The University of Oklahoma
College of Liberal Studies
1610 Asp Ave Ste 108, Norman, OK 73072
Phone: 405-325-1061/800-522-4389 Fax: 405-325-7132

4750 Advanced Interdisciplinary Seminar: Tornadoes and Lightning

Welcome

Welcome

Course Overview and Rationale
The course will examine the ways in which religious faith has been used to rationalize war, terrorism, ethnic cleansing, and other evil acts. Using comparative religious study as a basis for inquiry, students will learn the five warning signs of imminent evil in the name of religion. This is an interdisciplinary course, drawing upon perspectives from religious history, sociology, education, and religious philosophy.

In this book, Kimball (2002) identifies the Five Warning Signs of Corruption in Religion:

  • Absolute truth claims
  • Blind obedience
  • Establishing the “Ideal” time
  • The end justifies any means
  • Declaring holy war

Whenever any of these, or all of these in concert are present in a religious tradition, Kimball (2002) argues that it is a recipe for evil acts in the name of religion.

Definition
In this course, evil will be simply defined as “consciously causing injury or death to a fellow human being.”

Course Objectives
After completing this course students will be able to:

  • Identify five warning signs of imminent evil in the name of the religion;
  • Describe globalization as a source of global conflict;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of cognitive dissonance;
  • Explain the concept of paradigms in relation to religious belief systems; and
  • Describe in words, the way an ideology helps frame our concepts of human nature and the universe.


Student Resources

Student Resources

Required Textbooks

Kimball, Charles. (2002). When Religion Becomes Evil. San Francisco: Harper Collins. ISBN-10: 0-06-055610-2, ISBN-13: 978-0060556105.

Smith, Huston. (1991). The World’s Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions. San Francisco: Harper Collins. ISBN: 0-06-250811-3.

Credits

Subject Matter Expert
Frank Rodriquez, MLS

Course Web cite Design and Development
Catherine Kerley, 2008