Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know

By: Mark Berkson, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Mark Berkson

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

According to polls conducted by Gallup and the Pew Research Forum on Religion & Public Life, the majority of Americans fail basic tests about religion, including tests on their own faith. This is troublesome because religious literacy is about so much more than naming deities or knowing the stories of ancient history. For many of us, religion is a way to examine and understand ourselves.

Moreover, religious literacy – the knowledge of basic teachings, symbols, practices, founders, institutions, and values of the world's religious traditions - can shed new light on the world around us and knock down the boundaries between us, making us better neighbors and better citizens. These 24 enlightening lectures offer you the chance to experience the breadth and depth of the world's religions from all angles – historical, theological, and cultural. They take you on a tour of the world and its religious cultures. From India to East Asia to the Middle East to the United States, your journey with Professor Berkson introduces you to the beliefs and practices of other traditions and provides you with new insights into your own.

The course approaches each religion from an "imaginative insider's perspective." What does the world look like from the perspective of someone within each tradition? What does this person value and care about? What are the everyday scriptures, rituals, traditions, and holidays like?

Along the way, you'll discover certain features that are common to many religions – concepts of divinity, scripture, rituals, and explanations of good and evil - and you'll find new ways to attain greater self-understanding.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

Insightful and Balanced. Well paced and thorough

Prudent. and thought provoking. Timely and historically grounded to the conditions and circumstances of today. The theme of discussion effectively addressed related disciplines like politics,, sociology and social psychology.

Always something to Learn

Another winner!!! I love the Graet Courses, this is a definite favorite. I knew a little about some of the religions but this lecture put much in context. I also loved the inclusion of possible personal philosophies that could be gained. I plan to listen to it again and some chapters a third or fourth time.

Great narration

The author knows his subject extremely well and keeps the listener captivated by following a well organized narrative.

Specifically Contemporary Religious Practices

Very much enjoyed this discussion on religious practices throughout the world - starts in South Asia and progresses through the major religions of Eurasia focusing on those that are currently practiced - no discussion of indigenous peoples from Africa, Australia or the Americas - worthwhile for theists and nontheists alike

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this course

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I found the content interesting and the delivery very engaging.

What other book might you compare Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know to and why?

Unknown

Have you listened to any of Professor Mark Berkson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The explanation of the difference between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox: I had never heard this explained nor the history behind the two religions.

Any additional comments?

For a basic course, it is fairly thorough and covers the main religions and also explains many of the more obscure religions as well. Professor Berkson is very entertaining to listen to. He explains the history and background of each religion, as well as how it is practiced in daily life, also explaining holidays and traditions. He is very equal in his treatment and assessment of each religion, not infusing his opinion into the content. It imparts useful and practical knowledge.

Fills in many blanks.

This lecture series is an excellent way to broaden your knowledge of other cultures. Since ignorance breeds fear, I recommend a listen.

Mandatory primer on World Religions

Would you listen to Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know again? Why?

Yes. There is a lot of information and it's best to listed a few times to retain it better. World religions are complex and to really understand people from different religious backgrounds it's not done by just listening

Which character – as performed by Professor Mark Berkson – was your favorite?

Mark Berkson's entire lecture was fabulous. Captivating, good pacing.

Any additional comments?

Very good primer. The title is right: it's what the educated person SHOULD know about the word's biggest religions. It's the basics and that's enough.

Fascinating overview of world religions

This lecture series was highly engaging. In fact, I listened to all 24 lectures in just a few days. The lecturer is skilled at presenting facets of each religious tradition from an objective viewpoint. I am eager to listen to this series again. #educational #inspirational #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Don't make your life about us vs. them.

a very thought-provoking book looking at a variety of religions and also reviewing the violence that has occurred in the United States and in other countries over religion very interesting book I definitely recommend making sure you listen to the last chapter!

Great Work

Where does Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know?

The end. When starting the work, some of the practices seemed fantastical; at the end, one walks away with an appreciation of the beauty of these works.

What does Professor Mark Berkson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is very passionate and a good speaker.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Understanding the taboo against eating cows in Hinduism being related to the reverence they feel for such a nurturing animal (from where milk and butter derive) was moving.

Any additional comments?

Only complaint would be there was a lot more time spent on Jewish holidays, some spent on Christian holidays and practically none on the other religions. That said, I do think that the professor remained professional and objective throughout.