Part 1:
Please write a brief (200 word essay each) on the following eight essay topics:
1. How is one to be saved or make a successful transition to the afterlife in the six NRMs?
2. What does Bednarowski mean when she says that the afterlives in all six traditions are progressive?
3. What is the nature of death in the six NRMs?
4. What happens after death to individual personality, personal relationships, and family relationships in the six traditions?
5. How do the six NRMs approach the ethical issues of personal behavior, especially sexuality?
6. How do the six NRMs approach the ethical issues surrounding families?
7. How do the six NRMs approach global issues (e.g. war, poverty, environmental problems, etc.)?
8. Which of the NRMs feel they have an ethical responsibility for the state of the universe, and why?
Part 2:
Please write a brief (200 word essay each) on the following four essay topics:
1. Why do you think Dawson is so keen to guard against social scientific reductionism?
2. Why does Dawson argue that knowing the social context out of which NRMs emerge is important for understanding NRMs?
3. Compare and contrast Berger's theory of secularization with Stark and Bainbridges' theory of secularization.
4. Ouline and discuss the elements of Dawson's typology of NRMs (what he calls 'cults').
Part 3:
Wright a 2 page paper on what you learned about the Early Buddhist tradition and culture.
The emergent Mahayana tradition utlized texts from the Tripitaka to create new conceptions of buddhas and bodhisattvas wright about the early ages of Buddhist culture and traditions.
Part 4: Write a paragraph or 2 I need this part by firday and I need everything else done by Saturdy.
Buddhism has been seen by many Western thinkers as a variant of psychology. What psychological concepts are, at least in part, due to Buddhist inspiration? What psychologists and philosophers were influenced by Buddhism.
Part 5:
Primary readings for this module deal with three cases of NRMs that ended in violence: the People's Temple, the Branch Davidians, and the UFO cult, Heaven's Gate. As you read these documents, think about wether you can identify the factors that Dawson argues predispose an NRM to violence.
• In the three case studies (the People's Temple, the Branch Davidians, Heaven's Gate), what was the role of apocalyptic thinking in their violent end?
• In the three case studies (the People's Temple, the Branch Davidians, Heaven's Gate), what was the role of charismatic leadership in their violent end?
• In the three case studies (the People's Temple, the Branch Davidians, Heaven's Gate), what was the role of social encapsulation in their violent end?