[lit-ideas] Re: Suggestions for class I'm teaching????

I think a little history is always in order. If one truly, for example, comes to see that religion has always been about power rather than God, one will be a little less in awe. More than 5,000 years ago, new Sumerian kings touted their goals and accomplishments for the people and one of the things they always mentioned is that they would (or did) reign in the power of the priests -- that they lowered the fees that could be charged for funerals, that they kept the clergy from stealing the land of the poor and orphaned etc. They never got rid of the priesthood, however. They worked too well together -- I'll praise your gods and support you with taxes, you praise me and support me by continuing to teach that kingship is lowered from heaven (and we'll all get rich together)
One step at a time. Religion is always first as it's nearest and dearest to our hearts, coming so early and from such a position of power. Beginning to doubt religion is always the beginning of other doubts about our basic assumptions and, as the man said, doubt is what gets you an education. Re-reading this, John, I see that my comments are a little beside the point of your original question. Something about what Mike said set my little hobbyhorse rocking. Or your comment below.....if you begin to see that this 'us' and 'them' mentality is part of the control mechanism used by religion (and other isms), you can perhaps begin to see 'them' differently. Surely this is why good kids from the heartland are always warned away from visiting the big, evil city. Too many of 'them.' You might get ideas...and doubts... 

Ursula

John Wager wrote:
The way I was raised, as a good "X," is to see everybody from all other "Y's" as evil." 
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