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World Religions Reflection

For the position paper, I specifically chose to argue that religions are not unfair to women

because before this class I would probably assume religions generally are unfair to women. I am

mostly indifferent to religions, seeing both good and bad aspects to organized religion as a

whole, and not participating in it. The final position paper encouraged me to take into account all

the positive aspects of religions and see them as a reflection of cultures, which is also good and

bad. In our last class discussion, I said something to the effect that religion serves more than just

a spiritual purpose and you said it creates a community. Exploring that more in my position

paper would have been an added layer because that is one admirable aspect of religion and it

helps everyone who is apart of it.

Going to the synagogue was especially exciting for me because my mum’s family is

Jewish but I had never been religiously Jewish even though I wear a Star of David necklace. I

met a few Jewish women in Salt Lake before at my job and they invited me to synagogue events

and luncheons but I was always nervous to go. The synagogue was really welcoming and I talked

to three members there after the service. Similar to the other place of worship visits, it was

difficult to pay attention and I’m not used to the tone and subject of sermons so I don’t know that

I’ll go back. However, I was happy to have the chance to engage with the Jewish community.

Even though I always find going to the Cathedral of the Madeline very calming, no one

approaches me and no one greeted me when I went to Mass, but it is understandable since the

people at the synagogue knew we were visiting.

It was beneficial to learn about Sikhism and Hinduism because those religions are

mentioned often and there are a considerable amount of Hindus and Sikhs in communities I’ve

lived in without knowing the origin or beliefs those faiths held. Now I can briefly explain the

origin and world view of those religions to other people who also are unaware as I was. The most
significant takeaway from this class would be an appreciation of a better understanding of

religious beliefs and practices, but it strengthened my own beliefs as well. This class was not

meant to change anyone’s beliefs but I was interested to see if maybe I felt a connection to one

of the religions we learned of.

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