Who Needs God? Rethinking God in Light of Hindu and Christian Wisdom

HDS 3751 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course reflects on God reconsidered in light of modern and postmodern doubts about the very idea of “God,” in cultures where belief in God, and even understanding of God, is waning. What does needing God mean, for whom? The questions are raised in light of Hindu and Christian scriptures, from philosophical and theological perspectives, and with reference to spiritual paths to union with God in these great traditions. What is missing, if God is missing? Readings, subject to revision, will include some of these: 19^th and 20^th century essays on theism and atheism; selected scriptural texts in the Vedic and Biblical traditions; mystical texts by medieval poet thinkers, Sri Śaṃkara's Goddess hymn, Ocean of Beauty (8^th century) and St. Gertud of Helfta’s “Mystical Union” chapter of her Spiritual Exercises (13^th century); the 19^th century mystics Ramakrishna and Térèse of Lisieux; 20^th century prophets of compassion and justice, Mohandas K. Gandhi and Dorothy Day. Comparing Hindu and Christian traditions on God challenge 21^st century ideas of God, religion, self, but the course strongly welcomes insights from other traditions ancient and modern. Jointly offered in the Faculty of Arts and Science as Religion 1059.