By Meghan Streit
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

These days it seems religion plays a role in almost every significant current event—from the war in Iraq to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to elections right here in the U.S. To make sense of the news, an understanding of religion is increasingly important.

But when it comes down to it, what do any of us actually know about a faith other than our own? In fact, many of us probably don’t know everything we could about our own religion.

Not just preaching to the choir
For Monarch Landing residents looking to raise their religious IQ, an in-house expert is on hand to show them the way. Rev. Michael Douglas Bittel, Monarch Landing’s pastoral ministries manager, is teaching a course called Introduction to World Religions.

Bittel has a master’s in divinity and has also studied comparative religions. Each week he’ll give residents a crash course in a different faith.

“I’m there to bring what little wisdom I have, then open the discussion and talk about the ways religions are similar and different, and what we believe collectively about these different religions,” Bittel says.

Of course, the class will cover the fundamentals of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. But the 15-week exploration will also include a field trip to a Hindu temple and introductions to lesserknown religions like Sikhism and Jainism.

Sikhism traces its roots to 16th century India, and professes disciplined meditation on God’s message as the path to salvation. Jainism also originated in ancient India, and its followers believe in the equality of all living things and are dedicated to non-violence.

Bob Garland signed up for the class after he started having discussions with Bittel about different religions based on a book both men had read.

“I am interested in different religions and learning about what they have in common, not just what makes them different,” Garland says.