Rs Course Assignment
Compare a well-known historical or contemporary figure in each of the following two traditions: Humanist and Buddhist
Analyse and evaluate how their beliefs and ideas have influenced their work
Introduction
I have chosen two contemporary figures for my comparison, Gene Roddenberry (creator of Star Trek), a famous contemporary humanist, and George Lucas (creator of Star Wars), a famous contemporary Buddhist Methodist. I believe a comparison of these two figures can offer an interesting and exciting application of religious studies in the classroom, relating two perhaps unknown subjects for many students, humanism and Buddhism, to an area they are comfortable and familiar with – television and the cinema.
I aim to begin my discussion by briefly comparing humanist and Buddhist beliefs, concepts and key texts. I will then go on to analyse how each man’s ideas, beliefs and philosophies have influenced their work. In conclusion, I will argue how both Roddenberry’s and Lucas’s canons of work have had powerful influence on contemporary culture and on the fans and followers of Star Trek and Star Wars. My objective is to illustrate how through the power of the media, both Roddenberry’s and Lucas’s work has influenced millions of people’s lives, beliefs and cultural practices.
Buddhism and Humanism
The practice of Buddhism is thought to have begun about 2500 years ago in North East India. It has grown to become one of the major religious traditions of the human race with over 360 million adherents, which is about 6% of the world 's population (1). Similarly, Humanism is also a worldwide phenomenon but has a comparatively smaller number of active adherents, approximately in the region of 150 million, which is about 2% of the world 's population (4).
Buddhism is founded upon the teachings of Siddattha Gotama, who lived in India in the 6th century BCE. Siddattha Gotama went on to become known as the Buddha, which means ‘someone who has gained
Analyse and evaluate how their beliefs and ideas have influenced their work
Introduction
I have chosen two contemporary figures for my comparison, Gene Roddenberry (creator of Star Trek), a famous contemporary humanist, and George Lucas (creator of Star Wars), a famous contemporary Buddhist Methodist. I believe a comparison of these two figures can offer an interesting and exciting application of religious studies in the classroom, relating two perhaps unknown subjects for many students, humanism and Buddhism, to an area they are comfortable and familiar with – television and the cinema.
I aim to begin my discussion by briefly comparing humanist and Buddhist beliefs, concepts and key texts. I will then go on to analyse how each man’s ideas, beliefs and philosophies have influenced their work. In conclusion, I will argue how both Roddenberry’s and Lucas’s canons of work have had powerful influence on contemporary culture and on the fans and followers of Star Trek and Star Wars. My objective is to illustrate how through the power of the media, both Roddenberry’s and Lucas’s work has influenced millions of people’s lives, beliefs and cultural practices.
Buddhism and Humanism
The practice of Buddhism is thought to have begun about 2500 years ago in North East India. It has grown to become one of the major religious traditions of the human race with over 360 million adherents, which is about 6% of the world 's population (1). Similarly, Humanism is also a worldwide phenomenon but has a comparatively smaller number of active adherents, approximately in the region of 150 million, which is about 2% of the world 's population (4).
Buddhism is founded upon the teachings of Siddattha Gotama, who lived in India in the 6th century BCE. Siddattha Gotama went on to become known as the Buddha, which means ‘someone who has gained
Bibliography: (23) Baggini, J., 2003. Atheism: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford Very Short Introductions). Oxford: OUP. (24) Blackburn, S., 2006. Truth: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Penguin paperback. (25) Cush, D. 1994. Buddhism (Student 's Approach to World Religions). London: Hodder. (26) Keown, D. 1996, Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford Very Short Introductions). Oxford: OUP (27) Norman, R., 2004. On Humanism (Thinking in Action), London, Routledge Wright, C. 1997, Buddhism for Today, Oxford: OUP.