Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias: Why We Need Critical Thinking by Robert E. Bartholomew

Author:Robert E. Bartholomew [Bartholomew, Robert E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Published: 2010-07-20T05:00:00+00:00

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Many religions today might be considered cults: the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), the Church of Scientology. Should they be? But who decides?

2. Today in some religious communities, followers speak in strange languages and handle poisonous snakes. Do you consider this to be abnormal? Why or why not?

3. Should Jehovah’s Witnesses be allowed to refuse a live-saving blood transfusion? What if a three-month-old baby is the one requiring the transfusion?

4. A recent controversy about cults involves the Falun Gong movement in China. The Chinese government labels the group a dangerous cult, while followers claim it is simply a peaceful philosophy. How might the Chinese benefit from publicly labeling Falun Gong as a cult?

5. Regardless of whether the group led by David Koresh in Waco, Texas, was a cult or not, did the U.S. government have a vested interest in portraying it as one in the media?

6. Why is it important to be tolerant of different religious beliefs and expressions?

7. Should government tolerate the Doukhobors of Canada? Where does the line between religious freedom end and the need to enforce community morals and act in the public good begin?

8. Why do you think that the idea of “religious insanity” became popular in the United States in the nineteenth century?

9. Why is it important to judge behavior within its context?

10. How can we reduce the natural human tendency of being ethnocentric ?

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