say that I have done a little developing this

past year. I think it’s also safe to say that I still don’t have much of a grasp on how I’ve

changed. And even though I can’t understand my worldview, I can understand why I

can’t understand my worldview. It’s been an interesting year.

Six months of what many refer to as, “The biggest year of their lives” have passed

since I last discussed my worldview, and I am struck with how little my views have

changed. I still feel that there is truth in the world, and that people are greatly altered by

the environment and family in which they have been brought up. I think I’m coming to a

point where my fundamental view of human life is established. Upon reflection, I have

realized that I feel I know what is best for me, and I know what is best for others. It’s

simply a matter of aligning what I know with what I do. To me, this feels like the best

view to have during college. Truly focused on learning how I can unite my beliefs with

my actions. I guess I have more of a grasp on my worldview than what I thought!

Learning about religions of the world was very beneficial to me. Exploring others

beliefs have helped me to discover something within me. I have always searched for a

way to connect to all people, and this has helped me see the similarities present within all

of us. Before this class, my view of religions of the world was pretty mixed together.

My knowledge of Judaism was very limited before this class. I was aware that

Jews were the target of horrible acts of genocide, and I was also aware of negative

stereotypes that they were associated with. The part of the world that I grew up in does
not have a lot of Jewish influence, so it becomes quite easy to misconceive who they are

as people. By studying their beliefs and literature, I was able to expand my view of them

and see how closely connected Catholics and Jews really are. I was very influenced by

the fact that both religions started in very similar fashions, and hold very similar truths

regarding the world. Both religions also look to similar individuals and their actions for

examples of how to behave in this world.

I gained quite a bit of knowledge regarding Islam. Discussing the roots of Islam

and all of its fundamental beliefs was extremely interesting. I enjoyed discussing the five

pillars, especially how each Muslim is required to make a Hajj to Mecca. It was

interesting to find out that Islam is also a religion of the book. I enjoyed studying

Muhammad and his life, and I enjoyed discussing the similarities between Christianity

and Islam. In today’s American culture, it’s quite easy to form a misconceived,

stereotypical view of Muslims, so it was refreshing to see how similar, rather than

different both religions really are. My view of Islam as a religion has become much more

optimistic, and I feel that I have a more positive perspective of Muslims around the

world.

Hinduism is quite an interesting religion. Before studying this religion, I often

saw Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam as one-in-the same. I now feel a much more distinct

knowledge of each individual belief, and I can better understand the people associated

with each. I enjoyed studying Karma, the caste system, and the Yogas. It was very

interesting to see why they did what they did in regards to Karma, and how they felt that

life on earth continued after death. The concept of reincarnation is quite fascinating, and

this class has really sparked a fire for further research into Hindus as people. Studying
Hinduism in this class helped me to make a new friend; I met Mohit, a Hindu from

Nepal. I had quite a bit of curiosity regarding his beliefs and view of the world, and I felt

that I was able to understand him better because of the background in which he came. I

thoroughly enjoyed reading the packets about Hinduism, especially regarding Mohandas

Gandhi.

I enjoyed studying Buddhist philosophy. I gave a presentation about the Dali

Lama, and I felt that I gained a whole new perspective of that man, and the part of the

world that he came from. Studying the life of the Buddha was extremely interesting as

well. I enjoyed learning about his struggle with life, and then his enlightenment, where

he was said to have reached Nirvana. I enjoyed discussing the Four Noble Truths and the

Eight-Fold Path. It was interesting to see how the Eight-Fold Path is a life choice one

makes, and how it is closely associated with all religions. I feel that I carry a similar

attitude in life as most Buddhists. I feel a lot of connection to Buddhist thought, and

studying this has, once again, sparked an interest that will lead me to further research.

My view of Christianity has expanded. I am most shocked by a new view of

Jesus that I have. I am able to see him much more objectively, as a man. Before this

class, I felt a personal tension when people talked about Jesus- it was kind of like talking

about your parents when you are younger. This is understandable, because I have been

raised a certain way, and this way is extremely closely correlated with the teachings of

this man. I feel that I can see him from a clearer lens, and I am much more comfortable

when discussing him. When we discussed Christianity, I did feel a sense of rediscovering

my beliefs. It is always healthy to be reminded of what you believe, and I think that

studying Christianity made me question some things.

 I think that there is definitely something for Christians to learn from other

religions. First of all, that there is truth in all religions, and that we need to enforce that

connection of truth, rather than separation of beliefs. As Christian’s, we are allowed to

find truth in other religions, and seek knowledge from others and their teachings, and I

think that this is very necessary to be the best Christian that you can be.

How can we all live more peacefully together? That is quite a question. It seems

like most people know the answer to this question, yet they fail to take action when it is

needed. I think that in order to live more peacefully, we need to truly listen to others.

We need to be much more receptive to what others are doing, and we need to make

ourselves aware of the actions that we are choosing to take. We need to be open to all

people, and we need to set an example for others to follow. Our focus needs to be on

something greater in our lives, and we need to help others find that something as well.

I enjoyed this class. Now that it is finished, I feel like I can look back on what

we’ve discussed, and really see that I have gained a lot. I liked the fact that this class was

very open to the students, and how they personally interpreted the material we discussed.

Essentially, that’s what it is all about anyways, and it was nice to have that attitude

towards class. In my opinion, it made doing the readings and homework much more

rewarding personally, and I feel that it did for others as well. I enjoyed being able to

study people and their beliefs. That is the most interesting thing to me, and to gain

further knowledge on something like that is very rewarding.

I would like to have had the class in Smyth, but it must have been in Hennessey

for a reason!