Imagine There's No Religion
FYSEMR 68F
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
John Lennon of Beatles’ fame asks us to imagine a world with no religion in the lyrics of his widely acclaimed song written in 1971. He also asks us to imagine a world without nationalism and inequality. He admits he’s a dreamer, but what if we delve deeper into his dream? Is he correct to identify religion, nationalism, and inequality as the main sources of the world’s ills over the past century and are these components of human civilization made even worse when they intersect with one another in dangerous ways?
The aim of this seminar is to interrogate those ideas in four categories: religion and progress; religion and economics; religion and conflict; and religion and climate change. Key questions will include the relationship between religion and nationalism in global conflicts, and the 20th century attempts by states to enforce egalitarian policies, or what one historian has called ‘the pursuit of the egalitarian mirage.’ Are religious divisions at the heart of some of the world’s most intractable conflicts?
Closer to home in the United States, what do you understand from the term Christian nationalism and how big a threat is it to American democracy? As the world faces up to the challenges posed by global warming and ecological crises, are the world’s religions contributing to solutions or exacerbating problems? In short, if we imagine a world without religion, what difference would it make, for better or for worse?
Class Notes
First-Year Seminars are available only to first-year students. You may apply to both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 First-Year Seminars via the FYS lottery between July 6 and August 6, 2026 at 11:59PM-midnight.
You may apply to as many seminars each term as you would like, but we recommend you apply to at least six in fall and three in spring.
As part of your application, you must provide a brief statement on why you are interested in each seminar. You will be notified of lottery results for both fall and spring seminars at 5 pm on August 11. If you are unsuccessful in the lottery, you may still join any seminar with open seats. A list of open seminars and instructions on next steps will be available on the First-Year Seminar Program website August 11 at 12 Noon.
Not Available for Cross Registration
