Teaching & Learning Guide for: The Social Ethic of Religiously Unaffiliated Spirituality

Abstract

Author's Introduction Historically, spirituality has almost always been embedded in religion, but in the years following the 1960s counterculture, spirituality has also forged an existence outside traditional theologies. It is now increasingly common for people to describe themselves as ‘spiritual but not religious’, signalling their move away from traditional religious hierarchies towards an eclectic, self‐governing approach to existential meaning‐making. Spirituality today emerges from a complex socio‐religious matrix that is closely linked to the rise of individualism in affluent western nations. The social and religious implications of the cultural ethic of individualism have been much discussed. This essay adds another perspective by considering whether religiously unaffiliated spirituality contributes to the creation of an integrated society, and leads to the development of civically engaged and responsible citizens compared with organized religion. Online Materials 1. http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/indes.html?newsandcurrent#tapestry Tapestry is a CBC radio programme exploring spirituality and religion. Podcasts available for download. 2. http://www.thearda.com/ The Association of Religion Data Archives features high‐quality empirical data on the American religious landscape. See especially the learning modules to learn how to best use the data available on this website (http://www.thearda.com/learningModules/) 3. http://www.givingandvolunteering.ca/pdf/CSGVP_Highlights_2004_en.pdf Caring Canadians Involved Canadians: Highlights from the 2004 Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating 4. http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks TED talks (technology, entertainment and design) features video presentations (each about 20 min) by highly accomplished, and often high profile individuals. Geared to a sophisticated global audience, its speakers frequently epitomize a post‐materialist vision of how to build a better future. Sample Syllabus 1. Introduction to contemporary spirituality Albanese, C, ‘Introduction’, in American Spiritualities: A Reader, pp. 1–17 (Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Press, 2001). Roof, WC, Chapter 1 ‘Varieties of Spiritual Quest’, in Spiritual Marketplace: Baby Boomers and the Remaking of American Religion, pp. 16–45 (Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 1999). 2. The sociology of spirituality1960–1980: the Counter‐culture and the New Age Movement Roof, WC, Chapter 2 ‘The Making of a Quest Culture’, in Spiritual Marketplace: Baby Boomers and the Remaking of American Religion, pp. 46–76 (Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 1999). Ferguson, M, Chapter 1, ‘The Conspiracy’, and Chapter 2, ‘Premonitions of Transformation’, in The Aquarian Conspiracy: Personal and Social Transformation in the 1980s, pp. 23–64 (Los Angeles, CA, J.P. Tarcher Inc.). Websites of interest: The New Age today http://www.newage-journal.com/ http://www.fairycongress.com/fc2008/2008_links.htm http://www.aerious.org/index.html http://www.findhorn.org/ http://www.hollyhock.ca 3. ...